1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

[jkkhoury]

Hi All,

I bought my first boat today. Its a 1988 Sea Ray Seville 18ft Bowridder, Outboard. I don't know much about boats but cruising this site it seems like poeple here do and there are people here with the same boat. I did check the structure and the boat looks very solid.

My questions are as follows:

1) I can't find the max power spec (not listed on coast guard plate) The boat came equipped with a 135 HP engine but I got it with no engine and am wondering how much power I can legally run.

2) Does someone with the same boat have a suggestion as to how much power is sufficient for someone who enjoys a little performance.

3) What length driveshaft housing do I need? What length came factory with the 135?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jay

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

SeaRay has lots of info on their web site for those older boats. They may have a Max HP rating for it. Ditto for the NADA site.

I had a 1988 SR Sorrento, which is about the same size/type boat as yours. I ran a 205HP 4.3LX Mercruiser, but it also came with a 135HP IL4. I would think a 175HP OB is near max, for your boat.

 

[jkkhoury]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

Thanks but those two sites only tell me what the boat came rigged with from sea ray. Is this the same thing as the Max because the boat was only offered with a 135 hp Outboard.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

I presume there is no max HP plate on the boat?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

It's probably in the neighborhood of 150. However, 150HP typically gets you into a V6 model. I personally wouldn't be real interested in stepping up to the complexity and fuel economy of a V6 for a couple extra ponies. That boat should move real well with a 140 and that's what I'd be looking for if it was mine. Welcome to iboats.

 

[jkkhoury]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

I presume there is no max HP plate on the boat?

Actually it has a coast guard plate and lists the max number of persons and weight but nothing that sepecifies a max power rating.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

It's very likely 150.

See ezmobee's comments above about going to the max 150 engine.

It depends on what kind of engine you are looking to source. On an older rig like that, I'd shoot for the most 2-stroke HP I can get with 4 cylinders. That sucker will light up fast, be more reliable and weigh less.

All HP is not created equal. A 150 V6 four-stroke engine might seem kind of plain and laid back compared to a 2-stroker with less HP. The 2-stroker will weigh less, light up faster at all RPM and might even outrun the more powerful 4-stroker.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

The 135HP motor that was originally on that boat was very likely a 2.0L Merc V6. My Sorrento of the same year and very similar in size had a 205HP Mercruiser. I think he would be fine with a 150HPV6 since it is close to the same weight as the 135HP motor. Actually I think he could go to 175HP, although his performance with the 150 would be good.

 

[Bumperlt12]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

I have the same boat as you, my plate says max 145hp.

 

[jkkhoury]

Re: 1988 Sea Ray Seville Question (help!)

I have the same boat as you, my plate says max 145hp.

Thanks for that info.