I'm looking at a 2006 185 Sport with 37 hours that a couple is selling here in the Dallas area. The boat was winterized last year and whenI asked if they had it summerized this year they told me all that was need was to put it in water and let it run to flush out all the antifreeze. Does this sound right for a 4.3l that was winterized in Texas? I thought there were plugs that should have been removed? The boat is in great shape but I sure don't want to buy something thats going to break 10 hours into owner ship if I can avoid it. Thanks!
Help with 185 Sport purchase
- Thread starter hemi2nv
- Start date
jmlloyd526
New Member
Spend the extra couple hundred to let Marine Max get it up and running for you. That will give you the piece of mind that you are truly "good to go".
TexasA&M
New Member
Or drop it in the water and be done with it. Winterization usually only includes antifreeze in the block, fuel stabilizer, and fogging the cylinders. As long as the oil was changed at the end of last year, you don't need to do anything other than run it.
That said, you should put the boat on the water with the current owner BEFORE you buy it. Run it for a couple of hours and make sure everything is right on it before a deal is made. If the oil wasn't changed at the end of last year, it should be done now, which can factor into whatever price you're trying to get on the boat.
Is there any chance that the current owner bought the extended warranty? If so, that would be a nice selling point.
That said, you should put the boat on the water with the current owner BEFORE you buy it. Run it for a couple of hours and make sure everything is right on it before a deal is made. If the oil wasn't changed at the end of last year, it should be done now, which can factor into whatever price you're trying to get on the boat.
Is there any chance that the current owner bought the extended warranty? If so, that would be a nice selling point.
- Oct 3, 2006
- 2,019
- Boat Info
- 04 SeaRay 185Sport, Smart Tabs, Mageln Meridian Gold GPS, Hbird Matrix 87 dept/ff/gps/cp, Uniden vhf
- Engines
- 4.3L 190HP, Alpha 1 1.81 ratio, 14 1/4X21 Turning Point Prop
That oil change should include the outdrive also.
The boat was serviced last fall which included the winterization. They are asking $15,000 for the boat which appears to be a fair price based on other 185 sports with the 4.3l that I have seen exspecially with just 37 hours. The only other issue I have is they do not know if the impeller has been changed. I know 37 hour would not normally warrant an inpeller change but 4 years would. I'm going to try and take the boat out and see how it runs and keep an eye on the temp gage. If I can't find proof thru reciepts that the impellar has been changed then I will try to drive the price down and get this done ASAP. It will suck to but a new to me boat and then have to take it to the dealer for 8 days to have the impeller changed.
TexasA&M
New Member
FYI, I changed my impeller for the first time last winter. The boat was 5 years old w/ 200hrs on it, and the impeller looked and felt EXACTLY like the new one that I was replacing it with. It will be a good tool to use to drive the price down, but I don't think it will be necessary for you to do once you buy the boat.
Also, if you're mechanically inclined, the impeller can be replaced in a couple of hours in your garage. All you have to do is drain the oil, and drop the lower unit. You'll save $200 and a week of boat use by doing it yourself.
Also, if you're mechanically inclined, the impeller can be replaced in a couple of hours in your garage. All you have to do is drain the oil, and drop the lower unit. You'll save $200 and a week of boat use by doing it yourself.
wreckless123
Member
I cant imagine with 37 hours anything would be wrong with it if they have been paying to have it winterized and were flushing it out if it was in salt water. I really dont believe the impeller is really due at 37 hours either. I have a 2005 with 27 hours and if someone tried to BS me down like that I would send them walking. If you really like this boat and it looks like its been cared for I would not sweat buying it after a quick run on the water..
