2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

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new2boating_00

Cadet
Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
6
My wife and I are new to boating and went to the Mid-Atlantic Boat show in Charlotte, NC. We were looking for a good entry level boat for having fun on the lake, skiing, wakeboarding, etc. We narrowed it down to four boats and then decided to go with the SeaRay 185 Sport with 4.3L 190 HP. Now wondering if we got the best deal. We have never purchased a boat before, and we negotiated the price down to $21,500 with a gav. trailer with brakes(pretty much all the options except for Sirius radio and wakeboard tower). However, the surprising thing to us is we do not technically own the boat until we go and they drop it in the water and make sure it is the one for us. Did we get a fair deal on the boat? How do you guys feel about SeaRay's resale value? How do we play it when we get to the test drive (can you get them to throw in more stuff). The boat comes with a lifetime warrenty on the hull and 2 yrs on the engine, for about $10 more a month they will do an additional 4 yrs on the engine making it 6 yrs. I have done a little research on the marina that we are getting from and well run according to everything I can find. When I did a customize boat on SeaRay it came in at about $26,000. The only thing that was weird is they put the price of the trailer at $1,500 and online they are showing the trailer option is only $385. Not sure if same trailer or different but got me thinking.<br /><br />Thanks for you input as you can tell a little nervous about buying the first boat...just do not want to be on the lake and hear someone say that I got robbed.
 
QC

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

First, Welcome to iboats!<br /><br />Most guys/gals here (me included) will tell you to buy used, especially for your first boat. The reasoning is that you will make mistakes and beat it up a little (a lot) . . . Also, you could get a really nice used 18 footer for $10K. With that said, Sea Ray is a fine make and does command decent resale values, but 18 foot boats probably depreciate a little quicker as they are often traded up and/or people realize they don't use it etc.<br /><br />Chances are that nothing with the engine or drive will fail that would be covered with the warranty anyway. These things need maintenance and the manual calls for a pretty extensive list of stuff. If you perform the required items you will probably not need the warranty coverage, and if you don't the resulting failures won't be covered. My personal policy is that I don't buy any extended warranties and figure that over my lifetime I will be waaaaay ahead . . . ;) <br /><br />New single axle trailers are around $1500. Not sure what the $385 thing is.
 
tommays

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

Boat prices are allways a bit of a mystery compared to Cars so its hard to find out what the real bottom line is.<br /><br />It would take a lot of work on your part to find out what the real bottom line is and a BIG ITEM is the quality of your local dealer.<br /><br />He is going to make you Love or Hate your new boat when its time to take care of the littel problems that come up.<br /><br /><br />I am sure you could get it for less money BUT YOU can beat the deal to death which is not allways in your best interest in the long term when it comes to service.<br /><br /><br />Most boats that you will find for less in that range will have the 3.0LX base motor.<br /><br />The jump from a 3.0 to a 4.3 is usally around 3000 dollars alone and well worth it.<br /><br />They sell the trailer in painted and galvanized <br /> <br />Brakes are a must unless you like to live on the edge<br /><br />tommays
 
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new2boating_00

Cadet
Joined
Feb 3, 2006
Messages
6
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

Any other advise about what happens when we go test the boat. We have it scheduled for Saturday which it is suppose to be cold. Should I get the boat re-winterized after we take it out of the water on Saturday? Any suggestions for how to handle the test?
 
K

KCook

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 24, 2002
Messages
1,624
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

It's unlikely that a new Sea Ray will have any problems. So the real question on your test ride will be simply whether this 185 is enough boat for you. Bigger boats don't bounce around as much. Which means this check is better made on rough water than smooth. Here is another thread with ideas on test drives - Going on a test ride... need tips. <br /><br />Kelly Cook
 
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ANDREW SMITH

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 18, 2004
Messages
48
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

Welcome to Iboats and to the Searay family. You paid a fair price for your 4.3L 185. The time to bargain for extras is not during the sea trial, but during the negotiation. The sea trial just removes the purchase subject. If it is not too late, you will need a second prop, probably a 4 blade 20 pitch for hauling your kids around the lake. Doubting your purchase is normal, but that will fade during the sea trial.
 
woosterken

woosterken

Lieutenant
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
1,431
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

:cool: WOW great looking toy,be sure and let us yankees know what it is like and take lots of pictures<br />ken
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,869
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

SeaRay boats are well worth the money and are arespected brand, quality amenities and all. Expect to pay more.<br /><br />Besides, after the money is spent, the boat is your's to enjoy for as long as you want. The purchase price will quickly fade from your memory.<br /><br />Mark
 
S

sail&power

Cadet
Joined
Feb 13, 2006
Messages
16
Re: 2006 SeaRay 185 Sport

Unless you are flush with money, I suggest your first boat is used. For $10k, you will have many choices. As a first boat, check out Stingray.
 
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