We are privileged to break the news about the new Sea Ray SLX-W 230 here in our 2017 Boat Buyers Guide. Though Sea Ray’s history building watersports boats goes back — experienced boaters will recall the vaunted Ski Ray line of the 1970s — the SLX-W 230 is the first design to focus on the sport of wakesurfing. But, as Sea Ray spokespeople are quick to point out, “This is a Sea Ray you can wakesurf behind, not a tournament-level wakesports boat.”
Be that as it may, when we employed expert surfer Emily Dale of Wakeboarding magazine to ride behind the SLX-W 230 during our test, she proffered praise. “With its Dynamic Display touch screen Dynamic Running Surface (DRS), watersports tower and integral ballast tanks, Sea Ray’s surfing potential has been elevated to new heights,” remarked Dale.
One of our favorite features aboard the Sea Ray SLX-W 230 was the Dynamic Display. This high-tech touchscreen not only controls all the boat’s basic functions but also gives you full control over the surf settings and the shape of the wave. After a couple of taps on the screen, the boat was ready to be surfed.
“The wave behind the SLX-W 230 was not the tallest,” Dale noted, “but what it didn’t have in its height, it made up for in its length and power. The push of this wave was insane, and I have to say that this boat possesses one of the longest waves that we’ve ever ridden.”
All of that and it’s got a deep-V hull, so pleasure cruising on choppy days can be enjoyed with less pounding. Powered by the new MerCruiser 6.2L 370 Towsports Inboard, the SLX-W 230 raced to a 41.05 mph top speed, planed in 3.9 seconds and posted 2.5 mpg efficiency at 24 mph.
The SLX-W 230 can also boast of the luxury and attention to detail boaters have come to expect from the upscale SLX line (the suffix is a corruption of the phrase “select executive”). Looking to day-boat and wakesurf with equal aplomb? Check out the inboard-powered Sea Ray SLX-W 230.
High Points
* This boat generates a powerful wave: one of the longest we’ve ridden.
* All the refined luxury expected to be found aboard a Sea Ray SLX combined with great watersports ability.
* Dynamic Display touchscreen makes wake control and manipulation a breeze.
How We Tested
Engine: MerCruiser 6.2L 370 Towsports Inboard
Drive/Prop: V-drive/16″ x 18¼” 4-blade Acme Nibral
Gear Ratio: 2.00:1
Fuel Load: 50 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Ballast Tanks: Empty
Price
$107,000 (base)
Sea Ray Boats – Knoxville, Tennessee; searay.com
