185 Sport Thread....

[First Born]

Seems like the thing to do, talk about the 185 Sport.

 

[mrtopknight]

I like the lines near the rear. Is yours fuel injected? One of the things I dilike about my 182 sport is the lack of storage. Although if I had more I would just haul around more junk. Did it come with two batteries and switch?

 

[First Born]

I like the lines near the rear. Is yours fuel injected? One of the things I dilike about my 182 sport is the lack of storage. Although if I had more I would just haul around more junk. Did it come with two batteries and switch?

Thanks Mike, yeah we could all use more storage, we still are lacking in that; no single battery. We are considering adding another with a switch for the radio while out sitting; but have not done it yet. As was said on the other board you boat looks great!!! Very clean lines.

Wesley

 

[mrtopknight]

Thanks. When you get around to installing your switch snap some pics for me if you dont mind.

 

[midway]

Here is a little of my 04 185 Sport
Canvas shots

Electronics

Trim Tabs

 

[mrtopknight]

Are those aftermarket trim tabs? How do you like them?

 

[midway]

Are those aftermarket trim tabs? How do you like them?

Yes they are aftermarket tabs, Smart Tabs is the name, I like them a lot. The features are; get on plane quicker with half the bow rise at about half throttle, handles the 2 to 3 foot chop in the sound much better, I don't like to go airborn across that chop or run at 2000 rpm with the boat bogged in the water, now I can trim down a little, slow down and stay on a plane in the 17 to 20 mph range by gps, can run slower but have stay with the throttle a little, as I adjusted I have brought cruising speed at 3500 rpm from 28 mph to 34 mph with load on smooth water, just better all aroung performance, there of course is a fuel savings. They do take a little effort to adjust but well worth it.

 

[mrtopknight]

Do any of you use a chain on your anchors with the 185's

 

[midway]

Yes about 5 feet of chain, have to have it so the anchor arm will lay down till the anchor sets. We have strong currents when the tide is running strong, I have run 8 mph with the tide and just barely made a ripple in the water. We have anything from mush black mud to hard sand bottom so need all the help we can get to set the anchor well.

 

[Tanner03]

i think you all have seen this photo but its all i have here at work.

 

[rktktpaul]

Midway -

I see you have a full-tilt VHF radio on-board. I've been debating getting one, but don't quite know how I want to handle the antenna. If it wasn't for the poor range of the handhelds, that would be the most obvious choice with the least obtrusive look.

What kind of and where did you end up mounting the antenna?

BTW, everytime I see your boat with the full canvas I can't help but be envious; that really looks great! :thumbsup:

 

[midway]

If you look right above the Humminbird top left corner you can just see part of the base through the windshield, I was not real happy with the way I had to mount it but it is there and solid, I will try and get some pics of the mount, don't know why but I never took any of that.

 

[midway]

Midway -

I see you have a full-tilt VHF radio on-board. I've been debating getting one, but don't quite know how I want to handle the antenna. If it wasn't for the poor range of the handhelds, that would be the most obvious choice with the least obtrusive look.

What kind of and where did you end up mounting the antenna?

BTW, everytime I see your boat with the full canvas I can't help but be envious; that really looks great! :thumbsup:

I'm going to put one pic in here of the mount, when I have a little more time I am going to try and put all my mods in the Virtual Marina.

 

[Dave S]

Nolan............you really have that 185 nicely equipped.

Westley..........When the new 185 Sport was first introduced, a lot of us (me included) didn't care much for the new design compared to the older 185s like Nolans. But the new design was well recieved by the public to the point those boats are now in heavy demand. And the design has really grown on me too. I think some of the features on these newer boats make them very appealing. I especially like the way that sunpad over the engine opens up to get to the motor.

Nice pictures everyone! :thumbsup:

 

[Gunn]

Thanks. When you get around to installing your switch snap some pics for me if you dont mind.

Sorry to intrude :wink: but I installed a second battery in my 175 this year with a switch. I didn't install any kind of isolator or seperate power for engine and accessories. I just never run with the switch in the 'both' position...unless I want to recharge both batteries. But usually all I do is switch it from 1 or 2 occasionally, just to make sure both are charged. So if I ever listen to the radio for way too many hours and kill the battery, I can switch to the other which had been isolated and get home...

I can throw up some pictures, but they may not be all that useful since my 175 probably has a different layout than the newer 185's.

 

[midway]

Midway -

I see you have a full-tilt VHF radio on-board. I've been debating getting one, but don't quite know how I want to handle the antenna. If it wasn't for the poor range of the handhelds, that would be the most obvious choice with the least obtrusive look.

What kind of and where did you end up mounting the antenna?

BTW, everytime I see your boat with the full canvas I can't help but be envious; that really looks great! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the complement on the canvas. I have all photos of modifications in the virtual marina so you can see most everything. The antenna is a Shakespeare 8' with the plastic mount. It stands very close to straight up and will lay down on the side of the boat for storage or the low bridges I have to go under.

 

[CraziFuzzy]

I am another that doesn't like the new 185 design. I was in the market for a boat the last few months, and had the option for a '06 185 sport, or an '05. I went for the '05, even though it was used. The layout on the new model is sooo wasteful. The cockpit area is very cramped, and seems to be due simply to wasted space. It looks like there is almost a foot in the engine compartment forward of the engine, and all you get is more sun deck room. So, I just bought the '05 185 sport last week. Great little boat (though the battery was nearly dead when i got it... didn't find out until it was backed into the water... kinda feel dumb for that one)

On a related topic, has anyone installed a second battery in the 05? I'm trying to decide where to mount it. If anyone has any experience or pictures, could you pm me? Thanks.

 

[First Born]

Crazifuzzy,

Congratulations on the 185 and welcome to the board. Do you have any pictures of the boat. You will find alot of great people here who love talking boats and helping others. Again congratulations on the 185 Sport.

Wesley

 

[midway]

CarziFuzzy, congratulations on the new to you 185, I have the 04 model which is the same as your 05, I recently went to an in water show at my local dealer and I have to agree with you that the people space is cramped in the 06 plus the loss of the anchor locker in the bow. :smt021 I guess it is whatever fits the personal preference and it does not fit mine. :grin: Welcome to the board and may you have may happy hours of boating in you 185. :thumbsup:

 

[Dotty Sea]

If the Captain found out that there was anchor storage on our model Sea Ray LAST year I'd have to seriously steer towards calmer waters. We LOVE the boat but did see an 04 and couldn't figure out why Sea Ray bothered messing with that design so much. Just makes no sense