The 185 OB Delivered to Southampton from only £39,600 incl VAT
Three distinct variants of the same boat…
185 OBE
The OBE Edition of the 185 is setup to provide the maximum value of any 18ft boat around. The same boat as the rest of the 185 range but with a few of the refinements removed to decrease the end consumer price while still providing the same seating capacity, fuel capacity and offering a ton of fun on the water. For the budget conscious buyer, the OBE Edition is the best package available to have you on the water in a brand new boat and ready for fun!
The standard 185 OB is set to provide a maximum amount of enjoyment on the water and provides you with engine options up to the Mercury 150hp Pro XS to give you an exhilarating on-water performance, perfect for those water sports enthusiasts. With a more tailored approach to the exterior & interior with a wide array of gelcoat colour options, a customizable seating layout and plush upholstery, the 185 OB offers a more refined boating experience.
185 OB
The XS Edition range was developed to provide an absolute premium fit & finish, along with high horsepower V6 & V8 engines, to allow you to customize your boat build to be a true 1 of 1 boat and have the performance to match of true sports boat. With an unmatched ability to ensure you have the best of the best, the XS Edition is a class leader in performance, attention to detail & class.
185 XS Edition
The worlds most versatile 18 ft. / 5.5m outboard bowrider, delivered to the UK and priced from only…
£39,600 incl VAT
The 185 OB is a bowrider that redefines versatility in the 18-foot outboard market. Designed and crafted with precision by, this model stands out as the ultimate all-purpose vessel, seamlessly blending style, performance, and adaptability.
What makes the 185 OB the most versatile bowrider available?
Whether you're cruising with family, chasing fish, towing a wakeboarder, or simply relaxing at a quiet cove, the 185 OB delivers unmatched flexibility to suit every boating adventure. With power options ranging from a fuel-efficient 115-horsepower engine up to a thrilling 225-horsepower outboard, this boat caters to a wide spectrum of needs and preferences. Its award-winning hull design, spacious layout, and customizable features make it the most versatile outboard bowrider available today.
What sets the Rae Line 185 OB apart is its ability to adapt to any scenario without compromise. The 115-hp option offers excellent efficiency and ample power for casual outings or lighter loads, making it ideal for relaxed days on the water. Step up to the mid-range 150-hp engine, and you unlock exhilarating performance with the capacity to handle larger groups—up to 6 adult passengers—and watersports with ease. For those craving maximum power, the 225-hp option transforms the 185 OB into a high-performance powerhouse, delivering top speeds and robust towing capability while maintaining stability and control. Thanks to its 19-degree deadrise hull and deep-V design. This broad range of power choices, combined with thoughtful features like ample seating, generous storage, and a customizable build-to-order process, ensures the 185 OB excels in any role you ask of it—making it the go-to choice for boaters who demand versatility without sacrificing quality or fun.
Check out some on-water footage of most recent 185 builds…
Who are we?
Meet Rhys Williamson, Managing Director of Rae Line Boats and your sole point of contact when it comes to designing, building and delivering your boat!
Having spent the last 13 years building boats, innovating, improving fit & finish and delivering premium sports boats to a wide range of NZ & Australian customers, Rhys and the wider team at Rae Line are committed to providing an exceptional outcome in every aspect of your boat build to ensure you are able to maximize your time on the water with hassle-free boating and making quality memories.
The Rae Line factory is based in the rural district of Swannanoa, Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand. It is from here that we have been building and supplying boats world wide since 1998. As a low volume, high quality production boat builder, we offer a very tailored solution to your boat build that is paired with the latest technology, premium materials and set to provide you with a world class stand out boat that will deliver on all your expectations!
Are there any other Rae Line boats in the UK?
Yes, absolutely. The Rae Line boat range was initially sold into the UK market back in 2007 and 2008 before the GFC and there are many of our 180, 185 and 186 models from that time period still available in the UK. More recently, our upgraded & updated 185 has been re-certified for UKCA & CE status and our first built-to-order 185 XS Edition for the UK market shipped to a customer in Scotland for use on Loch Lomond in July 2024. After receiving his boat and getting some initial use out of it, here is the feedback supplied directly from the customer…
“Well, what can I say, the new boat is absolutely incredible. Your fit and finish second to none with perfect attention to detail. Engine is a peach and so delighted we went 225 V6, it had a lot to live up to as we loved our old 2.5 efi V6 2 stroke. The acceleration even going easy on run in is amazing, 6 hours on it now so opening it up as we vary the rpm range. Love the Simrad with all its functions…. The sound system is amazing especially as my teenage kids approve. Have had the boat out in awful weather with very strong winds and the hull performs perfectly, with a softer ride than our Glastron… the boat will mostly be used on Loch Lomond which is about 50 kilometres long.
So so glad we found Rae Line, and that was on Facebook FYI”
Having the boat delivered directly to the closest port available in Grangemouth, UK the customer was simply able to pull up with his trailer & wind the boat out of the container and directly on to the trailer, ready for towing away. With all the pre-delivery completed here in NZ prior to shipment, it was simply a matter of hooking the battery up, filling the fuel tank and the customer was ready to hit the water. Take a look below at the video of the boat being loaded into the container in reverse for an easy unloading process at the destination port, and then some photos as the boat got delivered and was pulled from the container.
How does importing a boat work?
There are 4 main steps to ordering & importing a boat built to order for you from New Zealand to the UK which are:
- Initial Pricing & Shipping Destination
As part of the initial costing process to get the boat delivered as close or as economically competitive as possible to where you require it, we will look to discuss a range of options as to how we can get the boat shipped to your Port of choosing and the costs associated to do so. Alongside that, we will provide our current GBP pricing for the boat without shipping in order to develop an overall base boat package that can then be tailored to suit your overall budget and desired spec of the boat you are looking to build.
2. - Build Confirmation, Timeline & Deposit
Once we have finalized the build spec of the boat you are looking for, we will be able to finalize the overall cost and then look to allocate your build spot based on a deposit payable into a GBP bank account owned by Rae Line Ltd. Within this process, we will be able to confirm a proposed build timeline on when the boat will be ready to ship to you and the expected shipping timeline before arrival at your destination port.
3. - Build Completion & Shipping
Once your boat build has been completed and it is now ready to ship, we will send through a whole folder of video, images and anything else you require to confirm you are happy with the boat and are ready to progress to getting the shipping booked and underway. It is at this point that the balance payable on the boat will be due and we will look get your boat all packaged up. Once the shipping date arrives, the container will be collected from us at our factory, delivered to Lyttleton Port in Christchurch, NZ and it will board the ship to head to the destination Port.
3. - Arrival at Port & Unpacking
After approximately 6 to 10 weeks crossing the oceans, the container will arrive at your destination port & be available for clearance into the UK. It is at this stage we will look to arrange a suitable importing agent that you can work with to ensure the boat is imported correctly, clears through customs and becomes available for you to collect once the container has been uplifted from the ship. Once all the paperwork is completed and VAT paid it should only be a matter of winding the boat on to your trailer, a couple of simple steps to get it up and running & then have your new boat ready go and enjoy.
FAQ on Importing:
Is there duty payable?
No, as New Zealand and the UK have a free-trade agreement in place, there is no duty payable on the imported boat.How does the deposit & balance payment structure work?
When it comes to finalizing the build of your boat, we require a 20% deposit of the total amount excluding VAT to confirm the build and get you in line for your boat to be built. Once that payment has been received, we will get your engine on order along with any other specific components as requested and undertake the boat build as required. It is only once we have the boat fully completed, tested & ready to ship to you that balance of payment will be due prior to the boat being loaded into the container and leaving our factory.What happens when the container arrives in the UK?
We will work with you to find an appropriate importing agent who is able to handle the paperwork side of the import of your new boat. They will then be able to ensure the container can appropriately clear customs and be available for yourself or another party to unload. While the importing agent will likely have their own fees payable which are not covered by the boat cost, all of the paperwork and documentation required by us is included in the price of the boat.Does the boat come with a trailer?
Because the UK has its own standards and certifications outside of the New Zealand regulations, we recommend using a local trailer manufacturer who can ensure the trailer for your new boat will be road legal and ready to tow away. All our pricing is offered as a Boat & Motor package only, exclusive of a trailer cost. We have all the required trailer measurements on file to suit our boat models and so can provide any required measurements of our standard trailers as required.How does VAT work on an imported boat?
Normally we will invoice the boat to you exclusive of VAT. That means the when the boat arrives at the destination port, the importing agent will be invoiced the VAT content of the boat, which will be payable directly to them at the time of importation. We will always look to quote prices both inclusive and exclusive of VAT so you can get a full understanding of the final cost to you once the boat has been imported, even though it is likely you will only pay the amount exclusive of VAT on your boat build.How does the warranty work?
The warranty for your new boat is a 2-Year Bow-to-Stern Warranty that covers all aspects of craftmanship of the vessel and all components exclusive of any electronics, trailer, or engine which all hold their own warranties. The main warranty outside of the boat is the outboard. If it is a Mercury outboard, it will need to be taken to an authorized Mercury dealer to be setup inside their UK system for warranty. We will have already completed a pre-delivery inspection and test run on the engine and boat prior to departure. In the case of a warranty repair required on the boat itself, we will work with you to find a local repairer in your area who can undertake any necessary fibreglass, gelcoat or upholstery repairs required.
