Everybody has to start somewhere, which is why Sea Ray engineered the 210 Sundeck with the entry-level boater in mind. It has deckboat-style space and amenities packed into a trailerable and fairly affordable 22′ package.
Bowriders are the staple of the entry-level market. But the 210 Sundeck is more like a bowrider/deckboat hybrid. It’s narrower than most deckboats, with an 8’4″ beam, has a steeper deadrise at 21 degrees, and boasts a sharper forefoot. Clues to its deckboat lineage can be found in its roomier bow cockpit and beach platform. The bow cockpit also has deep seating to keep everyone secure, with arm rests and recessed grabhandles.
The best lounge seating for when the 210 Sundeck is beached or on the hook is atop the engine compartment in the main cockpit, with an aft-facing bench along the transom. The port section of the bench lifts up to reveal a stowage locker big enough to slide in a pair of skis.
The 210 Sundeck will have no problem pulling riders with the 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG engine featured in our test boat. The boat jumps on plane between 2500 and 3000 rpm, hitting 25 mph as it settles in. We topped out at just over 48 mph, and because it has a slightly narrower beam with a deeper V, it handled a light chop and encountered boat wakes more capably than expected for its size.
Sea Ray is bringing the keyless, pushbutton dash into its entire product line, including such smaller entries as the 210 Sundeck. The helm also features standard Mercury SmartCraft gauges that let you scroll through engine functions with the push of a button and give you precise digital readings on your rpm and fuel burn.
Sea Ray should have used stronger hinges for the head door than the canvas straps found on our test boat. Also that compartment needs some sort of ventilation. But having a place to relieve yourself or change into your bathing suit is a big plus to have on a smaller boat.
Sea Ray Boats – Knoxville, Tennessee; searay.com
