Sea Ray’s 230 Sundeck has more room and an expanded playbill, all wrapped up in a sportboat.

Don’t Fix It If It Ain’t Broke...

When you have a run of success on the level of the Sundecks, then it’s hard to mess with it. Such is the case as Sea Ray transitions from the 2009 version to the 2010. In fact, the only difference between the two models, is the ’10 version has pop-up cleats and the max power is a 300-hp Magnum with Bravo III drive, a step down from ‘09’s top option of 320-hp 6.2L MPI. Other than that, the untrained eye won’t spot any differences.



Easy access to bow storage is from hinged seat cushions. Just forward of this cushion is a molded in cooler. We’d like to see flip-down armrests here like on some other Sea Ray models.

Ergonomic Helm...

We love how the helm is laid out with SmartCraft instrumentation. This keeps all information right in front of you, while greatly reducing dash clutter of separate instruments. One dial has a 4-in-1 display of fuel, oil pressure, water temp and trim. The Tach has a digital display that’s switchable from depth, engine hours, fuel consumption, trim level, troll control, and voltage. Steering is power assisted which significantly improves handling throughout the speed range.

While we love the layout, we’d also like to see a more recessed area below the gauges for laying “stuff”. There’s a drink holder to starboard, but once you use it for holding, I don’t know... say, a drink, then you have no place to temporarily lay your sunglasses. Please build us a space in the dash, Sea Ray.



What’s missing from this picture? Before we tell you, check out the uncluttered SmartCraft instrumentation. We’d like to see a flat space below the gauges for holding “stuff”. So what’s missing? This is a keyless dash. Turn the key in a remote locker and you push a button on the dash to start.

Playtime

For fun time, a Sundeck is hard to beat. The swim platform is covered in non-skid and storage for wet toys is right under the aft sunpad and its hinged gas assist lid gives easy access to a large area with rubber matting to protect your goods. The aft swim ladder is three-step, and the bow has a four-step ladder for beach boarding. When it’s time to take a break, a carry-on cooler has designated storage under the sink, and both it, and the transom washdown are tapped into the boat's 9 gallon (34.1 L) water supply.



Ample storage for water toys is accessed below the sunpad. Note the washdown in the port quarter and the non-skid surface on the swim platform. The 2010 version also has new pop-up cleats.

The layout of the 20 Sundeck is textbook sportboat, with dual bucket seats that are adjustable fore and aft, swivel, and both have flip-up bolsters. In the cockpit, L-shaped bench style seating has storage underneath, as does the forward V-seating. The aft sunpad is easily converted to either forward or aft facing.

Notable Option Choices

The 2010 version of the 230 Sundeck had a standard 260-hp Mercruiser 5.0L MPI with a Bravo III outdrive and stainless props. You can opt for a 300-hp Alpha one drive (add $3,054) or a 300-hp with a Bravo III drive (add $7,454). A complete canvas package is a must have option (add $2,308). We couldn’t live without the air compressor for filling the tubes (add $115), and of course the watersports tower add not only functionality, but good looks (add $3,692).

Towing Options

You have two choices for regulating your towing speed. Smart Tow, which is only available on engines with digital throttle control, acts like a cruise control and regulates your RPM’s (add $385). A better, albeit more costly option, is Perfect Pass (add $1,846). This time, your speed is GPS controlled and power is added to keep you at a given speed, as opposed to maintaining RPM’s that let you bleed off speed in a turn.

Specifications

The Sea Ray 230 Sundeck has a LOA of 24’1” (7.34 m), a beam of 8’6” (2.59 m), and a draft of 37” (94 cm). She has a dry weight of 4,850lbs (2,200 kgs), holds 55 gallons (208.2 L) of fuel and 9 gallons (34.1 L) of water.

The 230 Sundeck has a base price of $59,862 and street prices are even better. We’ve had enough fun on a number of Sea Ray Sundecks to know that these are ideal tools for the job.