Sea Ray USA is celebrating its 58th birthday this year, but is always working to stay young. How else could you summarise the fireworks of models - there are currently 45, from the 19-foot-long sports boat to the 65-foot
to the 65-footFlybridge yacht.
In between is also theSPX series of which we have the 210 SPXE withInboard engine drive. According to the shipyard, SPX refers to theespecially sporty boats with which you can have fun on the water with the family, and E simply stands for Europe. With aWeight of just over 1.5 tonnes (according to the brochure), the 210 is also well suited as a trailer boat for towing vehicles, which can tow 2 to 2.2 tonnes depending on the trailer.
The 210 SPXE is not just forEurope It is also being built in Europe, i.e. Poland. Sea Ray is not alone in this. And this has an impact on the overall finish. The plastic inside and out is impressive, with rounded and sealed cut edges for the most part.
The latter are also fitted with edge protection at the important points, which is why the technical and electrical installations perform well. However, there are a few screws in the engine compartment that are too long, and the insertion mechanism for the backrest cushion on theCockpit entrance does not appear to be fully developed.
You have to be careful withSmall parts in individual storage spaces, which can fall through cracks and crevices. Positive features: the double-shell construction in some areas and the protective coating on the inside. Our test boat is a bowrider, which means it has additional seating in the bow and, according to the certification (CE C), should provide space forten people, which can also work.
The mechanism for the front passenger seat is cleverly designedDepending on the position of the backrest, a seat can be created for the co-pilot, one aft or a reclining area of the cockpit bench seat. Grab handles are strategically placed in the boat. The driver is accommodated on an implied bucket seat that can be swivelled and adjusted lengthways.
To the slightlySeat position inclined aft You have to get used to them, but you learn to appreciate them while driving at the latest - the wind then blows over your head. The surroundings are reflected in the instrument covers like the light-coloured surface of the windscreen.
Navigation equipment: compass no, depth sounder yes. Otherwise no criticism of the helm position.
The price list shows only one motor, the MerCruiser 4.5which either200 HP or as in the test boat250 HP into the water using an Alpha-Z drive and 19" stainless steel propeller. And the combination works. The test boat travels forwards and backwards at slow speed to where it needs to go; turning circles are no more than one and a half boat lengths in either direction.
The waves generated by the boat shouldDisplacement drive so we don't go faster than 5 knots. With barely any noticeable trim, the test boat with the drive trimmed down suddenly goes intoSliding drive over. This only ends at just under 44 knots, while the engine turns within its speed range. We determine a speed of 20 kn at 2500 rpm as the most economical gliding speed.
OneFuelling theoretically for a radius of action of127 nm plus 15 % reserve, which more than fulfils our minimum range requirement. You don't get quite as far at slow speed (112 nm); at full throttle you have to stop after about 72 nm if you want to keep your reserves.
To our surprise We don't register any problems with the increasingly tight bends, the 180° turns, the rudder tearing or the slalom run - the Sea Ray completes all extreme manoeuvres at high speed as if we were on rails.
Of boats with a similar hull configuration - theSliding steps of the 210 SPXE The hulls of our boats - which run close to the keel throughout - are very different; some react by rocking heavily and hooking the hull. So our conclusion is: don't always trust first impressions. Only when the drive is optimally trimmed does the propeller begin to ventilate slightly when cornering, but without losing full grip.
And on the Main, which is just under 100 metres wide, the banks of the river are not onlyCornering never got too close. The only thing we can't say about the behaviour in rough water is that there was none. In any case, we coped comfortably with the waves from commercial shipping.
TheAccess to technology makes the skipper and service team more or less cheerful. While the main switch and battery can be easily reached under the stern passage on the port side, the fuses under the dashboard are not very user-friendly.
Whofor checking and servicing the engine and tank and the other technical equipment, all you have to do is lift the sunbed and centre cockpit bench backrest (all part of the engine compartment cover) on the belt - then everything is easily accessible. Minus: fuel pre-filter, fuel shut-off valve and manual bilge pump are missing, the cockpit drains into the bilge due to the design. Plus: theAutomatic fire extinguishers in the engine tank compartment.
Who with his friendssit at the tableIf you want to sunbathe, plug it into the cockpit and turn the driver's seat. For sunbathing, you can use the rear lounger, the cockpit bench seat or the front seat, if it is equipped with aInsert pads a lounger has been created.Water skier hang the hauling rope in the hook above the platform andWakeboarder to the tower (extra).
TheSwimming ladder fulfils our criteria, the internationalNavigation lighting not. The canopy and tarpaulin cost extra, and there are no windscreen wipers or anchor locker. On the other hand, there is no shortage of mooring cleats and towing eyes, nor of storage options in the boat. More decoration than protection: the rubbing strake.
Conclusion:
The Sea Ray 210 SPXE is a complete success and will appeal to beginners and "old hands" alike. The workmanship is right, the handling characteristics are impressive and trailering is also possible.
