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WATERSKI MagazineLength: 18 feet, 6 inches
Beam: 90 inches
Seating: 8 skiers
Fuel: 27 gallons
Weight: 2,650 lbs.
Power: MerCruiser 4.3LX
MSRP: $22,770
Info: 423-522-4181
Top Speed: 47.8 mph
Acceleration to 30 mph: 7.58 sec., 169.16 ft.
Noise: 88 db (front), 91 db (rear)
Upside: You don't often find quality like this in a boat this size. The 185 benefits from Sea Ray's strong boatbuilding heritage, and it's built for the long haul with an integral fiberglass floor system. Great slalom wakes with 15 and 22 feet taken off the line.
Downside: A bit pricey for the 18-foot range. Add some weight for best wakeboard wakes. Difficult to hold 16- to 21-mph speeds.
Overall Impressions: The Sea Ray name carries a lot of consumer confidence, and the 185 is a solid bet. It comes in at a higher price than the other boats in this review, but it's so well-built and well-designed that buyers will appreciate the safety and performance features, such as: NMMA certification, a fiberglass liner, power steering, smooth handling, easy throttle shifting and low slalom wakes that are hard but unintimidating to cross.
