Sea Ray SDX 250 OB (2019-)

Brief Summary

The Sea Ray SDX 250 OB is a deckboat with a wide topside flare forward that has superior social space for up to 14 people. This Mercury outboard-powered sibling to the sterndrive version is geared toward more room and storage for families and friends.

Key Features

• 14-person or 2,300-lb. (1,043-kg) capacity
• Extensive flexible seating
• Oversized enclosed head compartment
• Premium Fusion® audio system
• Large storage capacity

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	27' 6" 8.38 m
Beam	8' 6" 2.59 m
Dry Weight	5,557 lbs. 2,521 kg
Tested Weight	6,480 lbs. 2,939 kg
Draft	36" 0.91 m
Deadrise/Transom	21-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Weight Capacity	2,300 lbs. 1,043 kg
Person Capacity	14
Fuel Capacity	63 gal. 238 L
Water Capacity	10 gal. 38 L
Total Weight	6,480 lbs. 2,939 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	4.3 sec.
0 to 30	9.2 sec.
Props	17p x 4 Revolution
Load	3 persons, 5/6 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	75 deg., 52 humid; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 300-hp Mercury Verado
Opt. Power	1 x 200-hp Mercury 4-stroke 1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado in Black 1 x 250-hp Mercury Verado in White 1 x 300-hp Mercury Verado in Black 1 x 300-hp Mercury Verado in White

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

By Capt. Peter d'Anjou

Mission

The Sea Ray SDX 250 OB has space bigger than a normal bowrider. A deckboat is exactly what the name implies, a boat with a lot of deck space, and it derives the name and the space from a flared hull design in the topsides forward to create — guess what? — more deck space. And with more deck space comes more room for family and friends, seating, amenities and stowage.

Distinctive Features

• Console with port side walk-through to bow

Major Features

• Fore-and-aft facing bow seating
• Double helm bench seat with reversible backrest
• Sliding cockpit seating w/multiple convertible backrests
• Mercury Verado outboard with power tilt and trim
• Mercury VesselView®
• Deep-v hull with 21-degree deadrise

Design

The SDX 250 OB design has married a flared topside to a v-hull — something we are seeing more of in bowriders and runabouts seeking more space on deck.  And while Sea Ray has taken this concept to deckboat levels of space, what is unusual to see in a 25’ (7.6 m) deckboat is such a well-thought-out flow through the social zones. The SDX 250 OB has all the social zones we’ve come to expect and the intentional traffic flow pattern from the aft swim platform through the cockpit to the spacious bow seating is used to connect the zones and maximize each zone’s seating.

The SDX 250 OB is the smallest of the SDX deckboat series. Both the larger 27’ (8.2 m) and 29’ (8.8 m) models are available with Merc sterndrives or outboards, as is the 250. The outboard version of the SDX 250 provides more storage space aboard in the form of in-deck storage.

She has a 21-degree deadrise at the transom, which is on the high end for inshore boats of this type. The bow has a soft chine dropping to a fairly deep v that cuts efficiently through the water at non-planing speeds.

Construction

Sea Ray claims its manufacturing facility is the most advanced boat-manufacturing plant in the world. That’s a hard claim to verify but Sea Ray is now part of Brunswick Boat Group and automation on the shop floor is evident.

One verifiable fact about Sea Ray is worth particular note. The average employee tenure in its plant is 18 years. 

In addition to state-of-the-art computer design and development, a mock-up of each new Sea Ray model is constructed out of foam and other materials to create the look and feel of the boats that will be built from the design.

Then a plug is carved out of foam using one of two company-owned milling machines. The plug will be used to build a precision mold and the mold will be used to create a prototype.

Each new prototype model is put through a minimum six-week, on-water testing. Once everything checks out and there’s a final design, it’s time for fabrication, lamination and assembly.

The company fabricates more than 5,000 parts a day, all cut with precision, computer-guided tools. Nearly everything that goes into a Sea Ray is fabricated or created in-house. That’s pretty amazing considering the company sells 35 models from 19’ to 65’ (5.8 m to 19.8 m).

The combination of technology, automation and experienced craftsmanship is what gives the SDX 250 OB and all Sea Rays superior fit and finish, as well as sturdy construction and outstanding style.

Performance

The Numbers

The Sea Ray SDX 250 OB has a LOA of 27’6” (8.38 m), a beam of 8'6" (2.59 m) and a draft of 36” (91.44 cm). With an empty weight of 5,557 lbs. (2,521 kg), 84 percent (53 gallons/203 L) of fuel and three people onboard, she had an estimated test weight of 6,480 lbs. (2,939 kg). 

With a single 300-hp Mercury Verado turning a 17P Rev 4 propeller and wound up to 6000 rpm, the SDX 250 OB reached a top speed of 46.9 mph (75.4 kph). Best cruise came in at 4500 rpm and 32.8 mph (52.8 kph). It was at that speed that the 11.9 gph (45.1 lph) translated into 2.8 mpg (1.17 kpl), and a range of 156 miles (251 km), all while still holding back a 10% reserve of the boat's 63-gallon (238 L) total fuel capacity. 

Acceleration

The SDX 250 OB reached planing speed in 4.3 seconds with minimal bowrise, accelerated to 20 mph (32 kph) in 5.7 seconds and 30 mph (48 kph) in 9.2.

Time-to-Plane:   4.3 seconds

Zero to 20 mph: 5.7 seconds

Zero to 30 mph: 9.2 seconds

Handling

Once up on plane, add just a couple of shots of trim to get her to run slightly bow up. This is a nice handling boat that’s very responsive to the helm and shows no pounding or hull slap as we transition across the only waves we could find on our test day. 

She will continually bleed off speed to the point where the stern almost falls off the turn so keep adding power in the hardest turns. Normal turns show none of this and none of our aggressive maneuvers caused the prop to ventilate even when trimmed to the running position.

Boat Inspection

Power Options

The standard Sea Ray SDX 250 OB package comes with a 200-hp Mercury four-stroke outboard engine. Power options include a 250-hp Mercury Verado® in black or white. The maximum power option is a 300-hp Mercury Verado®, also in black or white.

Swim Platform

We board over the SeaDek non-skid-covered swim platform. Sea Ray focused on maintaining space while still providing a mounting point for the outboard and enough buoyancy to prevent the stern wave from coming over when decelerating.

There’s even space for a built-in insulated cooler with support struts holding the hatch open. A concealed reboarding ladder is mounted under the starboard side of the swim platform. 

The port lounger includes board storage below that goes all the way to the front of the port cockpit seating, 7 ½’ (2.29 m) ahead. 

Cockpit

Access the cockpit via the 15” (38.1 cm) wide walkway on the starboard side. Right in this walkway boarding zone area is a hinged cover that hides the battery switch. The location is handy whenever boarding or leaving requires powering up or down.

Seating is across the back and along the port side. Additional seating along the starboard side makes the cockpit into a conversation pit. 

When the party transitions into the cockpit, we simply slide the swim sun pad seat aft, 17” (43 cm), and flip the backrest to provide more cockpit room. This is a great space utilization since neither the swim platform nor aft lounger should be used while the boat is underway.

Beverage holders are tucked into the face of the seat bases. A pedestal table is secured to a side mount, adding greatly to the area’s functionality.

The companion and helm seats also have seatbacks that flip, which easily allows these seats to be utilized in the cockpit grouping or to face forward when underway. 

Outboard power means a lot more storage on this boat... and we mean a lot. The boat has a massive in-deck compartment with an added storage shelf. It’s under a hatch with gas support struts and it’s finished on both sides.

Helm

When it’s time to get underway, the helm seatback reverses from cockpit to helm configuration, and the flip-up bolster can be positioned to suit. The helm has a soft touch dash 7” (17.78 cm) below the windshield frame.

The standard panel has analog gauges. Our test boat was upgraded with the Simrad multi-function display that features a preloaded chartplotter, sonar with transducer and media connectivity.

Choose from the optional 9” (22.86 cm) or 12” (30.48 cm) Simrad touchscreen displays, Both will come with Mercury’s VesselView® link that displays full engine readouts and diagnostics, pretty much all the information you need to make life easier on the water.

Smart tow Includes towing modes for preprogrammed tow speeds and ramp settings. 

Faux marble panels on either side of the MFD add some style to the helm. 

Another soft-touch panel with beverage holders on either side creates a narrow shelf. There’s a convenient cubby cut into the center of the panel.

Head

To the left of the helm is the head door with an integrated glove storage compartment. We can extend the day on the water by utilizing this expanded head that runs from just short of the port side, all the way under the helm console to the starboard bulkhead and forward under the bow seating. 

Bow

The bow is accessed from a 15” (38.1 cm) walkthrough to port. The opening windshield latches into position.

This offset access allows for expanding the forward seating with a three-across aft seat and a full-width forward seat that is between 11" (17.94 cm) and 18" (45.72 cm) ahead. Beverage holders, speakers and upscale fit and finish are all present, as is connectivity and charging. A 5" bolster (12.7 cm) wraps fully around. 

Filler cushions can convert the entire area into a sun pad. The second removable cooler 25-qt (23.65 L) is under the forward center seat, with storage under the side cushions.

For safety, the bow area’s depth is 31” (78.74 cm) to the caprail and 34” (86.36 cm) to the top of the grab rail. 

Anchor

Another hatch on the foredeck has a turn and lock latch. The hatch conceals a forward swim ladder above the anchor locker.

Equipment Discussion

An optional trailer is available.

Optional Equipment to Consider

• Bimini top, boot with stainless steel ball, socket hardware 
• Cockpit cover with tonneau cover 
• Mooring cover 
• Water sports tower - manual with integrated Bimini 
• Air compressor for water toys 
• Blue or white LED lighting package 
• Bow and transom sprayer 
• Docking lights 
• Quick-connect fender clip system
• Flagpole with base and US flag
• Interior ventilation window
• On-board battery charger 120v/60 To 12v 
• Premium PTM ski mirror 
• Pump-out head
• Swivel wakeboard racks
• Tandem axle trailer (painted) with disc brakes )

Warranty

All 2019 gas-powered Sea Ray SDX models (sterndrive and outboard) feature Sea Ray’s five-year bow-to-stern factory warranty on the boat and its components from defects in materials and workmanship. The engine is covered for the same five-year period. In addition to the five-year bow-to-stern coverage, all sport boats also have a limited lifetime structural hull/deck warranty to the original owner.

Observations 

The SDX 250 OB is a day boat with a larger head compartment than is normally found on this size boat. She has substantial power and performance, especially with the 300-hp option. We believe the Sea Ray SDX 250 OB will satisfy buyers who enjoy driving a comfortable boat and those who want to spend their days on the water socializing, enjoying towed water sports or simply swimming off the boat. The boat is big enough for 14 people, making it the right size for family fun and entertaining.