1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

[wttl14]

Hi,

I am not sure on the boat prices and whether this sea ray boat is a good buy. any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I checked the NADA books and it says $4,200 at average retail. The boat is in a good shape. From a 1 through 10 it's about a 7-8. No tear on the seat. it has 4.3L mericruiser v-6. Zieman trailer, some sun wear damage on the odometer area.

I am considering purchasing this boat, but wonder if it's a good buy. should I spend an extra $3,000-$4,000 for a newer model boat?

Thanks

 

[Chaz7R]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Give it a good inspection and make sure hes not hiding anything. I would go for it because of the engine, most of those boats i see have the 3liter. I just passed up a 97 175 searay with a 3.0 in great shape for $5000. So if it checks out I would say that is a pretty good deal

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Check very very carefully for rot. If there isn't any.....then that's a very good deal. Good luck!

 

[IVAZ]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

I agree with the others. If the boat checks out, its a pretty decent deal. Check it over very well.

 

[gixxerjim]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Current economy and boat prices notwithstanding, you're stealing it, if it checks out!

 

[oops!]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

hi.....welcome to i boats.

i love the rays......and 3 k is a steal....


a guy here called "the chief of the boat" gives good advice ......he wrote

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old

again....this was written by tashasdaddy

cheers
oops

 

[fishingdan]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

The 4.3 mercruiser is a good engine and Sea Ray makes good boats. Check the engine and the outdrive. If they are good, make sure the boat has no critical rot.

The best bet would be to bring someone with you that has experience with boats (you probably have a friend or friend of a friend that will gladly help you take a look at it). If you can, test drive it. You can tell most everything you need to know if about 10 minutes of a test drive.

If all is good, 3000-4000 is a fair price.

 

[rb8484]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

That is a great deal, if everything on the boat is solid. I just bought a 92 180 with the 3.0L, and I paid $3800 for it and a one year old trailer. Everything was solid on my boat, got a fishfinder and the whole coast guard setup to go with it. The only problem with mine was the old guy I bought it from never did any outdrive maintenance, so I am stuck doing a bunch of maintenance on the boat, and it's adding up fairly quickly.

 

[wttl14]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Thanks for all your replies. This boat is actually a friend of a friends. I will be the third owner (not sure if this makes a difference, the first owner was a friend also). No known rots that I can tell. They mentioned that it has low hours as in the past 4 years they've only taken it out no more than 10 times (I can trust them on this note). and the first owner never really took it out either.

a Response to Oops!

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports. I want to use it for fishing, cruising and water sports (just to tubing or some beginning wake board)

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing. 3-4 people

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant. Not sure what this is but the sea ray setup where the engine is inside a compartment.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want. this is not exactly what I want. the one I want is the sea ray 1997 model. 195 or the 200 series. But don't have the cash to buy one. This is smaller but yet a lot cheaper boat that I can buy now and then maybe in 2-3 years when I have the cash I can buy a boat I really want. I do like this 1993 sea ray. I just want to make sure that this is a nice boat to purchase (meaning any problems I might not know of) and it is a great deal.

Thanks again for all your responses. More responses the better, so I can make my decision easier. I am leaning towards purchasing it though : )

How much are people selling these boats for from your past experience?

 

[rb8484]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Sounds like you have already decieded what you are going to do!! I say go for it. Be sure to post some pictures if you do get it!!!

 

[wttl14]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

Now I have another boat to consider... it is a 1997 larson, interior is in good condition, v6, it's the original owner. from 1 to 10 the condition is a 8. they are asking for $5,500. Should I consider this one instead? or save some money and go with the sea ray?

 

[bowtie4x4295]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

What size is the Larson?

Mike

 

[wttl14]

Re: 1993 sea ray 180 4.3L at $3,500 a good buy?

it is a 18 ft.