The Sea Ray 265 fits in well everywhere - whether rivers, canals, coastal areas or our test area Westeinderplassen in the Netherlands. It doesn't matter whether you're going on a holiday or weekend cruise with two or four people or just going out with friends to swim and sunbathe, everything is fun on the latest Sea Ray, which replaces its predecessor, the 260.
Like most Sea Rays, it is manufactured for the European market in Augustow, Poland. The fact that the boat builders there do their job at least as well as their colleagues in the USA can be seen from our test boat, which rolled off the production line as number 1 (exhibition boat at the boat show in Düsseldorf).
At first glance, neither the exterior nor the interior are recognisable as having any flaws. Only if you lean back deeply can you see unpainted laminate in the upper area of the walkway. However, this is something we encounter with many boat manufacturers. The shipyard reinforces the fastening points of the cleats and railing and screws the fittings with through bolts and matching washers. The workmanship of the upholstery and the fixtures and fittings also score plus points.
The stated weight of over 2500 kg is particularly interesting for trailer drivers. With a 3.5-tonne trailer, you will have no problems "shouldering" the Sea Ray on the road.
Driving and manoeuvring
Petrol or diesel? Our test boat has the typical engine with a V-eight (350 MAG, 305 hp). A diesel with 265 hp is also possible, but costs 14,000 euros more than the 350 MAG. With our test engine, the bow of the boat rises from around 1500 rpm during the transition from displacement to planing speed, blocking the view of the seated driver, before it lowers again at around 3200 rpm. To prevent the hull from rising quite so high, the standard trim tabs are used. If you stand up during this action or lean on the folded-up seat cushion of the driver's seat, you have the best view.
The lowest, but still "tortured" gliding speed is around 3000 rpm. From around 3400 rpm, the hull makes good speed and accelerates evenly up to a speed of 38 knots at 5100 rpm. At low planing speeds and moderate crosswinds, our test Sea-Ray lays on its side a little, which can be easily compensated for with the trim tabs. These are no longer required at full throttle and a power trim of around ½ on the display.
The boat/engine combination travels economically at speeds of between 23 and 28 knots. In this range, consumption is just under 2.0 l/sm, which, with a tank capacity of 261 litres, gives an acceptable range of 113 nm plus 15% reserve. If you opt for full throttle, you can expect a consumption of 2.49 l/sm.
Winds of between 3 and 4 Beaufort created low but steep waves on the west inland waterway, which the boat negotiated flawlessly in all directions. The hull reacts to fast turns with a normal lean and automatic braking. At the very end, the Sea Ray tends to rock in wavy water, which is more pronounced when the sterndrive is trimmed, but is still durable. The same is true when the steering wheel is roughly twisted, with the hull making a moderately noticeable impact. Slalom drivers have everything safely under control with the smooth steering.
The Sea Ray's manoeuvring characteristics are also without complaint, with turning circles of no more than 1 ¼ boat lengths and direct steering behaviour. Further support is provided by the bow thruster installed on our boat at extra cost. At slow speeds of between 4 and 6 knots, the hull yaws like a glider and the skipper has to make some corrections.
The driver's seat has a tight, sporty upholstered double bench with a fold-up seat, but there are no other adjustment options. However, the shipyard intends to make improvements here to ensure more knee room, among other things. The best place for the co-driver to sit or lie down is on the comfortable sun lounger on the port side with the corresponding grab handle on the coachroof.
The skipper has unrestricted access to the single-lever control, trim tabs, bow thruster (extra) and rocker switch. Only minor reflections interfere with reading the instruments and the view through the slightly green-tinted safety glass windscreen, which sits in a sturdy system frame. A windscreen wiper with a sufficiently large wiping area helps in bad weather.
Engine, tank, electrics
Every mechanic's face lights up at the sight of the engine compartment: after folding up the rear seat corner with two gas dampers, the engine lies in front of you with plenty of space to the left and right. All engine parts are easily accessible, as are the batteries, boiler and charger. The maximum measured temperature of 29 °C with an ambient air temperature of 21 °C is a sign of well-functioning ventilation. The self-extinguishing sound insulation only just exceeds the 85 dB/A mark at full throttle.
Lines and hoses are laid firmly and clearly, not only in the engine compartment but also under the instrument panel. Further praise: the fuel hoses are secured with two clamps, and the petrol line is interrupted by a remote-controlled stopcock. The shipyard leaves the work of cleaning the petrol to the colleagues from engine production. The on-board power supply and starter battery (74 Ah each) are housed in plastic trays with solid mounting brackets. The corresponding selector switch (switching options: off, battery 1, battery 2 or both) is concealed but easily accessible via a flap in the backrest of the passenger sun bench.
Security
Here again we start in the engine compartment, because the shipyard installs a fire extinguishing system as standard. The installed hand bilge pump and electric bilge pump also deserve praise. All steps provide effective anti-slip safety; there are handholds/rails to hold on to. This is also the case on the way to the foredeck, which can be reached via a centre passageway with steps in the cabin door, as is usual with cruisers of this size. There is a handrail directly on the stairs and two on the cabin roof. To climb safely back onto the bathing platform after a swim, Sea Ray has provided a long bathing ladder that is easy to use from the water.
Cockpit, living, equipment
There is an unusual choice in this respect: the galley is located in the cockpit as standard or in the cabin for an extra charge, as on our test boat. It is equipped with a microwave, single-burner hob, fridge and sufficiently large sink, the cover of which, together with the hob, provides a moderately large work surface. If you need more space, use the table from the bow seating area.
Storage space and shelves match the boat type, as does the wet room opposite (pump toilet, washbasin, pull-out shower hose) with a headroom of around 1.63 metres. The seating area in the bow, which can be converted into a bunk (172 m long, 1.60 m wide), has the same average headroom. A 2.10 x 1.26 m underfloor cabin is available for two additional crew members.
Life in the open air takes place in the cockpit, which measures around 2.00 x 2.75 metres. Here, firm cushions on the opposing benches provide comfort. Together with the elegant wooden table, the seating area can be converted into a sun lounger in no time at all. If this is not enough, a sun cushion for the bow is available for an extra charge. The standard rear shower is ideal for rinsing off after a bath.
There are six adequately sized cleats, three eyelets and a waterski towing eyelet. All-round protection is provided by the medium-sized plastic Niro rubbing strake. There is an extra charge for teak deck coverings on the bathing platform and cockpit, for a tarp bracket, camper top, underwater lighting, docking lights, heating, vacuum toilet, faeces pump, complete anchor gear and navigation lighting approved in Germany.
THE SHIPYARD SAYS ...
The new Sea Ray 265 Sundancer shines with unexpected highlights that are absolutely convincing. The 265 DA is the first Sea Ray boat in the 26-foot cruiser class to be trailerable. The Sea Ray 265 Sundancer comes from the factory in two completely convincing layouts. In the standard version, the galley is outside, but can also be ordered for inside. Details that are not convincing on the test boat will be changed on the following models.
WE SAY ...
We agree with the shipyard's statement that "the boat is easy to trailer". The option of "galley in the cockpit or in the cabin" is an unusual idea. The workmanship and installations are of a good American standard, and the Sea Ray is safe and comfortable when travelling.
Data sheet: Sea Ray 265 DA
Shipyard: Sea Ray
Type designation: Sea Ray 265 DA
CE category: C - Coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 8,39 m
Width: 2,59 m
Displacement: 2,52 t
Price: 99.500,00 €
