Sea Ray SLX 260 Review

Sea Ray has always stood for top quality and there’s perhaps no better example of that than its all-new SLX 260. Envisioned as an upscale family runabout that’s built for watersports, entertaining guests or just enjoying family weekends on the water, the new Sea Ray SLX 260 is also the very first Sea Ray to be created from the keel up by an all-female design team.

So what does that mean? This is a boat that keeps all the basic design elements that have made Sea Ray runabouts global favorites while treating just about everything to subtle refinements that make a measurable difference out on the water. There’s no single knockout feature that sets the Sea Ray SLX 260 apart, but rather, a number of small tweaks here and there that really add up to make the end product so much more than just the sum of its parts.

Both outboard and sterndrive versions of the SLX 260 feature a wide, deep swim platform with a starboard-side boarding ladder and a huge, aft-facing lounger.

It all becomes apparent as soon as you step aboard, and the easiest route from the dock is via the aft swim platform. Boarding from a high dock? Not a problem in the Sea Ray SLX 260, thanks to a flip-out step concealed in the starboard cockpit gunnel that’s built for that very purpose. Once aboard, the step simply retracts flush into the gunnel where it’s out of the way.

Sea Ray offers the SLX 260 in both outboard and sterndrive versions, so buyers can have the boat with their power of choice. Yet even on the outboard-powered boat, the swim platform is deep enough that crossing from one side to the other is easy. The starboard end of the platform conceals a four-step stainless steel boarding ladder and a perfectly placed stainless grab handle, while a pull-out transom shower situated to port takes care of any sand or other debris that finds its way onto the platform.

Both outboard and sterndrive versions of the Sea Ray SLX 260 make the most of its big swim platform with an enormous aft-facing lounge seat for lazing in the sun.

The transom conceals a big insulated cooler, while the port-side seat lifts to reveal a huge storage locker. Note the cooler’s gas ram support and fully gasketed lid.

The big lounge hides a deep, insulated cooler, integrated drink holders, USB charging ports, a remote control for the Fusion stereo, and buttery-soft upholstery that provides an ideal balance between being firmly supportive and cushy comfy.

The port end of the seat lifts to reveal an enormous storage locker that’s big enough to hold a rolled up Lilypad, inflatable tow tubes or any other big, bulky water toys you may want onboard.

Cockpit seating revolves around an L-shaped lounge. The removable table makes this a terrific lunch spot.

A wide starboard-side pass-through leads into the cockpit, where a large L-shaped lounge stretches across the stern and continues forward along the port side. Lifting the transom seat cushion reveals access to the engine in sterndrive models, or a storage compartment on outboard-powered boats with a large gear caddy suspended over the compartment floor.

Four more stainless steel drink holders occupy the port stern corner of the cockpit, while the beautifully upholstered seat cushions feature a tasteful diamond quilting detail along the lumbar supports, and a deep seat cushion profile for greater all-day comfort.

The starboard side cockpit seat lifts to reveal a dedicated storage spot for a pair of soft-sided coolers.

Facing that big lounger is a starboard-side bench seat with a dedicated storage space in its base for two soft-sided, carry-on coolers.

Between the two cockpit seats is yet another massive storage compartment in the floor. Like the others, it’s fully finished inside, completely gasketed, and fitted with gas rams to facilitate stowing or retrieving gear.

The Sea Ray SLX 260 has a nice flow through the cockpit, making the most of the space while still allowing easy passage throughout.

Far forward on the port side, a high-back bucket seat with a flip-up bolster not only swivels, but slides for optimal comfort. It faces the neatly designed passenger console with its locking glove box, more drink holders, a well-positioned grab handle, a USB charging port, a side-wall niche for securely storing phones, and a well-positioned arm rest on the gunnel. The passenger console opens to reveal a sizable head compartment with a Vacuflush toilet.

The helm console on the Sea Ray SLX 260 has a glass dash arrangement centered around twin nine-inch Simrad touchscreen displays. There’s also Mercury VesselView Mobile functionality, active trim control and CZone digital switching, along with an audiophile Fusion Apollo stereo.

The helm is neatly laid out with its twin display glass dash, beefy steering wheel and Fusion audiophile stereo.

Just below the displays is a dash pad which can be ordered with an integrated inductive charger for cell phones. The dash panel also provides a convenient storage space for cell phones, and even larger devices like iPads for those who prefer to navigate using Navionics on a portable device.

Overhead, Sea Ray’s second generation Power Tower supports an integrated Bimini top with an available pull-out sunshade that extends aft to protect the entire cockpit.

The dash brow provides enough space for an optional wireless phone charging pad.

Passing forward between the consoles leads to the bow seating, with twin forward-facing lounge seats at the face of each console. Between the seats is a further aft-facing seating position. Installing the removable table here, and adding a filler cushion, converts the space into a very large and inviting sun pad.

Look down between the bow seating and there’s still another in-floor storage locker.

The bow seating is spacious and comfortable, with more than enough room to add a second table.

The outboard version of the Sea Ray SLX 260 is rated to handle engines of up to 300 horsepower In the sterndrive edition, maximum power is 350 ponies – more power, but required to offset the greater weight of the sterndrive engine. Performance between the two configurations winds up being very similar, with planing times in the range of four seconds and top speed at wide-open throttle of over 50 mph.

Families in the market for a capable, versatile, comfortable and enjoyable runabout will find a lot to like here. The first boat produced by Sea Ray’s all-female design team is a clear winner.