2002 176 Bowrider?

SantaCruzin

Member
May 4, 2020
47
Boat Info
1989 180 Bow Rider
Engines
4.3 Mercruiser
Hey all!

So glad to have found this resource! I've given up the idea of buying another wakeboard boat any time soon, so I have been looking into getting an affordable runabout for the family (wife, toddler, newborn, and myself). Admittedly, with a newborn it's a bit premature but I'm hoping to get a boat now to use a time or two this summer then hit the ground (water) running next summer.

I came across a beautiful 2002 176 Bowrider with 156 hours and before diving in head first, I wanted to ask a few questions here:
  • This will be a boat for lakes BUT I do live 10 minutes from the Santa Cruz Harbor here in California. On no-swell or low-swell days, would it be insane to consider taking the boat out on the bay in the more sheltered areas (within a mile of shore between the few towns dotting the coast)? I used to have a Proline Walkaround fishing boat in the harbor so I'm familiar with the bay and navigating the ocean.
  • Anything specific to look out for on these boats in regards to potential money pit issues? Floor/transom rot, as an example?
  • I found another post talking about the 3.0 in these and read the comments there, but any thoughts on this boat in general for a small family of 4?
  • Does anyone ever put towers on these? I don't really envision wakeboarding but I also know myself and as soon as I'm back on the water I'm going to miss it. Haha
My hope is to find an affordable, easy and cheap to operate family boat for us to dip our toes in. Once my wife gets hooked and my kids get bigger I figure we can look to upgrade.
 
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I had a 1991 170 which is basically an older version of the same boat. Really cheap to own, 3.0 is great for what it is meant for - inexpensive and reliable operation. When my kids were young and my wife wasn’t working it was a perfect fit $ wise. That boat was in my family for twenty years. Only issue was as my kids got older it was too small.

sure you can put a tower on it but you’re really kidding yourself... if you like boarding get a 4 blade lower pitch and swap them depending on what you’re doing. I ran 16” 4 blade Michigan vortex for skiing ,I’m 280 and it worked well pulling me up.
 
Thank you very much for the reply.

Unfortunately the 2002 sold but I am looking now for any Sea Ray Bowrider from the late 90s or early 2000's, ideally under 20 feet. Anything in particular to look out for on these boats? I know other boats from the 90s can be ripe with rot in the floors and stringers, is this typically an issue on Sea Rays?
 
Welcome to the forum from a fellow Nor-Cal wackadoo. I have a 185 BR with the 4.3 and Alpha 1 drive. 89 vintage. Great boat with plenty of umph for a small family to zoom around in. I have a friend that used to venture out 7 to ten miles off shore from Santa Cruz harbor in his 17 foot open fishing boat with a 15 Hp out board. Pick the nice days and make sure you have good charts and I think you would be fine exploring the bay in a little SeaRay BR.
Happy hunting, a friend of mine just sold a pristine 2002 185 with 70 hrs on it for $8000 so they are out there. If you want an older one to beat around in I’m thinking of letting mine go to someone who has more use for it than i do.
Cheers
Carpe Diem
 
Howdy and thanks for the great reply!

I definitely am open to an older one as long as it's clean enough to convince my wife to climb in and reliable enough to feel comfortable with the kiddos! Feel free to PM me here or shoot me an email at rockandride6@yahoo.com (don't laugh at my middle school email) and we can chat!
 
Good luck with the boat searching.... too answer you’re question about towers, iv got one on my 2006 175 sport and it’s great, use it eith a tower bimini, fishing rod holders and also a set of speakers.

I take mine out in a big bay called “moreton bay” in Brisbane Australia and it handles great
 

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Good Luck on your search.. One thing that scares me in an old boat is the wood rotting. I think the Sea Ray went all glass/ composite around the 2000 year models. I'm sure there are some experts on here to clarify ( one way or the other )

Good Luck,
BobH
 
I have a 1999 185BR and it has just been a great boat - really no issues in 700hrs other than maintenance. It does stay in dry storage. As far as wood, a small amount for some of the interior framing - ie mounting points for the coming pads and the "wall" between the cockpit and engine compartment. I also am pretty sure all of these have some wood in the transom. Otherwise they are solid glass. I think the small SR bowriders of that vintage - 1998-2010 or so are just great boats and a good value on the used market. They are just solid, simple boats that really act a lot bigger than 18-20ft.
 
A previous owner replaced the interior of my boat. The new floor, seats, etc. are only two years old. The wood floors of these boats are the weak point. Definitely look carefully at any wood floor that may be in a boat you're interested in. Also, a surveyor I used told me that the transom of a boat with a sterndrive will last about 25 years. Definitely have a survey done if the boat has a sterndrive and is older.

My Sea Ray 200 handles better than the 24 foot cuddy and 26 foot cabin boat I had. It cut right through 2 - 3 foot waves without any problem and was very comfortable doing it. The ride of these little Sea Rays is probably the best you'll find for a small boat.

Good luck with your search.
 

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