2008 Sea Ray 175 Sport experience

[frankca]

Hi,

I'm totally new to owing a boat. I'm about to purchase an used 2008 Sea Ray 175 Sport with only few hours on salt water. I've been researching how to inspect but can anyone give me list of things to check that are specific to this model and year? For example:
1) It's been on salt water so what should I check for?
2) The engine is noisy is that normal for a pretty new boat?
3) How do I check for leak if I take it for just less than half hour test drive?

Any experience buying/owing this boat you'd like to share?

Does anyone know the link to the official thread of 2008 Sea Ray 175 Sport owner forum?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[beernutz]

Are you buying from an owner or a dealer like MarineMax?
How many hours does the boat have?

 

[frankca]

Are you buying from an owner or a dealer like MarineMax?
How many hours does the boat have?

From private owner and it has less than 10 hours. Moreover, it's still under warranty.

 

[Scottbenson]

When you say "Noisy" do you mean in the water or running out of the water with the ear muffs off. If you are referring to "out of the water" the exhaust will be real noisy because the exhaust is not muffled by the drive leg being under the water. If you mean that the 3.0 liter is noisy while in the water and running at a higher RPM, then yes they are considerably noisier than being in a car. Conversation is difficult while cruising etc. If you mean mechanical clanking, clicking and strange noises then NO, that is not normal.

If the boat is fairly low hours (Less than 50) than I seriously double anything is wrong with it unless there has been some sort of odd damage. If I were you, take it for the test drive, if all sounds and acts good, pull the engine cover off at the end of the test and look for water in the bilge (underneath the engine). There should be very little. If OK, buy it and have fun.

 

[beernutz]

I checked the value of every boat I looked at using NadaGuides boat values application: http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...50634&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5693&gc=mr&gtc=mr&any=0

For the right price, that boat with 10 hours sounds like a heck of a deal. I run my boat in salty or brackish water too and the previous owner did as well but if you rinse them with something like SaltAway, which I do and I was told the previous owner did, then that shouldn't be a negative.

I guess if I were you I'd check to be sure that the warranty would still be honored by your local SeaRay dealer.

Do you mind saying what they are asking?

 

[ZZ13]

I didn't think twice about buying my 2009 Sport 175 used with 30 hours on it. So I'd go for it. Fyi I paid $16,300 for it - I have no idea if that was a good or bad price, but it fit in my budget so I bought.

One question, did the boat and lower unit sit docked/moored in the salt water since purchased or get trailered and just run in the salt water for the 10 hours?

I also currently run mine in salt water. I flush for 10 minutes in the driveway with Salt Eliminator and thoroughly hose the entire boat down with Salt Eliminator mixed in as well. So far I can't tell at all its ever been in the salt water.