Seeking Opinions on 210 SLX

Wake boarding is hugely popular on the inland lakes around here. One of the nation's largest ski boat dealers is nearby and he cannot keep $90K Mastercrafts with ballast tanks in stock. Calling a Sea Ray with the Dynamic Running Surface a "blinged up bowrider/ski boat wannabe" is a comment that is short-sighted and has to come from a magazine reader instead of someone who has actually run one.

For the original poster, if you are into skiing/wakeboarding, don't discount this boat until you run one........... a Southwest ticket to Nashville then 1.5 hours up to Tellico in a rental car is a pretty cheap way to be sure you are getting the right boat.
 
"The" comment came from a Sea Ray dealer at the New York boat show. Maybe he has not run one either. If you are a boarder/skier rather than a retired SR aficionado, you would know what advantages a true inboard powered ski boat offers. Regardless of riding in the boat at a corporate sponsored event. I say the OP should try out a 230SLX with passengers, and pulling a boarder/skier and judge for himself it the boat does what he needs.
 
Well, for what it's worth...I *love* to wakeboard and waterski, but here's what intrigues me about the SLX (w/trim control): I'm 47, and who knows how long I'll be able to keep doing it. Maybe I'll be skiing until age 80, or maybe I blow out a disc this summer and it's over. I see the SLX as being a boat which could kick out a good wake (good enough, certainly better than my 190) but also suited to comfortable day-boating if the water sports come to an end. As far as tow-boats are concerned, I like the Nautique 200 Sport - which at the end of the day would probably run the same as a 230 SLX (actual transaction prices on both).
 
"blinged up bowrider/ski boat wannabe" Sea Ray a wannabe??? One must be void of any insight information or just a kook to think that is a knowledge base to pull from. ..Gracious alive, do you just want to keep blasting a product that you do not own, do not know a thing about nor have any real information to offer people who are seeking such.

Let's sum up so not to continue going down a kookie road that has no end.....

Glenn, you have heard from, and received an invite from as high up in the Sea Ray company as you possibly need to come to see your next boat being built and test driven. You have real people that are real employees of the Sea Ray brand asking you to stay with what you know, and who you know....have you received an invite from a VP of those other guys... there is no need. You want my personal cell number so you can call me any time of day to discuss boats?

Allow me or my VP to speak with you before you do something kooky!

And of course you are 100% right in knowing that in addition to skiing, boarding and ton of family fun, you will be riding in style and class...Kooks don't get that part so anything will do in their world.

Capt. Rusty Higgins
Sea Ray Boats
 
Glenn,

You and I are pretty close in age. I have never been a wakeboader, but I have been slalom skiing for decades. I plan on continuing the tradition of skiing behind my 230 this summer. I have no plans whatsoever of hanging up my slalom ski any time soon. For what it is worth, a good friend of ours bought a 190 last summer. I really like the wake of the 190. So if I were in your shoes and I were a wakeboarder, a 230 with the dynamic running surface would certainly be on my list.

On a different note, I suspect Frank Webster may have owned a Correct Craft or two in the past. In addition, I would bet that Frank has pulled more than his fair share of kids on water skis and boards. Furthermore, I would venture to guess that Frank has has plenty of seat time in many brands outside of SR both large and small. So, I certainly respect his adviCe.

Good luck with your decision.
 
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Capt. Rusty Higgins said:
"blinged up bowrider/ski boat wannabe" Sea Ray a wannabe??? One must be void of any insight information or just a kook to think that is a knowledge base to pull from. ..Gracious alive, do you just want to keep blasting a product that you do not own, do not know a thing about nor have any real information to offer people who are seeking such.

Capt. Rusty Higgins
Sea Ray Boats
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I did not offer up this as you state, a salesman for Sea Ray said it. He may no longer be employed. Good luck with whatever you decide Glenn.
 
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Thanks for the comments and feedback, I truly appreciate hearing the opinions of others. With that being said, if my line of questioning has been a source of discord between others, please know that was not my intention. To be honest, I'm wringing my hands a bit about my 2010 to 2012 flip, and feel that if I'm going to it again so quickly - it's *got* to be a boat that I will want to hang onto for a *long* time. I know that Suzy Orman is a Sea Ray fan, but she'd probably kick my a** for even considering this so soon! LOL
 
KayKook said:
........... If you are a boarder/skier rather than a retired SR aficionado, you would know what advantages a true inboard powered ski boat offers.............


Damn....! You make it sound like I am old gray-headed geezer in his pajamas hunched over his computer acting like a Sea Ray Groupie......................Not quite.

It is true, I retired early. I am a P.E. - registered professional engineer, but also a real boater.......
Have a USCG Master's License.
Deliver boats up to 60ft for my local Sea Ray dealer and run 2 - 55'+sportfishers for friends.
Do some new customer orientations for the dealer
Have owned 6 Mastercraft or Correct Craft ski boats -yes I do know what their bottoms look like- water skied every weekend with my kids until a tumble while slaloming a trick ski made me quit.
have owned several Cobalts, Wellcrafts, a couple of go-fasts, Bertrams, Whalers (still have the 15 Dauntless), a Sea Ray 390EC, a Sea Ray 190SD (still in the family on a lake in Va), a Sea Ray 300WE, and a Sea Ray 450DA

Yes, I do take the time and incur the travel expense to attend Sea Ray owner's events because I am always eager to learn new things and meet new people. If all this makes me a "retired SR aficionado", then I plead guilty as charged.


I am pretty much an open book.......I am what I am. I participate here to contribute and try to help other boaters by adding content to CSR.

Now here is a question for Mr. Kay Kook: Why is it that you hide behind a nebulous location, don't even seem to own a boat, and you never provide content to the site. The only posts you ever make are a criticism or a negative of Sea Ray or other forum members?
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The only posts you remember are opinions of certain Sea Ray boats that differ from yours. Should really be nothing wrong with that to most people with an open mind. Not the case here I have gathered. The location is only nebulous to you. Many members of this forum live in the same state, as do many members not list a boat in their profile.
 
So, I've been put in contact thru Sea Ray with a big ol' dealer in Southern California who I was aware of and has a great reputation. Sea Ray had the General Manager reach out to me, to answer all my questions, and should I want to come down just to sit in some boats, offered to pick me up and drop me off at the airport (!) - and made a point of them having no issues with me looking at boats at their location, and ordering from the little (no inventory) shop up here which already gave me quotes. I am impressed, to say the least, with Sun Country Marine and Sea Ray for playing matchmaker.

About which boat, which engine and drive, colors, blah blah I am *tortured* and wringing my hands over it. The 230's size is freaking me out a bit (my tow vehicle is a '13 Durango AWD HEMI rated for 7,200 but the dry trailer weight on the 230 is close to 6,000) but I'm not sure the 210 is going to big enough. Also, it seems the (very attractive, IMO) transom on the 210 has such a steep angle that it might be tough to sit on the back edge of the sunpad and put a wakeboard on with it flat on the swim platform? The dealer said he doesn't think so, but why sitting in them will be great! :) Am going to try to fly down for a day in March, before the sales promotion ends.

Of course, all the while I am doing a rain dance every morning before work. LOL

(Water level is up 25' since early February, but my marina's ramp is still closed!)
 
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Glenn,

I think you will jump to the 230 once you have a look at the 210. The 210 simply won't feel much bigger than your 190, especially if you look at one with the aft bench seat. The 230 will have significantly more space in the cockpit and bow. If you buy the 210, you may find yourself upgrading again in two years Your $$$$$$ would be wisely spent on the 230 now vs. subjecting your wallet to another upgrade in a short period of time.


The Durango should be able to handle your short hauls as described earlier. If not, you could buy an older half ton pickup with a higher towing capacity and leave it at the cabin.

Good luck.
 
SeaRide, you speak words of wisdom which I have also been mulling over. Ironically, before buying this cabin last year I had a 2011 Silverado optioned out to tow mid-9000 lbs (9400?) but sold it because (1) there's no need for the truck bed anymore (no more camping) and (2) it was 2WD and I wanted AWD to get up here during winter. And this winter ... drought and NO SNOW! When I jokingly Debbie-Downer whine to friends and family about buying this place, and then one year in getting hit by drought and the summer of '14 being a possible bust, they slap me around and remind me that this too shall pass. :)

But again, I agree with the points you make about going with the 230. Sun Country also sells Nautique, and has helped me cross a tow boat alternative off my list. At the same time, he thinks a non-trim control 230 might meet my needs - that it throws out a nice fat wake.

We shall see, thanks for the feedback and tolerating my SLX ramblings!
 
Buy another 2WD Silverado. You will be credited for ending the drought :)

If I were ordering a 230, I would think seriously about checking off the box for the dynamic running surface. I would have to be a very serious wake boarder or skier. I also like being able to trim the boat for passenger loads, wind and lake conditions. DRS will do this as well.
 
Sale Pending on a 230!

Black (Full-Color) Hull
Terra (Tan & Ivory) Interior
350/Bravo3
Tower
Swivel Racks
Height Adjustable Seats
Docking Lights
LED Cockpit Lighting
SeaDek Platform Pad
Transom Trim Switch
Transom Stereo Remote
Dual Batteries
Stainless Windshield Cap
Compass
Mooring Cover
BoatMate Trailer Upgrade (Dual Axle Brakes)

Having the four cockpit speakers upgraded, amp and subwoofer installed (specifics still TBD) before they bring her up (and pick up the 190). Oh, they'll also winterize (could still get snow) and replace the canvas-snap windshield strap with an OEM stainless latch - be cause I'm *really* weird and particular about stuff like that. LOL

So far, so good, and feeling good!

:)
 
Re: Seeking Opinions on 210 & 230 SLX

How exciting! Congrats!
 
Looks great, congrats! Looks like you decided against the drs system?

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk
 
NorCalGlenn said:
Thanks! I guess there's a one in a million chance the deal could implode - but those are pretty good odds. :)

Here she is!

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Looks great Glenn! If it helps you my 175 Sport is about an hour from a Sea Ray dealer. But a local dealer of other boats is an authorized Mercruiser repair place and they happily do any warranty work on the engines and out drive for me. So hopefully you have found a similar situation for the warranty work on the power package of your boats.
 
Thanks for the head's up on dealer, service, and warranty work - althought I don't expect warranty work! My former Sea Ray dealer (who no longer reps the brand) has said they'd be more than happy to service my boat. I like them, they like me, it's all good. :)

About the DRS, yes, I decided against it for a few reasons:

1.) Interior color on the '14's. I'd be special ordering one with the DRS, and would have chosen the ivory (all white) interior over the cognac (multi-hued tan). The congnac is nice, but I prefer the vinyl color blending better with the (white) fiberglass liner and would go with white. With that being said, all white means there's very little color contrast in the interior. On the '13, I do like the terra option and its subtle tan/ivory combo (which differs from the "Kopi" color scheme which has a darker brown element to it.

2.) Price, baby, PRICE! As this is a (new) 2013, the deal was tough to pass up!

3.) A few friends (and boating advisors) got me thinking hard about my need for the "perfect wake" - and if I'm that much of a hardcore wakeboard (I'm not) why not get a towboat instead of a runabout? There was no trashtalking the DRS, but it was pointed out that I'm actually happy skiing and boarding behind the 190 (not having a towboat), it's that I really wanted something bigger and more luxe. DRS had nothing to do with that.

4.) Instant Gratification! Well, not instant, but certainly sooner than a custom order!

5.) The BoatMate trailer got me all hot and bothered.

6.) Did I mention the really good $$$ deal? LOL
 
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I would still suggest adding perfect pass to your boat its a great system and makes towing so much simpler. I wouldn't buy another boat without it.

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