I am contemplating buying a 2006 175 Sport with 150 hours and was looking for some advice/guidance. I live with Southern Ontario with access to lots of lakes. I own a tow vehicle and have 2 young kids aged 6 & 8. Is a 175 big enough to use on a larger body of water such as the great lakes. I have 5 weeks annual vacation and a fairly flexible work schedule during the summer months and was looking for a way to get out on the water to do some exploring, tubing etc. vs watching others do the same from the beach. Thanks.
Contemplating 175 Sport
- Thread starter pfitzsim
- Start date
blaster
Well-Known Member
- May 23, 2011
- 3,468
- Boat Info
- 2010 sea ray 205 sport
F-250 CCLB 6.2 4x4 3.73 rear.
- Engines
- Mercruiser 4.3 mpi alpha 1.62
Welcome to the board. The 175 is a great boat for the things you mentioned. I would be careful and take extra precautions on the open water, but on a calm day you are probably OK.
You may soon find it a little small and underpowered but it certainly is capable of your requirements.
You may soon find it a little small and underpowered but it certainly is capable of your requirements.
Stingrayaxe
Active Member
- Oct 29, 2015
- 347
- Boat Info
- 2009 Sea Ray 205 Sport
2015 Chevy Tahoe, Max Towing
- Engines
- 5.0 Merc Alpha 1
Buying a boat 25 years ago when our kids were 3 months and 2 1/2years old was one of the best things that I ever did. Just upgraded to a new old boat this past summer without regrets. The kids still can't wait to go out with mom and dad. Of course now there are boy friends and girl friends coming along.
Plenty of great smaller lakes around to explore with the original 19 foot and now 21 foot that I never felt the need to go out on Lake Michigan. Unless conditions were perfect I thought it too risky. I wouldn't let that stop you from pulling the trigger. Good luck!
Plenty of great smaller lakes around to explore with the original 19 foot and now 21 foot that I never felt the need to go out on Lake Michigan. Unless conditions were perfect I thought it too risky. I wouldn't let that stop you from pulling the trigger. Good luck!
SoxFan58
New Member
- Jan 10, 2016
- 3
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 180 Bowrider Sport
- Engines
- Mercruiser 3.0 LX, 135 HP
We just bought a 180 sport and are looking forward to visiting RV parks on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake as well as the other Delmarva areas. The research I have done indicates that the 175 and above can handle heavier water fairly well. We will see in the spring. I don't plan to venture into rough waters though.
sinnbad
New Member
- Jul 14, 2015
- 2
- Boat Info
- 2002 Sea Ray Signature 230
- Engines
- 6.2 Mercruiser w/ Bravo III drive
You have to start somewhere....we purchased our first boat when our kids were that same age, a 1998 Sea Ray 180 with a 3.0 Merc. As the boys got older and we added a 3rd son to the mix the boat got smaller and 5 years later we upgraded to a 190 of the same vintage with a 5.0 Merc. Needless to say the boys got bigger as did their friends and of course the girl friends need to come along too - we now own a 2002 SeaRay 230 with a 6.2 merc and a Bravo 3 drive and it is perfect for us at this point. It works well on our smaller lakes here in Minnesota and it can handle the big water if needed. If you can afford it, go with a bigger boat than the 175, you won't be disappointed.
SandyD
Member
I have a 2008 175 Sport I use offshore of Oahu conditions permitting. Near shore you should be fine but in any size boat you need to be aware of its limits and keep a close eye on the weather.