Sea Ray 185

hey i was wondering if anybody else rides behind a Sea Ray 185. If so are you doing anything as far as weighting to modify the wake? Any help is would be great. thanks

Don't have it anymore, but we rode behind a SeaRay 180 for 8.5 years. Normally had about +/- 250 in the ski locker (as full as it would get) and then had a 500lb sac longways towards the back. Once on plane, trim the motor up as far as it will go without using the "trailer" trim button. It's a little tough to hold the speed, but the wake wasn't bad at all. I sure miss the fuel consumption of that boat vs. our new inboard!

i have a Sea Ray 185. I have 500lbs on each side of the engine. 200 in the back and 150 in the front.

So u have 1350# of weight in the boat plus people? I always though u needed more weight up front on an i/o?

are u running the 185HP engine?

i dont have an i/o. i have 5.7 L MerCruiser

eric , you still have an I/O if you have that boat !!! Even if it is the 5.7 it is still and inboard outboard ..

Unless you actually have a ski ray ? But i think those were longer than 185's

thats correct jhurst. How much weight could a 18' i/o hold with the 4cyl motor? 600#???

The profile pic is a Ski Ray (note "Sea Ray" stitched into the spotter seat) so that's my guess. Merc makes inboard and I/O engines. Generally speaking when someone mentions the 185, they're talking about the 18' I/O bowrider. I'd think there would be more people here who could help if it were the I/O. Many a boat company stole that mold in the early 90's so a lot of people know how to weight it.

An 18' I/O with a 4 banger could hold almost as much weight as an 18' I/O with a 350 in it. It just might take the 4 a little longer to get going. It only has to hit 20ish mph. You might get a little bored back there though.

I have Ski Ray and its 185. I know it could be an i/o. I have seen them before but i have an inboard. They made them in 3 different sizes i believe.

I run 600 of sacs and 4 to 5 people fine with my 18' bayliner xt and it is just the 135 merc with a 18p 4 blade . Pulls out of the hole just fine .

eriks boat in his pic is deff a SKi Ray which is an inboard , i just didnt believe they made em that short . Im almost certain 19' is the shortest one out there . Maybe he didnt measure it right

Im pretty sure Sea Ray made them in 185, 190 and 195. I have the smallest one and it shows if your in my boat. Theres no room

I have a searay 180 4 cylinder that I put 750lb in back walkway closer to back and a 550 lb bag in the bow walkway and usually 4 to 5 people and the wake is way better than I expected for an I/O. will look for pics later

I would also reccomend the hydrofoil for the back that I bought at overtons for like $50 to help it plane faster and put the trim up.

FWIW I had a 2000 190 Searay Sundeck that was an outboard. I believe it shares the same hull as the current 200 Sundeck. I found it to be a fantastic all around boat. It had a lot of room for a 19' boat and it skied really well. Nice to be able to trim it up in shallow water, and it was a great boat to take to sand bars with easy entrance/exit from the front.

The wake for boarding, however, left a lot to be desired for. I had about 250 lbs. under the rear seat and another 300 in the locker. Usually had 4-5 in the boat so roughly 1300-1400 total weight. It was really hard to keep on plane, or at constant speeds when pulling a boarder. It was sure nice not having to winterize, but I think I will love my inboard.