1994 180br

[Fineau]

I am looking into purchasing a used 1994 180BR. It has the 4.3 liter v6. The current owner has no idea how much horsepower it has. I am guessing about 155hp. Am I close?
The boat is in pretty nice condition with low hours on the motor. I will get all of the maintenance records, however I won't have time to take it out for a test drive. Is the fact that I can't take a spin around the lake a deal killer? Is there something I should be looking for on inspection that is a deal killer?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Lazy Daze]

That sounds about right on the HP. Sea Rays website has an archive section - you can download the original spec sheet for that model.

It's always best if you can drive it; not a deal killer, though. At least do a compression test - you buy a compression checker pretty cheap just about anywhere. Run it in his driveway, shift it fwd/reverse. Don't forget the trailer and bearings.

You can also do a search on this website - you'll probably find a bunch of threads dealing with the same question you have.

Welcome aboard! I hope it works out for you.

 

[Fineau]

Thanks for the response!!

 

[tdappleman]

Why wont you have time to do a water trial? On an older boat with low hours - it's not always a good thing. Boats like to be used and a lack of use can also potentially be a lack of regular maintenance. Not always an issue - but certainly something to keep in mind while you go over the boat and verify his maintenance records.

 

[VTSeaRay]

not sure if they changed that much in 1 yr, but my '95 185 BR, w/4.3 L V6, was 185 hp.... I'd think it's 180 or so.

 

[Lazy Daze]

VT: You may have had the LX V6. I believe it had a 4 barrel. The HP stuff was confusing back in that time era because they were rating it two different ways. They used to rate it at the engine, nowadays they only rate it at the prop. There's a HP loss between engine and prop. Somewhere in the mid 90's is when they transitioned to prop-ratings only.

 

[VTSeaRay]

re: You may have had the LX V6. I believe it had a 4 barrel.

Maybe, I know mine flew along pretty good, I could hit 53-55 mph on flat water. Fast enough, that it would start chining.

-VtSeaRay