Stingray 231 DC Review

Stingray Boats built its reputation on building family-friendly runabouts that perfectly blend comfortable seating and versatile layouts with truly inspired performance. That’s not really surprising coming from a boat builder named in honor of a legendary sports car, and a heritage that lives on in the all-new Stingray 231 DC.

Stretching 23 feet, 8 inches in overall length, the Stingray 231 DC is a delightful dual-console deck boat with some interesting twists. Step aboard and you can’t help but notice the thick, inviting upholstery treatment on this boat’s cockpit seating, featuring a lush, super-soft vinyl with an attractive pebbled finish that’s reminiscent of a classic sports car. Available in tan, grey or white/coal finishes, the new upholstery – offered on all 2020 Stingray models – brings a thoroughly modern, contemporary look that recalls vintage performance, and that’s especially fitting on the 231 DC. Our test boat was furnished with the stunning grey upholstery, which perfectly complemented its brilliant red hull and black bottom.

Our review boat featured a full-width swim platform with a retractable boarding ladder, non-slip decking, rod holders, cup holders and a ski pylon.

The easiest way to board the Stingray 231 DC from the dock is via its deep, split swim platform, which features a transom pass-through into the cockpit on the starboard side of the boat. Finished in an available SeaDek soft-touch non-skid, the big swim platform allows plenty of space to pass in front of the Mercury 250 bolted to our review boat’s transom.

Look more closely along the platform and you notice the stainless steel grab handles, stainless retractable four-step boarding ladder, and the dual stainless cup holders mounted along the stern. Our test boat came with Stingray’s optional fishing package, adding four flush-mount stainless rod holders across the transom, along with a pop-up stainless ski pole.

Stingray’s entertainment includes a useful console with a solid-surface countertop, two cup holders, a sink with a residential-style faucet and trash bin below.

The aft cockpit welcomes you aboard with its wrap-around seating, which creates a comfortable conversation space with plenty of room for everyone. A near full-width bench seat across the stern continues up the port side of the boat while opposite, a starboard-side lounge with thick side coaming allows comfortable seating facing aft, sideways, or forward back into the main cockpit. Swiveling pedestal seats for the driver and companion rotate to provide even more cockpit seating, creating a literal living room on the water. Throughout, stainless steel cup holders and grab handles ensure that a cold drink or supportive hand-hold are never out of reach. Anchoring the space is Stingray’s entertainment unit along the starboard side, consisting of a console with a solid-surface countertop, a sink and a residential-style faucet. A large door below opens to reveal a convenient and generously-sized trash bin.

The helm console in our review boat was dominated by a Garmin GPSMap 742 XS multi-function display sharing the space with a Mercury SmartCraft display. Below, the sporty black-on-chrome padded sport steering wheel with tilt feature was flanked by a Fusion RA670 stereo with remote control, which on our test boat fed into a concealed Fusion 1,400-watt four-channel digital amp for incredible sound quality.

The sporty helm console was was dominated by a Garmin GPSMap 742 XS MFD sharing the space with a Mercury SmartCraft display.

The passenger console houses an amazingly large and spacious head compartment, complete with a Porta-potti with dockside pump-out, a small vanity with sink, and an opening porthole for plenty of fresh air.

Up front in the bow, wrap-around seating starts with twin forward-facing loungers on each side, with plenty of space to put your feet up and unwind. A low-profile, wrap-around stainless steel railing provides a measure of added security, especially when seated up front while underway. At rest, the addition of a bow swim platform speaks to the Stingray 231 DC’s fun side.

Adding filler cushions converts the bow seating area into a spacious sun pad.

Being a Stingray, part of that fun lies in going fast. Don’t be fooled by its beamy hull and 3,600-pound dry weight, the 231 DC’s performance pedigree quickly shines through as you pour the power on, delivering near-instantaneous planing times thanks to the stellar performance of Stingray’s Z-Plane hull. At full throttle this is a legitimate 50 mph boat that delivers a thrilling ride while still providing excellent fuel economy.

With a Mercury 250 on the transom the 231 DC will reach top speeds of about 50 mph.

It doesn’t take long to develop a real attachment to the brilliant Stingray 231 DC. Designed with a focus on family fun, this is a fast, comfortable and versatile day boat that represents truly great value.