How to identify model year?

[Hobbes]

Howdy. If you couldn't guess by the question and the forum that I'm posting in, I am a complete boat newbie just starting my search.

I have been checking out boattrader and craigslist getting a feel for prices while reading up on forums about how to go about buying a boat - questions to ask, determining the best size and engine, etc. and that's how I stumbled across this site.

I found this 1999 Sea Ray 160 today (http://austin.craigslist.org/boa/1200827818.html), but really question the stated model year. From the pics you can see "160" next to the boat name on the back. According to NADA, the Sea Ray 160 hasn't been made since 1993. In another thread here someone posted the link to Sea Ray's model archives and it looks like the '93 160 was only offered with outboards. I was also thrown by the stated engine make since I thought all smaller bowriders had GM engines.

Boat looks clean but if the current owner doesn't even know his model year I'm seriously questioning what else he doesn't know. How do you verify a boat's model year? I know for an engine you can find the serial number and look it up, but where on a boat is this info located?

Thanks for any help and I will continue searching what seems to be a great resource. :thumbsup:

 

[Lazy Daze]

That's correct. In '99, Sea Ray didn't make a 160. It's probably a typo and it's supposed to be a "1989".

On the back, right corner of every boat is it's HIN#. Usually it's right below the rubrail. It starts with "SER" for Sea Ray. The last two digits tell the year.

 

[wish2fish]

I sold my 1889 SeaRay 160 in 2006 for $4500. Mine looked and ran great except for the vinyl. complete overhaul??? of what....the engine looks like crap. Boat also looks faded.

engine says 3.0 liter which was standard. but ad says 195hp??? 3 liter = 120 hp. It is definitely the standard 4 cylinder as you can see in the pictures.

lots of discrepancies!!

 

[Hobbes]

Wish2Fish,

How many kids/adults could you comfortably fit on this boat? I'm thinking that I want 18' at the minimum, but would probably prefer 19'. Usually it will be 2 adults/2 kids but we'd of course would want to be able to fit 2 more adults plus another kid or two. I'm still trying to get an idea of what is reasonable as opposed to what the manufacturers' say a boat is "rated" for.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Nehalennia]

Looks like a nice clean boat. It's an '89 or that vintage. You'll be comfortable with 2 adults and 2 kids. 4 Adults maybe but, anything more will be very crowded.

 

[Alegria]

Welcome and best of luck with you search... You've come to right place no shortage of feedback and opinions here for sure!!!

You are starting down the right path getting your thoughts together on usage. I would think that for 2 adults and 2 kids the space on the 16 is ok. Of course I'll chime in with I think a bit more space 18-19 ft would be better. I don't think you want 4 adults and 4 kids on that boat in your link that would be really crowded add in a cooler and more gear and you are most like over the rating for the boat I would bet or very near the limit. I believe there is a reason there are only 6 PFDs in the pics.

I think from what the other posters pointed out I think there are a lot of misprints in that add. Plus they spelled the engine as "Makery"??? What is going on there.

I would take someone along that knows boats and let them look at the mechanicals. Or if you just want to check it out you can take a close look at the cosmetics of the boat and judge whether you want someone more knowledgable to come back to look at the mechanical end...

Have fun searching, the right boat for you is out there!!!

 

[Mr Salt]

After reading this thread there sure looks like there are too many mistakes in the advertisement. That should bring up some real questions about the seller. Just make sure you don't give give him a deposit or other financial information "in order to see the boat" If one doesn't care in an ad to sell something you have to exercise caution.

 

[wish2fish]

Makery = Mercury?????

I would say 4 adults max and that is if 2 stay up front. I wish we would have bought bigger in the begining but the boat served us well. I would recommend bigger. A lot depends on what water you plan to boat. I can do so much more now.

Here is what mine looked like when I sold it.

 

[SRfan]

All boat serial numbers are 12 letters and numbers long. Each manufactuer has a code they use for their individual info. This link gives some interesting info since the formats changed in the mid-80s: http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

Best wishes to you.
SRfan