Sea Ray 160 Bow Rider Specs and Review [OB & I/O]

Introduced in 1989, the 160 BR was the first model in Sea Ray’s Bow Rider series. This tiny 16-foot runabout was marketed in both sterndrive and outboard configurations until 1991. Its successor, the 1992-1993 160 BR LTD was only available with outboard propulsion.

Its larger brothers were the 170 Bow Rider and the far more popular 180 Bow Rider.

In this post, we’ll take a close look at the Sea Ray 160 BR and its factory specifications.

Sea Ray 160 Bow Rider Review

Hull and Top Deck

Encouraged by the success of the vintage Seville and Sorrento, Sea Ray released their all-new Bow Rider series in the late ‘80s.

Along with its larger brothers, the entry-level model in this breed was the tiny Sea Ray 160 Bow Rider (BR). This versatile runabout offered an amazing boating experience at an affordable price.

The manufacturer offered this model in both outboard and sterndrive configurations.

What’s more, the 160 was also available in a closed-bow version under the name of 160 BR/CB.

This bowrider variant was far more popular, and with good reason.

The open-plan forward lounge not only offered more seating capacity but also made boarding easier from the bow.

In terms of measurements, the overall length of the 160 BR was 16 feet 9 inches with a beam of 7 feet 1 inch.

The dry weight of the outboard variant was 1,530 pounds, which rounded up to about 1,700 pounds with liquids and some essential gear.

In contrast, the sterndrive version was 370 pounds heavier.

Adding the weight of a single-axle trailer, the estimated trailering weight of this 16-foot bowrider was 2,100-2,300 pounds with an outboard, and 2,500-2,800 pounds with a sterndrive engine.

Thanks to its small and lightweight body, the 160 BR was not only easily trailerable, but its size fitted comfortably in a standard garage.

While the outboard and sterndrive versions shared the same bow area, they had different cockpit and aft architectures.

The floorplan of the outboard variant offered more deck space with a full-beam bench seat, port-side back-to-back seating, and a helm seat.

In contrast, the sterndrive floorplan was designed with a large sun pad above the engine bay and a storage unit.

In later model years, the 160 BR I/O was available with a new seating option including two Hi-Low jump seats on either side of the padded engine cover.

The cockpit housed two swivel bucket seats behind the consoles and a cushioned bench seat.

Thanks to the lack of the outboard hanging on the stern, this plan enjoyed a much cleaner and more spacious swim platform.

Standard features of the 160 BR included stainless steel cleats, grab rails, cup holders, audio system, navigation lights, and a safety-glass walk-thru windshield.

You could find plenty of storage units under the seats and the sun pad, which were completed with ventilated ski storage, a built-in insulated ice chest a glovebox, and side panel storages.

The list of the options and accessories included a two-tone color scheme, cover and canvas packages, a ski tow tripod, battery on/off switch, windshield wiper, and a compass.

Also, the outboard variant was available with the “Fish and Ski Package” including two swivel pedestal seats, a bow-mounted electric trolling motor, live bait well, and a bow bracket fish finder.

Engines and Performance

Standard engine options of the 160 BR included a 130hp MerCruiser 3.0L with Alpha I sterndrive, and 2-stroke Mercury outboards rated at 100 or 115hp depending on the model year.

Interestingly, Sea Ray labeled these outboards with their logo, which is why they were often referred to as a “Sea Ray outboard motors.”  

These power sources ensured great performance and maneuverability, and the top speed with the MerCruiser 3.0 was in the ballpark of 45-47 mph with a light load.

Captains appreciated the well-equipped helm, which offered power steering, trim, shift/throttle lever, and a dashboard with analog gauges.

Problems

Even though the 160 BR featured a gelcoat-covered fiberglass hull, its construction was designed with wooden elements.

Over the years the wood inside the stringers, transom, and deck were prone to rotting due to water contact.

As you may expect, replacing these parts was a fairly complicated and expensive repair.

Specs Charts

The main specifications of the 1989-1991 Sea Ray 160 Bow Rider were as follows:

Outboard Model

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform

16’ 9”

Maximum Beam

7’ 1”

Height – Keel to Top of Windshield

4’ 7”

Height – Waterline to Top of Windshield

3’ 7”

Draft (engine down)

26”

Draft (engine up)

12”

Dry Weight

1,530 lb.

Est. Trailering Weight*

2,100 – 2,300 lb.

Fuel Capacity

20 gal.

Usable Fuel

19 gal.

Water Capacity

N/A

*(w/ std. engine, liquids, basic gear, and trailer)

Sterndrive Model

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform

16’ 9”

Centerline Hull Length

15’ 3”

Maximum Beam

7’ 1”

Draft (stern drive down)

31”

Draft (stern drive up)

13”

Dry Weight

1,900 lb.

Est. Trailering Weight*

2,500 – 2,800 lb.

Fuel Capacity

20 gal.

Water Capacity

N/A

*(w/ std. engine, liquids, basic gear, and trailer)

Disclaimer: Specifications in these charts are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Takeaways

The Sea Ray 160 Bow Rider was a very popular beginner sportboat in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

As the name suggests, this boat was a bowrider-style runabout built on a V-shaped fiberglass hull.

The manufacturer marketed the 160 BR with both MerCruiser 3.0L sterndrive and 2-stroke Mercury outboard engines.

Labeled as Sea Ray 160 CB, these boats were also offered with a closed-bow architecture, which offered a safer and dryer experience on rough waters.

Even though the 160 Bow Rider was discontinued in 1991, its legacy was carried over to the Sea Ray 160 BR LTD.

The latter was exclusively available with outboard motors and remained in production from 1992 through 1993.


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