Looking to buy a sea ray 185 sport but have some questions

[RLWsnook]

Newbie here with a few questions. Would greatly appreciate any help anyone could give me.

I've never owned nor really driven a boat before but have been doing some research and was wondering if the sea ray 185 with the 4.3L 190 hp engine sport is a good boat to start out on? I am looking for a good boat to tool around the bay in, do some tubing, maybe learn to water ski overall become a boater... I'm moving to Sandusky this summer and want to be able to use the lake and bay and get the most out of it.

Also I've been searching online and can only find a few boats for sale (I'm looking for a used one only a few years old (06 or newer) in pretty nice shape and no issues). Is it just not the time to buy a boat, or is there somewhere I should be looking (I found a few on boats.com but not that many and it seems all the ones I like are gone already).

What are a few very common issues with these boats that I can look for when buying my boat to make sure I don't get a bad boat?

Once I have the boat, should I get a slip in the marina or should I trailer it in and out every time? (Gonna be in sandusky bay\ lake Erie fresh water only). And likely to use it 3 times or more a week.

I've noticed that buying a boat from FL that has been in the salt water is much cheaper should I avoid a boat with salt water use at all costs or what's the best rule of thumb here?

What is the approximate range or how long does a tank of gas last for the 4.3L 190 hp?

If anyone has any other suggestions or tips for me that I haven't asked that would be greatly appreciated as well.

 

[MarkD]

I will be the first to take a crack at this for you since I own one....

First off, welcome to the site! Now is the best time to buy! Prices are down and people are looking to sell to get out of financial trouble. The engine package you seek is a great choice. It is an ideal setup to the 185 sport boat and will allow you more options to take many people out for a dinner cruise, waterski or just efficiently tool around the harbor. That particular combo will burn around 6-8 gallons per hour at cruise. They are very efficient at around 3000-3400 rpm. You will also see the 3 liter engine package and for sure it is a good motor, albeit a little underpowered ONLY if you load it down. Some will say its fine, I guess it depends on what your needs are. I always have a full load of people and toys and I have never lacked power. Better to have more than less...LOL. Plus, you will also have slightly better resale value. As to your question on keeping it in a marina or trailer... thats subjective. You will likely get a trailer with the boat, so that should give you some options to store it at home or elsewhere. The maintenance will definately be more intense with a wet slip. You will need bottom paint, new magnesium or zincs (sacrificial anodes) yearly, plus slip fees are also alot of $$. But, you will likely use it more since its easy to just jump in and go. For the towing side... If you have a tow vehicle capable of hauling 3500+ lbs, you should be ok. If not, it will get expensive to buy.

I cant really say as to whether there are alot of issues other than the typical ones. A common one is related to IO drive maintenance. Meaning, changing your rubber bellows occasionally, impeller (~ yearly), trim switches (if they stop working) since they all wear out eventually. Not terribly expensive but something to consider. The alpha1 drives have been around a long time and are reliable with alot of parts available if you need them. Oh, if you choose a colored hull, make sure you keep up with hull maintenance (cleaning/waxing etc) since it will show chalking and fade with time if you dont. You almost have to be OCD with it.

A few critical things to learn before you consider anything boating related (especially since you are new to this sport):
1) Get a boating course under your belt. You will learn alot up front about rules and best practices.
2) Get an insurance quote ahead of time. Be prepared and know your costs up front.
3) When you buy, GET A SURVEY! I cant stress that enough. Dont buy without one. Make any offer contingent on that survey going well... if not run away.
4) IMO stay away from the salt water boats. cheaper yes but you are new and not up on all the maintenance aspects yet. better to start w a clean slate so to speak.
5) Look for maintenance records on the boat you choose. Make sure the owner did the typical work each year.

Others will chime in.... but you will enjoy this boat and new hobby.

Hope this helps!

 

[Rono007]

Hi there!

Since we just bought our first boat last December, here's what I can tell you from my experience.
- Now is a great time to buy. The boat I bought valuated at $25,900 and I paid $17,000. I beleive I got a great deal.
- Get the survey. It will cost a few hundred dollars, but the peace of mind that comes with it is invaluable.
- If you are going to keep it in fresh water, I'm not so sure about bottom paint. I know that gets expensive and has to be done yearly. Our new-to-us boat was trailered in mostly fresh water and a bit of salt and was never bottom painted. We will slip ours in fresh water this year, and most of our friends with boats 10' to 25' in this lake do not bottom paint. I think I will pull mine once this season and wash the hull depending on/if there is growth.
- I vote for slip. I know in my case if I had to trailer the boat, I may use it a lot at first, but that is going to get old fast. We want to get home from work, drive the 6 minutes to the marina, and jump in the boat and go! I am going to get mag zincs because of this.

As for the issues and mechanical stuff - do the survey.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing!

Here's to an early spring!

 

[RLWsnook]

Thanks MarkD and Rono007 great advice! I am definitally going to ask for a survey of any boat I consider buying. One thing that is pretty common is a dealer says they have had their service department look over things and everything is fine, should I trust that, ask for more, or should I ask for a 3rd party survey? I've been doing tons of research, and that's what's brought me to this boat and engine combo (I've practically read every post on this website about the 185 sport).

MarkD or anyone I have a 2008 Ford Escape v6. It's all set up to tow but it has a tow capacity of 3500 pounds, is this going to be an issue? Or should I be fine with this? Also what size tow ball\hitch am I going to need are the sea ray trailers for the 185's all the same or no?

Rono007 or anyone In terms of painting and growth, what if I were to wash the boat? The marinas I've looked at offered washing services, or it is possibly something I could do myself maybe on a bi weekly or monthly bases. I feel like if I were to buy a power washer and really give her a good wash every 2-4 weeks I might not have some of the growth that a season of boating could build up. But I could be wrong let me know what you think.

PS, MarkD I am going to take a boating course, and have already checked out insurance quotes, and I've been reading all about the costs and the common etiquette of boating so hopefully that all goes well (I tend to over research everything I do haha).