Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 vs Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 vs Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 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.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 5,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 at 19,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 tips the scales at 4 850 lbs - 2 450 lbs less than the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 at 2 400 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 carries a rated maximum of 190 hp. Engine data for the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 carries 55 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006. 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 230 Sundeck 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 230 Sundeck 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 24,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model185 Sport
Model230 Sundeck?
Model Year2006
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43.1 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (55.9 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.56
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches22
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)
Weight - Detail4,850 lbs. (2,200 kg)
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - kg2199.92
Weight - lbs.2400
Weight - lbs.4850
Length - Meters5.99
Length - Meters7.34
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet24
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches1
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Detail24 ft. 1 in. (7.34 m)
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Meters7.34
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches289
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive with Turn-Key Start - 135 hp (101 kW)
Engine/s standardMerCruiser? 5.0L MPI Bravo? III (260 hp - 194 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail55 gal. (208.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters208.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal55
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max190 hp
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544.3 kg)
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs. (816.5 kg)
Maximum people8
Maximum people10 @ 1,600 lbs. (725.7 kg)
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity9 gal. (34.1 l)
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee