Sharing info about 185 Sport with a V4 3.0 Liter

[ilya111]

Hello everybody,

I have owned a 185 sport with a smaller 3.0 L engine for a couple of years now and am looking to share experiences with other owners of an exact same boat.

My current hot topics are listed below, but I am open for a discussion on anything (boat related of course :smt001).
- Smart Tabs
- Correct Prop size for wakeboarding and tubing
- Maximum speed people have been able to achieve with a smaller V4
- Piranha Props - is anybody actually using these?
- How do you know if the problem is with the Transducer or Gauge of a depth sounder?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to meeting you folks!

Ilya

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Hello everybody,

I have owned a 185 sport with a smaller 3.0 L engine for a couple of years now and am looking to share experiences with other owners of an exact same boat.

My current hot topics are listed below, but I am open for a discussion on anything (boat related of course :smt001).
- Smart Tabs
- Correct Prop size for wakeboarding and tubing
- Maximum speed people have been able to achieve with a smaller V4
- Piranha Props - is anybody actually using these?
- How do you know if the problem is with the Transducer or Gauge of a depth sounder?

Thanks in advance and looking forward to meeting you folks!

Ilya

Welcome to the board! Where in Minnesota are you boating?
I grew up with a Sea Ray 180 with a 135 Mercury Black Max- I loved that boat. I believe that the hulls are almost identical.

 

[MarkD]

Hi Ilya, I dont have the 3.0L engine in mine, but i have a neighbor who had the exact setup & year as you do. He just sold this year. He used his boat for tubing/skiing with himself, and a few friends for years with your engine and he always mentioned with 3 people plus skiier, it was a bit sluggish getting out of the hole. Granted it didnt stop him at all. I recall he said top speed was around 37-40 mph. He said he cruised at 24 mph (at 3500 rpm???? again just from memory). That number is different from my 2008 w 4.3L engine. I do the same at 3000 rpm or thereabouts. Top speed is 49-52 mph depending on conditions. As to the smart tabs, I have heard good things. time to plane is quicker, angle of attack is better, stability etc... the only problem that i recall is that top speed is diminished a bit. I havent messed with props on THIS boat but wanted to very badly. I have kids who like tubing and would like more holeshot and better cruising speed at 3000-3200 rpm. Btw, how do you like your 185? any modifications or upgrades?

Hope that helps.

 

[fc3]

V4?

 

[Black180BR]

V4?

haha that would be kinda cute! :lol:

Anyway, there is an entire thread devoted to this boat. You should check it out. Welcome!!

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24346

 

[ilya111]

Thanks to all that replied - I will check out the link provided shortly.

I mostly go to Prior Lake, but love to get out on St Croix ones in a while - both are really beautiful places!!! I have been meaning to go to Minnetonka, but heard that that the wait to drop the boat in the water is just insane.

Looking at Piranha props since the factory one is slightly banged up - one sand bar and a couple of ramps :smt013