First Time Buyer - Looking at 05' 180BR

[pfitzsim]

Quick newbie question. Considering my first boat and have come across a 2005 180BR - is there anything in particular that I should be examining on the boat in advance of purchase? It's for sale at a local marina.

Thanks.

 

[NotHerDecision]

There are a couple engine options, obviously the larger engines hold a better resale value but also use more fuel. The 180's are fairly easy to find so my advice is to be super picky. Look for good clean gel coat and a spotless bilge.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pfitzsim]

Thanks NotHer - it's a 3.0 however I wouldn't require an abundance of power as my kids are young and light enough (for the next couple of years anyway) for easy tubing/skiing. Here is a photo of the engine compartment.

 

[Gofirstclass]

If I were in your shoes I would pass on a 180 (or any 18' boat) with a 3.0L. That engine is just too small, but that's just my opinion. I would at least look for a 6 cylinder. Like NotHer said above, a boat with a bigger engine is going to be much easier to sell.

My suggestion to people looking at a newer boat, especially if they are new to boating, is to buy your second boat first. By that, I'm suggestion that they avoid doing what many first timers do--they buy a boat because they have the hots to own a boat. After they've had it for a year or so they decide it doesn't suit their needs. They start looking for a bigger/faster/different design boat and when they find it they trade in the one they have owned only a year to buy the newer one.

That costs a LOT of money. So my suggestion is to do your due diligence. Spend 6 months or so looking at boats. Sit in them and imagine having 4 or 5 friends on board. Is there room for a cooler? Or storage for towels, etc.? Your kids are "young and light" now, but in 5-6 years they're going to be taller with long legs and will always want to invite a friend along for the day. Is there going to be room for all those long legs?

Good luck with the boat hunt. It's a lot of fun to walk around dealerships and marinas looking at boats so take your time and enjoy the search.

 

[JVM225]

I picked up an 05 Maxim 18' bow rider for my teenaged kids last summer. Similar size and weight as the Sea Ray.The price was right and the boat is solid and clean. It has a 3.0 in it. Honestly, the boat flys with that motor and is very good on gas. Plenty of power for that little boat.
I've got to do the exhaust on it this Spring, and I did all the typical tune up stuff when we first got it. Other than that it's been pretty fantastic.
It was a little scary when I first started it cold because it shakes like crazy but it smooths out as soon as it warms up. I've learned that the shaking when cold is normal for the 3.0's and the reason they have rubber mounts.
The other thing is that it's a pretty loud motor in that little boat, but not bad once you get used to it.
Bottom line after the first season with it is the 3.0 is a good little motor and it suits the 18 bow rider just fine.

 

[BillK2632]

I think the 3.0 is the only option in a 180. Solid boat and the 3.0 works good enough. Starting with the 185 you have the 4.3 option.

 

[MrHappy]

Where do you plan on taking the boat out? Our first boat was a Sea Ray 170 BR. Basically an 18 foot boat with a 3.0 Ltr. Great little boat. When I bought it it came with a slip for the rest of the year. We kept the slip for the next 8. Not the boat. We kept it for less than 2 years.

Our lake was small(Lake Monroe, IN), 1 mile wide by 10. When it came to weekends especially holiday's the water was very rough from the other boats. Our little boat would get pounded.

As others said buy your 2nd boat first, 18' can become very small with 4 people, coolers, tube, picnic supplies etc.

I would highly recommend a hull survey and an engine survey if you are going to spend more than $10,000. It could save you money in the long run. Sadly speaking from experience.

 

[blaster]

That's a great boat and it will do what you need it to. The small motor isn't going to be fast, and it's a dog when you want to plane off with six people but it gets the job done. It is easy to maintain and they are known to last a very long time when properly maintained.

Was this boat only run in freshwater? That makes a big difference in how it's valued.

At 12 years there may be long term maintenance items needing attention such as, bellows, hoses, tune up, water pump. Verify that proper maintenance has been done.

 

[HeyBigb]

Our first BR was an older invader with a carburated 4 cylinder 120 HP it was a 19ft We had a blast kept that boat for years yes it was not the best out of the hole but we ran about 35 pulled tubes swam picnic camped And it's all how you drive your boat I had some experience and was taught well It was the best 1500.00 bucks I spent I put about 500 in it and kept it for about 6 years and sold it for 1200.00 Including everything tubes ropes .It also had a nice trailer.I could have made more but the guy that bought it should have bought a newer car he was just trying to do something with his kids and to see there eyes all big it was priceless Good luck and enjoy.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Boater420]

The 180 with a 3.0 is a fine boat.

I still have one I purchased new in 2004. She does 42 mph with 4 people in the boat, she also pulls up a skier with 4 people in the boat and sips fuel. I ran it in the inter-coastal here and on some local lakes and I never once felt I was under powered. It's perfect for a family your size.