Loving that choppy Lyttelton Harbour water.
TOTAL ADAPTABLE
TEXT BY BARRY THOMPSON
The Sun Sport 230 OB is a particular model that Sea Ray has developed for the international market. Interestingly it is built in Poland and is not available in the US.
While we are more familiar with Sea Ray’s innovative take on the bowrider design, such as the Sundancer and SLX Series, the Sun Sport is all about making the best use of a trailerable cabin cruiser.
The Sun Sport Series comprises two hull platforms; 230 (6.96m) and 250 (7.90m), with the 230 available in single outboard or sterndrive. The 250 is strictly a single MerCruiser sterndrive. The only difference between the 230 outboard and 230 inboards is the transom area is altered to accommodate a MerCruiser sterndrive. Other than that, it is all much the same. The 250, on the other hand, is quite different in layout, with more space to refine the cockpit and cabin spaces.
PARTY TIME
Sea Ray has designed the cockpit to be party friendly, and it’s all about comfort and convenience. There is a fully moulded U-shape seating module around the rear of the cockpit with UV-protected squabs. Storage space is provided under the seating, including an optional fridge.
Cockpit access is via a port side transom step-through, with a hinged lid and lift-out forward panel. A little messy, but it works. Removing a seat squab means you don’t get wet or sandy feet on the upholstery. There’s a separate sunpad across the rear deck area with massive storage space below.Â
An optional circular teak table is a great option. Drink holders are prolific, and there is a Fusion sound system with Bluetooth, WiFi streaming, and multiple speakers.
No space is left unused. The boat has three lockable storage areas to keep your gear safely stowed even when you are not onboard. Plenty of comfort for both the mind and the body.
THREE-WAY
Two fully adjustable swivelling bucket seats are provided with adjustable bolsters. You have three driving options. Seated, where you are tucked away below the screen and out of the wind, bolstered, which has your eyeline about the screen and standing. The adjustable steering wheel allows you to set the helm to suit your driving stance.Â
Running the boat on a choppy Lyttelton Harbour, with the occasional rain squall passing through, I certainly got to experience all three. In the calmer water and trying to dodge the rain.
I was seated with the benefit of a windscreen wiper, and in the rougher water, I certainly found standing to be more comfortable.Â
The two-tier dash allows for a reasonably generous size MFD, in our case, a Simrad 9, with controls and switches, such as the Fusion stereo and Quick anchor winch on either side of the helm.Â
FISHING YEAH RIGHT
As Kiwis know them, this is not a fishing boat, but it can undoubtedly be fished from. In fact, our boat actually had a couple of rod holders fitted. While the layout isn’t conducive to fishing, there are plenty of storage spaces for tackle, bait and your catch. Just be careful about squashed pillies and fish blood on the plush vinyl upholstery.
While Sea Ray offers a clip-on carpet on the cockpit sole, the best option (as we had) is the Sea Dek faux teak. Â
Following the trend of larger sport yachts, Sea Ray has incorporated a full foredeck cushion to the Sun Sport 230 for those that like to soak up a few warm rays. However, it isn’t simply domed onto the deck. It is fitted into a moulded recess below blow the deck profile and therefore isn’t susceptible to being blown off by the wind when underway. There’s also a cover to protect it from the elements, so it never needs removing.Â
Access to the foredeck area is via a sliding set of steps, which also double as the lockable cabin door.
The Quick auto winch, complete with a remote, is neatly hidden away under a hatch which is coated with antiskid, and along with the split bow rails, helps for safe and easy entry and exit.
COSY CUDDY
The Sea Ray Sun Sport 230 has no side decks, which has allowed the beam to be maximised in the cabin. Below deck, the surprisingly spacious cuddy cabin is well-appointed with a comfortable V-berth, making it an ideal place for guests to take a break from the sun, put the kids down for a nap, or enjoy an overnight getaway. Along with the portable head, the cuddy provides all-day convenience or the option to extend your adventure overnight.
OPTIONSÂ
Everything you see on this boat, from the anchor winch to the four-step boarding ladder is standard. You get a Fusion stereo system, toilet, depth finder and Mercury VesselView. There are plenty of options available, but even the stock standard package is enough and more than adequate for day boating.
If you see yourself overnighting, I would add the canvas cockpit enclosure with curtains, fridge and transom shower, and maybe even a portable bbq.Â
If you go for the Captain’s Package, you get the bimini top, canvas cockpit and tonneau cover, round teak cockpit table, sunpad walk-thru cushions and a starboard windscreen wiper.
If you want to use the Sea Ray Sun Sport 230 for watersports, consider the Elevation Package, which adds a black water sports tower with a bimini top, tower racks, and a ski mirror.
PERFORMANCE
Sea Ray spent a lot of attention on the helm area’s ergonomics, which is so apparent when driving. The helm seat fits snugly, and you feel secure and at one with the boat. All controls are conveniently at hand, and the instruments are easily read. With the DTS system, the steering is light and positive.Â
I pushed the boat into the short, harsh choppy water of Lyttelton Harbour, and it handled it reasonably well. Once I had the trim set up, I felt more inclined to squeeze the throttle, but no more than around 20.5 knots @ 3500 rpm. Coming back with the following sea, I jumped that to about 33 knots @ 5000rpm, and the boat had a reliable and stable riding attitude.
Standard power is a Mercury 150, but you can go as high as the V8 250hp as we had on our boat. I managed to get 40 knots @ 5650 rpm, which saw a fuel burn of 81 lph.Â
Overall, the Sun Sport 230 hull design delivered excellent stability and a smooth ride considering the sea conditions. It holds a nice high bow attitude, although I did need to put the wiper on a couple of times.
One of the features on the boat that I particularly liked was the VesselView Mobile system. This lets you stay alert through an onboard management system connected to your mobile device.
VesselView Mobile uses Bluetooth to display gauge information on your iPhone or Android and allows you to monitor all engines and customise data points across three screens. You can also receive alerts if something isn’t right with your engine.
OVERALL
The fit and finish of the Sea Ray Sun Sport 230 are exceptional. It is a boat that fits well into the Kiwi boating market for those that enjoy water sports, cruising or weekending. Overnighting in the Southern Lakes, cruising in the Marlborough Sounds or towing a wakeboard on the Hauraki Gulf, the Sea Ray Sun Sport 230 has it all.
Specifications
- Model: Sea Ray Sun Sport 230Â Â Â
- Priced from:Â $NZ215,000
- Type:Â CabinÂ
- Construction: GRP
- LOA: 6.96mÂ
- Beam: 2.59m  Â
- Deadrise:19 deg           Â
- Height on trailer: 2.12m  Â
- Test Power: Mercury 250 V8Â Â Â
- Propeller:Â Revolution 17 4BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Power options: Outboard, sterndrive      Â
- HP Range: 150-250hp                  Â
- Fuel Capacity: 189 litres
- MFD: Simrad 9
- Stereo: Fusion
- Anchor Winch: Quick
- Flooring: Sea Dek                    Â
- Manufacturer: Sea Ray
- Contact: Sports Marine | www.sportsmarine.co.nz | www.sportsmarine com.auÂ
Performance Data | ||||
rpm | knots | L/h | L/NM | range (NM) |
1000 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 1.2 | 147 |
1500 | 6.0 | 8 | 1.4 | 124 |
2000 | 7.0 | 13 | 1.8 | 94 |
2500 | 8.5 | 17 | 2.0 | 85 |
3000 | 14.5 | 21 | 1.4 | 117 |
3500 | 20.5 | 27 | 1.3 | 129 |
4000 | 25.0 | 36 | 1.5 | 117 |
4500 | 30.0 | 44 | 1.5 | 115 |
5000 | 33.0 | 59 | 1.8 | 95 |
5500 | 37.5 | 75 | 2.0 | 85 |
5650 | 40.0 | 81 | 2.0 | 84 |
