Sea Ray 185 Outboard

[marke077]

Hi
I am thinking of getting one of these, I prefer outboards to inboards for many reasons.. One is I have it in the water all summer, so an out drive would grow a lot of stuff during that time. The other reason is that everyone I know with an I/O is they always have to do a lot of service to them.. Outboards like an Optimax would be easier to maintain.. Am I all wrong here? does anyone know more about this boat? The dealer or Sea Ray web site don't have too much information about this model..

Any input would be welcome, thank you all..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

I am also an outboard board for the reasons you mention and that looks like a real sharp boat http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/10232/pmid/171222/185-Outboard-Sport.aspx Unfortunately the outboard models usually cost quite a bit more than the equivalent I/O model.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Outboards all the way.

I honestly think the only downside that makes any sense at all when comparing an I/O to an outboard is aesthetics...there are some people that don't like the look of an outboard hanging off the back of a boat. I like seeing the motor myself.

As the requirements for catalytic converters on I/Os take full effect the cost differential between outboards and I/Os will become less significant.

 

[skidrone]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

I bought one last spring, love it. I wish I had more power than the 125 as I barefoot ski. It is a very versatile boat with the fish and ski package. The cockpit is one of the largest available for 18' boats.

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Agreed, outboards are easier to maintain. I have an I/O and an outboard runabout. Hands down the outboard wins for ease and amount of maintainance IMO. I still prefer the I/O though for a lot of other reasons. If could only have one or the other, having lived with the OB for many years prior to buying an I/O, the I/O wins for my usage.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Outboard, especially on a boat that size. your cockpit is taken up with motor otherwise and no you don't need a tanning bed on board permanently.

Sea Rays' reputation is on the low side of things, so balance out the cost and condition in the equation, if you're buying used. If new, it might not hold value, but no boat is an investment and I don't think one should ever consider resale value in the decision process.

 

[NCLakeboater]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Outboard, especially on a boat that size. your cockpit is taken up with motor otherwise and no you don't need a tanning bed on board permanently.

Sea Rays' reputation is on the low side of things, so balance out the cost and condition in the equation, if you're buying used. If new, it might not hold value, but no boat is an investment and I don't think one should ever consider resale value in the decision process.

I always thought Sea Rays are considered to be higher end in terms of resale than a lot of brands.

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

I always thought Sea Rays are considered to be higher end in terms of resale than a lot of brands.

The bigger Sea Rays are but the small Sport versions are entry level. Some brands build their small boats just like their big cruisers using the same materials, etc. The size maybe small but the quality/craftsmanship is top notch. Take a look a large Sea Ray and compare it to one of their Sport boats. In the case of Sea Ray, I believe 'Sport' is code speak for lesser quality than their large boats. That said, there aren't a ton of newer outboard bowriders out there so if an OB is the ticket, the choices aren't as plentiful as I/O's. As for the permanent tanning bed, my wife and kids would be lost without the rear sunpad. They take up a lot of space (especially the sport seating option) but they are the focal point of the days we spend on the boat which are sunny days. I think the counter point to having a sunpad but keeping the space are the new bread jet boats. I am not a fan of jets but the new ones get rave reviews.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Most of my boating over the last few years has been on a '97 Sea Ray 175 with a Merc 125 outboard.

Good stuff!

The only objections to the boat are:

The outboard is noisy as hell...at cruise you just can't speak to the folks in the back seat.

The outboard is constantly in the way when skiing or wakeboarding...sometimes it gets grease on the rope when the rope wraps around it, then of course that grease eventually makes its way into the boat.

Did I mention it was noisy?

Sure seems to be maint. free, though!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

The sound of a running outboard is therapy for me.

As is the smell of gas/oil fumes, with some sun lotion, bug spray and squid juice mixed in--aroma therapy!

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

I second the noise and smell. With some I/O's, It is a joy to cruise at wot since you can maintain a normal conversation and at slow speeds and I don't have to hear the complaints of the exhaust smell. Of course a 4 stroke OB or a direct injected 2 stroke will mitigate a lot of this. I also like the fact that I go through a lot less gas than my bowrider, 2-stroke. Sometimes I like a good gruff sounding, smelly, seat of the pants thrill ride the OB provides but most times not.

 

[skidrone]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Here is a picture of mine. It is a 2003 with fish/ski pkg and merc 125 classic. It will go 46-47 with one person, gps verified. My last boat was a 1998 Sea Ray 185 with 3.0L IO. On the subject of quality; 18' boat pricing is very competitive and Sea Ray has cut out some frills or fit and finish to keep prices down, but I dont believe quality has been cut. Are you still considering an IO? Are you buying new or used?

 

[marke077]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Hi
I am also looking at a Bayliner 185 BR, but it only comes with a Mercruiser I/O, but it's a bit cheaper and has some details I like better than on the Sea Ray..

 

[livin4real]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Hi
I am also looking at a Bayliner 185 BR, but it only comes with a Mercruiser I/O, but it's a bit cheaper and has some details I like better than on the Sea Ray..

I'll be the one to ask...what year Bayliner are you looking at?

 

[marke077]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

The boats I am looking at are brand new 2010.. Now it's the Bayliner 185 BR or Sea Ray 185 Outboard (125hp Optimax) I am not sure exactly how much more the Sea Ray costs, the dealer will tell me on Monday. I didn't like the Sea Ray with I/O, the large sunpad is totally useless to me and takes too much space and is in the way.. The Outboard model on the other hand seems to have a lot of space inside(in the pics at least), like the Bayliner..

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

My honest opinion is that in the small runabout catagory Bayliner is a much better bargain that Sea Ray. They are both Brunswick companies and the boats in this size range seem to be built to the same level of workmanship and quality.

That being said you have picked up on a real key difference. Bayliner doesn't currently offer an outboard powered boat. If you prefer an outboard then the Sea Ray is the way to go. The price difference is probably more a result of the power choice than the brand. Although the Sea Ray reputation seems to still demand a premium....which is why if you were comparing two boats that were apples to apples the Bayliner is a better value.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Outboards all the way.

I honestly think the only downside that makes any sense at all when comparing an I/O to an outboard is aesthetics

Well there is the issue of a nice swim platform. I too like OB but my 36 x 80 Swim platform more than makes up for having an I/O.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

Every boat is a compromise in one way or another it seems.

 

[skidrone]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

The outboard probably will cost more. Since you are buying new you wont have the smelly outboard issue brought up earlier. The 115 4 stroke is very quiet, I would bet quieter than I/O, but it is a little slow. The 135 opti would be best for pulling skiers or being heavily loaded and includes hydraulic steering.
Im not sure what problems come with leaving an I/O in the water all season. If I were going to buy the I/O I would get the fuel injected version (MPI). It looks like also you have the choice of 3.0 or 4.3L I/O.
I think we have covered the differences with I/O; sunpad, swim platform, power steering, cockpit space, ease of maintenance and appearance. Also be sure to consider the dealers location and quality of service. You still havent said what type of boating you do or how heavily the boat will be loaded. Do you run in shallow water? Do you do your own maintenance?
Trailer boats magazine had a great article comparing sea ray 185 outboard vs I/O, I have it on my computer but it is to big to attach here, it was called pony express from july 2003 issue.

 

[jkust]

Re: Sea Ray 185 Outboard

it was called pony express from july 2003 issue.

I am suprised the I/O edged out the direct injected 125hp 2-stroke 0 to 30 and with only aluminum vs the O/B ss prop. I would have bet against that.