SLX vs SDX

B

Bryank

Member
Jul 3, 2008
455
Catawba Island, OH
Boat Info
2001 410DA
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1S Horizons
Been a long time since I lasted posted here... used to own a 2001 410 Sundancer, then sold it to do the 'lake house & day boat' thing. Well, we're looking to upgrade our day boat and I wanted to see if anyone could share their opinion regarding the SLX vs. SDX line.

We are looking in the 25 - 27 foot range and I know that the SLX is more of a traditional sportboat, while the SDX is the 'sun-deck' line. We boat on Lake Erie and I wanted to see if anyone had an opinion as to whether or not the hulls ride significantly different from each other.

The SDX line seems to offer more room and, in most cases, at a lower price. The SLX though just oozes luxury and sport (hence, the SLX name), but I feel like it sacrifices in the layout a bit. That said, if it offers a better ride, I'd rather go the SLX route.

Thanks!
 
Welcome back, I always said the SunDeck was like the SUV and bowrider was like the sports car!
 
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My next door neighbor owned a new SLX for about a year. We are similarly situated with you, homes on a lake. He used his boat as a day boat and ran it out to Lake Michigan with the family to go to the beach. I believe it was 35 feet overall. Anyway, big, nice looking boat that held his big family. His knock on it was it has too much canvas to deal with and there was not enough freeboard for the big lake. He also was not impressed with the overall build quality. The thing I always wondered about was the ground tackle set up. It looked like it would be very easy to tear the anchor off if you dug the bow into a big wave. We have those conditions all the time. When the anchor is fully retracted, it sits very low to the water line. First time I saw it, I told him he needed to secure his anchor, thinking he had forgotten to do so. If you plan on using the boat on Lake Erie, I would look for a boat set up for big water.
 
I owned a 27’ SLX for years and now have a new 27’ SDX. In a nutshell, your analysis is accurate. The SLX is sleek and sporty, with a lot of eye bling. The SDX is more reserved in styling, considerably more passenger space, but less expensive.
I boat on a river so our waves are wakes from others. In that respect, the ride is about the same. The SDX has high freeboard so it would be fine in small to maybe medium chop.

If you search my posts you will find some reviews I have on the SDX.
 
I love my SDX.... My favorite boat to date BY FAR. And as everyone else is saying, yes the SLX is more blingy than the SDX, but by no means does the SDX feel cheap or undercut. Only issues I've had were a couple electrical problems that will be ironed out over this winter, Sea Ray has a great 5 year stem to stern warranty
 
I picked the SLX over the SDX. It's like this - You go to your your wife's family reunion. You wife is a solid 7. But she never told you about her hot cousin that's a 10. The SDX is the 7, and the SLX is the hot cousin, the 10.
 
Yep. Started looking at 24-27’ center consoles for our Florida boat as well. There are a few that are more amenity laden and less fish purposed, those are the ones I started researching.

Sea Fox is one of the 7 on my list.
 
I've had two Sea Fox's... a 256cc and a 286cc. Both great boats but don't expect the level of fit and finish that's seen on a Sea Ray. Raw/sharp fiberglass behind doors and panels, cheaper hinges, screws backing out and needing to be reset. Definitely a deal for the price, but they're starting to get far more expensive. I paid $74k including all taxes for my brand new 2014 256 with a single 300 yamaha and a trailer, then paid $118k including taxes for my brand new custom ordered 2016 286 with twin 250 yamaha's and a tri-axle trailer and a 10 week build time... Both boats were loaded with every available option, now a 288 will run you over $150k for the identical boat with no change in construction techniques. The other thing is they are LIGHT compared to their more expensive competition from Whaler, Contender, Pursuit, etc... That could be good or bad depending on your preference but Sea Fox does not ride nearly as smooth as the heavier boats.

I will say this though, every day was a blast on both of my Sea Fox's and they were both trouble free, never had a single issue. Both of my Sea Ray's have been headaches compared to my Sea Fox's. One thing is for certain though, no matter what boat you purchase... Go with outboard motors and don't look back
 
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Jmac572 said:
I've had two Sea Fox's... a 256cc and a 286cc. Both great boats but don't expect the level of fit and finish that's seen on a Sea Ray. Raw/sharp fiberglass behind doors and panels, cheaper hinges, screws backing out and needing to be reset. Definitely a deal for the price, but they're starting to get far more expensive. I paid $74k including all taxes for my brand new 2014 256 with a single 300 yamaha and a trailer, then paid $118k including taxes for my brand new custom ordered 2016 286 with twin 250 yamaha's and a tri-axle trailer and a 10 week build time... Both boats were loaded with every available option, now a 288 will run you over $150k for the identical boat with no change in construction techniques. The other thing is they are LIGHT compared to their more expensive competition from Whaler, Contender, Pursuit, etc... That could be good or bad depending on your preference but Sea Fox does not ride nearly as smooth as the heavier boats.

I will say this though, every day was a blast on both of my Sea Fox's and they were both trouble free, never had a single issue. Both of my Sea Ray's have been headaches compared to my Sea Fox's. One thing is for certain though, no matter what boat you purchase... Go with outboard motors and don't look back
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Yamaha engines aren't cheap. I wonder how much of the price increase was for the motors? Great engines.
 
Jmac572 said:
I've had two Sea Fox's... a 256cc and a 286cc. Both great boats but don't expect the level of fit and finish that's seen on a Sea Ray. Raw/sharp fiberglass behind doors and panels, cheaper hinges, screws backing out and needing to be reset. Definitely a deal for the price, but they're starting to get far more expensive. I paid $74k including all taxes for my brand new 2014 256 with a single 300 yamaha and a trailer, then paid $118k including taxes for my brand new custom ordered 2016 286 with twin 250 yamaha's and a tri-axle trailer and a 10 week build time... Both boats were loaded with every available option, now a 288 will run you over $150k for the identical boat with no change in construction techniques. The other thing is they are LIGHT compared to their more expensive competition from Whaler, Contender, Pursuit, etc... That could be good or bad depending on your preference but Sea Fox does not ride nearly as smooth as the heavier boats.

I will say this though, every day was a blast on both of my Sea Fox's and they were both trouble free, never had a single issue. Both of my Sea Ray's have been headaches compared to my Sea Fox's. One thing is for certain though, no matter what boat you purchase... Go with outboard motors and don't look back
Click to expand...
if the budget supports is by all means go with the Whaler or Pursuit or even a Grady White. My point was to consider a CC regardless of the maker. For the Great Lakes or the Gulf the deep V, high freeboard and "Carolina Flair" are worth a look. I love both of my current Sea Rays and my Sea Fox. Fit and finish are not even in the same ball park though.
 
Jmac572 said:
I've had two Sea Fox's... a 256cc and a 286cc. Both great boats but don't expect the level of fit and finish that's seen on a Sea Ray. Raw/sharp fiberglass behind doors and panels, cheaper hinges, screws backing out and needing to be reset. Definitely a deal for the price, but they're starting to get far more expensive. I paid $74k including all taxes for my brand new 2014 256 with a single 300 yamaha and a trailer, then paid $118k including taxes for my brand new custom ordered 2016 286 with twin 250 yamaha's and a tri-axle trailer and a 10 week build time... Both boats were loaded with every available option, now a 288 will run you over $150k for the identical boat with no change in construction techniques. The other thing is they are LIGHT compared to their more expensive competition from Whaler, Contender, Pursuit, etc... That could be good or bad depending on your preference but Sea Fox does not ride nearly as smooth as the heavier boats.

I will say this though, every day was a blast on both of my Sea Fox's and they were both trouble free, never had a single issue. Both of my Sea Ray's have been headaches compared to my Sea Fox's. One thing is for certain though, no matter what boat you purchase... Go with outboard motors and don't look back
Click to expand...
so true!!!
 
This discussion got off track.
SLX VS SDX
I have a 2016 SDX and love it. Coming from a cruiser to a day boat was a wise move. Full camper canvas for when the weather goes bad.
 
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