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

Not sure how ZZ13 remembers these things..... :smt038

Yep, i stayed with the Merc 19P alum 3 blade that came with my boat. Good all round performance. Something to consider, I'm at 3000' of elevation. So not sure where you're at, but at sea level you may be able to use a 21P.
 
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Hi everyone, glad to see so many 180 BR owners here!

I have a few questions about recommended maintenance on an old but barely used 2000 180 BR. Obviously I know that the oil needs changing but what else should I be looking to do?

The boat has around 100 hours or so on it. Most of the last 13 years it was not even taken out. When it was it would be for <10 hours per season of running time. I think the last oil change in it was like 6 years ago and it was used last season on that same oil change and ran great just like new both times it was taken out. The boat when not in use is stored indoors and not exposed to the elements.

What other work should I look to do before taking it out this season/at the end of this season to ensure that everything keeps running great. Now that I am taking charge of the boat it is going to start to see a lot more use out of it and I am one of those buy once use it until you die people lol.

Also on another note I have seen that some people are using some various trim tabs on this model. I know that these tabs can allow you to plain faster but how do they effect top end speed and towing? I am aware that they can make it easier for kids and new skiers to get up b/c of the reduced plain speed but how do these tabs impact the 180's wake?

Lastly, has anyone had issues with the seats in the 180 BR not being firmly locked into place in that without occupants or a weight on them they will flip up and fly away at high speeds?
 
Hi everyone, glad to see so many 180 BR owners here!

I have a few questions about recommended maintenance on an old but barely used 2000 180 BR. Obviously I know that the oil needs changing but what else should I be looking to do?

The boat has around 100 hours or so on it. Most of the last 13 years it was not even taken out. When it was it would be for <10 hours per season of running time. I think the last oil change in it was like 6 years ago and it was used last season on that same oil change and ran great just like new both times it was taken out. The boat when not in use is stored indoors and not exposed to the elements.

What other work should I look to do before taking it out this season/at the end of this season to ensure that everything keeps running great. Now that I am taking charge of the boat it is going to start to see a lot more use out of it and I am one of those buy once use it until you die people lol.

Also on another note I have seen that some people are using some various trim tabs on this model. I know that these tabs can allow you to plain faster but how do they effect top end speed and towing? I am aware that they can make it easier for kids and new skiers to get up b/c of the reduced plain speed but how do these tabs impact the 180's wake?

Lastly, has anyone had issues with the seats in the 180 BR not being firmly locked into place in that without occupants or a weight on them they will flip up and fly away at high speeds?
If it were me, I would locate the maintenance manual for the boat and do all the maintenance that was recommended for the last 13 years. That is, assume none of it had been done.
 
Sounds like you found a nice clean one.

Other than the obvious fluid changes you mentioned you may want to at least check the impeller in the lower unit of your alpha drive. Time without use may have made it brittle. You wouldn't want to run the risk of overheating.

I never put smart tabs on my 180 but from what I understand they produce a flatter wake.

The back to back seats would collapse into a recline on mine as well. I just lived with it.
 
For the seats I have the non standard rear bench version. What happens with these is that they flip up at high speeds in the water or on the freeway.
 
Hah, rarely see any posts for us little boats. Just put ours away for the winter a couple weeks ago. Don't run a lot of hours but did take it out out 17 times this year. A little bit of water sports, fishing, or just floating around enjoying the sun. The boat still looks like new, and runs better than new. The only extra maintenance thing I did this year was change the water pump impeller. After 6 years it looked no different than the new one that was installed.
Its been a great little boat and plan to keep it for a few more years.
 
Good to hear from you, dutch. I still have mine. Didn't use it much this year. My brother wants to buy it from me. Might consider that. I dutifully changed my impeller at 3 years but I am letting this second one go for 5 years. The first one looked brand new when it came out. I keep mine in the garage 24/7 when not in the water. And do a fresh water flush and hose down after every use. So like yours, it looks brand new everywhere. One question, anyone know if we have to do the manifold/riser replace thing on this engine like the 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder folks do? Fortunately only one of each on this engine.
 
Enjoying my 180 so far :)
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Tonight's task was replacing the bilge pump. Last time out the pump decided to blow the 3A fuse and had been intermittent before.

New pump installed (I left the stock float switch in place):

IMG_20151111_213117.jpg
 
Hello All,
I just purchased a 1998 180 and I am giving it to my kids for Christmas. The gentlemen I bought it from lost the stb side rear jump seat. His kids left it up as the rear sun deck and it flew overboard I have searched the web trying to find a replacement. Way more difficult than I thought it would be. Any help would be much appreciated
Thank you
 
Ebay, Founder Pounder, Great Lakes Skipper - it's going to be hit or miss finding one. Probably the best bet is to make one, use the old one as template and have a local upholstery shop match up the vinyl and cover.
 
Thanks for the help tried them all looks like the upholstery shop. Nice to know there is a forum for 180 owners. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
 
I'm new to this site and forum, so please be gentle. We just bought a 2001 180 Bowrider Sport and I'm looking for recommendations for a weatherproof cover for outside storage that also trailerable. We will be towing her behind our 34 ft RV.
 
Hi, I'm new here and looking for stuff for my 1989 180 BR. I need to get cockpit and bow cover, there seems to be zilch for anything under 1993. Is there any reason why a cockpit cover for a 1993 180 wouldn't fit? Also I sew so if it didn't fit perfectly.. I just need to keep out the elements while moored.
 
For any canvas / covers for a SeaRay, it is worth a call to Great Lakes Boat Top, they made / make most of the OEM canvas and covers for SeaRay (and a lot of others). Past them, there are the other on-line places like FounderPounder, GreatLakes Skipper and Ebay where you can find old SeaRay parts etc. There there are the semi custom / generic covers you find in most of the catalog stores (wholesalemarine, Overtons etc) and of course you can go the custom canvas shop route. It really depends on what you want, how unique it is and how much you want to spend.
 
So I am new to the forum. A little background. I bought a 1998 180 Bowrider with the 3.0L about 10 years ago. We used it allot the first few seasons, and never had any issues with it other than a trim pump going out. One day we were out cruising and pulled up to the dock. I got out, pulled the trailer in the water and went to re-start the motor. All I heard was a spinning started jumping around on the bottom of the boat. Apparently it had snapped both bolts and was just laying on the floor of the boat. Well we took it to a shop and they pulled the motor, drilled out the bolts and put new ones in. It ran great then the next season did it again! I was pissed. So I kicked the boat, flushed the motor, and it has been sitting for about 4 years. Since then I have gotten married and my wife said she is sick of looking at a broken ski boat, so I either have to fix it or get rid of it. My brother-in-law (Audi, VW, and Porsche mechanic) said he can get those bolts out easily with out pulling the motor.

So my first of many questions is, is this a common problem? It looks like there is a bolt on the side of the block where a support bracket may go. I can't seem to find one online, and have heard from one dealer that it was a problem and they actually made a bracket for it. However, that was years ago, and can't remember how to get in contact with the guy. It looks like it is a weak point, with that heavy starter being held at only one end by two little bolts. Any suggestions would be welcome!
 
I just looked at the starter on my 2008, and there is a little bracket as you describe. There is a raised pad on the block. The bracket just attaches to one of the screws that hold the starter together. If you can't buy that bracket, I'm sure a handy guy should be able to fab something up.
Oh, just found it.......google mercruiser 863212
Yours is 10 years older but still may work the same.
 
hello all,

about to pick up my first boat, 2001 180. old but in great shape. question is... it has the back to back seats on the starboard side and i don't like them for two reasons, takes up too much space and the helm is soo low. anyone try to remove these boxes and put a pedestal swivel helm seat in? if this would cost too much i guess ill just live with it but hopefully someone has tried it!


thanks
Jason
 
hello all,

about to pick up my first boat, 2001 180. old but in great shape. question is... it has the back to back seats on the starboard side and i don't like them for two reasons, takes up too much space and the helm is soo low. anyone try to remove these boxes and put a pedestal swivel helm seat in? if this would cost too much i guess ill just live with it but hopefully someone has tried it!


thanks
Jason

Welcome to the board.

As far as cost, the new seat and pedestal is where the money will be. For a quality seat and hardware look to spend $500+

As far as installation, pretty easy. You will have marks from the old seats footprint. Are you replacing the carpet? The floor is fiberglass so no worries about screwing the seat down.
 

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