185 Sport is 135 hp enough?

J

Jemlawdm

New Member
Mar 18, 2009
2
Hello Everyone,
I am new to the forum and looking at Sea Rays. I am looking at buying a small boat to use as a run about along the south shore of Long Island. Not a big water skier, boat will be used to meet up with family and friends with bigger boats, but I do enjoy tubing with the nieces and nephews and would love my boat to be the boat we used for this activity. I found what I think to be a great deal on a 2008 leftover, but it only has the 3.0 135 hp stock engine. I have been looking at the different forums and notice most people have at least the 4.3 190 hp upgrade. We do not have any water skiers in the family, but will the 135 hp be enough for tubing, with on average 3 other medium size people on board. Finally, does anybody know what the top end speed of the stock engine would; most of the reviews have also been done with at least the 4.3 190 hp engine. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Heres the answer...sort of.
Dad had a 1986 18 ft Arrow Glass powered by a 4 cylender 130 HP OMC with a stringer drive. It was the greates thing to a 9 year old. He sold it when I was 18. It did the job dragging us around in a tube, but to get s skier up needed a different prop. Got out of the water quicker but lost the top end. Still couldn't get Uncle Gerard up and out of the water. With the regular prop on her Dad complained about the boats slowness to plane with Mom Dad Tanya and I. Tanya and I were small kids then. He would actually walk to the bow to use his weight to push her down. It would plane, but it would face skyward for a long time before settling down.
Now bear in mind this was a boat that was a 1986 model year with old points ignition. Modern equipment i'm sure is more powerfull. I'd prefer a larger engine, however if budget determins otherwise, the 135 will be enough power to enjoy.

Now Dad's boat. I thought It was cool...and she was, but Dad felt he should have bought a larger engine V6 or better.

My boat is a 73' SRV240. I'd love to put a 454 in her, and oneday I might, but Till then we will see how my "underpowered" as some have said does once all put back together.

As for memories with family, any boat will build the best memories that no amount of money could buy.

Here Is Pic of the best boat ever...to a kid on the water
Dad took the Pic, Thats Hank at the helm with us, I'm the dorky Bald Kid.

Did I answer your question...Na, just gave you somthing more to ponder.
img022.jpg
 
The engine will be strong enough to pull one person, but not two. I have the same engine and with 3 or 4 adults, 40mph is not a problem.

If I were you though, I would worry about taking that small of a boat into that large of a body of water. In any kind of chop, expect the 185 to be jarring you hard - you most likely won't enjoy the ride much at any significant speed. I would think that the 185 is designed more for lakes & rivers than for the Atlantic. That's most likely the reason your friends & family have bigger boats, as they're able to handle the rougher water.

Then again, I may be totally wrong. I just know that when the water's choppy, you're certainly aware of it in my 176. And that's just on larger lakes, not our bay or the ocean. Hope this helped.
 
Oh thats another thing. Dads curent boat is a 18 ft Alumacraft. On the lake the boat is NOT FUN. It's so light and small it is tossed around bad in the daytime with all the big power turning it into a big wave pool.
Now in the Ratitan Bay in Jersey, mush better. Not as bad for chop, or at least spread out more.
Maybe take a ride in similar boats near where you plan to go boating.
But hey like I said earlier a Underpowered or "small" boat is better than no boat at all.
My first was a 16 ft Glastron Tri hull 1971.
Talk about Small. I'd be embarrased to post a pic.
 
frome said:
The engine will be strong enough to pull one person, but not two. I have the same engine and with 3 or 4 adults, 40mph is not a problem.

If I were you though, I would worry about taking that small of a boat into that large of a body of water. In any kind of chop, expect the 185 to be jarring you hard - you most likely won't enjoy the ride much at any significant speed. I would think that the 185 is designed more for lakes & rivers than for the Atlantic. That's most likely the reason your friends & family have bigger boats, as they're able to handle the rougher water.

Then again, I may be totally wrong. I just know that when the water's choppy, you're certainly aware of it in my 176. And that's just on larger lakes, not our bay or the ocean. Hope this helped.
Click to expand...

Thank you, this info did help. I will only be using boat in bay and only on those nice calm days. I just wanted to make sure that I am not going to buy the boat and find out that it is a dog on the water. Again, I am not looking for a speed boat, but the difference in price between a 2008 stock 185 and a 2009 185 with the engine upgrade was about $9000 and I do not think it is worth it, however if anybody thinks otherwise please let me know. Thanks again.
 
The best way to tell if you'll think the boat is powerful enough is, of course, to test drive it. I can't believe I forgot to mention that. When we bought ours, we put 10% down to hold it, and then as soon as the weather cleared the following week, we took it to the nearest lake with the dealer and went for spin. You'll want to do that for any boat. And if you decide it's underpowered, your dealer (if he's not an idiot) will understand when you tell him you want to look at something bigger. Trading a year or two for more boat is not necessarily a bad thing. Our '02 only had 118 hrs on it when we bought it - it's hard to tell it's not new.

Good luck, and welcome (hopefully) to the Sea Ray community!
 
I have the 2001 180 (18') bowrider with the 4 cyl 135 hp. which is almost identical to the boat you are considering. I think you will be perfectly happy with the overall power. I can pull skiers, multiple tubes with four in the boat without problems. I top out at about 40 mph and I am at a disadvantage being at a higher elevation. (Utah) than you would be. The biggest factor I have found with this motor is getting the correct pitch prop for quick planing. I use a 17" pitch for pulling and a 19" for cruising. I can still get skiers up with the 19" but it is a little slower to plane but still not bad. I suspect at your altitude you could run a 19" stainless prop and do very well.
 
IMO, the 3.0L would be adequate at best. The 3.0 is fine for the 176’s but I think you’ll regret not having opted for the 4.3L. (Especially when it’s time to sell your boat.)

This isn’t what you asked, but I would recommend looking for a slightly used boat with the larger engine. There are plenty of used, fresh water 185s in New England. Save yourself a few thousand dollars and buy a boat that’s already been broken in and had all the bugs worked out.

Sounds like this may be your first boat. It’s possible (if not likely) that you will looking for a different boat in a few years. Not because you made a poor choice, but because most new boat owners (myself included) don’t really know what they want/need until they spend a some time on the water. Buying used will save you a big depreciation hit if and when that day comes.
 
I have a 2004 185Sport with the 4.3L, I go to the sound here on a regular basis, it can get rough at times, since I put Smart Tabs on I can slow down to about 14 mph and stay on plane, trim just right and come thru the rough water, depending on the wind direction it can be a wet ride when the bow splits the water and it shoots straight up about 10 feet above the boat on either side of the bow. I would not want this boat with the 3.0L, I am not a speed demon but I have a one hour run at best from the sound back home and when the thunderstorms are rolling I need to be able get home quicker than a 3.0L would take me. I have seen 50 mph gps with just me in the boat bimini in case, 49 mph gps me, wife, gear for the day and the bimini open. The 2004 boat is heavier than the one you are looking at so 3.0L may get you by, I will agree with look for a slightly used boat with the 4.3L, I just think you will be happier. Whatever you do try to ride both with as much load (family) as you can get to check the power and plane times before you decide.
 
I have a 2007 - 185 Sport with the 3.0L engine and I really regret not getting the 4.3L.
I still love my boat, but I definitely feel underpowered. I've only ever pulled one adult at a time, either in a tube or water skis and its adequate.

I would highly recommend smarttabs with either engine on the 185!
 
can't answer your question but what i can say is I have never regretted having 190HP and have never thought I needed more.
 
I spent 9 enjoyable summers with a 20.5' Seville cuddy that had the 3.0 liter iron duke. I carried up to 4 adults and their children. I got my 275 lb friend up on skis. Top speed was 40 MPH, and cruising at 30 was easy and quiet. That is plenty fast.

Fuel economy was almost too good to believe. I used the boat quite a bit, and filled the tank only once or twice during a typical summer. Best of all, maintenance is easier than on V engines because you can reach everything. Mine was a 1982, and was not built for unleaded fuel. It needed a valve job after leaded fuel became unavailable. It was bone simple to pull the cylinder head and take it to a machine shop. The head got new Stellite seats and all new valves to tolerate unleaded fuel. Cost including the gasket set, machine work, and valves was $400. With two heads, a V engine would be more difficult to DIY, and would cost twice as much to fix.

Go for it. Great boat and a great engine. The only reason I sold mine is the children were grown, and a divorce forced me to liquidate some assets several years ago. I have a 215 EC, with the 4.3, but for the money I wish I could have my Seville back.
 
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I say no, it's not enough. My Uncle has a 185 with the 4.3L and that is a good setup. If your get more than 2 bodies on the 3.0L you'll be disappointed.
 
I had an older 16' with the 4 cyl - never had too much power and often had not enough. My dad's 18' crownline with the 190 4.3 is WAY better, doesn't even compare. Jumps out of the hole super fast, planes in seconds, and cruises at a much more comfortable rpm.
 
jhild said:
IMO, the 3.0L would be adequate at best. The 3.0 is fine for the 176’s but I think you’ll regret not having opted for the 4.3L. (Especially when it’s time to sell your boat.)

.
Click to expand...

When I went to sell my 3.0L boat, the deal breaker was the "small" 3.0 engine. If you can go larger do it. Mine was on the smaller Sea Ray 175 BR. If you are going to have 4 200lb people on board I would go with a larger engine especially on the 185. As far a tubing this engine and boat package will do the deed.

I would rather own a older boat than an underpowered new one. "(Especially when it’s time to sell your boat.) "
 
It could be worse...you could only have 115HP like me :lol:.

I'm quite happy with my 115HP 185. My kids are still quite young but I've pulled two adults on tubes with two adults aboard (that includes me)...of course it struggled a bit but it got the job done.

I know its a tough decision. The quality family time spent on the boat is whats most important to me. But then again you don't want to regret your purchase either. Good luck.
 
I have a 4.3 in my 185 and my only regret is that i diddnt get a 30' sundancer haha :)
 
I dont know a whole lot about the open water but I have a 1991 170 BR with a 3.0Mercruiser. I have a five blade Hig Five prop and it is money. Even with 6 people in the boat and a full size adult on the tube it is scary on the tube. Then it comes to wakeboarding and and sking it is plenty for me and my friends. If you want more out of your boat I recomend dropping the money for a better prop.

I am thinking about getting a wakeboard tower for my 91 170 BR. Any advice out there? Please look up my post 91 sea ray 175/ wakeboar tower. Thanks
 
With the newer style 185 Sports, you will absolutely be fine with what you are looking to do. This 185 is a much quicker-to-plane boat than the older hull style.

In fact, the 185 you are looking at actually planes out better than the lighter 176 (both with the 3.0L engine)!

I've got the benefit of being able to use, run and compare all of these sport boats. If I didn't feel it was up to the task at hand, I would tell you.

It will struggle to pull up two skiers, but if they aren't heavyweights and are decent skiers, it will do it.

A tube is the easiest thing to drag around.
 
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