Tested by Capt. Ron Svoboda

Ahh, the Sea Ray 200 Select. The name conjures up thoughts of a premium product, perhaps a fine wine or cigar from a vintage era. But this is not your grandfather’s runabout, although some of the interior design cues remind me of my grandfather’s weekender. (Our test boat was delivered with ‘gator’ green and bronze upholstery, complimented by black hull sides and canvas.) No, this luxurious bowrider is destined for select boating enthusiasts that are looking for a well-built family machine, devoid of loud graphics, upholstery and stereos. Instead, the 200 Select provides subtle elegance, a smooth ride and roominess.

At the dock, the 200 greets you with fashionable lines and a spacious bow seating area with room for up to four adults to relax and enjoy the bay, while sipping cold drinks in comfort. If the weather does not cooperate, the wrap-around glass windshield will supply protection from the wind and rain. Combine this with the optional bimini top and side curtains, and you’ll be able to zip the Select up and enjoy her in all types of weather.

Additionally, Sea Ray offers this boat with three different seating arrangements, two of which provide a transom walk-through. Especially for water toy people, who can choose a floor plan which features the observers seat facing aft, adjacent to the walk-through. Or, you can opt for the full width bench seat format, which gives the best seating capacity. Either way, all three layouts include a sun pad lounge atop the engine hatch. This hatch is manually operated and assisted by gas struts, although, it may require a bit of a tug to get it going. At the stern of this pleasure craft is a shapely molded swim platform. Complete with a recessed, folding swim ladder and grab handle.

MerCruiser’s SmartCraft instrumentation comes standard on the 200 Select, and offers so much useful information for the boater, that I do not know how we survived without it. If you’re not familiar with the SmartCraft system, I suggest you go see your MerCruiser dealer for a demo.

Along with the SmartCraft controls comes the best seat in the house, as the helm is equipped with a swivel bucket seat that adjusts fore and aft. Plus, it incorporates a flip up bolster cushion for better maneuvering comfort. At the dash, you’ll find the gauges are easy to read, the switches are easily located, and the tilt steering wheel is handy.

Inside the engine compartment, you’ll find a MerCruiser 5.0 liter multi-point fuel injected V-8, attached to an Alpha One stern drive. A great combination, whose brethren have proven themselves to Sea Ray customers for decades. Of course you can get up to a 320-horse power for your 200 Select and/or a Bravo Three drive, which includes dual, counter-rotating props for improved performance. The standard engine equipped boat that we tested, produced worthy acceleration and top speed performance. Not to mention a tolerable fuel tab at the pump. Best of all, the Select furnished a plush ride, thanks in part to her 4,150 pound dry weight. Handling was effortless and relaxed, while the low noise emissions we recorded helps make the boat ride more pleasurable.

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions