Sea Ray 180 Signature Specs and Review [Video]

Released as a higher trim level of the proven 180 Sea Ray Bow Rider, the 1994-1995 180 Signature was a luxury 18-foot runabout marketed with both bowrider and closed bow deck architecture. Either of these variants could be ordered with MerCruiser Alpha I sterndrive or 2-stroke Mercury outboard engines.

In this post, we’ll review the bowrider version of this classic Sea Ray runabout.

Sea Ray 180 Signature OB Review

Hull and Top Deck

Often referred to as 180 Signature Select OB, this model was the outboard model in the 18-foot Signature series.

She was built on a 17-degree modified-V hull and measured in at an overall length of 18 feet 2 inches with a beam of 7 feet.

Her claimed dry weight was only 2,000 pounds, which increased up to about 2,200 pounds with 30 gallons of fuel and other liquids.

Loaded on a single-axle trailer, the trailering weight of the boat was in the ballpark of 2,700-2,800 pounds, or close to 3,000 pounds with some essential gear.

Protected by a tinted curved glass windshield, the top deck could be ordered with either a closed bow or a bowrider-style front lounger.

Cozy and spacious, the cockpit was also available in two different layouts.

The standard floorplan was designed with a starboard L-shaped lounge, a swivel helm seat, and a port back-to-back lounger.

Its optional version had full-wraparound U-shaped lounge seating with a filler cushion, cockpit table, and two swivel bucket seats.

This layout offered great versatility and an abundance of free space.

Standard features included thru-bolted stainless steel cleats, bow rails, eyes, aluminum rub rails, grab handles, cup holders, a built-in insulated ice chest, and fixed polypropylene carpet.

Captains appreciated the sport grip steering wheel and the stylish molded urethane dash.

The latter housed a sun visor, analog instruments, a switch panel, a 12V receptacle, and an AM/FM cassette radio nestled in an enclosed waterproof compartment.

The audio system was completed with two waterproof speakers.

Storages included carpeted ski storage with a ventilated hatch, seating storage units, cockpit side panel storage, and a lockable glovebox.

A ski-tow tripod, cockpit table, Lowrance 3500 depth finder, battery on/off switch, canvas packages, and gel-coated graphics were also available as options.

Outboard Engines

As a rule of thumb, the 180 Signature OB was available with classic carbureted 2-stroke Mercury outboard motors.

Standard power was provided by an 1848cc, 4-cylinder, 115hp motor while its 1998cc, V6, 135hp brother came as an option.

These oil-injected carbureted outboards were known for rugged, durable construction and great reliability.

However, setting the idle correctly required an experienced hand!

Specifications (Signature 180 OB)

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	18’ 2”
Maximum Beam	7’ 0”
Draft (Outboard Down)	30”
Draft (Outboard Up)	12”
Dry Weight	2,000 lb.
Fuel Capacity	30 gal.
Dead Rise	17°

Engine Specs

Engine type	Mercury 115hp (std.)	Mercury 135hp (opt)
Engine stroke	2-stroke	2-stroke
Cylinders	Inline-4	V-6 (60-vee)
Displacement	1848cc (113 cu.in)	1998cc, (122 cu.in)
Induction	Loop charge	Loop charge
Number of carburetors	3	4
Oil injection	Standard	Standard
Weight	408 lb. (185 kg)	368 lb. (167 kg)

Sea Ray 180 Signature I/O Review

Hull and Top Deck

Contrary to popular belief, the body of the 180 Signature OB and I/O models were not completely identical.

The sterndrive model was not only 6 inches wider and 4 inches longer but it also had a deeper, 18-degree transom deadrise.

Therefore, she measured 18 feet 6 inches in length and 7 feet 6 inches in width.

Fitted with the standard engine, the dry weight of this sterndrive variant was 2,750 pounds.

This converted into a curb weight of about 3,000 pounds with liquids and some gea, which increased to 3,500-3,600 pounds on a single-axle trailer.

Just like its outboard sibling, this boat was also available in both a bowrider and a closed bow version.

Each of them could be ordered with three different cockpit seating plans, which were as follows:

Floorplan #1: Aft sun pad, aft bench seat, swivel bucket helm seat, swivel bucket passenger seat

Floorplan #2: Hinged fiberglass motorbox, two Hi-Low aft jump seats (formed a sun pad), port back-to-back lounger seat, swivel bucket helms seat w/slider

Floorplan #3: Same as plan #2, but with a starboard back-to-back lounger instead of a swivel bucket seat

Unlike the seating layouts and engines, most features and accessories had been carried over from the outboard model without any significant changes.

I/O Engines

The Sea Ray 180 Signature I/O came standard with a 4.3L MerCruiser V6 Alpha I rated at 180hp.

This was great progress compared to her underpowered predecessor, which housed a tiny inline-4 3.0 Merc.

Smooth and powerful, the 5.0L MerCruiser Alpha I was also available as an option. This V8 marine engine could be opted for either 190 or 230hp.

Specifications (Signature 180 I/O)

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	18’ 6”
Maximum Beam	7’ 6”
Draft (stern drive down)	31”
Draft (stern drive up)	14”
Dry Weight	2,750 lb.
Fuel Capacity	30 gal.
Dead Rise	18°

Engine Specs

Engine type	4.3L MerCruiser (std.)	5.0L MerCruiser (opt.)
Engine stroke	4-stroke	4-stroke
Cylinders	V6	V8
Displacement	262 cid. (4.3 L)	305 cid. (5.0 L)
Horsepower	180hp	190/230hp

Problems

Vintage and classic Sea Rays suffered from rot-prone wood construction elements, and the Signature 180 was no exception.

Unfortunately, each of her variants featured a wood-cored floor, transom, and bilge stringers.

Even though they were covered with a composite shell, they still housed a wood-core base.

Covered with the not-really-practical fixed polypropylene carpet, the floor started to rot first followed by other elements over the years.

Since replacing these parts is typically not worth the effort, many of these boats were scrapped instead of being renovated.

Takeaways

Sea Ray just introduced its popular Signature Select sport boat series for the 1994 season.

These well-designed, high-quality runabouts instantly became popular on the market, and the 180 was no exception. Her larger siblings was the widely popular 200 Signature and the 220 Signature.

This model was available in four different configurations, both the outboard and the sterndrive variant could be ordered with either open or closed-bow architecture.

Even though they shared the same “180” label, the body of the two versions was somewhat different.

If you are looking for a Sea Ray 180 Signature for sale, keep in mind that these boats were manufactured with wood-based structural elements that were prone to rotting.

The rule of thumb is that you should not buy this type of boat unless a previous owner has already replaced these units – unless you are specifically looking for a project boat for restoration.

Note that restoring a vintage runabout is a huge project that requires a lot of time and money!

Specifications in this post are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.