175 5 series help needed..got pics?

[ewg302]

I am finally getting our 98 175 5 series on the water. We bought it as a project and boy is it. I pulled the motor replaced motor mounts, gimble bearing, bellows, rebuilt the carb, replaced the missing stolen outdrive with a used one, new bearing retainer. Seemed like good progress......

But I put it in the lake and while launching it the hull was filling with water! So out we went and replaced and resealed the tie downs. I removed the rub rail from the swim platform and found that the cap and hull were no longer sealed, so we 5200'd that too......All good.

The problem is that the boat seems to be sitting low in the water to me. I am aware of the potential for waterlogging, but I tend to over react to these sort of things. I need some pictures of 175 5series in the water to compare it too. I googled it and can not make a call. Any input would be great. Show me some photos........before I "SINK" any more into my "PROJECT".

If it turns out to be good....I just need to replace the carpeting and call her done!

 

[175BR4.3]

Here are some pics of mine in the water. The pics don't have the best angle on them, but it might give you an idea. Also i have a loaded cooler on the swim platform, so it might even be sitting slightly lower.

 

[boughtabouy]

Nice boat! This was my first Sea Ray back in '95. Sorry I don't have any pictures that I can easily locate.

Good luck!

 

[BiffStroganoffsky]

I haven't had time to put mine in the water but that looks about right to me. Unloaded, I remember the 'swimstep' being about the height of the dock, if not a little lower.

 

[ewg302]

Thanks for the photos. It looks like I might be alright. Which motor do you have? Mine is a 3.0.

Here are a few photos....of the "project"

http://g.imageshack.us/img339/picture010r.jpg/1/

http://g.imageshack.us/img145/picture058l.jpg/1/

This is with nothing in the boat. 1/3 tank of fuel...... With three people it gets down below the lowest pinstripe. That was my worry. As I removed the fuel tank water was seeping from the screw holes so I know there must be some in there.....but I dont think I will cut her open just yet.

I think I will also pull the rub rail off again and 5200 around everything again. It sit to close to the water across the back.

Thanks again....I ll keep you posted. Any other photos are welcome...


Time to order the carpet..I am switching to tan....any thoughts? The red just doesnt seem right to me. Blue was OK on the old boat, but tan seems the nicest looking.

 

[ewg302]

Man it must be late......disregard the motor question. I just read your sig 4.3....obviously in your boat. Wish mine was. 48-49...thats a nice mph.....oh well I'll see what she can muster up soon enough....my 89 160br 3.0 pulled to nearly 45 mph trimmed perfect on a flat day going downhill with a tailwind.

 

[Iagent]

I think my 2000 180 is just about the same boat, so here is a pic of mine in the water.

 

[175BR4.3]

Well your pic definitely has a much better "view":grin: than my pictures

 

[moparnum5]

her's mine w/3.0l

 

[175BR4.3]

I wonder if theres enough room to cram a v8 in one of these?

 

[moparnum5]

I've been wondering the same thing! I'd be happy with the v6...