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Sea Ray 230 Fission Select

The Fission is a special edition of Sea Ray's popular 230 Select. The dashing graphics, amped-up sound system and tricked-out water-sports features target active adults and younger family members. The equally good news for the folks making payments is that underneath the bling there resides a first-rate sport boat built to the same exacting standards as all other Sea Ray models.

The Fission is a special edition of Sea Ray’s popular 230 Select. The dashing graphics, amped-up sound system and tricked-out water-sports features target active adults and younger family members. The equally good news for the folks making payments is that underneath the bling there resides a first-rate sport boat built to the same exacting standards as all other Sea Ray models.

This is also as much a driver’s boat as it is a rider’s boat. We found the hull stayed on plane at speeds as low as 16 mph, which makes pulling wakeboarders easier than in boats that want to bump on and off plane in the 16 to 20 mph range. The Bravo 3 drive becomes a handling benefit when picking up downed riders, and the addition of a SmartCraft digital speed control system allows drivers to concentrate on driving a straight path instead of constantly adjusting speed. When not towing sports, our test boat, with a MerCruiser 350 MPI engine, nudged just over 50 mph.

Noteworthy touches include the contoured bow lounges and the flip-up bolster on the rear bench, which converts the sun pad into an aft-facing lounge. With the boat in water-sports mode, a removable section of the sun pad provides step-through access to the integrated swim pad, which is wider than those on many boats of this type. We also like the way wakeboards are held in place overhead without impeding sightlines to either side.

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In addition to the impressive list of standard features included in the Fission package, buyers can kick things up a few extra notches with additional options such as tower-mounted speakers, a through-hull exhaust option and even an underwater lighting package so friends can swim close to the boat and hang out into the evening.

Notable Features

The Fission tower neatly integrates a Bimini top for midday shade.
Bench seat in the stern flips up to create an aft-facing sun pad.
Premium sound system includes an iPod interface.
Snap-out carpet allows for barefoot comfort when it’s in and easy cleanup when it’s out.
SmartTow provides consistent pulls for the rider and one less concern for the driver.

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At A Glance…
The Fission is for anyone who wants water-sports performance while valuing the versatility of a general-purpose bowrider.

Vital Stats

  • Length Overall: 23′
  • Beam: 8’6″
  • Dry Weight: 4,244 lb.
  • Seating/Weight Capacity: 10/ 1,400 lb.
  • Fuel Capacity: 50 gal.
  • Maximum HP: 300
  • MSRP (test boat w/ MerCruiser 350 MPI): $69,423

Test Drive

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  • Test Engine: MerCruiser 350 MPI, Bravo 3
  • Test Prop: Mercury 24-pitch Stainless Steel
  • Test Load: People (350 lb.); Fuel (40 gal.)
  • Top Speed: 51 mph @ 5,400 rpm
  • Time to Plane: 4.9 sec.
  • Time to 30 mph: 8.3 sec.
  • Minimum Planing Speed: 15 mph @ 2,500 rpm

Sea Ray Boats – Knoxville, Tennessee; searay.com

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