Sea Ray Signature Series boats

[RCH1991]

I am in the process of buying a 99 Sea Ray 190 signature bow rider with 5.0 liter fuel injected mercruiser.. I have owned a 2000 Sea Ray 185 Bow rider in the past with the 4.3 liter carb Mercruiser & loved it, but am told that the Sig, is twice the boat. my question is what years did Sea Ray run tha hull design of the 99 190 signature I am looking at, the dealer tells me it is different than the 97's & older is this true? & if so when did this hull design sieze production & is th eig. really alot more boat than what i am used to??

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

I have a 1995 180 signature and love it so far. What do you mean it is twice the boat? Are you talking size or options.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

I just bought my first boat about a week ago. A '99 Sea Ray 190 BR Signature. I am looking for any information about the boat also. All I have is the Owner's Manual, but I can't figure out what the difference is between the Signature and other models. ANY information on the boat would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Erik

 

[mrmushroomman]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

I'm not really sure the difference either. It could be like buying a car. They have basic, midgrade, and loaded versions of vehicles. The signature series might be the loaded version of that length and year Sea Ray. I have a captains chair for the driver side instead of the back to back on both sides,the dash could be different, more cup holders, ss bow rails, etc. That's the only thing i could think would be different than the other models. You can go to Sea Rays web site and look in there archives folders and research the options on all the models for a certain year.

 

[RCH1991]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

Hey thanks for the responses,, One thing I have found with the sea ray .com archives is that they are not really all that complete for the older boats. For instance it doesn't even list a 190 bow rider signature or not. I have been told that the sig. series is a bigger boat in beam @8'5" & length is a full 19'. I have also been told that it is a deeper boat.. the one I am looking at is a 5.0 liter efi mercruiser with an alpha out drive. does any one know anything about this engine combo? is it alot harder on fuel than the 4.3 liter carb??

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

Wow, you are looking at nearly the exact same boat I just bought. 1999 Sea Ray 190 BR, 5.0L Mercruiser Alpha 1. I live on the Oregon coast, so since I have had it, I have only been able to take it out twice, (only for a few hours each time) due to the rain, so I can't give you any real first hand information. We even got snow one day, unusual on the coast, ESPECIALLY in mid April. I can only tell you what the dealer told me. He said that yes, the 5.0 will get a bit less GPH than the 4.3, but since you don't have to push the motor as hard to get a certain level of performance, you will only end up using slightly more (maybe a gallon) fuel over the course of a full day of boating. Sorry, but I can't give you real numbers. Also, mine came with the carbed version of the motor, and he told me that while it isn't quite as efficient as the fuel injected, here in Oregon they are putting Ethanol in the fuel, and it either is causing, or has the real potential, to cause some real problems with fuel injectors. He told me that many people are only buying boats with carbed engines now. I don't know where you are, but you may want to find out about the fuel where you live, and if it is a concern. Good Luck.
Erik
'99 Sea Ray 190 BR

 

[RCH1991]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

I am in Maine as of now our fuel is not as critical as your is, however it.s only a matter of time. as far as the fuel effecting the fuel injetors I believe that only pertains to the multi port type injetion systems. I belive the type on the boat is a throttle body type set up. which is basically an over glorified carburator.. I could be wrong. I am deffinatly no expert, if I were I wouldn't be on here seeking advice .. Have you owned other boats in the past? if so how did they compare to your 190??

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Sea Ray Signature Series boats

Sorry, but again, I'm not going to be much help. This is the first boat I have owned, but I have a few friends with boats, one an older (probably around 1985) Cheyenne Skier and another with a 2004(?) Four Winns Horizon 180, and I spent some time in the Coast Guard driving a 21' Zodiac RHI. I have to say that so far I am extremely pleased with my purchase. Power is good and fit & finish is very nice. Seems to run great so far (but again, i've only had it in the water a total of 3 times). Noticeably more power than my friend's Four Winns with a 4.3L 190 hp v-6. The 4.3L was ok on power, but with 5 people in the boat, it struggled to pull me up in a deep water single slalom ski start. I don't think the 5.0L will have any trouble at all. Now, as for the Zodiac, that was the most fun I have ever had on the water, but it was a completely different animal. I like to tell people that I probably have more air time in that boat than sea time.
Erik
'99 Sea Ray 190 BR