Sea Ray SPX 210 Review

In the wake of the 2008 recession there’s been one clear trend in recreational boating, and that’s the increasing move toward specialization. Today, we have specialized wakeboarding boats, wake surfing boats, ski boats, bass boats, walleye boats, deck boats – you name it. Buyers looking for a simple, all-around runabout that can do a bit of everything have to wade through some pretty muddy waters to find what they want.

Sea Ray recognized this trend early on, and has been making a lot of buyers happy with its SPX series of do-it-all bowriders. The all-new Sea-Ray SPX 210 might just be the best of the bunch, being large enough to accommodate the whole family yet still compact enough to tow easily while delivering a truly thrilling ride.

Stretching 21 feet, six inches in overall length and with a generous eight-foot-six beam, the SPX 210 is rated to accommodate up to a dozen passengers on its near wrap-around seating. The bow is usually the weak point in any boat of this size, but sharp-eyed buyers will notice Sea Ray wisely chose to maintain the full width of this boat very far forward – well past the windshield, in fact – in order to bring much more usable space to this often-neglected end of the boat. The result is two full-length forward-facing loungers where passengers can put their feet up and stretch out under the sun, along with a rear-facing seat that offers almost (but not quite) as much luxury. The two forward-facing seats are the place to be when this boat is underway, and you can guarantee the kids will fight for these spots right from the get-go. Side shoulder coaming, comfortably placed grab handles and a pair of stereo speakers only add to the allure.

Sea Ray wisely chose to maintain the full width of this boat far forward of the windshield to bring much more usable space to the bow.

Of course you don’t have to stretch out in the bow. This space is more than roomy enough to accommodate four adults if you just want to sit and chat. There’s storage space under the seat cushions, and conveniently-placed beverage holders to keep those cold drinks always within easy reach.

The versatility of the 21 SPX design is evident in its seating arrangement, which boasts premium-level upholstery. Note the in-floor ski locker.

Pass aft between the tall, walk-through windshield and the main cabin also has its share of tricks. The convertible port-side lounge seat allows forward-facing or rear-facing seating, or both simultaneously to really kick up the boat’s versatility. There’s a near full-width, L-shaped seat that runs across the transom and forward on the starboard side, plus a small corner seat to port just ahead of the standard transom pass-through. Behind the transom bench seat is a large, super-comfy sun pad.

The SPX 210 offers abundant storage space, including a dedicated spot for its removable cooler.

Sea Ray has always been known for its impeccable upholstery, and the SPX 210 lives up to that heritage. Available in a choice of Cognac or Sahara color schemes, this premium-level fabric features exquisite detailing for enhanced elegance. Storage compartments beneath the seats – including a dedicated spot for a large removable cooler – make the most of the boat’s trim footprint.

Pass through the transom gate and you’ll be delighted to see a large integrated swim platform, complete with a soft-touch finish and a four-step retractable boarding ladder. Still more beverage holders neatly concealed in the transom offer incredible convenience.

The large integrated swim platform features a soft-touch finish and a four-step retractable boarding ladder.

The amount of storage space in the Sea Ray SPX 210 is impressive, and greatly contributes to this boat’s ability to do so many different things well. The passenger console features a huge glove box accessed through the top surface, offering  secure but convenient space for cell phones, wallets, truck keys and more. It also houses the control head for the AM/FM stereo, with MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity. Look down, and between the consoles there’s even a ski locker in the cockpit floor.

The passenger console houses the AM/FM stereo, which offers both MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity.

The driver’s console is no-nonsense, with white-on-black gauges with stainless-steel bezels (fuel, oil pressure, speedometer, tachometer with an LCD hour meter, trim and water temperature) and an upholstered visor. LED courtesy lighting is standard, as is the power-assisted tilt steering.

The helm is simple, uncluttered, and comfortable.

Standard power for the Sea-Ray SPX 210 is a 200-horsepower MerCruiser 4.5L V6 stern drive, which is upgradable to a 250-horsepower version.

Given its versatility value proposition, the SPX 210 has a long option list, allowing buyers to easily personalize the boat and make it their own. Many of these options are grouped into convenient packages, like the watersports-oriented Elevation Package, which includes a full wake tower with Bimini top, tower racks and a premium ski mirror.

Nicely designed, nicely made and styled for today’s boater, the Sea Ray SPX 210 is a versatile family runabout that does a lot of things really, really well. It’s an easy boat to like, and a great value for boaters who want to do it all.

Sea Ray SPX 210

LOA:    21’ 6”
Beam:    8′ 6″
Dry weight: 3,400 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
Passenger capacity: 12
Maximum horsepower: 250 hp