Spotlight: 2018 Sea Ray SPX 230

Following in the footsteps of the popular SPX 190 to 210, Sea Ray has introduced a new SPX 230 Stendrive and SPX 230 Outboard to bolster its entry-level luxury bowrider line-up with a new family flagship.

We stole a first look and runaway drive of the new SPX 230 when they were launched in late-2017 and tested by your boatsales' crew at Sea Ray's Yacht Expo in Florida. You can read about the great innovations coming down the 2018 model line-up from Sea Ray in the report in the above link.

Here's a quick look at the SP230 Outboard boat we drove with a Mercury 200hp XS Pro outboard. The sporty boat ran nicely and turned without undue slip.

UNCLUTTERED COCKPITS
Designed for ease of use, comfortable social boating where the conversations flow easily, and convivial times while cruising and lounging, each of the new 230 SPX boasts a very versatile cockpit design.

Abundant storage keeps lifejackets, towels, water toys, personal effect and lunch neatly stowed in side pockets, underfloor and under seat swabs including the rear sunpad. This way, the cockpit remains uncluttered even with a full family aboard. Storage was a primary design feature of the 230s.

So, too, was the creation of a step-down head, convertible co-pilot seating to create a sunpad, and full U-shaped rear seating when you add the infill on either engine variant.

BIG SWIM PLATFORMS
Meantime, the boats feature a large, full-beam integrated swim platform with a four-step, stainless steel swim ladder and transom walk-through that makes for easy re-entry to the boat.

The sterndrive boat wins out for sheer waterfront real estate, however, with a flip-down swim step on the full-width unencumbered swim platform.

Either way, up front, generous seating creates a whole another cockpit entertaining area. Speakers and drink holders add to the amenities, while sturdy stainless-steel grab handles and ergonomic upholstery with back support keeps passengers safe when cruising. There's nice high freeboard for safety and to keep spray at bay.

The centre walk-through windshield allows for smooth transitions between the cockpit and the bow, making all-over accessible bowriders with noticeably more space aboard thanks to the integrated deck designs.

Available in an array of hull colours, the SPX 230 and SPX 230 Outboard pack plenty of sporty style and performance - as you can see from the brief running footage we shot while at the U.S. launch shared hereabouts.

For watersports enthusiasts, Sea Ray offers a trick Elevation Package including a watersports tower with integrated bimini top, tower racks and a premium ski mirror.

PREMIUM ENTRY-LEVEL SEA RAY
Kevin Reilly, director of product portfolio and customer service, Sea Ray Sport Boats and Sport Cruisers, says the SPX series introduces a newly accessible way for consumers to step into premium sport boating.

"With the debut of the SPX 230 and SPX 230 Outboard, we are expanding our SPX offerings while continuing to deliver the superior craftsmanship, style and performance that are hallmarks of the Sea Ray brand, at an incredibly appealing price point.

SEA RAY SPX 230 HAS LANDED
A new 2018 SPX 230 with sterndrive has just arrived in Sydney at Chapman Marine Group with a 300hp 6.2L V8. The boat has the Elevation Package and is tricked up luxury summer boating on Sydney Harbour.

"The Sport Series (SPX) is our entry-level series, but the boats are packaged to true luxury levels. People just love the 19s and this new SPX 230 is really a big step up for family boating. It's a big boat, with a lot volume, including a step-down toilet.

"The boat is a true 23-footer in waterline length and it also has the optional submersible mid-boarding-platform swim step," Mark Chapman adds.

The up-spec'd SPX 230 with 300hp 6.2L in stock in Sydney is selling for $121k with all the goodies, while the base SPX230 price starts at $98,544 with a 250hp 4.5L all-alloy engine.

The outboard version with standard 150hp four-stroke sells from $99,345 and ranges up to $119 with an L6 250hp Verado. Trailers cost extra and a permit would be required with the 2.60m beam. But most buyers are going rack-and-stack with sterndrive or air dock with these family-sized sterndrive and outboard bowriders.

At-a-Glance: Sea Ray SPX 230 Sterndrive and Outboard
LOA: 7.16m
Beam: 2.60mm
Displacement: 1983kg/1778kg OB
Hull Deadrise: 19 degrees
Fuel: 189lt
Waste: Portaloo
Passengers and Gear: 952kg/1066kg (13 people)
Engines: MerCruiser sterndrive 250-300hp (6.2L 300hp on Sydney boat); Mercury Verado 150-250hp outboard
More at Sea Ray.