185 as a 'day cruiser'

[afishinado]

Thinking about a boat to tow places I haven't been to do some exploring. Been boating 40+ years, mostly fishing boats and some go fasts in my younger years. Initial idea was a Donzi which I always liked, but they don't have a nice big pad for momma to work on her tan, and I know at low speeds it doesn't take much to get wet, and they're a little heavier than I want for this application. Want a little protection should it get cool or breezy. The 185 looks like it could fill the bill. So at low speeds are you relatively protected when the windshield is closed? Is a 3.0 enough power or should I hunt down a V-6 boat? BTW, I will be towing this with a Tahoe, want a single axle trailer and prefer something as light as reasonably possible. I have a 22' bay boat & a 13 Whaler at the moment, this next boat in the fleet will only get used 3 or 4 times a year.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Thinking about a boat to tow places I haven't been to do some exploring. Been boating 40+ years, mostly fishing boats and some go fasts in my younger years. Initial idea was a Donzi which I always liked, but they don't have a nice big pad for momma to work on her tan, and I know at low speeds it doesn't take much to get wet, and they're a little heavier than I want for this application. Want a little protection should it get cool or breezy. The 185 looks like it could fill the bill. So at low speeds are you relatively protected when the windshield is closed? Is a 3.0 enough power or should I hunt down a V-6 boat? BTW, I will be towing this with a Tahoe, want a single axle trailer and prefer something as light as reasonably possible. I have a 22' bay boat & a 13 Whaler at the moment, this next boat in the fleet will only get used 3 or 4 times a year.

I would want a "head" for momma too - I know even some of the smaller sundecks had built in compartments - some even have pump-out style heads - as for power it seems most of the discussion on this board shuns the 3.0 in the 185 (not good for watersports?) - but think re-sale too! - similar in the decks too - everyone seems to want at least 1 step up from the base power - I'm sure some of those members will chime in soon

 

[afishinado]

Thanks didn'tdoit, actually the admiral is pretty seasoned, we don't need a head... I was looking at the 175 too, but I am thinking theres probably quite a difference jumping up that foot based on the popularity of the 185.

 

[surfinjoe]

I had a 175 (actually a 180 but it's the same boat). I found it OK as a 'day cruiser', but a bit cramped. Very little storage, no good place for a cooler, no place to mount a table, no head, VERY rough ride in beam seas, low gunwale's and little room for additional instrumentation. On the + side, the 3.0L is very cheap to operate.

My 220 Sundeck is what I would consider as the perfect 'day cruiser'. It has a small head, wet bar, plenty of storage + cooler, Huge bimini top + the ability to add a 'full' enclosure, great in most any seas, still good on gas (as long as you don't run over 40 MPH), (2) tables, huge swim platform, lots of room for GPS/Ship-shore, dry ride and lots of power to pull water toys.

 

[midway]

I have a 2004 185 Sport, nice sunpad, tall bimini, had a full enclosure made for it, 4.3L, Smart Tabs to help with the rough water in the sound, I can run 15 to 20 trim down a little and keep going without beating us to death, there are times when the bow splits the water and you are going into the wind, you get wet, water will shoot straight up in the air on both sides of the bow, but hey I'm going to get in the water as soon as I drop anchor. If the weather is cool then the enclosure is up and we stay dry. I guess I could put up the front sections and help stay dry in the summer too. 185, 4.3L plenty power for whatever, almost a economical as my 3.0L was in my 87 17 foot Seville. Love my 185.