180 Bow Rider Thread... Questions & Answers or just chat!

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New Member
Sep 22, 2009
88
North FL
Boat Info
180
Engines
3.0 Merc W/ Alpha I Outdrive
I noticed some of the other models have a dedicated thread so I figured we could have one as well. After asking for some assistance on my new to me 180 I've gotten help from other 180 owners and I'm sure there's more. So this will give us somewhere to conversate! Feel free to ask other 180 Owners questions and openions here. Also tell us about your 180 any heads up's or problems you've had in the past could really help out someone else. Live and learn online.

After a request we'll add on the 190's here as well... =-)
 
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Can we include 190 bow riders too? The 180s and 190s are the forgotten lengths now that Sea Ray seems to end their sport boat numbers with a 5.
 
Can we include 190 bow riders too? The 180s and 190s are the forgotten lengths now that Sea Ray seems to end their sport boat numbers with a 5.

Sure I don't think there is much differance in those models except the engine size. The outdrive is an Alpha 1 correct? So the outdrive, trim system, and body should be very close so the info should pass back and forth... and hey you all have a foot on us but I think we're okay with our shortcomings.... LoL
 
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Can anyone post up some info on Manifold and Elbow on the 3.0. Also where can I find out what actually fits my engine? It was repowered in 02 under warrenty so I am assuming that it will need to be researched to figure out what year the block is to know what manifold I need? Also what have you all done on mantiance for these? Mine are showing some rust where the manifold meets the riser which I thought was from a previous issue that has since been rectified since I see no leakage now. I stopped by a boat shop today for an unrelated issue and the mechanic said I need to replace those immediatly just from a quick glance. I'm trying to figure out if he was trying to drum up some easy money or if it's really an issue. I guess I need to pull the riser and see if it's leaking back into the exhaust? and with doing that from experiance if I pull it are the gaskets a one use thing do I need to replace them to put it back together if it's okay or can I just reuse them? Also should I use any RTV or just the dry gasket?

Also is there a way to test the impeller in the outdrive without pulling the bottom end? Or is that simply a pull it apart and replace thing for peace of mind?
 
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Hi all,
Well, I got our 2005 180 sport new and now have 63 hours on it. We just completed our fifth season. We boat in a fresh water lake that's 25 miles from our home. We average about 8 trips a year. I have done the majority of the maintenance myself. I don't winterize it because it is stored indoors and I don't have an issue with low temps. My yearly maintenance include: waxing entire boat twice a year, changing engine oil and filter, changing fuel filter, lube cables, changing outdrive lube (replace 2 seal rings/washers), top off an fluids, check all screws/bolts that are loose, inspect trailer bearings, and waxing the trailer. I did bring the boat in for a 20 yours service. I think they basically just inspect and changed the oil. I figure I have them do it since I had some cosmetic warranty work done anyway. After the fith season, I just took the boat in several weeks back to get a 100 service. I also asked the impeller to be replaced. The service was a tune up (replace rotor, cap-distributor,spark plugs (.045), impeller replacement, pull and inspect drive and alignment. They did the drive lube since the drive was pulled. I'll just end up doing the engine oil/filter change and fuel fuel filter. I usually do this about October or November. They said the impeller looks good (I have it) and said it proably could go for two more year.

I constructed a fishing platform for the bow with a seat and have a trolling motor set up. We have troll for probably over 40 hours. During fishing trips, we transform the boat and remove the passenger seat and put in rod holders in the rear cup holders. We usually go with three adults.

The user of this boat is just my wife, son, and myself. We have had many fun an memorable trips out at the lake. My son just turned 8 and now just got hooked on kneeboard. I will start him on wakeboarding soon. The 3.0 liter/135 HP motor does just fine pulling kneeboards and wakeboards. This is actually alot of boat for the three of us to move around. I was a green noobie when we were looking for a boat, so I just went with a new Searay. That was the best move I have made. The boat was affordable and performed perfectly for us. As for now, I don't see a need to upgrade to something bigger. I'm very happy with this boat.

I hope this entry will give insight into this boat for people who are interested in purchasing a 180 sport.
 
Any one got any "I was cought out in like 50 foot waves with 75 mile an hour wind" stories with their small open bow boats? I have taken two waves over the bow but both were my fault when I was picking up skiers and caught by my own wave. My 180 seems to do well at about 2,000 rpm going slow and keeping the bow up somewhat when I am in big waves.
 
My kids wanted jet skis, and go tubing. So we got a 2005 180 sport, the kids are now away at school so I would take it out so it wouldn,t sit idle. Needless to say, I really like the boat, kind of a sportscar feel. I was thinking of trading up But decided to keep it instead !
 
Okay guys correct me if I am wrong but isn't the black bowl/ caniser on the right side of the engine the fuel filter housing? If so why on earth would they put the screws that hold the top on upside down and under this thing? Before I rip into it I figured I'd make sure that houses the filter and if so wow what a horrible design. Boy it's hot here like 92 degrees with direct sun (In October), I just spend the last hour sweating my @$$ off pulling the fuel fill line and sucking most of the fuel out of my tank, I think I got all but a half gallon at most and of course go threw all that and there doesn't appear to be any water in it atleast as far as the first two samples I've pulled.
 
Beernutz how much was your swim platform? and tell me about this drain plug light?

I paid $1497 for the swim platform including having it shipped to a nearby Freight depot since it would have been an additional $75 for residential delivery. Right now is it sitting in my mother-in-law's backyard next to our boat waiting to be installed this weekend. I need to get a few things for the install such as some 3M 4200 adhesive but the instructions don't seem that difficult. My wife and a friend are going to help me do the install. It is bigger than I thought it would be, as it is every bit as wide as the boat and extends out almost 2 feet. I am pretty sure it is going to be a great addition.

I bought a used Hurley drain plug light from a guy on ioffer.com for $70 just because I thought it would look cool and would be something we could use if we went night fishing but really haven't used it yet since I've yet to drive my boat at night. It screws in to the drain plug opening and has a 5 foot or so cable. Eventually I'll make it more permanent with a dedicated on/off switch but this works fine for now, especially given how little I'll likely use it at night. It has a 50W Halogen bulb that pulls about 4 amps and puts out 1700 lumens so it is very bright.
 
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Yeah I looked at their website it looks like a couple of L brackets, two support rods and you're golden on the install. Make sure to fill those holes with something that will seal up well around the bolts. I thought the 5200 was what everyone used for threw hull bolt fill? Never heard of the 4200, or is it just for where the platform goes under the original?
 
Yeah I looked at their website it looks like a couple of L brackets, two support rods and you're golden on the install. Make sure to fill those holes with something that will seal up well around the bolts. I thought the 5200 was what everyone used for threw hull bolt fill? Never heard of the 4200, or is it just for where the platform goes under the original?

The instructions sent by swimplaforms.com said either 4200 or 5200 was acceptable. 4200 is a 1 day cure while 5200 needs 7 days but I think it is twice as strong as the 4200 but less flexible. 3M also apparently makes a quick dry version of 5200 but since it wasn't mentioned I'll probably stick with 4200 for everything since from what I've read, lots of previous installs have apparently been successfully done just with it.
 
The instructions sent by swimplaforms.com said either 4200 or 5200 was acceptable. 4200 is a 1 day cure while 5200 needs 7 days but I think it is twice as strong as the 4200 but less flexible. 3M also apparently makes a quick dry version of 5200 but since it wasn't mentioned I'll probably stick with 4200 for everything since from what I've read, lots of previous installs have apparently been successfully done just with it.

Ahh.. thats the quick dry stuff... I was advised on this when talking abotu a thru hull transducer and smart tabs and was told to use the three day stuff as it's so much stronger. and with where the mounting points are on the swim platform two of them under water I deff think I would use the stronger stuff not to mention that could have alot of weight on those two pretty small bars. The three day stuff I was told drys as hard as the original fiberglass if not harder where the other stays flexable. Thinking for that application I would go for the stronger like I was advised... just my 2 cents... if you get a couple of people hanging out on the platform that could be an easy 600lbs with three normal size guys you really want that sealed up with something flexable with that much weight pushing on it under the water? Granted I am the type to use three bolts where two are enough just to be sure...
 
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3M 5200 is for permanent installations and 3M 4200 is a bedding compound for installations which might need to be removed.

5200 does not cure hard like fiberglass it is very flexible more like rubber when it cures.

I have used the fast and slow cure 5200. Once cured you can't tell the difference.

Either would be good choices.

Chris Feller
 
Thanks Chris. I may split the difference and use fast cure 5200 if I can find it locally. All I've seen for sale is 4200 and 5200.
 
We all know the 180 comes only with the 135hp 4 banger. If you had the option to replace it with another engine what would it be and why ? Please don't reply with all the gov't reqs. as to why it has to have its existing engine. Thanks
 
Hey Mate, If I could afford to I would drop in a V6 or even better the V8. This can be done in Australia as far as I know, but once the conversion is paid for and the paperwork is done it might be better to simply buy another boat with a bigger motor... But oh for the unlimited power of a V8.... sigh..
 
I have come into possession of a 180 1990 BROB. I need to redo the interior. The boat is presently winterized and stored, so I can't really get at it, so I have some questions in anticipation of redoing the interior.
The cushions are all shot- it looks like it is just a matter of taking the old ones apart, using the materials as templates- and making new ones - time consuming, but doable. Given the age of the boat, etc, I don't think it makes sense to pay a pro to redo them. However, I would welcome input on this undertaking - such as - ?What weight, grade, brand of marine vinyl? and suppliers recommended? Same for the foam-suggestions? I also assumed that the underlying plywood would be pressure treated - but it does not appear to be anything special - any advice?
What about replacing the carpet? It is not torn, or particularly worn, and unlike the vinyl, it has not suffered from being left exposed to the sun - so I was thinking I would try to get away with just cleaning it - again, any suggestions or experiences are welcome. (The carpet is blue, and the cushions were white with two shades of blue accents. I intend to use white for the cushions - I am not concerned about hewing to the original designs.)
If there are particular threads or websites I should be looking at, please point me there. Thanks.
 
Ahoy ~ wow it's nice having a forum like this.
Well, my first mate & I now have our first boat.
1999 SeaRay 180BR - great thread!!

I'd like to ask about finding the "service manual" for this boat. Not so much the Sterndrive, etc., but the 180BR.
HOW DO I GET THE THROTTLE LEVEL ASSEMBLY OFF?
My trim switch doesn't go up, so I have to use the TRAILER button. I want to get inside the handle to check the switch.

Keep up the good site and thank you for being there for the Q&A.

Mike & Cathy
 

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