185 with 135 hp

[lakeray]

I am also trying to decide between the 3.0L in a 185 or 175 (same price!) vs the 4.3L in a 185. I will use it on a lake for skiing and cruising. Boattest has tests of a 176 which claim an incredible 9.5 MPG for the 176 with a 3.0L compared to less than 5.0MPG for the 185 with either the 3.0L or 4.3L and not much difference. Would this high MPG also be true for the recent 175 with the 3.0L?

176 with 135HP 9.5MPG at 3000 RPM http://www.boattest.com/boats/test_results_Printp.aspx?ID=162

185 (2006-) with 135HP 3.0L 4.94MPG at 3000RPM
http://www.boattest.com/boats/test_results_Printp.aspx?ID=968

185 (2006-) with 190HP 4.3L 4.86MPG at 3000RPM
http://www.boattest.com/boats/test_results_Printp.aspx?ID=967

Does anybody have experience with the 175 that confirms this high MPG on more recent model years?

I test drove the 4.3L 185 and thought it easily had enough power and is probablky worth the price difference, but if gas goes way up again, I might be wishing for the 3.0L in the 175.
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lakeray

 

[springer3]

I recently upgraded from a 3.0 liter 2-barrel 20.5' Seville cuddy to a 4.3 liter V-6 4-barrel 215 EC. The increase in fuel consumption is breath taking. The increase in performance is noticeable but hardly worth the extra fuel stops and cost. I probably need to stay off the 4-barrel, but I am burning considerably more than double the fuel in the new boat.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Lake,

Re-read post #3.

I can't comment on MPG - I've always tracked via GPH. But, the 176 is the same hull as the 175. The difference in MPG that you wrote about doesn't seem to jive with my experiences. That's also a big difference between two somewhat similar boats.

I wouldn't worry about the fuel difference - I really don't think there's going to be a measurable difference. Now, I could be wrong - I've run both boats many, many times - but I've never tracked fuel on those particular models (I did do it on a 2000 180). Both boats have a similar top end - unless the 175 has a much higher cruising speed, which I doubt. And, quite honestly, if you're worried about the fuel usage in a 18' boat, you might want re-think your buying decision.

 

[MrIcemaker]

I have a 2007 175 with the 3.0, so I thought I would add my opinion here....

First of all, let me say that I am very happy with our boat. Starts without problems, EASILY tows my 280# brother around on a wakeboard, and regularly pulls a 3 person tube around all day on one 20 gallon tank of gas (with fuel left in the tank at the end of the day.)

That being said, I would go with the 185, even with the 3.0 - especially for the same money. I can't speak for how the 4.3 does in the 185, but I wish I had the ROOM in the boat (even the extra 1 foot!) It can get pretty crowded when you pull a tube up on back and have 5 people loaded....

Just my 2 cents....

 

[David Morgan]

Feel fortunate. My new 185 Sport does only 42 MPH maximum with a claimed horsepower of 190. (GPS) They said that with a 21 inch prop if it can reach 4400 RPM then it is within spec. I already fought with my dealer over this because the sales guy and the chief mechanic said the boat was capable of almost 50 MPH (GPS), before I bought the boat. Not my boat at least...I feel a bit ripped off by SeaRay and by the dealer. Either these two guys lied to me or there is something wrong with the engine.

After the testing they wanted to charge me for their time!...for a brand new boat I just bought from them, to add insult to injury.

They win, I lose. They got away with selling me a boat that was not up to their claims. :smt013 I try not to let it bother me but it still does sometimes. In retrospect I should have looked at the Cobalts as well.

 

[midway]

Feel fortunate. My new 185 Sport does only 42 MPH maximum with a claimed horsepower of 190. (GPS) They said that with a 21 inch prop if it can reach 4400 RPM then it is within spec. I already fought with my dealer over this because the sales guy and the chief mechanic said the boat was capable of almost 50 MPH (GPS), before I bought the boat. Not my boat at least...I feel a bit ripped off by SeaRay and by the dealer. Either these two guys lied to me or there is something wrong with the engine.

After the testing they wanted to charge me for their time!...for a brand new boat I just bought from them, to add insult to injury.

They win, I lose. They got away with selling me a boat that was not up to their claims. :smt013 I try not to let it bother me but it still does sometimes. In retrospect I should have looked at the Cobalts as well.

It sounds like you need to talk to SeaRay about this, I have a 2004 185Sport 4.3L 190 that will get near 50 with normal load in it. I don't know what your elavation is but does the drive have the proper gear ratio for your elavation. I am at sea level on the SE coast and my outdrive has the 1:81 ratio with a 23 pitch prop. If you have a sea level set up and are at higher altitude that may be part of the problem.