Fully loaded SLX250 vs SDX270

Lucky Oldham

New Member
Dec 1, 2021
4
Boat Info
Boatless - about to purchase one
Engines
Boatless
Hello! We are looking at purchasing Sea Ray boat. We have shortlisted Sea Ray SLX 250 and SDX 270. We will be boating on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH. SLX250 is fully loaded with 350hp, windlass, power tower , hydraulic swim platform, vac head etc. SDX270 has 300hp, windlass, 12 inch GPS and solid (but not power) tower. We like the luxury features SLX 250 offers. However SLX 250 is also ~1.5ft shorter in length than SDX 270. Wasn’t sure if the length differential will impact the ride quality adversely, especially in choppier water or in the broads of the Lake Winnipesaukee (the bigger boat the better?). We are completely new to the boating. Any thoughts greatly appreciated! Thx so much in advance!
 
The SDX is almost 2’ longer. However, the SLX 250 actually weighs a bit more. Same 21 degree deadrise on each. So from a ride quality, they will be similar in choppy water. The squared bow on the SDX will actually take chop from the front a little rougher.
However, there is a huge space difference between the two boats with the SDX270 having considerably more seating space. But, you give up bling to gain that space.
If you are looking at stern drive models, the SDX270 with a 300 hp IO is a bit underpowered. You really need to drive it to see if you can live with the performance. It is not terrible, but when I test drove it, it left me wanting more.
 
Have you hopped on both boats to see how they feel? You might find that getting yourself on both boats will make the decision a no-brainer for you.
 
Thx so much both of you. We went with your advice - when we got in both the boats SLX 250 feels quite small vs SDX 270. We added the windlass anchor, 12” GPS, fixed tower and 350hp engine to 270SDX along with the elite package. It broke the bank, but hopefully it will be our long long term boat. Now any recommendation for color (especially want to keep it such that it’s easily sellable if needed) -
Red- Black - Black
Blue - White - Blue
Red - Black - Gray
 

Attachments

  • 1D4F0B69-36A9-46D6-8F23-CD2623AB9E40.jpeg
    1D4F0B69-36A9-46D6-8F23-CD2623AB9E40.jpeg
    343 KB · Views: 111
  • 1DD15C50-3082-4BCB-814C-4642999B2222.jpeg
    1DD15C50-3082-4BCB-814C-4642999B2222.jpeg
    371.3 KB · Views: 94
  • FD34F2D2-C3EE-4B53-ABF7-63EA2034E4B7.jpeg
    FD34F2D2-C3EE-4B53-ABF7-63EA2034E4B7.jpeg
    351.7 KB · Views: 91
Blue and white is the least polarizing of the colors, so the most sellable.
Interior color selection is important as well. We ordered ours with the tan interior. It is beautiful but unbearably hot, can’t sit on it in summer sunshine, need to sit on a towel.
 
Blue and white is the least polarizing of the colors, so the most sellable.
Interior color selection is important as well. We ordered ours with the tan interior. It is beautiful but unbearably hot, can’t sit on it in summer sunshine, need to sit on a towel.

we are also inclined to Dune/ Tan as the other two colors could get dirty very quickly (young kids)
 
Blue and white is the least polarizing of the colors, so the most sellable.
Interior color selection is important as well. We ordered ours with the tan interior. It is beautiful but unbearably hot, can’t sit on it in summer sunshine, need to sit on a towel.
Blue and white is the least polarizing of the colors, so the most sellable.
Interior color selection is important as well. We ordered ours with the tan interior. It is beautiful but unbearably hot, can’t sit on it in summer sunshine, need to sit on a towel.
What color do you recommend for the seats? Stone?
 
It amazes me the colors of the interior that manufacturers are using now. A guy at my marina bought a Cobolt with brown/chocolate interior. It was beautiful and worked great in the spring, at least until the temps hit 80. After that it was unbearable. Had to sit on towels. We've never had that problem. Anyway, he traded the boat on one with a lighter interior.
 
Thx so much both of you. We went with your advice - when we got in both the boats SLX 250 feels quite small vs SDX 270. We added the windlass anchor, 12” GPS, fixed tower and 350hp engine to 270SDX along with the elite package. It broke the bank, but hopefully it will be our long long term boat. Now any recommendation for color (especially want to keep it such that it’s easily sellable if needed) -
Red- Black - Black
Blue - White - Blue
Red - Black - Gray

I ordered our SDX270 just after Labor Day … latest info we have is production start mid March with delivery the first week of May. Are you ordering new? Just curious when yours is expected for delivery. Hopefully you got a “production slot” from your Dealer and will arrive for this summer. Since we are on Lake Martin in AL we went with Ivory interior and gray woven vinyl flooring. LOVE the look of the dune but ALL complain about how hot it is. I am still wondering about changing the flooring from the vinyl woven flooring to the snap in SeaDeck ….

Anybody care to share their thoughts about the SeaDeck vs Vinyl woven flooring??

Happy New Year to everyone!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,738
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top