Boats

2020 Stingray 231DC

The 231DC delivers fun for watersports, entertaining friends and family, or cruising.

By Boating Tech Team

Updated: December 3, 2019

The patented Stingray Z-plane hull delivers a spirited performance. Courtesy Stingray Boats

Stingray’s 231DC proved itself a solid value and an SUV of a runabout. It embodies a playful dual-console layout combining versatility, comfort, utility and performance with an appealing presentation.

The patented Stingray Z-plane hull delivers a spirited performance with a stout Mercury 250XL V-8 outboard spinning an Enertia ECO 18-inch pitch wheel. Acceleration will satisfy just about any watersports enthusiast, planing in 3.3 seconds and gaining 30 mph from a dead stop in a cat-quick 5.2 seconds. Top speed hovered at 52 mph. The most economical cruise speed was 31.6 mph at 3,500 rpm, burning 8 gallons per hour for 4 miles per gallon.

Comfortable bow seating makes family boating enjoyable. Courtesy Stingray Boats

The 231DC focuses on family fun, with multiple gathering pits within the -cockpit. There’s well-designed space, so no one feels cramped or runs out of stowage space for gear. All Stingray models get a completely new upholstery upgrade for 2020, with a soft-vinyl pebbled finish designed to be comfy yet stand up to the elements. Our test boat employed gray vinyl, which complemented the red-gelcoated hull.

Starboard-side console is equipped with a solid-surface countertop, sink and trash bin. Courtesy Stingray Boats

The spacious split swim platform -features a transom walk-through into the cockpit on the starboard-side. Finished in SeaDek soft nonskid, the platform -provides room for watersports prep and water gatherings. The stainless-steel grab handles, stainless-steel retractable four-step boarding ladder and the dual stainless cup holders provide utility. Stingray’s optional fishing package adds four flush-mounted, stainless rod holders across the transom with a pop-up stainless ski tow.

The dash console is accented by a wood-grain instrument panel fitted with a Garmin GPSMap 742xs multifunction display and Mercury SmartCraft display. Courtesy Stingray Boats

In the aft cockpit, a full-width stern seat curves up the port side, -complemented by a starboard-side lounge. Swiveling -pedestal seats for driver and -companion rotate for at-rest conversation. The self-draining cockpit sole is finished in SeaDek snap-in flooring. Overhead, Stingray’s -optional folding wakeboard tower -offers utility plus sun protection with an -integrated Bimini top. The helm console features a large, integrated storage compartment. The dash console is accented by a wood-grain instrument panel fitted with a Garmin GPSMap 742xs multifunction display and Mercury SmartCraft display.

Passenger console houses a generously sized head with portable toilet. Courtesy Stingray Boats

High Points

⋅Fusion RA670 stereo with remote control and 1400-watt, four-channel digital amp delivers great sounds on the water, whether you’re engaged in watersports, entertaining friends and family, or cruising to your next boating adventure.

⋅Starboard-side entertainment unit features console with a solid-surface countertop, sink and trash bin.

⋅Passenger console houses a generously sized head with portable toilet, dockside pump-out and small vanity with sink. Porthole provides fresh air.