Thoughts on potential purchase. Link inside. 89 Sea Ray 180 with Black Max 175

[smassey22180]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/4655996877.html

Boat shopping now and this one came up. It is way below budget but I like the idea of outboard as we may move back to FL next year and outboards are far more desirable there. The majority of boats for sale in the Sacramento area are IOs so there are not a lot of options.

Concerns are fuel mileage. Would a 4.3L IO use significantly less fuel than a 175 black max? Soft floors? What is the best way to check for them. I can't believe I am even considering an 80s vintage boat . With that motor I assume this going to be a fast noisy boat so my wife will hate it. Any major issues to check for other than the oil injection?

thanks for this great forum.

 

[bajaunderground]

I had a 1980 200 Mercury Blackmax that never gave me a hiccup after I rebuild it. So as along as the motor has been cared for and properly lubed/maintained, I vouch for the power on that size of boat (+ or - 50mph?). Do your due diligence on the rest of the boat (there are plenty of posts on here of input on that!). Is there an hour meter? My original motor was the original 1982 200 Mariner (same motor more or less?) that had well over 1,000 hours on it.

Looks very clean too me overall!?

Happy Shopping!

 

[pckeen]

Sounds reasonably priced to me - get it thoroughly inspected.

 

[Chris1956]

I had that exact boat, in the I/O version with a 205HP MerCruiser 4.3LX V6 Motor. Check the bottom, sides and lip of the ski well for rot. Check the rear floor for rot. I had rot in those places. I would think that powerplant would be OK, as it is much lighter that the I/O block/outdrive. It seems like a lot of $ for a 25 year old boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

That boat is overpowered. It is rated for a 135.