Sea Ray 195 Sport Specs and Review [Video]

Sea Ray marketed its popular 195 Sport bowrider from 2006 through 2011. This trailerable runabout was built on a moderate-V fiberglass hull and enjoyed reliable MerCruiser engines rated at 220-260hp.

Other family members of the Sport series included the smaller 175 Sport and 185 Sport, as well as the top-of-the-line 205 Sport.

Sea Ray 195 Sport Review

Hull and Top Deck

Manufactured from 2006 through 2011, the Sea Ray 195 Sport was a well-designed runabout with high-quality materials and features.

Her fiberglass hull featured a moderate-V design with a deadrise of 19 degrees.

It measured slightly over 20 feet in length, 7.5 feet in width, while its draft was 17 inches with the stern drive up and 34 inches down.

The advertised dry weight of the 195 Sport was 2,828 pounds with the standard engine in each model year.

Figuring in the weight of some basic gear and the necessary liquids (including 30 gallons of gas), the curb weight was in the ballpark of 3,300-3,500 pounds.

Loading the boat on a solid tandem-axle trailer, you could expect the trailering weight to be close to 4,500 pounds.

In terms of capacities, the bowrider-style top deck could legally accommodate 8 passengers with gear up to 1,200 pounds. However, the deck was only comfortable for a maximum of 4-5 adults.

The bow seating area was designed with three separate cushioned seats with storage underneath.

Heading towards the aft, you could find a cozy cockpit behind the curved wrap-around windshield.

It housed a full-beam sun pad with a gull-wing opening, two swivel chairs, and a large aft bench seat.

The latter featured a fold-down armrest with cup holders in the back cushion.

Storage compartments included a lot of drainable wet storage under the seats, gunnel storage compartments, a cockpit floor storage, a glovebox, and two storage units under the sun pad.

The list of standard features included a non-integrated swim platform with ladder, ski tow eye, audio system, snap-in carpet, 12V outlet, stainless-steel cleats and eyelets, navigation and deck lights, beverage holders, and more.

To the greatest regret of watersport lovers, the wakeboard tower and wakeboard rack came as options.

Protected by a small visor, the dashboard was integrated into a glare-resistant gray base.

Instrumentation included a speedometer, tachometer, hour meter, oil gauge, water temp. gauge, trim gauge, depth gauge, and a stereo remote.

https://youtu.be/64CCXmSxHP8

Engines

The standard power source of the 195 Sport was a MerCruiser 4.3L TKS engine rated at 190hp. Its more advanced brothers, the 4.3L MPI 220hp, the 5.0L TKS 220hp, and the 5.0L MPI 260hp were also available as options.

As a rule of thumb, the 4.3L TKS and 4.3L MPI were based on the same 4-stroke, 262 cid., V6 block, while the 5.0L TKS and 5.0L MPI were almost the same 4-stroke, V8, 305-cid engine.

What made them different was their fuel system.

As the name suggests the MPI versions featured a Multi-Point Fuel Injection system, while their TKS siblings were carbureted engines. (The acronym TKS here stands for “Turn-Key Start.”)

Each of these power sources was paired with an Alpha I MCM sterndrive propulsion system.

https://youtu.be/_pW4TQW0v9w

Performance

Fitted with the mid-range 4.3L MPI (220hp) engine, the top speed of the 195 Sport was 50-52 mph at 5000 RPM.

She got on plane in about 3 seconds and reached 30 mph in 6-8 seconds.

The extra torque of the 5.0L engine ensured better hole-shot acceleration, which was very helpful for watersports.

With the high-end 5.0L MPI engine, the boat topped out at 55-58 mph depending on the load and environmental conditions.

Her relatively small, lightweight hull was easy to maneuver and ensured great stability.

Problems

Sea Ray Sport bowriders were known for their high quality and great durability, and the 195 was no exception.

One of the boat’s minor problems was weak vinyl cockpit panels, which were prone to loosening or bowing over time.

Other design flaws included a non-integrated swim platform, which was less stylish and solid than integrated ones.

We could also mention the lack of an anchor locker and walk-thru passage in the sun pad. But let’s face it, these features were not common in this size category.

Specifications

For your convenience, we’ve listed the factory specifications of the 2012-2015 Sea Ray 195 Sport:

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length with std. swim platform

20’ 0 ¾”

Maximum Beam

7’ 6”

Height – Keel to Top of Mast Light

8’ 5 ¾”

Height – Waterline to Top off Mast Light

7’ 0 ½”

Waterline to Top of Spoiler

6’ 8 ¼”

Waterline to Top of Windshield

3’ 5”

Draft (stern drive down)

34”

Draft (stern drive up)

17”

Dead Rise

19°

Dry Weight

2,828 lb.

Est. Trailering Weight*

4,300-4,500 lb.

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

Capacities

Fuel Capacity

30 gal.

Usable Fuel

27 gal.

People Capacity

8 persons or 1100 lb.

Maximum Capacity

1200 lb., inc. persons, gear

Engine Specs

 

Engine Type (MerCruiser)

4.3 TKS (std.)

4.3 MPI

5.0L TKS

5.0L MPI

Propulsion

Alpha I MCM

Alpha I MCM

Alpha I MCM

Alpha I MCM

Carburetion

Carbureted

Fuel Injected

Carbureted

Fuel Injected

Displacement (Liter)

4.3L

4.3L

5.0L

5.0L

Displacement (cid)

262 cid

262 cid

305 cid

305 cid

Cylinders

V6

V6

V8

V8

Engine Stroke

4-stroke

4-stroke

4-stroke

4-stroke

Horsepower

190hp

220hp

220hp

260hp

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

Takeaways

Marketed from 2006 through 2011, the 195 Sport was the mid-range model in Sea Ray’s Sport bowrider series.

This lively runabout was designed with a moderate-V fiberglass hull and a traditional bowrider layout with an aft bench seat and a full-sized sun pad.

Her available engine options included the MerCruiser 4.3L V6 and 5.0L V8 power mills, both available in carbureted (TKS) and fuel-injected (MPI) versions.

Engine power varied between 220 and 260hp depending on the model and its fuel system.

If you are considering buying a used bowrider, you can’t go wrong with a well-maintained 195 Sport.

Despite their age, many of these boats are still in pretty good shape.

You can expect the asking prices of these used Sea Rays to be anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 depending on their age, condition, engine package, and features.


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