A Bimini top and boot are standard; the fiberglass and aluminum watersports tower shown here is optional – it comes with an integral Bimini.

Take A Seat

Twenty-six feet of LOA provides Sea Ray designers with a lot of opportunity in laying out the 250 SLX while keeping the bowrider utility. The forward cockpit, in smaller boats usually better suited for kids, is in this boat long enough for adults to sprawl in comfort. The bow seats have integrated armrests and comfortable backrests, and there's room left over for an anchor well. (Sometimes designers take over anchor-well space to lengthen the bow seats.)



There's a head under the companion console to port, a wet bar aft of the helm seat.

The main cockpit has what you expect: Helm and companion bucket seats and a wraparound lounge aft. The buckets have flip-up bolsters for thigh support while standing, and both seats swivel and adjust fore and aft. The lounge sits on a fiberglass base with stowage under, and looks to us to be big enough to fit the whole family, at least within reason. A table is available. The cockpit sole is fiberglass, with snap-in carpet standard and ski or wakeboard stowage in a lockable compartment underneath.



SmartCraft DTS is standard, with custom instruments and power-assisted steering with a wood-accented tilt wheel. The chartplotter is optional.

Aft of the helm seat is a wet bar with a Corian countertop and stowage for a carry-on cooler; a 12v. refrigerator is optional, as is a portable gas grill. We'd stick with the cooler, even though it means lugging it on and off the boat. But we have to carry our refreshments in something, and when filled with ice cubes a cooler keeps food and drink colder, and gets cold faster, than the fridge.

Like most bowriders, the 250 SLX has twin consoles with the walk-through between. But the boat is large enough to fit an enclosed head compartment under the companion console. Use a Porta-Potti, or upgrade to a VacuFlush with holding tank.



The transom shower is standard, as is a pressure freshwater system with a 21-gal. (79.5 L) tank.

Under the Hood

Sea Ray installs a single 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG ECT Bravo 3 as standard power, with a 380-hp 8.2 MAG ECT Bravo 3 as an $11,923 option. We tested the 250 SLX with standard power recently, and discovered a top speed of 45.3 mph (72.9 kph), burning 24.0 gph (90.84 lph). At best cruise, 4000 rpm and 33.2 mph (53.4 kph), our test boat burned 12.0 gph (45.4 lph); crunching the numbers gives 2.76 mpg (1.17 kpl) for a cruising range of 186 miles (299.34 kilometers) based on 90% of fuel capacity.



A walk-through channel under the filler cushion means you don't have to climb over the sunpad to reach the platform. Note the pull-out ladder under the platform to port. The sterndrive is a MerCruiser Bravo 3; trim tabs are standard.

The optional engine would add a few mph to both top speed and cruise, but we can't say how many. Does it matter with a boat like this one? We think the biggest advantage of the larger engine would be to maintain the tested performance with a boat full of family and friends – we tested the boat lightly loaded, with only two people aboard, little gear, no fresh water and only ¾ fuel. Packed up for a full day afloat with a near-capacity crowd, the 250 SLX will be somewhat less sprightly.



It's not all about speed: Sometimes the most fun on the water comes when the boat's not even moving.

Our Opinion

Base price of the Sea Ray 250 SLX is $85,359; add shipping, prep and a couple of options and you're looking at close to $100 grand; go crazy with extras and you'll break six figures. But for that, you get a big bowrider with room for lots of folks, typical Sea Ray quality and a limited lifetime warranty on the hull and deck. The enclosed head is a valuable feature for families, the walk-through sunpad makes the transom platform more user-friendly and the large forward cockpit will be a perfect venue for enjoying a libation while swinging at anchor and watching the sunset. And at 8' 6" (2.59 m) beam she's still trailerable.

We think the Sea Ray 250 SLX is just right for a lot of people, including many who are shopping for more expensive, more complex cabin models, and recommend giving her a close look.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 250 SLX (2011-) is 45.3 mph (72.9 kph), burning 24.0 gallons per hour (gph) or 90.84 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 250 SLX (2011-) is 33.2 mph (53.4 kph), and the boat gets 2.76 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.17 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 186 miles (299.34 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG ECT.