Sea Ray SLX 250 (2016-)

Brief Summary

Iconic styling and hull sculpting makes the Sea Ray SLX 250 a noteworthy at any dock. She includes high-end amenities such as digital instrumentation and engine controls, plus options like a submersible hydraulic swim platform, rarely seen on boats of this size. Sculptured and embroidered two-tone seating gives the interior an upscale look and feel. Standard trim tabs retract against the running surface and conform to the shape of the chines, a unique approach compared to standard transom tabs.

Key Features

• Standard with MerCruiser's new 6.2-liter V-8 300-hp Bravo III Engine with Digital Throttle & Shift
• Iconic styling with elegant hull sculpting, available in multiple color configurations
• Expansive cockpit space
• Luxurious and plush seating, with abundant storage beneath
• Transom seating with transformable backrest
• Spacious head compartment
• Proprietary Quiet Ride Technology featuring Tuned Transom
• Stereo with wireless Bluetooth, dual zone volume control, amplifier and six weatherproof speakers

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	25' 6'' / 7.77 m
Beam	8' 6'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	5,800 lb. 2,631 kg
Tested Weight	7,445 lbs. 3,377 kg
Draft	43'' 109 cm
Draft Up	31'' 79 cm
Draft Down	43'' 109 cm
Deadrise/Transom	21-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Weight Capacity	2,400 lbs. 1,088 kg
Person Capacity	15
Fuel Capacity	75 gal. 283 L
Water Capacity	20 gal. 76 L
Total Weight	7,445 lbs. 3,377 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	N/A
0 to 30	9.4 sec.
Ratio	2.0:1
Props	Bravo IIIx
Load	2 person, 3/4 fuel, full water, 30 lbs. of gear
Climate	N/A

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 380-hp MerCruiser ECT 8.2L MAG
Std. Power	1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo III with DTS
Opt. Power	1 x 300-hp MerCruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo III with DTS 1 x 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG ECT Bravo IIIx with DTS 1 x 430-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG HO ECT Bravo IIIx with DTS

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

 

Mission

Sea Ray designed the SLX 250 to be a luxurious, well-appointed family bowrider with plenty of seating and a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including high-end amenities such as digital instrumentation and engine controls, an enclosed head and aft-facing transom seating with a convertible backrest. For performance to match the luxury, the boat comes standard with a 300-hp MerCruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo III sterndrive with digital throttle and shift and options up to 430-hp are available.

 

Features Inspection

 

The Stern

 

Room to Move.

The SLX 250’s swim platform is 2’1” (.64 m) fore and aft and has the space for a rider to put on a wakeboard before slipping into the water.

The transom lounge

can accommodate a couple of people and the convertible ratcheting backrest adjusts to multiple positions for sunning or just plain added comfort. There are two cup holders on each side of the lounge and a stainless-steel ski tow pulls up from out of the backrest for the bench seat.

 

Easy Access.

A passageway to starboard provides direct access to the SLX 250’s cockpit. In the gunwale, is a pull-out shower and an optional fold-down step for boarding from a higher dock. A hatch in the walkway opens on a gas strut to access draining storage.

 

 

The Cockpit

A large lounge with storage in the base wraps around from the forward end of the cockpit passage to port and to starboard is a two-person seat with dedicated space for the carry-on cooler and for a wastebasket beneath the removable bottom cushion. Forward is a pair of bucket seats and in between is the ski and board locker in the deck.

 

 

 

 

The Port Console

Forward of the port bucket seat, the console opens to reveal the step-down head compartment. It has a locking hatch and comes standard with a portable head. Owners can upgrade to a VacuFlush toilet with a 10-gallon (30-L) holding tank.

 

 

The Helm

The SLX 250’s helm is finished in dark colors to reduce windshield glare. Gauges including the multi-function tachometer and speedometer are in a single row above the tilt steering wheel. The stereo is to port on the lower panel adjacent to the wheel with push-button-style accessory switches on each separated on each side. The digital shift and throttle control is comfortably positioned on the starboard inwale. The dash can be upgraded to a 12" multi-functional digital switching display ("Dymanic Display").

 

 

Bow Passageway

Moving forward from the cockpit, the bow passageway closes off with the open-able center section of the windshield and a hinged door that folds out from the starboard console to protect passengers from the onrushing air. Behind the door is a storage locker.

 

 

 

The Bow

 

Recline In Style.

In the SLX 250’s bow there are angled backrests with fold-down armrests on the front of the consoles. Outboard on each side are cutouts in the gunwales with small-item storage, 12-volt power plugs (unusual) and stainless steel grab rails wrapped in leather. Cup holders are forward beneath a small removable cushion. There’s an anchor locker in the forepeak and a windlass and stainless steel anchor as available options.

 

 

Bow Storage

Most bowriders have the bottom cushions hinged on the inboard side or not at all. Sea Ray hinged the port side bottom cushion at the aft end with scissor-style hardware while the starboard cushion is hinged at the front. The bow locker is carpeted and has the expected amount of capacity. To starboard, the compartment is extra-large and could be customized to carry items such as SCUBA diving tanks.

 

 

Power and Performance

We tested the Sea Ray SLX 250 with three different engines – each with both light and heavy loads. As a result we have some of the most exhaustive test data we have ever presented on a boat in this class.

With the MerCruiser 8.2L MAG H.O. ETC – 430-HP

 

Top speed

for the SLX 250 powered by the 430-hp 8.2L HO V-8 with a “light load” – test weight 7,445 lbs. (3,377 kg) – was 53.7 mph. The lower unit was a Bravo IIIx with a 2.0:1 gear ratio. Loaded up with 1,200-lbs. (544 kg) of passengers, she had a WOT speed of 53.2 mph – just .5 mph off her top speed with two people aboard.

Best cruise

was found to be at 3000 rpm where with just two people aboard, she went 31.0 mph, burning 12.0 gph for a range of 174 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. With the 1,200-lb. (544 kg) load at 3000 rpm, we found that she dropped just .7 mph, getting 13.3 gph for a range of 153 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

 

 

MerCruiser 8.2L MAG ETC – 380-HP

 

Top speed

for the SLX 250 powered by the 380-hp 8.2L V-8 and the same Bravo IIIx 2.0:1 drive with a “light load” – test weight 7,445-lbs. (3,377 kg) – was 52.2 mph. Then loaded up with 1,200-lbs. (544 kg) of passengers, she had a WOT speed of 51.6 mph – just .5 mph off her top speed with two people aboard.

Best cruise

was found to be at 2750 rpm where with just two people aboard, she went 24.6.mph, burning 10.4 gph for a range of slightly over 159 miles. With the 1,200-lb. load at 3250 rpm, we found that she went 32.2 mph, burning 13.6 gph for a range of virtually the same – 159 statute miles – so, we say with this engine, just let her rip at the higher cruise setting for no loss in efficiency. These ranges are with a 10% fuel reserve.

 

 

 

MerCruiser 6.2L ECT – 350-HP

 

Top speed

for the SLX 250 powered by the 350-hp 6.2L V-8 with two people aboard – test weight 7,183-lbs. (3,258 kg) – was 50.2 mph. The lower unit was a Bravo III with a 2.2:1 gear ratio. Loaded up with 1,200-lbs. (544 kg) of passengers, she had a test weight of 7,983-lbs. (3,621 kg) and a WOT speed of 48.8 mph – 2.4 mph off her top speed with two people aboard.

Best cruise

was found to be at 3500 rpm where with just two people aboard, she went 30.1 mph, burning 9.9 gph for a range of 205 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve. With the 1,200-lb. load at 3500 rpm we found that she dropped to 28.9 mph, getting 10.6 gph for a range of 184 statute miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

 

 

Acceleration Tests

Perhaps the most remarkable difference among the performance comparisons was in the 0 to 20 mph timed runs. It was no surprise that the light boats were quickest, but interestingly, the 380-hp 8.2L MAG and the 350-hp 6.2L ECT both hit 20 mph in 6.2 seconds. The other combinations of engines and weight varied from 8.2 seconds to 11.3 seconds going 0-to-20 mph. Fastest to 30 mph, again were the two “light” boats that won the 0-to-20 mph contest and the other engines and loads ranged from 12.0 seconds to 15.8 seconds from 0-to-30 mph.

Bottom Design

All 6 strakes run the length of the hull, providing additional lift, which enhances efficiency and provides for a more level ride. Deadrise at the transom measures 21-degrees. Part of the design is that the trim tabs are integrated into the hull bottom and conform to the shape of the chines.

 

 

 

The Science of Silence

Sea Ray’s Quiet Ride and its Tuned Transom are part of a system that the manufacturer designed to reduce noise and vibration in all its boats. A boat without the system averages 86.2 decibels, while a boat equipped with Quiet Ride averages 79.4, according to Sea Ray. We have visited the company’s factory and inspected the procedures that they employ to make their boats quieter – and then we have tested them. They are, in fact, quieter.

Engine and Equipment Access

A section of the aft bench seat raises on a power ram to provide access to the engine and to the polyethylene fuel tank just ahead. The bottom cushion in the corner of the L-shaped cockpit lounge is removable and beneath it the two batteries are secured in plastic trays.

 

 

Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warranty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trailer Packages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options to Consider and Pricing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observations

The Sea Ray SLX 250 is a luxury bowrider that should be attractive to a family that likes to bring along friends and stay active during a day on the water. She has passenger capacity that is greater than most deck boats of similar lengths but rides on a V-bottom design that should handle rough water much better when the wind kicks up at the end of the day. She comes at a luxury price with some of the amenities that most owners would want and has available a number of options they can add to complete the package.