Stingray 192SC Review

The great thing about deck boats is their ability to seat a large number of people while still delivering comfortable accommodation and snappy handling. The trick is accomplishing this in a hull that’s still compact enough to be towed by a mid-sized vehicle or stored in a two-car garage. Kudos to Hartsville, South Carolina-based Stingray Boats, who not only achieve the seemingly impossible in their delightful 192SC, but do so in a neat, stylish and comfortable way. If you’re looking for a stylish 20-footer that loads a boatload of fun features into a compact package, you’ve found it.

An expansive rear swim platform includes a retractable boarding ladder on the starboard side.

The 192SC is a versatile day boat that’s right at home pulling the kids on a tube or taking the whole family for an island picnic. Clearly, the company’s designers put a lot of thought into making the most of the boat’s trim footprint, which is evident as you step aboard from the dock. You can board via the rear swim platform, as expected, then proceed through a transom pass-thru on the starboard side. Or you can board via the front deck, and its centerline pass-through. Or, use two steps neatly molded into the portside gunnel to board amidships. These are options you don’t often find on much larger boats, much less ones of this more compact size.

The spacious bow has plenty of room for a couple of adults to sit in comfort, especially if filler cushions are added to cover the front step up to the bow deck.

Once you’re aboard the versatile layout and generous seating accommodation are obvious. An L-shaped lounge in the stern surrounds a removable pedestal-mount table, making this a comfy spot to snack – especially under the Bimini top. Up front in the spacious bow you’ll find spacious lounge seats along each side surrounding a second base for the removable table. That convenient walk-through to the large bow deck can be covered with a filler cushion for even more seating space, or left as-is for easy access to the ice chest built concealed beneath its surface. Available filler cushions allow you to turn the entire bow area into a huge sunpad, if that’s your thing.

A port-side console with integrated entry steps, a sink with faucet, and a garbage disposal set the 192 SC apart.

On the front deck itself, which features a neat molded-in non-skid surface, there’s a retractable boarding ladder – a great feature that’s tremendously handy any time you beach the boat for a picnic.

If your family includes a serious fisherman, they’ll be pleased to know that a pedestal-mounted seat can be added to the bow deck, still leaving room for the installation of a bow-mount electric motor.

The self-draining cockpit includes a large in-floor storage locker for bulky gear. Snap-in carpet is a popular option.

The helm features a nicely sculpted console, with a comfortable bolster seat.

The helm features a nicely sculpted console, with a comfortable bolster seat. Primary gauges are mounted high for visibility, while a center panel provides plenty of room to flush-mount aftermarket electronics. The driver gets the best seat in the house, in the form of a sumptuous bucket that rotates when the boat’s not underway. Integrated cooler storage in the helm console ensures a cool drink is never far away. There’s also a dedicated storage spot for the removable, pedestal-mount table, keeping it conveniently accessible yet well protected when not in use. Opposite the helm, a small console on the port side not only provides the base for those welcoming boarding steps, but accommodates a freshwater sink with a faucet. Integral trash storage is a nice addition.

Integrated cooler storage in the helm is a nice touch. There’s also a dedicated spot for the removable table.

In the stern, the near full-width transom seat has a base cushion that lifts to expose yet another ice chest. Behind the seat, the 192SC offers an expansive rear swim platform, complete with a retractable boarding ladder on the starboard side.

Stingray’s192SC rides on the company’s patented Z-Plane hull, designed to glide through the water without creating bubbles or vortices and thus giving the propeller better bite. It’s a simple idea, and works well enough that the 192SC will reach 50 mph with a 150 horsepower outboard, and over 40 mph with a 115.

Lift the transom seat cushion and you find yet another ice chest. Brilliant!

Stingray packs a lot of fun into their 20-foot 192SC. Those looking for a compact deck boat that will still accommodate 10 people need look no further, as good things do indeed come in small packages.

Stingray 192SC

LOA: 20’ 1”

Beam: 8’ 4”

Dry weight: 2,600 lbs.

Fuel capacity: 46 gals.

Water capacity: 3 gals.

Maximum power: 150 hp

Info: stingrayboats.com