Spotlight: 2017 Sea Ray SLX 310 with twin outboards

During our recent Yacht Expo experience driving the new fleet of 2017 Sea Ray models in Florida, a few things stood out. Notably, it was the rise and rise of outboard-powered options on boats like this SLX 310 bowrider.

With twin 300-350hp Mercury Verados in on-trend white, this big bowrider looks like a beast in all the right ways. We had a set amount of time at the launch, so we concentrated on the triple outboard-powered SLX 350 bowrider to go one better. OMG! Pen to paper asap.

Meantime, there’s been some strong interest in this new SLX 310 OB since its release at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and from local dealers, who consider it not such a big jump up from the Sea Rays they are currently selling and stocking with outboard engines.

According to Sea Ray, its SLX 310 combines luxurious comfort and thrilling performance with twin Mercury Verado XL FourStroke outboard engines and the Joystick docking option. There are some advantages over sterndrive power on this 31-footer, not least being the shallow-water aspect in certain waterways.

"The SLX 310 Outboard provides our boaters with an exciting new choice, opening up great versatility for beaching and coving, while delivering performance, water sports and entertaining capabilities." said Sea Ray President Tim Schiek. "It’s the perfect balance of performance, convenience, technology and comfort."

Among the key highlights we noted were seats for a dozen or, say, three typical families, a deep bow and expansive cockpit, wet bar with moulded fiberglass sink and nicely finshed transom storage hold, and options from electric grill (and inverter), to hardtop, hot water and cockpit fridge.

Despite its open bow, you can make this bowrider almost like a sportscruiser in respect of amenities. An enclosed head with Vacuflush toilet is among the luxury options.

Meantime, a submersible manual swim step comes standard, but on the portside on the swim platform so the outboards don't come into play, as does an electric tower with articulating bimini system with water-sports capability.

The highlights at the dash are the Dynamic Display dual-touch screens, with digital switching that controls the boat’s systems, and the optional Mercury Joystick Piloting fitted to all the 2017 models we demo’d.

Active Trim is another option if you just want to push the digital throttle and shift and go.

With the standard twin 300hp Mercury Verado outboards, the SLX 310 performs comfortably with its 21 degree deadrise deep-vee hull. Fuel capacity has been increased to 662lt on this twin rig. Automatic engine flush is an option worth considering.

Expect high-20 knots cruise and 40 knots top end. Sea Ray says 0-17.5kts (20mph) in six seconds and 46-48kts (54-56mph) top speed for the base boat.

With the outboards trimmed, expect a great beach party. In the looks department, we reckon this twin-outboard variant of the SLX 310 looks doubly smart.

You can think of the SLX 310 OB as a bluewater bowrider for powering down the  bay, harbour, whale watching offshore, and even wetting a line when not getting into the watersports.

Our American friends have this bigger-is-better thing right when it comes to day boats and bowriders powered by outboard engines. A great Gold Coast and Sydney Harbour boat.

Specifications: Sea Ray