Sea Ray 185 Sport Specs and Review [Video]

The 2006-2012 Sea Ray 185 Sport was a popular bowrider built on an 18.5-foot fiberglass hull. It was available with 135, 190, and 220 hp MerCruiser gasoline engines and an Alpha I sterndrive propulsion system. This model was the predecessor of the more advanced 190 Sport bowrider.

If you want to find out more about this popular Sea Ray bowrider, this post is for you.

2006-2012 Sea Ray 185 Sport Review

Hull and Top Deck

Sea Ray manufactured its 185 Sport runabout for many years, with the last generation in production from 2006 through 2012.

This boat was a modern bowrider built on a fiberglass mono hull that carried a deadrise angle of 19 degrees at the transom.

Its moderate-V design successfully balanced wave-cutting ability with stability.

According to its 2006 service manual, the overall length of the boat with a standard swim platform was 19 feet 8 inches, while its beam was 7 feet 3 inches.

The claimed dry weight of the 2006-2012 Sport 185 was 2,400-2,600 pounds depending on the model year.

Adding liquids like 26 gallons of gas and some miscancellous gear, you could expect its total curb weight to be roughly 3,500-4,000 pounds with a trailer.

Due to its relatively low weight, you could even tow the rig with a large family sedan.

What’s more, the Sport 185 was also small enough to store in a standard garage. With a foldable tongue, it only measured 20.5 feet on the trailer.

In terms of capacities, the boat was rated at 8 persons with a total weight capacity of 1,200 pounds.

Its stylish top deck had a traditional bowrider-style layout including a spacious bow sitting area with a little integrated step.

The extra-deep cockpit had an average height of about 30 inches and offered a plethora of free deck space.

It was designed with two swivel seats and a nicely cushioned rear bench seat.

The spacious sun pad was divided in the middle and opened in a gullwing configuration ensuring safe and easy access to the engine bay and storage unit underneath.

Unlike its 17.5-footer sibling, the 185 Sport enjoyed an extended swim platform with a foldable reboarding ladder.

You could find a lot of stainless-steel hardware on the deck like six mooring cleats, eyes, vent grilles, a fuel cap, a ski tow hook, and more.

Other standard features included a wraparound windshield, carpets, grab handles, cup holders, navigation lights, and a Clarion audio system.

The deck also featured plenty of storage units, including under-seat storage units, side pockets, a floor ski locker, a glovebox, and a storage unit beneath the sun pad.

Captains appreciated the comfortable helm designed with a swivel bucket seat, steering wheel, shift/throttle control, and a large instrument panel.

Protected by a small sun visor, the latter housed high-quality gauges like speedo, tacho, depth finder, fuel, oil pressure, water temperature, and trim.

Engines

The standard power source of the Sea Ray 185 Sport was a single 135hp MerCruiser 3.0 TKS engine with an Alpha I sterndrive. However, the optional 190hp MerCruiser 4.3L TKS and 220hp MerCruiser 4.3 MPI were far more popular.

Let’s talk about these power sources in detail.

Shared with the 175 Sport, the MerCruiser 3.0 TKS was a carbureted 4-stroke, 3-liter, inline-4 carbureted gasoline marine engine rated at 135hp. (TKS = “Turn Key Start”)

This power source was paired with an Alpha I sterndrive propulsion system utilizing a three-blade aluminum prop.

Both the engine and propulsion system built their reputation on durability.

The optional carbureted MerCruiser 4.3 TKS and the fuel injected 4.3 MPI were 4-stroke, DOHC, 4.3-liter, V6 engines rated at 190 and 220hp, respectively.

The propulsion system of these engines was an Alpha I MCM sterndrive.

Performance

Powered by the standard MerCruiser 3.0, the Sport 185 topped out at 38-40 mph under ideal conditions.

At this speed, its fuel usage was roughly 12-13 gph giving her an estimated range of 70-80 miles.

Cruising at a speed of 19-20 mph, the fuel usage decreased to 4-4.5 gph, which ensured a fuel range of 110-120 miles.

With the mid-range 190hp MerCruiser 4.3L engine, the boat could reach a top speed of 49-51 mph while its planing time averaged between 2.8 and 3.4 seconds.

It could also reach 30 mph in about 6.5-7.5 seconds.

The top-of-the-line MerCruiser 4.3L MPI delivered 220hp, which propelled the boat up to 52-53 mph.

As one may expect, towing water toys and wakeboarders was also a breeze with these powerful engines.

This is why Sea Ray offered an optional watersport package for this boat including a wakeboard tower with an integrated Bimini top, custom graphics, and a more advanced Clarion audio system.

Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve listed the main factory specs of the Sea Ray 185 Sport (2006 model year):

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length with std. swim platform

19’ 8”

Beam

7’ 3”

Draft (with stern drive up)

17”

Est. Length with trailer

20.5’ – 22’

Dead Rise

19°

Keel to Top off Windshield

4’ 8 ¾”

Waterline to Top off Windshield

3’ 3 ½”

Dry Weight

2,400 lb.

Est. Curb Weight w/ Trailer and misc. gear

3,500-4,000 lb.

Capacities

Fuel Capacity

26 gal.

Usable Fuel

24 gal.

People Capacity

8 persons or 1000 lb.

Maximum Capacity

1200 pounds, inc. persons, gear

Engine Specs

Standard engine:

Engine Type

MerCruiser 3.0 TKS (std.)

MerCruiser 4.3 TKS

MerCruiser 4.3 MPI

Propulsion

Sterndrive, Alpha I

Sterndrive, Alpha I

Sterndrive, Alpha I

Displacement (L)

3.0L

4.3L

4.3L

Displacement (CID)

181 cid

262 cid

262 cid

Fuel System

Carburated

Carburated

Fuel injected

Cylinders

Inline-4

V6

V6

Engine stroke

4-stroke

4-stroke

4-stroke

Crankshaft Horsepower

135 hp

190hp

220hp

These specifications are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Takeaways

The Sea Ray 185 Sport was a nice 18-footer runabout with a moderate-V fiberglass hull and a bowrider-style top deck.

Its last generation was manufactured from 2006 through 2012.

During these model years, the boat was available with three different carbureted MerCruiser engine options including the 135hp 3.0L, 190hp 4.3L, and the 220hp 4.3L MPI.

Some of its main rivals included the Stingray 185 LS/LX, Bayliner 185, and the Larson LX 850.

However, the 185 Sport also had to compete with its closest family members including the 175 Sport, 195 Sport, and 205 Sport.

If you are considering buying a used bowrider, you can’t go wrong with any of these models, or the successor 190 Sport.

You can find plenty of Sea Ray Sport 185 for sale on Boats.com, Boattrader.com, eBay, Craigslist, or on Sea Ray forums.

Asking prices of the 2006-2012 models average between $10,000 and $25,000 depending on their engine option, condition, and features.


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