2019 Sea Ray SLX 310 review

The Sea Ray SLX 310 is one of the US leisure brand’s super-sized SLX bowriders, a style of boat that has gone gangbusters in the States.

The brand is famous for its sleek, flowing lines – design cues that help to give the Sea Ray SLX 310 its special “X” factor.

In an attempt to assess if Australia has a similar appetite, Sydney’s Chapman Marine brought the SLX 310 Down Under ahead of a reveal at the 2018 Sydney International Boat Show.

This is our first chance to jump behind the controls.

Sea Ray is a brand that taps into one of the world’s largest recreational boat makers, Illinois-based Brunswick Corporation, which also owns the likes of Bayliner, Boston Whaler and Quicksilver. It also makes Mercury outboard engines.

The Sea Ray SLX 310’s hull is built from fibreglass and includes a “Quiet Ride” layer to help cut down on noise. The boat features a deep vee hull with hard chines and a fine bow entry.

Optional triangular trim plates flush-mounted to the aft corners of the hull help the Sea Ray SLX310 rise onto the plane faster, and also help to run the boat level while up on the plane.

The Sea Ray SLX 310 is available with either an inboard or outboard engine layout.

The SLX line is central to Sea Ray maintaining its status as a premier dayboat brand. There are six SLX models including the 230, 250, 280, 310, 350 and the new flagship 400.

Engine choices include twin MerCruiser petrol sterndrives producing either 250hp or 350hp, twin MerCruiser diesel sterndrives producing 260hp, or twin Mercury Verado outboard engines rated between 250hp to 400hp.

Sydney’s Chapman Marine has the Sea Ray 310SLX priced from $355,152 for a standard boat with twin 250hp MerCruiser petrol inboard engines. As tested with twin 300hp MerCruiser petrol engines compatible with Sea Ray’s joystick control system, the price jumps to $459,292.

That fuller price includes two-tone topsides, cockpit cover, bow tonneau cover, Infinity woven vinyl floor matting, a hardtop with electrically operated canvas cockpit shade, teak cockpit/bow tables, bow filler cushion, 12-volt bar fridge, and remote-control electric anchor windlass.

It also includes blue LED cockpit mood lighting, an air compressor for water toys, automatic rear swim platform, shore power, VHF radio and fenders.

I love the Sea Ray SLX 310’s classic American looks, with its raked bow and fastback stern coupled with the bowrider interior.

The Sea Ray SLX 310’s arched hardtop is nicely matched to the sleek hull and doesn't obstruct the view from the helm. It has an optional sunroof, while optional vinyl clears offer protection from rain.

The boat is all about maximising usable space for day boating and providing plenty of stern space for watersports and swimming.

By nature, the SLX310 is a style of craft that's easy to drive, nudge into a bay beach, or dock at a marina cafe. In a busy age the SLX 310 provides the right sort of craft for owners who don't have the time or inclination to stay aboard at night, and suits dry-stack storage.

At 9.6 metres (31ft 6in) long and 3.1 metres (10ft 2in) wide the Sea Ray SLX 310 is a surprisingly spacious bowrider with room for up to 14 people, and plush seating to match.

A key feature of the Sea Ray SLX 310 is a spacious change room accessed via the front of the passenger seat that includes a toilet. A decent-sized cockpit galley is behind the helm station for preparing food and drinks.

The standout feature, though, is an automated platform tucked in under the transom. It folds out to form underwater steps, which is a much better solution for swimmers than a ladder.

For wakeboarders, a “Power Tower” version with a high tow point and board racks is available.

Stepping aboard the Sea Ray SLX 310 via the transom-mounted submersible swim deck reveals the boat’s large stern “beach club”.

A large sun lounge with flip-up backrests has space for three people.

A passageway to starboard, which also houses a freshwater shower and access to the main battery switches, leads into the cockpit

This area is the social heart of the Sea Ray SLX300. A generous-sized curved lounge wraps around to port, while to starboard is another seating area with a galley that doubles as a wet bar with a sink equipped with pressurised water, a bar fridge and an optional electric grille. The seating is all decidedly upscale, finished in beautiful three-tone vinyl and diamond stitching.

Flanking the lounge are stainless steel drink holders and leather-wrapped stainless steel handrails. A teak dining table inserts into a floor-mounted bracket.

A drawer under the smaller forward seat slides out to reveal an icebox.

The helm station sits amidships with a companionway between it and the portside first mate’s station. Both are fitted with large, comfortable 1.5-seater benches that have a lift-up bolster to make it easier to stand, and angled footrests.

The helm has a commanding view, with the dash featuring twin 9.0-inch Simrad touchscreens displaying all the functions needed to run the boat, including navigation.

There is also a bank of switches for most of the boat’s functions, and the audio system interface feeding the speakers scattered throughout the boat, including facing the swim deck. Throttle controls for the MerCruisers fall easily to hand, and behind them sits the joystick controller for making controlled low-speed manoeuvres via Mercury’s Axius joystick piloting for sterndrives function.

The console in front of the first mate’s station swings open to reveal the recessed toilet compartment. It doesn’t offer full standing headroom, but is comfortably appointed with a stainless steel sink and VacuFlush marine toilet.

Stepping through the central gangway leads to a spacious bow cockpit with a separate dining table, and in-fill cushions to convert the space into a large sun lounge.

The bow has plenty of freeboard, meaning the seating area can still be used while underway and conditions suit.

Throughout, the Sea Ray SLX300 has an abundance of storage, including around the engine bay and ahead of the helm.

Overall, the finish of the SLX 310 is of a very high standard.

Test conditions on Sydney Harbour were a long way away from summer, however, our mild mid-winter day turned out to be far more enjoyable than we dared to expect.

The harbour joggle proved just as challenging as always but the fine bow entry on the big Sea Ray SLX 310 sliced through it with ease.

Our twin 300hp MerCruisers quickly pushed the bowrider up onto a plane, and we were soon cruising easily at up to 30 knots.

The amount of noise while underway is very low, largely due to the craft's “Quiet Ride” hull and solid fibreglass construction.

Making the ownership experience easier is Mercury’s Axius propulsion system. Linked through a joystick mounted behind the engine throttle controls, it allows the skipper to easily come alongside a dock, or hold the Sea Ray SLX 310 at station by using the GPS-based SkyHook digital anchor. This amazing technology makes boating so much easier, especially for newcomers.

Visibility from the helm station is helped by a complete absence of any bow rails, while power-assisted steering makes piloting a breeze.

If you’re wondering if the Sea Ray SLX 310 is a fast, economical dayboat cruiser, a quick run to get fuel figures gives a clue.

At 25.5 knots the bowrider is drinking just 65 litres an hour, while at 35 knots that steps up to 135 litres an hour.

With a 492-litre fuel tank capacity and a 95 per cent reserve, this will give the Sea Ray SLX 310 a range of about 180nm at the lower speed. Open the taps, and range drops to about 120nm: that’s more than enough capacity for typical day boat runs.

Performance*

*Both engines
Maximum cruising range based on 95% of 492L fuel tank: 180nm @ 3500rpm

The Sea Ray SLX 310 combines the practical layout of a bowrider at a size that's spot-on for social interactions and making the most of summer boating.

The boat's three-zone cockpit provides many ways to enjoy the water, from cruising to entertaining, swimming, or just relaxing with a drink in hand and listening to the quality Fusion sound system.

Specifications
Model: Sea Ray SLX310
Length overall: 9.6m
Beam: 3.1m
Draft: 0.71-0.96m
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Dry weight: 4893kg
Passengers: 14
Engines as tested: Twin 300hp MerCruiser
Fuel: 492L, unleaded petrol
Water: 90L

Priced from: $355,152 including stainless steel bow and stern eyes, eight cleats and two transom handrails; white gel coat; vinylester seat fabrics; anchor storage; swim platform with ladder; stainless steel through-hulls; matte finish windscreen; 21 stainless steel drink holders; lockable portside glovebox; Igloo cooler box; leather-wrap stainless steel handrails in the cockpit; LED courtesy lights; dual Digital Dash with Mercury VesselView; two 9.0-inch Simrad touchscreens with chart plotter, water temperature and fishfinder; digital throttle levers; power-assist tilt steering with wood accent; Fusion audio system with Bluetooth, 1600W amplifier, eight 6.5-inch speakers and a 10-inch subwoofer; automatic bilge pump and blower; and twin 250hp MerCruiser 4.5-litre sterndrive engines with Bravo III drive legs and stainless steel propellers

Price as tested: $459,292 including two-tone topsides; cockpit cover; bow tonneau cover; Infinity vinyl floor matting; hardtop with electrically operated canvas cockpit shade; teak cockpit/bow tables; bow filler cushion; 12-volt bar fridge; remote-control electric anchor windlass; blue LED cockpit mood lighting; air compressor; automatic rear swim platform; shore power; VHF radio; fenders; and twin 300hp MerCruiser 6.2-litre sterndrive engines with Bravo III drive legs and Axius propulsion system.

Supplied by: Chapman Marine Group