Trade-A-Boat

HIGH STANDARDS

This boat just oozes quality. That teak-

finishdeckingstretchesthroughout

thevessel,andthebeautifullystitched

upholstery in stunning white and

the satin-finished stainless steel

accessories are offset by the black

detailpanelsanddashboard.Thisis

aboatdesignedforentertaining–it

has18seats.Themainloungeseats10,

includinghelmpositions;thebowadds

six; with two more on the stern couch.

Stepping through the split

windscreen to the bow lounge area,

thetwinL-shapedcouchesforma

convivialspace.Anoptionalsun

umbrellafitsintoasocketinthe

gunwaletoshadethearea.Theanchor

is tucked under the bow in a hidden

bowroller, powered by an automatic

Quickanchorwinchbeneaththe

centralseat.Ifthebowseatingisn’t

needed,closingthewindscreenadds

sheltertothemaincabin.

Steppingpastthehelmwithdouble

bucketseatseitherside,themain

loungehasawraparoundcouch,

creatingacosyareathatfacesin

towardstheopengalley.Hereasink

andgasgrillefitinasyntheticstone

countertop,withafridgebelow.

Stainless steel drinkholders abound,

andthere’sastereosystemthatwill

have audiophiles drooling.

We didn’t get to experience the LED

lighting around the cockpit, nor was

thereanyneedforthespaceheater

that can waft warm air all over the

cockpit.Althoughitisconfiguredasan

opendaycabin,theentireloungecan

be enclosed with front and side clears

and an aft curtain. There is a modest

overnightcabinonthestarboard

side, with a nominal double berth for

overnighting,andthemainlounge

seatscanalsobeusedasbunks.Aflush

toilethasitsownprivatecabinonthe

port side, complete with hand basin.

Thefactthattheboatandengine

aremadebythesamecompanyis

evident when the engine compartment

is opened – which happens via

pushbutton electrics that raise the

rear couch. Everything fits beautifully,

the two gleaming black MerCruiser

engineseasilyaccessibleforservicing

yet without wasting space. Every cable

andtubeeitherrunsinamoulded

channelorisclampedwithacustom

fitting – no cable ties or cheap clamps

here – and the pedestal table packs

intoapaddedslotinthefrontofthe

compartment for storage.

Noise reduction is a major design

feature, down to the shape of the

compartment and the noise-absorbing

material on all surfaces; Sea Ray calls

this its Quiet Ride technology.

With the rear couch back in place, I

couldseethatitfoldsout,becoming

either a conventional lounge with

backrest or a reclined sunbed.

The huge swimplatform completely

coversthesternlegs,sothereisno

dangerofswimmers’feetcominginto

contactwithanythingwhentheyjump

off the back of the boat. The Sea Ray

350SLXhasonefinaltrickupitssleeve:

at the touch of another button a set of

steps extend out and down from the

platform.Thesearepropersteps,nota

ladder. For safety, an interlock prevents

these being extended while the motor

is running, or the motors being started

while the steps are deployed.

CLOCKWISE TOP L-R The 350 SLX is

simply stunning on water; The helm is

spacous and the tower a work of art;

The V8s provide growl and punch; The

lounge is well positioned with the

compact galley; Passengers riding

shotgun have never seen style like this

32 trade aboat.com.au