tosay,though,it’stheonlyexampleI
noticedontheboatofthis‘styleover
practicality’ approach.
UpholsteryistheSandoption,with
light and dark grey features over off-
whitetomatchtheonyxandarctic
white exterior. Features in the bow
include comfortable backrests against
thebulkheadforsittingfulllength,
recessed grab rails, a pair of bangin’
speakers, recessed cup holders at floor
levelandaslottoinstallabowtable.
Linedhatchesinthebulkheadshave
dedicatedplacesforthebowtableand
sunpad infill to be stored out of the way
whennotinuse.
Wrap-around seating in the carpet-
cladcockpitallowsforastarboard
walkthroughatthetransomaswellas
awideandreversibleco-pilotchair.
Storage options include a long floor
hatch,amouldedicebinunderthe
port-sideseatandaplaceforacarry-
on Esky to starboard.
Icountedsome10drinkholders
around the boat, and you’ll notice
inthephotosthatablackanodised
archsupportsabiminiinazippered
bag;thisfoldsouttocovermostofthe
cockpit, keeping the party going.
The full-width moulding under the
transom sunpad lifts on an electric
ram to provide access to an engine
bay with room enough for regular
maintenanceandchecks.Inch-thick
acoustic foam is attached to the
engine bulkhead and around the hull
toquietmechanicalnoisewhilean
Omni Products material laminated
into stress areas of the hull converts
thepoundingenergyofwaterintoheat
rather than noise.IfeltimmediatelyathomeasI
settled into the helm behind the
sharplyangledwindscreen.The
swivelling skipper’s chair slides and
thesportywheelfellnaturallytohand.
The side-mounted digital throttle
controlisalsowellplaced,andan
armrestaddsatouchofcomfort.
Themaininstruments–tacho,
speedo, fuel and engine temperature –
areeasytosee,setinadarkvinylpanel
with a shading brow above. Switches
for accessories are well marked and the
hornisseparatedsoyoucansoundit
quicklyifneeded.Totheleftisadigital
controller for the high-end Rockford
FosgateBluetoothsoundsystem–
there’sasecondarycontrolforthisat
the swim platform.
We launched out of the hole with
hardly any bow lift and were planingSeaTrialsTwo on board, 50 per cent fuel load.
RPM SPEED (KT)
500 3
1000 5
1500 7
2000 (planing) 10
2500 13
3000 20
3500 27
4000 33
4500 37
5000 40
5300 (WOT) 45
*Sea-trial data supplied by the author.LEFT: The swim platform doubles as an open area for enjoying the view
ABOVE & RIGHT: Cockpit seating is beautifully finished, with storage hiding everywhere
BELOW: The V8 Mercruiser wears its capacity and output as badges of honour but more
prosaically, the layout includes excellent noise-suppression and offers decent access for
routine maintenance. Optional fire-suppression system is always a box worth tickingThe boat you want is easier to find tradeboats.com.au^43
Sea Ray SLX 230