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

Okay all 180/185 3.0 owners what oil filter are you using? I am trying to find the proper fram filter as a replacement. I have seen people state the ph5, ph30, ph6606. So I am wondering which one is right and what you all are using. As for the saga from the wreck I'll be making a posting soon on an update... it's a huge issue thats still up in the air on getting the boat repaired...
 
I started using the Napa Gold Oil filters on all my vehicles about 10 years ago because of this web site study.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters/opinions.html

I used to use Fram filters exclusively and after seeing how they were made, I dropped them like a hot potato. This is one of the best studies I have seen in plain English. I like the Napa (WIX) filter because they have a large variety of selection and also began using them on my 3.0 liter Mercruiser with Mobile-1 15W 45W oil from Walmart on all my vehicles.

Check out this info and see the pics for yourself how the various filters are made and see if you don't agree.
 
Just bought a used 2009 175 Sport with less than 30 hours that was originally purchased in June/2009. Only other boat I owned was 16' Starcraft with a 80HP outboard that we rigged up for skiing in the early '80s (sold it in 1986). So its been 20+ years. Going to mostly run it with my wife in the rivers around Beaufort, SC (via trailering). I am sure I will have many questions and am looking forward to the interactions. I think I already learned enough here to know how to rinse off the salt water and a few basic things. I plan to store it in the garage all winter (and not winterize it) and have a local place do the annual maintenance.

One question - it has a 19 pitch aluminum stock prop. Should I go stainless steel, and if so, what pitch?
 
See what your max rpm at full throttle and the drive trimmed up (after reaching about 30 mph or so) to about a nuetral position is. If it is close to 4800 RPM, I would not worry about getting a new prop for a while. It will be plenty good while you are getting used to your boat. If you are reaching 5000 to 5200 RPM, I would suggest a 21 pitch stainless or aluminum. I doubt with the 19 pitch you are not getting less than 4600 or so. If you are not going to pull tubes, boards or skiers, a three bladed prop will get you a small amount of increased top speed and if it is just you and the wife, I think you will be happy with what you have on it now.
 
ZZ13 said:
Just bought a used 2009 175 Sport with less than 30 hours that was originally purchased in June/2009. Only other boat I owned was 16' Starcraft with a 80HP outboard that we rigged up for skiing in the early '80s (sold it in 1986). So its been 20+ years. Going to mostly run it with my wife in the rivers around Beaufort, SC (via trailering). I am sure I will have many questions and am looking forward to the interactions. I think I already learned enough here to know how to rinse off the salt water and a few basic things. I plan to store it in the garage all winter (and not winterize it) and have a local place do the annual maintenance.

One question - it has a 19 pitch aluminum stock prop. Should I go stainless steel, and if so, what pitch?
Click to expand...

You could try the Mercury prop selector:
http://appcenter.mercurymarine.com/propSelector/home.do

Based on my results I've decided to go for an Enertia or Revolution 4.
 
I also have the 3 lt 135hp and I am running a 17 pitch Hi 5 stainless for most applications. I also have a 15 for skiing, yes it runs to 5800 rpm at WOT but that the price I must pay for a better hole shot. My 19 pitch 4 blade aluminium is used for those long days cruising the lakes and rivers.
 
Stay with the alum props. If you hit something with a stainless prop, your tearing your outdrive down for a rebuild. Yeh, a black prop is not as cool as a stainless, but after you use your boat some, you will see that a $150 prop replacement is cheap, compared to drive damage....
 
beernutz said:
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.
Click to expand...

5200 sticks like crazy and is intended for something you never plan on removing. Its more permanent than 4200.
 
David Morgan said:
5200 sticks like crazy and is intended for something you never plan on removing. Its more permanent than 4200.
Click to expand...

I ended up using the quick drying version of 5200 which worked like a champ.

picture.php
 
Christmas came and Santa brought me a New Garmin 440s and Smart Tabs... I then had to go to west marine and pick up the transducer and sealer but thats all good. Now onto the install...
 
User Error said:
Christmas came and Santa brought me a New Garmin 440s and Smart Tabs... I then had to go to west marine and pick up the transducer and sealer but thats all good. Now onto the install...
Click to expand...
Congrats! My wife got me a Garmin GPSMAP 441s as well. What do I have? It looks like its good for fishing but the rest of the stuff looks like its more for cruising vessels. Should I jump up for joy and tell her how much I love it? Or is it overkill for a Sport 175 that will stay pretty much in the same familiar waterspots most of the time?

Obviously I'm new to this stuff.
 
ZZ13 said:
Congrats! My wife got me a Garmin GPSMAP 441s as well. What do I have? It looks like its good for fishing but the rest of the stuff looks like its more for cruising vessels. Should I jump up for joy and tell her how much I love it? Or is it overkill for a Sport 175 that will stay pretty much in the same familiar waterspots most of the time?

Obviously I'm new to this stuff.
Click to expand...
Well I got my answer today. Tried it out on Lucy Creek and the Morgan River here in Beaufort, SC and it was fabulous. I am new to this area and the inconsistent depths plus the effects of the tides were a concern. This gadget knew all the depths and kept me pointed to the deep channels. I had no problem getting around. Without it I would have strayed into some pretty shallow areas.
 
ZZ13 said:
Well I got my answer today. Tried it out on Lucy Creek and the Morgan River here in Beaufort, SC and it was fabulous. I am new to this area and the inconsistent depths plus the effects of the tides were a concern. This gadget knew all the depths and kept me pointed to the deep channels. I had no problem getting around. Without it I would have strayed into some pretty shallow areas.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got mine totaly for the Depth finder and to mark points I'd like to return to... we go out in the St John River and there's a ton of tribuatirys and at night you can't tell one from another... 4th of July on a friends boat we almost missed the creek we were returning to to get to the ramp. Without nav we'd of missed it and ended up a couple of towns away... I was telling his that had to be it I could see the lights on the bridge and it's the only bridge around he's like no no no and finally turned on the nav and was like whoa yeah you're right.
 
Has anyone with an older 180 like mine installed Smart Tabs? If so can you post up some photo's? Also did you call the company and get their advice on mounting the struts since they don't mount to a verticle section? The directions say contact them if the transom isn't verticle where they would need to be mounted? I just got out and held them up to the transom and they are going to have to go right where my straps lay when tied down on the trailer... Debating returning them for a hydrofoil.
 
I have them on my 99 and they worked out just fine. I will try and swing by where my boat is stored to snap some pics for you. The tie downs run very close but there is no interference.

I did not contact smart tabs about the placement. Someone else on here has them and posted up some pics so I just copied what they had. I did end up with struts one step stronger than what the smart tab chart recommends.
 
Here you go. Camera phone so they are not great
 

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I did not contact smart tabs about the placement. Someone else on here has them and posted up some pics so I just copied what they had. I did end up with struts one step stronger than what the smart tab chart recommends.
Click to expand...

Hey nben, what is your opinion of the Smart Tabs. Do they make a difference to your boat? Can you also explain why you went with the stronger struts. I have the same boat/motor and am considering installing Smart Tabs.
Thanks
 
The smart tabs do everything as advertised - I would put them on again if I had it to do over.

The reason I went with the stronger struts was based on the experience of a few others who ended up swapping the 60 for the 80. I never tried the 60 myself.
 
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