Sea Ray SLX 310 (2016-)

Brief Summary

The Sea Ray SLX 310 features many amenities as standard that are options on other brands, including a watersports tower that folds down electrically, a wet bar and a head compartment with sink with running water and a VacuFlush toilet. The cockpit entertainment area includes a sink and hard-surface worktop and can be upgraded with an electric grill and refrigerator. The dash is unique, with automotive-style Dynamic Display that provides all information for operational systems as well as navigation on 12” and 7” touchscreens.

Key Features

• Comfortably seats 17 people while underway
• Standard with twin MerCruiser 4.5L V-8 250-hp Bravo with Digital Throttle & Shift
• Iconic styling with elegant hull sculpting, available in multiple color configurations
• Expansive cockpit space with standard wet bar
• Plush seating with abundant storage beneath
• Dual bucket seating at helm and companion side
• Spacious head compartment
• Proprietary Quiet Ride technology featuring Tuned Transom
• Standard dual touchscreen electronics display, enabling multiple control functions
• Standard electric tower with articulating Bimini system

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	31' 6'' / 9.60 m
Beam	10' 2'' 3.10 m
Dry Weight	8,101 lbs. 3,674 kg
Tested Weight	8,833 lbs. 4,006 kg
Draft Up	28'' / 0.71 m
Draft Down	38'' 0.96 m
Deadrise/Transom	21-deg.
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	130 gal. 492 L
Water Capacity	24 gal. 91 L
Total Weight	8,833 lbs. 4,006 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	5.3 sec.
0 to 30	12.1 sec.
Ratio	N/A
Props	22. 5pitch
Load	2 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate	78 deg., 68 humid.; wind: 15-20 mph; seas: choppy

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 250-hp MerCruiser ECT 4.5L MPI DTS BR3
Std. Power	2 x 250-hp MerCruiser 4.5L ECT Bravo III sterndrives with DTS
Opt. Power	2 x 260-hp Mercury Diesel 260 TDI 4.2L T3 Bravo IIIxr 5 twin MerCruiser engines from 250-hp to 350-hp

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Mission

Sea Ray designed the SLX 310 to be a big day boat and a replacement for the popular 300 SLX. Like all models in the SLX Series, the 310 is designed to be as luxurious as any boat in class, and more than most. She is also equipped with amenities that are usually on the options list for many boats. Some of those amenities include as standard a watersports tower that folds down electrically, a wet bar and a private head compartment with sink with running water and a VacuFlush toilet.

Distinguishing Features

• Electrically powered watersports tower with articulating Bimini top
• Dynamic Display at helm with 12” (30 cm) and 7” (17.8 cm) touchscreens
• Private head compartment with VacuFlush toilet and a 20-gallon (76 L) holding tank
• Cockpit wet bar with stainless steel sink and faucet
• Aft-facing stern seating with multi-position ratcheting backrests

Features Inspection

The Stern

More than Swimming.

So many boats in this size range have an activity area in the stern that is much more than a swim platform and the SLX 310 is a good example of one. The platform itself has enough depth that a rider can sit down to strap on a wakeboard and it has a ladder beneath a hatch to starboard. To port of the cockpit passageway, there’s a sunlounge with a backrest that clicks into place to create a variety of seating positions. The seat-bottom cushion has a latch and lifts up on hinges to access storage.

The Cockpit

Open Passage.

From the swim platform, to starboard, the SLX 310 has a walkway into the cockpit. In this passageway we found a retractable shower and Sea Ray offers a transom door as an option. Beneath two hatches in the nonskid decking are separate lockers. The aft one raises on a gas strut.

Take a Seat.

The SLX 310’s cockpit has a lounge that wraps from the stern passageway around to port, ending just abaft a doublewide seat at the port console. It swivels so that passengers can turn around and join the conversation. A cockpit table that stores in a dedicated rack just ahead of the engines installs in the aft port corner. To starboard ahead of the wet bar, there’s a jump seat that would probably be best for kids.

Bar and Grill.

To starboard in the SLX 310’s cockpit, the wet bar comes standard with a stainless steel sink, a solid surface lid, trash receptacle and storage. An owner can upgrade it with an optional electric grill (it requires an inverter) and a refrigerator.

The Helm

Command Center.

At the SLX 310’s helm, the dash is absent of analog gauges. Instead it’s equipped with the automotive-style Dynamic Display that provides all information for operational systems as well as navigation on 12” (30 cm) and 7” (17.8 cm) touchscreens. The panel is finished in dark gray fiberglass and upholstery. Beside navigation, the displays provide connectivity and control of multiple systems in the boat: stereo, engine, lighting, tower, etc. A separate rotary knob provides easy access to basic functions. Outboard to starboard are the digital shift and throttle controls and there’s a small glovebox aft.

Privacy Compartment

Across from the helm to port, the console opens to provide entry into the SLX 310’s private head compartment. The hatch locks for privacy and inside are a stainless-steel sink with a pull-up faucet, shower clip and a VacuFlush toilet with a 20-gallon (76 L) holding tank. There’s a screened port light that opens. Outboard of the head entry hatch is a glovebox that has a soft rubber mat and a 12-volt plug.

Cockpit Storage

Ski Locker.

An in-sole hatch between the helm and port console seats opens on gas struts to access the large locker that would be best for skis, boards, boat hooks and other long items. The compartment is lined with soft rubber mat to protect the contents. Additionally, the hatch opens on gas struts and it locks for security.

The Tower

Obstruction Free.

Sea Ray builds the SLX 310’s optional hardtop with carbon-fiber and Kevlar reinforcement, which eliminates the need for additional supports. This improves sightlines for the captain and gives all of the passengers a better panoramic view.

The Bow

Moving Forward.

Like most bowriders, the SLX 310’s windshield has an opening center section to make it easy to walk forward to the bow. Below, a door folds out from the starboard console to close off the passageway. Close the windshield and the door to keep onrushing air from entering the cockpit. Outboard of the passageway door, another hatch opens to reveal the boat’s electrical distribution panel.

Long Legs Welcome.

The SLX 310’s bow seating area has angled backrests and fold-down armrests on the front of the consoles. There’s enough space on each side that an adult can sit facing forward and another one could sit forward without compromising space for either one. An owner can customize the bow with an optional cockpit table or an optional filler cushion.

Bow Storage.

Each side lounge in the bow rises on scissor-style hinges to unveil storage. On the starboard side, the backrest on the console also picks up and inside the compartment are a series of removable panels to access the helm rigging. There’s enough space that a technician can crawl into the area. A hatch in the sole opens another locker and the forward center cushion in the bow lifts on a gas strut to provide access to the anchor rode or windlass if the boat is so equipped. In the foredeck, we found the anchor locker with a pull-up shower to starboard.

Power and Performance

Base Engines.

We tested the Sea Ray SLX 310 with the base engine package, twin MerCruiser 4.5L MPI ECT Bravo IIIs turning 22.5” pitch stainless-steel propsets. In wind-blown, choppy conditions and at a test weight of 8,833 lbs. (4,006 kg), we hit a top speed of 44.1 mph (38.3 knots) at 4820 rpm.

Best cruise was at 3500 rpm where we ran 28.9 mph (25.1 knots) and burned 17.8 gph (67.4 lph), giving the boat a range of 190 statute miles (305.8 km) with 10% in reserve. In acceleration tests, the boat planed in 5.3 seconds and ran out to 20 mph in 7.8 seconds and to 30 mph in 12.1 seconds.

Handling

Even though we tested in less-than-ideal conditions, the SLX 310 acquitted itself well in our maneuverability tests. She carved cleanly through slalom and circle turns and rode smoothly through the chop. The deep-V design has 21-degrees of deadrise at the transom and has six lifting strakes that run the length of the bottom.

Silence Please.

Sea Ray’s Quiet Ride and its Tuned Transom are part of a system that the manufacturer designed to reduce noise and vibration in all its boats. A boat without the system averages 86.2 decibels, while a boat equipped with Quiet Ride averages 79.4, according to Sea Ray.

Warranty

• Limited lifetime structural hull/deck warranty to original owner
• Limited 10-year structural hull/deck warranty to second owner
• Limited five-year pro-rated laminate hull blister warranty
• Limited five-year cosmetic exterior gelcoat warranty

Options to Consider and Pricing

• Shorepower package 120V/60-cycle with 30-Amp service with inlet, 50’ cord and adapter, 20A/12V battery charger/converter, galvanic isolator and distribution panel ($2,692)
• Bow filler cushion ($885)
• Electric grill for cockpit wet bar ($2,462)
• Fiberglass hardtop with courtesy lights and retractable anchor light ($6,308)
• Fiberglass hardtop with opening canvas section ($10,000)
• Fiberglass hardtop with opening canvas section and extended aft sunshade ($18,462)
• Hot water system with 6-gallon tank (for head and transom washdown) ($1,462)
• Beach ladder on bow with hatch ($300)
• 12-volt refrigerator (must order battery charger) ($2,308)
• Submersible hydraulic swim platform (mounted under integral platform) ($5,769)
• VHF radio with 3.5’ ss antenna and ratchet mount ($769)
• Windlass, rope/chain with remote control and stainless-steel anchor ($4,385)
• Dynamic Running Surface ($3,000)
• Canvas package (for hardtop) includes aft curtains with bungees, front and side curtains and canvas storage bag ($1,569)