Boat Test: 2026 Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard

Overview

At one time, a 36-foot outboard bowrider would have seemed like an oxymoron. Today, it is one of the most versatile formats in boating—and the Sea Ray SLX 360 OB proves why. Big enough to host a crowd yet designed around the easy-going pleasures of a day on the water, it blends performance, luxury and versatility in a way that feels more like a yacht than a runabout.

The SLX 360 OB’s low profile, sculpted topsides and aggressive sheer give it a substantial presence. The broad beam contributes to that visual heft, but it also pays practical dividends. There is room to move, stretch out and entertain without constantly stepping over cushions or climbing around consoles.

At the helm, the captain gets a commanding view and an ergonomically arranged control station that rivals the dashboard of a luxury automobile. Two Simrad multifunction displays provide navigation and engine information, while digital switching and integrated systems keep the dashboard remarkably clean. The wheel and throttle controls fall naturally to hand, and the helm is positioned to make both high-speed running and slow-speed maneuvering comfortable.

Engines

The outboard power lends practical benefits. By moving propulsion aft and eliminating the engine box associated with sterndrives, the cockpit opens up and creates additional flexibility in how you use the boat. Multiple outboard configurations are available, and our test boat’s triple Mercury 425 hp V-10s delivered excitement and velocity as the accompanying chart shows.

The SLX 360 OB possesses enough mass and stability to inspire confidence when the water gets lumpy. Instead of reacting sharply to every wave, the hull settles into a predictable rhythm. The result is a ride that feels composed at cruising speeds, while the deep-V design and substantial bow help keep spray where it belongs.

Of course, the SLX 360 OB isn’t trying to be a hardcore performance boat. Its real strength is the way it combines acceleration and handling with comfort and stability. The hull feels predictable at the wheel, and the boat’s size provides a reassuring sense of security when maneuvering around docks or dealing with boat wakes. The Seakeeper gyrostabilizer kills the roll and JPO joystick eases docking.

Interior and Accessories

Such composure is particularly welcome when the boat is loaded with friends, which is this Sea Ray’s natural state. The cockpit is less a traditional runabout seating area than an outdoor living room. Lounge seating wraps around the aft portion of the cockpit, providing multiple positions for conversation or watching the action behind the boat.

The bow invites company forward with broad seating that provides plenty of room. Sculpted upholstery, and a neat window through the hull, transforms the bow into a destination rather than simply another place to sit. Fill cushions and strategically positioned backrests allow the space to serve different purposes throughout the day.

That versatility defines the SLX 360 OB. In the morning, it can be a platform for watersports and swimming. At lunchtime, it becomes an open-air dining room. Later, people can spread out on the bow and aft lounges while the boat cruises to a favorite anchorage. Few boats manage those transitions as naturally.

This is a dayboat. As such, considerable attention’s been paid to the boat’s relationship with the water. A large swim platform gives great boarding access, and a terrace folds down further enhancing access and expanding cockpit space. A dayboat can have all the horsepower and entertainment gear in the world, but if getting in and out of the water is awkward, a trade-in likely looms.

The head is particularly important aboard a 36-footer. Here, it allowed this 6-foot editor to stand tall. There is a shower, and the cabin features a small berth on which a couple could overnight. It’s a fine head that also makes a nice changing room.

That makes the SLX 360 OB particularly interesting for experienced boaters who have outgrown the limitations of smaller bowriders but aren’t ready to give up the open-air lifestyle that made them fall in love with boating in the first place. It offers much of the social character of a large dayboat with considerably more usable space and capability.

There’s also a certain honesty to the concept. The SLX 360 OB doesn’t pretend to be an expedition yacht or a fishing machine. It is designed to do one thing exceptionally well: Make a day on the water better. It provides the space to bring friends, the amenities to keep everyone comfortable and the performance to make getting there part of the experience.

Read Next: Sea Ray SDX 250 OB

The Sea Ray SLX 360 OB ultimately succeeds because it understands that luxury on a dayboat isn’t simply a matter of expensive materials or a long options list. True luxury is having enough room that nobody feels crowded, enough storage that gear doesn’t take over the cockpit, enough power that the boat never feels burdened, and enough versatility that one outing can encompass cruising, swimming, entertaining and relaxing.

Shopping? The Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider ($821,488, powered like our test boat) serves a similarly upscale mission: entertaining, cruising, watersports and spending a full day aboard. 

For boaters who want one vessel to handle everything from an afternoon cruise to an all-day family adventure, the Sea Ray SLX 360 Outboard provides a persuasive combination.

How We Tested

• Engine: Triple Mercury 425 Verado V-10s
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/16.25″ X 23″ Revolution X 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 150 gal. Water on Board: 10 gal. Crew: 400 lb.

High Points

• The portside companion seat rotates to face aft and its height is electrically adjustable. 
• Layout provides multiple social zones including the bow, helm, mid-cockpit, aft cockpit and swim platform.
• Two-fer! Nifty hinged backrest abaft the wetbar becomes a countertop extension when desired. 

Low Point

• For all its tech, we think any boat should have a compass installed.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation