Model differences 180, 182 or 185

T

trtcanada

New Member
Apr 20, 2007
5
We are shopping for our first boat, and Sea Ray is it. My wife saw a 2007 185 sport at the boat show and loved it, but we decided to save a bit and go with a used one. We were thinking of a 1998-2002 with a 4.3 and sport seating (sun pad). What are the differences between the three models in those years? Thanks, and let me know if you know of a really clean one for sale!
 
180 is a 18' boat with a 3.0L engine, the 182 and 185 are both 18'6" with a 4.3L engine, they all have a 7'6" beam, so other than some trim differences the 182 and 185 are basicly the same boat, the 180 is a little smaller, 6" shorter. If it was me I would go for the 182 or 185 with the 4.3L, more power and fuel consumption is just slightly higher.
 
Thanks, that helps alot. Got one more for you, fuel injected or carbs? The price doesn't seem to be to different in the used market. (been looking on boattrader.com)
 
midway said:
180 is a 18' boat with a 3.0L engine, the 182 and 185 are both 18'6" with a 4.3L engine, they all have a 7'6" beam, so other than some trim differences the 182 and 185 are basicly the same boat, the 180 is a little smaller, 6" shorter. If it was me I would go for the 182 or 185 with the 4.3L, more power and fuel consumption is just slightly higher.
Click to expand...

You can get the 3.0 in the 185. We looked at the 4.3, but they said the top speed was only like 7 mph more, so I went with the 3.0. We went out friday, and saturday, and still have 1/4 tank left. I know it will not be that way when the water temp goes up and we ski and tube, but I was still impressed.
 
trtcanada said:
Got one more for you, fuel injected or carbs? The price doesn't seem to be to different in the used market. (been looking on boattrader.com)
Click to expand...

I have a carbed 3.0 in my 176 (same boat as the 180) and have never had any problems. That being said, I've heard many a cheer for fuel injection and I’d probably lean that way if given the choice. Both the 3.0 and 4.3 have been around for a hundred years and are virtually bullet proof.

My advice: The 175/176/180 is a great starter boat. The 3.0L does just fine in this size boat. If you go up to the 182/185, I'd look at the 4.3L. A few extra horsepower never hurt anyone!
 
I was told the smaller engines are harder to start. I was having problems with mine, but it just needed the idel adjusted. If it were me, I would go with fuel injection. They should get better mpg, and better hp I would think.
 
In my opinion the 8-10 mph difference between the 3.0 -vs- the 4.3 is huge difference on the water. Stick your head out of your car window at 30 mph and then at 40 mph and tell me how you like it.

The top speed is not the only benefit; it takes off and hops on plain much quicker which make wake boarding, etc. much easier. The fuel consumption has not been much different for me since my cruising speed is the same as the 3.0's top speed. The other nice thing is that if it starts to storm or you have an emergency you can get back to the dock alot faster. My 182, 4.3L averages between 48 mph - 53 mph (GPS) when trimmed up a bit.

The 182 has more of a sporty interior trim and i think 182's come with the 4.3 as a standard option; it is also 18.5' like the 185, but 185's come with your choice of the 3.0 or the 4.3.

To sum it up I would get a 18.5' (182 or 185) with a 4.3L engine because you could always use the extra power and you WILL crave a bigger boat; it's a disease.
 
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