1998 and 2001 180BR

JustRay

New Member
Nov 26, 2021
4
Boat Info
2000 Polar 1886 PS
Engines
100 Evinrude
I am looking at two sea ray 180BR's. One is a 1998 that has been kept indoors and under covers. Don't know the hours and it's about 8k. The other is a 2001 with 200 hours for 10k but it's been left outside and uncovered. I prefer the 2001 but I am concerned with it having been left out. Is there anything I should check? Did the 2001 have wood floors what could go soft?
 
Neither boat had a wood floor, nor wood stringers. They're identical boats, save for some cosmetics.

The three year difference in model years means absolutely nothing. It's all about how it's been maintained. There's lot's of posts here on this forum that talk about that you can find via searching - getting a mechanical survery, etc, etc. BUT, based on what you posted, there's no way I would consider a 20+ year old, 18' boat with a 4 cyl engine for $10K that's been sitting uncovered all that time. The inside must be absolutely trashed by now.
 
It's Facebook ma
Neither boat had a wood floor, nor wood stringers. They're identical boats, save for some cosmetics.

The three year difference in model years means absolutely nothing. It's all about how it's been maintained. There's lot's of posts here on this forum that talk about that you can find via searching - getting a mechanical survery, etc, etc. BUT, based on what you posted, there's no way I would consider a 20+ year old, 18' boat with a 4 cyl engine for $10K that's been sitting uncovered all that time. The inside must be absolutely trashed by now.

It's Facebook market, but I'll try to post the links:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2965637567017707/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/848332325870301/
 
As far as pictures go, they'll be pretty self explanatory and you can see cosmetic issues as easily as any of us so there's probably no real need to talk about that.

As I mentioned, though, things like maintenance and condition of various engine/drive things and such are very important... the trailer, too. What have you learned about that stuff?

Why did you say the '01 was stored outside uncovered? I didn't see any mention of it, unless I missed it?
 
As far as pictures go, they'll be pretty self explanatory and you can see cosmetic issues as easily as any of us so there's probably no real need to talk about that.

As I mentioned, though, things like maintenance and condition of various engine/drive things and such are very important... the trailer, too. What have you learned about that stuff?

Why did you say the '01 was stored outside uncovered? I didn't see any mention of it, unless I missed it?

There are no snaps around the 2001 boat for a cover and there is some staining on the seats indicating it's been left out, but other than the stains/snaps I am speculating. I am trying to hear back from the seller. I know the 2001 has 200 hours on it and a newer trailer. The 1998 looks like the original trailer and I know it's been stored inside and covered outside but no hour meter, so that is a big unknown
 
Don't speculate - find out for sure. No snaps could mean a full cover was used. Staining could be from anything and/or a one time event. The trailer under the '98 is not original. Hours are virtually useless on boats like this - that goes WAY down on the "important" list. 200 hours is EXTREMELY low and is not always a good thing. Maintenance history and current condition is key.
 
Don't speculate - find out for sure. No snaps could mean a full cover was used. Staining could be from anything and/or a one time event. The trailer under the '98 is not original. Hours are virtually useless on boats like this - that goes WAY down on the "important" list. 200 hours is EXTREMELY low and is not always a good thing. Maintenance history and current condition is key.

Why are hours useless? Are they super reliable or something?
 
Why are hours useless? Are they super reliable or something?
"Virtually" useless. But I assume you mean NOT super reliable?

They're accurate - as long as an owner didn't disconnect it. But they only tell you time on the engine and, as I was eluding to, 200 hours or 400 hours means nothing. It's HOW it was used/cared for that really matters - hours don't tell you that. If the engine is healthy and runs well - that's the key, not the hours.
 
The 180BR is a wonderful boat. Don’t worry About the hours so much. The condition is what matters. If you go to look at the boats and you like how they look, get a mechanical survey on the propulsion. The Hull should be solid. The upholstery should be obvious. Make sure before you buy that you get a compression test and pull the out drive to be sure the gimbal bearing is in good condition and that no gear oil is leaking out into the bellows. If you are able to run the boat on a sea trial, even better.

brand new those boats were in the $12,000-$14,000 range so they have held their value well.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,789
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top