New owner from West Tennessee

govols019

govols019

Member
Feb 21, 2009
65
West Tennessee
Boat Info
185 Sport
Engines
3.0
Went to our local boat show with every intention of buying a Stingray 185. Thankfully, my wife went with me to make sure I didn't do anything stupid.

When we got there I took her to see the Stingray I had picked out but she wasn't overly impressed. She asked why we didn't go over and look at the pretty yellow Sea Ray across the aisle and I told her that I hadn't even considered a Sea Ray because I just assumed they would be more money than I was willing to pay. She said it wouldn't hurt to look so that is what we did.

Once she saw the Sea Ray up close she wasn't able to even look at anything else. It was love at first sight.

So, we are now the proud owners of a 2008 185 Sport and it only cost me around $1000 more than the Stingray I was looking at.

The 3.0 was all they had so that's the one we went with. I was worried about it being underpowered but when we sea trialed her it was plenty for our uses. The most work we make a boat do is pull a tube. 90% of the time is spent with just me and my wife cruising the river. Besides, a bigger motor is the excuse I'll use when it's time to move back up in sizes.

Got it from Erwin Marine in Hendersonville, TN and they have been a pleasure to deal with. They pulled it the 150 miles to my house Saturday. Couldn't ask for a more painless transaction.

Our old boat was 1993 Lowe 2200 deckboat that had 17 leaking rivets. Going from that boat to this one, even with the reduction in footage, is like going from a beat up old Ford to a Cadillac.

 
Congrats on the new boat she is sharp....I beleive you made the right brand choice, and I can bet it wont be your last Sea Ray...I am on my 6th.... Erwin marine is a great bunch of folks I have been dealing with them for 10 years...Please pass along what lakes or rivers you call home
 
That's a beautiful boat!

:smt038:smt038:smt038:smt038:smt038:smt038:smt038
 
What a beautiful boat.

My goal is to have a garage as neat as yours!

Looks like the bimini has to come down to clear the door.

Welcome aboard!
 
Thanks. Having a storage shed in the back yard helps keep the garage clean of clutter. My wife keeps wanting me to put my three wheeler in the shed but I told her she'd go in there before it would. :grin:


I have about 6" to spare getting it in the garage with the tongue swung in. When they finish my in-laws house at the river we will be leaving it in their garage there during the summer.

Please pass along what lakes or rivers you call home
Click to expand...
We run the Tennessee River between Clifton and Cherokee boat dock. We will keep the boat just downriver from Mermaid Marina. Speaking of Mermaid Marina, I will miss keeping my boat in a slip during the summer. It was nice to just drive up there jump in the boat and go. The not having to worry cleaning the bottom as often and not dealing with the bird poop will be nice too.

I work for UPS so we thought this name was appropriate:


 
Anyone have a picture of their flag pole socket location on this style boat? I'd like to get an idea on the best place and type of socket and pole to use.

With my old boat it seemed there were at least a dozen exactly like it on the river. I made sure that when friends saw my boat coming down the river they knew it was me.:grin:


 
Congrats on the new boat. The folks at Erwin are very good .I have been a Erwin custome for ten years. They are in it for the long haul and will treat you right before and after the sale.
 
So far they have been a pleasure to deal with. They did forget to fill my boat up before they delivered it but we worked out a trade for some T-shirts, visor and license plate so we're even.

I sooooo want to put it in the water this weekend. My wife hasn't been able to ride in it yet.
 
govols019 said:
There shall be no disparaging of the Tennessee Vols.
That's one of the ten commandments, look it up. :grin:
Click to expand...

Sorry, I could not help myself. My daughter and money go to UGA. :lol:
 
Mine has the single point drain system. So, just by detaching those two hoses and pushing them down into the bilge I can drain the entire motor and not worry about it freezing?

Then, I just reconnect the hoses and wait for it to warm back up so I can get back in the water?

It my first inboard motor so I'm kinda new to this. All I've ever owned was outboards. I love the smell of 2-stroke oil in the morning. I honestly will miss that.

Oh yeah, one other thing, about the drain plug. How tight do you screw it in? All my other boats had the push in plugs of which I've been known to forget to put in a time or two.
 
Congratulations on the new boat! You're just upriver (the other side of the dam) from me - We're at Aqua Yacht Harbor on Pickwick Lake. Lots of Jackson boaters here. The guy in the slip next to me is from Jackson and thought about Merrmaid and then decided on Pickwick. A longer drive from Jackson but he feels it's worth it.
Drain plug - Make it tight.
This is a great site. You'll find a lot of helpful information on it.
 
Wouldn't that make me downriver?

Pickwick is pretty but it, like Paris Landing, gets too busy and rough for my taste.

Mermaid isn't even the same league with where you keep your boat. That is a beautiful place.

But, Mermaid only charges $600 a year for a slip. Best deal on the river as far as I know.

By how tight I mean as tight as possible by hand or does everyone use a wrench to secure the drain plug?
 
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