Tested by Capt. Bob Smith

Key Biscayne Bay in Miami following the Miami International Boat Show proved to be a great setting for testing the all new 58 Sedan Bridge from Sea Ray. They tell me the interest in this boat was far better than anticipated and that we needed to get this one tested quickly so they could get it delivered right away.

This new model has over two and a half pages of standard items and equipment and at least another half page of optional equipment and items to choose from to personalize your yachting pleasure. I will try to hit some of the high points and leave some room for the video.

Spacious Cockpit

Outside, the back deck is still spacious enough for sportfishing. This one had the optional davit lift, fully motorized transom davit system that replaces the transom livewells. Line lockers are in each corner by the sliding entry doors. A transom shower is at the transom door that leads from the large integrated swim platform. Access to the power plant is through a gas assisted hatch here in the floor of the aft deck. Down a handy removable ladder and you have room to service nearly every component of the power plant and generator with ease.

The Bridge

Access to the bridge is up a staircase on the starboard side. The bridge provides excellent protection from the elements via a hardtop. Up here you have a huge sitting pit ahead of the helm station and a removable aft bench sitting area behind the helm. The wet bar includes an icemaker, refrigerator and sink. Entertainment is provided by an AM/FM CD, satellite ready system at the helm. The helm itself is a pleasure to work from. Among the instruments is an autopilot, radar/chartplotter and Sea Ray Navigator II chartplotter that even has overhead pictures of the area of the chart you are looking at so you can compare what you see with what you should be seeing. This area has its own dedicated heating and air conditioning system so you and your guests can be just as comfortable up top as you would down below and still enjoy the view.

Master Suite

Down below in the luxurious master stateroom we find a queen-sized berth with beautiful wood accents and lots of storage. Twin end tables bracket the bed. Lighted maple lined hanging lockers keep the clothes in great shape while the full length beveled mirror on the door helps to make sure you are in perfect shape before entering the saloon. A 20” flat screen LCD TV with DVD/CD/VCR with remote provides personalized entertainment. The headroom is nice at the foot of the bed and you only have to bend down once over the bed due to the cabin above. The private head has a full shower with door for separation from the rest of the head. A skylight adds natural light to the space.

Guest Stateroom

Heading down the hall is the guest stateroom on the starboard side. Bunk beds with storage under the lower bed provide plenty of room for two. There is a lighted hanging locker and a 13” combination TV/DVD with remote for this room. Just past this stateroom on the same side is a door for access to the washer/dryer combination. The shared guest head and shower are next. Access is from the hallway or from the forward guest room. The forward guest room has another queen-sized bed and also sports maple lined and lighted hanging lockers. This room also has a 13” flat screen TV/DVD/radio combo for personalized entertainment underway at night.

Gourmet Delight

Up to the next deck you enter the galley with great looking wood floors and solid surface countertop. The space is well light with natural light and the counters are large. The coffee pot is stored in a cabinet until needed. A two-burner stove is centered close to the sink. Other equipment here includes a microwave/convection oven, Sub-Zero refrigerator and separate freezer with ice maker under the cabinets. There is abundant cabinet storage for stocking up before shoving off on a long cruise. The dinette has wrap-around seating with a beautiful wood surface table. Stepping on back you enter the main salon at the stern. The entertainment center includes a Bose stereo five speaker system, CD storage, 30” LCD flat screen TV with remote and Ultraleather sofa seating.

Specs

The all-new 58 Sedan Bridge from Sea Ray is 58’7” in length and 16’0” in beam. She is so new that the draft and dry weight has not been accurately measured for reporting purposes. She does have a 700 gallon fuel capacity. She carries up to 150 gallons of fresh water for those long cruises and has a 17 degree deadrise.

Handling and Performance

The 58 SD handled the heavy traffic in and around the SeaLine Marina and glided out to Biscayne Bay with little effort. Noise levels were very low, especially for a twin diesel. The top sound level only reached 79 DBa. We had equipment malfunctions that prevented getting fuel readings, but we did find her speed to be excellent for a large cruiser. We seemed to find cruise around 1750 rpms and we were cruising along at about 22.5 mph. Her top speed was about 36 mph at 2350 rpms. This one was powered by their standard engines which were twin Man 2848LE4 765-hp Diesel inboards.

If you enjoy cruising in comfort and style and appreciate the convenience of a sedan bridge model, Sea Ray’s all-new 58 Sedan Bridge will certainly have your attention. She is easy to operate, quiet to run and very easy on the eyes.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 58 Sedan Bridge is 35.8 mph (57.6 kph), burning gallons per hour (gph) or N/A liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 58 Sedan Bridge is 22.3 mph (35.9 kph), and the boat gets miles per gallon (mpg) or N/A kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of miles (N/A kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 800-hp MAN diesel engines.