Sea Ray SPX 230 OB Review

The all-new Sea Ray SPX 230 OB blends the company’s family runabout heritage with modern outboard technology.

One of the clearest trends in boating today is the return of the multi-purpose family runabout. While runabouts faded from popularity as the baby boomers and their children aged, the arrival of a new generation of young families in boat dealer showrooms has sparked the return of the runabout concept. With modern technology and all-new levels of connectivity, today’s family boats are the most comfortable, most capable and certainly the most versatile yet. As a great example, look no further than the all-new Sea Ray SPX 230.

Sea Ray is no stranger to building adaptable family runabouts, nor is the company any stranger to innovation. That respect for its heritage and commitment to continuous improvement are perfectly balanced in the SPX 230, and the evidence is clear even as you walk up to the boat at the dock.

With seating for 13, Sea Ray’s SPX 230 OB accommodates the entire family with ease.

For starters, the Sea Ray SPX 230 OB is an outboard-powered boat – a bit of a departure from the family runabouts of 20 years ago, which were traditionally propelled by sterndrive engines. Compared to sterndrives, today’s outboards are so much lighter in weight, lower in emissions and substantially better in fuel economy than their predecessors that they now power the vast majority of boats sold around the world. In the case of the SPX 230, the engine mounts neatly to its integrated swim platform, which is finished in an attractive and durable soft-touch decking.

Just ahead of the platform, the transom boasts a receptacle to mount a removable ski pylon, as well as a remote control for Rockford Fosgate MX2 stereo. This handy remote saves swimmers from having to re-board the boat to adjust the music selection, whether listening to AM, FM, or streaming tunes directly from a tablet or smart phone via the stereo’s Bluetooth connection.

Thoughtful touches like a transom stereo remote and soft-touch swim platform give this boat functional utility and plenty of wow factor besides.

The transom itself is topped with a large and beautifully upholstered sun pad, which makes the ideal spot to dry off after a dip. The sun pad’s four cushions are fully adjustable to allow a variety of seating configurations. The port-side cushion lifts to provide a clear walk-through into the main cockpit.

The large transom sun pad is made up of four cushions which can be adjusted to a variety of positions – including a port-side cushion that flips up to provide an unobstructed walk-though to the main cockpit.

A large L-shaped lounge seat that spans most of the transom and continues up the starboard side of the boat dominates the interior, with a second facing seat along the port side. There is storage for bulky items in the seat bases, while the center section provides a handy storage nook for a removable cooler. This is a much more versatile arrangement that the built-in cooler found in previous generation runabouts – the removable one can be pre-loaded at home, meaning far less stuff to carry down the dock. Stainless steel beverage holders throughout the cockpit mean those cold drinks are always within easy reach.

The open cockpit offers plenty of seating, with storage for gear and even a removable cooler in the seat bases.

The twin bucket seats for the driver and co-pilot not only feature flip-up bolster cushions, they also swivel, providing even more seating in the main cockpit space. A removable cockpit table that mounts to the port-side seat base makes this the ideal lunch spot, or just a great place to hang out and refresh with a cold drink.

The helm console is dominated by a Simrad multi-function display, flanked by traditional dial gauges.

The floor in the Sea Ray SPX 230 OB is a durable fiberglass with a non-skid surface. Our review boat added snap-in carpeting for added comfort. The great thing with the snap-in carpet is that it can be just as easily snapped out at the end of the day, when the time comes to give the boat a good cleaning. It also dries much faster than the traditional fixed carpet floor of previous-generation runabouts. As well, it provides an access panel for the large in-floor storage locker.

A removable table adds utility in the cockpit without taking up any floor space.

The helm console in the Sea Ray SPX 230 OB looks like it would be right at home in the cockpit of a small jet. The dash panel in our review boat was dominated by a flush-mounted Simrad multi-function, touch-screen display that puts all of the boat’s controls at your fingertips in one central location. Those who prefer traditional round gauges will be pleased to know that Sea Ray retained them, flanking the central display panel. The stereo control head sits lower on the dash to the left of the beautiful wood and metal steering wheel, while the throttle control, on the starboard side wall, is ideally positioned so it comes easily to hand.

The bow features full wrap-around coaming and comfy seats. Select the optional fishing package to add a swivel fishing chair and a bow-mount electric trolling motor.

Step through the large walk-through windshield and you’ll find additional seating up front in the bow, with full wrap-around coaming and a pair of stainless steel grab handles for extra security. Order your SPX 230 OB with the optional fishing package and you add a swiveling fishing seat here, along with a bow-mounted electric trolling motor.

While Sea Ray has long distinguished itself in the market by offering a long list of standard features in every model it builds, the option list is equally impressive, and especially so for a versatile family runabout like the SPX 230. A wide variety of goodies ranging from stereo upgrades to wakeboard towers waits to tempt buyers.

A wide variety of options – including a wakeboard tower – allow buyers to customize the boat to suit their own needs.

Rated to accommodate outboard engines of up to 250 horsepower, the Sea Ray SPX 230 OB runs well with a 150, providing a great balance of exhilaration and fuel economy.

Families looking for a versatile runabout that can do it all will find Sea Ray’s SPX 230 OB checks a lot of boxes. It’s a capable boat that neatly blends today’s technology with a proven platform.