2023 Sea Ray SLX 260 Surf
Sea Ray’s SLX 260 Surf serves boat buyers seeking wakesurfing thrills while delivering luxury and performance for those desiring the life aquatic.
This boat’s story begins with its performance. Our test boat sported MerCruiser’s bruising 430 hp 8.2L Mag HO with digital throttle and shift (DTS). So powered, the SLX 260 Surf takes off and planes like a shot (6.4 seconds), hitting 30 mph in 11.4 seconds. And when its 1,800 pounds of ballast is filled and watersports applications activated on the intuitive Simrad touchscreen, it delivers an exciting surf wave the shape and size of which you can tailor to individual riders. Top speed is 43.5 mph carrying a crew of three, 68 gallons of fuel, and safety equipment. Our tester’s forward-facing, surf-friendly Bravo Four S drive turned a 19.5-inch-pitch stainless-steel propset.
We admired the electric watersports tower. It folds at the touch of a button, comes with a Bimini top, and features wakesurf tow points on each side. On the swim platform, a neat section transforms into a submerged step, great for watersports readying or just chilling in the cove. At the helm, a Simrad touchscreen enabled control of the Smart Tow system, a version of the proven watersports application written specifically for Sea Ray. With it, we filled the ballast tanks in about 90 seconds—and drained them lickety-split. Shifting the surf wave from right to left takes but an instant. There’s a load more features, the best of which might be that this system is easy for beginners to operate.
As for luxury and convenience, this SLX 260 Surf possesses style in spades. The upholstery is multitextured and multicolored, and features attractive stitching. There’s a head compartment—try finding one of those aboard a dedicated watersports boat—with a commode and sink. There’s also a bow block off the door to keep wind blast out of the cockpit, and an acrylic door serves the aft walkway (another feature watersports boats often lack) to the swim platform. LED lighting provides function and ambience.
In the market for a luxurious bowrider packed with amenities that also delivers a high level of wakesurfing excitement? Demo a Sea Ray SLX 260 Surf.
High Points
- Luxury bowrider lives up to the SLX tradition and provides wakesurfing thrills.
- Deep-V hull rode well crossing a choppy lake on a windy test day.
- Transom walkway and head compartment set it apart from most surfboats.
- Fusion Bluetooth Wi-Fi stereo has four 6.5-inch speakers.
- Quiet Ride construction adds to ambience and luxury.
- Sea Ray’s Smart Tow functionality works well.
How We Tested
- Engine: 430 hp MerCruiser 8.2L Mag HO DTS
- Drive/Prop: Bravo Four S/19.5″ pitch stainless-steel propset
- Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 66 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $215,900 (with standard 6.2L engine) |
| LOA: | 25’9″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | 4’0″ |
| Dry Weight: | 6,198 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 12/1,750 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 75 gal. |
Sea Ray Boats – Knoxville, Tennessee; searay.com
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Source: https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/2023-sea-ray-slx-260-surf-bbg/
