Stingray 236CC Review

The Stingray 236CC is a versatile center console fishing boat with plenty of family appeal.

Center console boats are hot stuff these days, as more and more boat builders develop the category with new designs and capabilities. Some of the most interesting new models are coming from builders who have only recently entered the center console market, bringing fresh approaches and energy to what was otherwise a mature category.

One of those new builders is Hartsville, South Carolina-based Stingray Boats. The venerable runabout builder launched its first center consoles in 2016 with its innovative 19-foot 186CC and 20-foot 206CC models, and in late 2017 added a third, larger sibling to the lineup. But the all-new Stingray 236CC is more than just a bigger version of the same thing. Indeed, this new boat marks a major step forward for Stingray with its delightful amenities and serious big-water capability.

The bow section of many center consoles is a dead zone, but not so for Stingray’s 236CC with its comfortable seating, cavernous storage lockers and thoughtful touches including speakers, cup holders and an elegant  low profile stainless grab rail.

The big open bow of the Stingray 236CC is all about comfortable seating, with a pair of forward-facing lounge seats, each complete with integrated seat backs and nicely upholstered side coaming for comfort. Between them, a flat fiberglass non-skid surface that provides easy access to the bow can be converted to yet another seat by popping in a removable filler cushion. The seat bases offer a ton of storage space for bulky gear.

Attention to detail is clear, with pull-up cleats that recess into the deck when not in use, reducing the opportunity for stubbed toes or snagged fishing lines, and a pair of stereo speakers located right up front to flood this area with sound. In a lot of center consoles the bow is a bit of a dead zone, but no so on the 236CC.

The bow console seat hides a cooler in its base.

The aft end of each bow lounger terminates in an elegantly styled cabinet, each complete with a solid-surface countertop and storage below. The starboard cabinet features a stylish sink with a collapsible faucet, while the port-side cabinet offers a drainable, covered tray which works equally well for discarded popsicles or fishing bait.

The main cockpit floor is a hard-wearing, fiberglass non-skid, and it’s self-draining so that rain water simply runs down the deck and harmlessly over the side.

Rod storage racks in the gunnels, padded cockpit coaming and a self-draining cockpit are all standard features in the 236CC.

Look around and you’ll notice fishing rod storage racks in each of the gunnels, along with another pair of stereo speakers. The gunnel tops offer four flush mount, stainless steel rod holders and two stainless steel beverage holders per side, while still leaving plenty of space at the stern for installing downriggers or other accessories.

Across the stern you’ll find jump seats in the corners, which fold down flush into a full-width raised casting deck. Two lids in the deck just inboard of the jump seats provide storage space and access to the aft live well.

Stern jump seats provide extra passenger accommodations, or fold flat when not in use to extend the size of the rear casting deck. There’s a storage locker and a live well to the deck’s center.

The center console itself is neatly designed, with a seat with a live well in the base integrated into the front face of the console, with a pair of stainless steel grab handles for added security. A large door in the port side of the console opens to reveal a bright and surprisingly spacious head compartment, which houses an optional Porta-potti with an indicator. This feature is a real treat in a 23-foot boat, and one which greatly enhances the Stingray 236CC’s family appeal.

The dash is clean and straightforward, with plenty of room for large multi-function displays.

The standard version of Stingray’s 236CC comes with a versatile flip/flop helm seat with a reversible back rest, which adjusts to allow forward-facing or aft-facing seating. The base of the seat houses a large 28-gallon live well while overhead, a Bimini top provides welcome relief from the mid-day sun. For those who prefer it, the base helm seat can be upgraded to a super-comfortable, double-wide leaning post with bolster seats and a removable 74-quart cooler in its base. Selecting this option shifts the live well to the stern and reduces its capacity to a more modest 14 gallons, but that’s a minor trade-off that many families will happily choose simply for the added utility of that big cooler. The Bimini may be further upgraded to a full fiberglass T-top, complete with overhead lights and an integrated storage cabinet.

The upgraded leaning post includes bolster cushions that fold down individually to form comfy seats.

The Stingray 236CC is rated to handle outboards of up to 300 horsepower. But the boat’s Z-Plane hull design is so efficient that the boat delivers great performance with a lighter weight, four-cylinder 200. Hole shots with a 200 are lightning quick at two seconds flat, which is seriously impressive for a 3,648-pound boat. At full throttle, the Yamaha F200 on our review boat pushed the 236CC along at an indicated 47 mph while turning 6,000 rpm. That’s wonderful performance for a boat of this size. Of course going to maximum power puts another 100 ponies on the transom, but with the extra weight of the V6 the performance gain isn’t as much as you might think. Most boaters will be thrilled with the performance of the 200 – to say nothing of its outstanding fuel economy and substantially lower purchase price.

With its efficient Z-Plane hull design, Stingray’s 236CC achieves near 50 mph and rocket-like hole shots with a lightweight 200 horsepower outboard.

With its comfortable seating, thoughtful amenities, and spirited performance, the all-new Stingray 236CC is a versatile and well-designed center console that can fish with the best yet still deliver all sorts of family fun. There’s a lot to like about this boat.