Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005 vs Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005 vs Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 carries 130 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 8 passengers and at 29,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model185 Sport
Model300 Select EX
Model Year2005
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam76 in. (2.29 m)
Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)
Beam - Meters1.93
Beam - Meters2.95
Beam - Inches76
Beam - Inches116
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (45.7 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.4 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.5 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.91
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches36
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail2,650 lbs. (1,202 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1202.02
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.2650
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters5.64
Length - Meters8.99
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet29
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches6
Length overall - Detail18 ft. 6 in. (5.64 m)
Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)
Length overall - Meters5.64
Length overall - Meters8.99
Length overall - Inches222
Length overall - Inches354
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 2 in. (9.80 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive (135 hp - 101 kw)
Engine/s standard496 Magnum? Bravo? III MCM DTS - 375 hp (280 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal130
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxTwin 320 hp (239 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544.3 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people7
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal20
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee