A Different Breed of Sportboat

Tested by Capt. Bob Smith

I traveled to Tennessee recently to get a view of the fall colors and to see Sea Ray’s new 200 SD. The colors on the way from Florida to Tennessee were certainly changing, and so was the weather. By the time I arrived at the plant on the Tennessee River, fog, cold and a constant rain had joined the test. The first day was a total wash out, so we packed up and headed back to look over the material and prepare for another chance the next day.

Mike Hungerford from Sea Ray met me the next morning and after waiting out the rain showers, we were able to finally see the colors in the trees across the river and get out to test the boat.

The Roominess of a Deckboat

The 200 SD has the lines of a sportboat with the roominess of a deckboat. Like a deckboat, you can board from the front either from the water or from the dock. The front ladder hides under a cover that has room for lines and the ladder has plastic bumpers to protect the gel coat. The bow lounges have forward facing angled seat backs for two or plenty of room for four people facing each other without banging knees.

Storage under the seats is plentiful and the inside is gel coated. Inside the companion pod is a small trash can and table storage. The helm storage area conceals the amplifier, stereo, clear plastic covered fuse box and convenient cooler. The cooler doesn’t flop around because they have designed a handy slide rack to keep it in place. The storage door on the companion side becomes a lower windshield walk-through door to keep the cool air or driving rain off the cockpit passengers.

At the Helm

The helm station is fully outfitted with tilt wheel, power steering, full instruments, soft touch switch controls and stereo controls in easy reach. The helm seat adjusts, swivels and has a bolster for better view when coming out of the hole. The companion seat is a marvelous convertible sun lounger and not the old plywood box you are used to. Under the seat is more storage including three line keepers. The back flips up to expose the engine package. To starboard is the transom walk-through to the integral swim platform. The removable table can be placed in the center of the cockpit for entertainment at anchor.

The swim platform has another swim ladder, tow eye and controls for the stereo for when you are playing in the water near the stern. The platform is only about eight inches from the water, so most of the younger crowd will probably just hoist themselves up on the swim platform while the others use the ladder.

Specs

The 200 SD is actually 21’0” in length with a trailerable 8’6” beam. She only weighs 3500 lbs so you should be able to pull her behind the family vehicle, as long as it is designed to tow. She is designed with 20° of deadrise to maximize handling and is capable of carrying up to 8 adults for a wonderful time on the water. She has a capacity of 40 gallons of fuel for the standard 5.0L 220hp Mercury power plant and Alpha Stern Drive.

You can choose to use a 4.3L 220hp MPI with Alpha 1 drive, 5.0L 260hp MPI with Alpha 1drive or 5.0L 260hp MPI with Bravo III sterndrive.

Performance

I had a great time running the Tennessee River and she performed with the excellence expected of Sea Ray. She cruised at 3000 rpms and topped out in the cold, wet weather at 5000 rpms. Speeds were 28.4mph at cruise burning 7 gph and 51.5mph burning 18.7 gph at top end. She jumped out of the hole in 3.3 seconds and was quickly up to 30 mph in only 7.4 seconds. She keeps the peace with only 82 dBa at cruise and 92 dBa at top end.

This sporty Sun Deck from Sea Ray is capable of taking you and your friends for a run in the sun at any lake, river or bay. If you are looking for a sporty bow rider with more room for friends and fun, check out Sea Ray’s 200 Sun Deck for 2003.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 200 Sundeck (2005-) is 51.5 mph (82.9 kph), burning 18.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 70.78 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 200 Sundeck (2005-) is 28.4 mph (45.7 kph), and the boat gets 4.08 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.73 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 147 miles (236.57 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 260-hp MerCruiser 5.0L MPI.