Sea Ray 200 Signature BR Specs and Review [Video]

Marketed from 1994 through 1995, the 200 Signature was a 20.5-foot Sea Ray runabout powered by MerCruiser sterndrive engines. This model was available with both a cuddy cabin and bowrider deck architecture. In 1996, she was rebranded to the 210 Signature without any major mechanical changes.

In this post, we’ll review the far more popular bowrider variant, which was available with many different seating layouts and luxury amenities.

Sea Ray 200 Signature Review

Hull and Top Deck

As the name suggests, the Sea Ray 200 Signature BR was built on an almost 20-foot modified-V hull utilizing a 15-degree transom deadrise.

To be more precise, the overall length of the boat was 20.5 feet with the integrated swim platform and it had a beam of 8 feet. Her draft was only 13 inches with the stern drive up and 30 inches with it down.

This stable and predictable hull was sealed with a bowrider-style top deck available with two cockpit layouts.

Watersport lovers appreciated the #1 seating plan with two back-to-back lounger seats and two Hi-Low aft jump seats, which also formed into a small sun pad.

In contrast, the #2 plan came with two swivel bucket seats, a full-beam aft sun pad, and a Hi-Low aft bench seat. The latter could be used to expand the surface of the sun pad.

Engineered with full wraparound seating, the forward lounge offered plenty of space while the bow peak housed a handy anchor locker.

Redesigned in 2015, the top deck was upgraded with some cosmetic changes, and the all-new asymmetrical sun pad, which became the distinguishing mark of the Signature-Select series in the following years.

Instead of a full-beam design, it housed a ports-side Hi-Low jump seat, which was completed with a smaller starboard aft bench seat.

Raising this jump seat formed a large comfortable sun pad.

Due to these minor changes, the dry weight of the 200 Signature BR increased from 3,100 to 3,300 pounds.

Figuring the weight of a full tank (35 gal.) of fuel, other liquids, and some essential safety gear, the curb weight of the boat was roughly 3,300-3,600 pounds depending on the year.

Loaded on a tandem-axle trailer, the gross trailering weight of this 20.5-foot bowrider was in the neighborhood of 4,500-5,000 pounds.

Standard features included a walk-thru windshield, stainless steel eyelets, mooring cleats, bow rails, grab handles, cup holders, navigation lights, and a built-in insulated ice chest.

Besides the industry-standard glove box, floor ski locker, and under-seat storage, the boat had a bow anchor storage with designated fender storage.

Cozy and luxurious, the helm was fitted with a tilt steering wheel and sun visor, while the custom soft-touch dash housed a full set of instruments, two switch panels, and the radio.

Besides these features, the 200 Signature BR enjoyed the high-quality “Signature Select” package including custom upholstery, snap-in swim platform carpet, bow filler cushion, courtesy lighting package, windshield wiper, canvas package, Premier stereo upgrade with subwoofer and 6 speakers, and more.

Engines and Performance

As a rule of thumb, the 200 Signature BR was exclusively available with V8 MerCruiser Alpha I sterndrive engines.

Standard power in the 1994 season was the 5.0L, which could be opted for either 180 or 200hp.

Sharing the same Alpha I sterndrive propulsion, the optional 5.0LX and the 5.7L delivered 205/230hp and 230/260hp, respectively.

At a WOT RPM of 4600, the top speed with the 5.0L was 35-38 mph while the more powerful 5.0LX offered roughly 47-50 mph.

You could expect more torque and a top speed in the high 40s with the top-of-the-line 5.7L 260hp engine option.

In terms of acceleration, the boat could hit 20 mph in 6-7 seconds and 30 mph in around 9 seconds with the same engine while her best cruise was 31-33 mph at 3000 RPM.

In 1995, the standard power was upgraded to the 205hp 5.0LX, while the 5.7L and 5.7L EFI came as options.

Both of these 5.7L variants were rated at 250hp and featured Bravo III and Bravo I legs, respectively.

Specifications

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	20’ 6”
Maximum Beam	8’ 0”
Draft (Outboard Down)	30”
Draft (Outboard Up)	12”
Dry Weight	3,100 lb.
Fuel Capacity	35 gal.
Dead Rise	15°

Engine Specs (1994)

Engine type	5.0L MerCruiser (std)	5.0LX MerCruiser (opt.)	5.7L MerCruiser (opt)
Engine stroke	4-stroke	4-stroke	4-stroke
Cylinders	V8	V8	V8
Displacement	5.0L	5.0L	5.7L
Carburetion	Carburetors	Carburetors	Carburetors
Engine power	200/180hp	230/205hp	260/230hp
Propulsion (I/O)	Alpha I	Alpha I	Alpha I

Engine Specs (1995)

Engine type	5.0LX MerCruiser (opt.)	5.7L MerCruiser (opt)	5.7L MerCruiser (opt)		5.7L EFI MerCruiser (opt)
Engine stroke	4-stroke	4-stroke	4-stroke		4-stroke
Cylinders	V8	V8	V8		V8
Displacement	5.0L	5.7L	5.7L		5.7L
Carburetion	Carb.	Carb.	Carb.		EFI Fuel injected
Engine power	205hp	235hp	250hp		250p
Propulsion (I/O)	Alpha I	Alpha I	Bravo III		Bravo I

 

Problems

There’s no question that the biggest design flaw of the Sea Ray 200 Signature was her wood construction elements.

Just like many other recreational boats manufactured in the ‘90s, this model also had a fiberglass-coated but wood-cored transom, floor, and bilge stringers.

Over the years water found its way into the inside of their fiberglass shell, causing massive rot problems.

Replacing these structural elements in many cases was not worth the time and effort, which is why many of these classic boats have been scrapped over the years.

Takeaways

Also known as Sea Ray 200 Signature Select, the 200 Signature Bowrider (BR) was marketed in 1994 and 1995.

In 1996, she was phased out by the 210 Signature while her closest relatives, the 180 and 220 were also rebranded.

Besides bowrider-style floorplans, the 200 Signature was also available with a tiny cuddy cabin.

She was powered by 5.0L and 5.7L MerCruiser sterndrive engines rated at 180/260hp depending on the model and its specifications.

Besides the industry-standard features, she enjoyed the luxury “Signature Select” package including many bells and whistles.

If you are looking for a used Sea Ray 200 Signature for sale, you may find some on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, or boat classifieds.

The asking prices of these aged vessels average between $5,000 and $20,000, and with good reason.

These boats were designed with rot-prone wood elements, which can cause many headaches for owners.

Therefore, unless you are looking for a project boat, don’t buy one with wood-cored elements that haven’t been replaced yet.

Note that replacing a wood-cored transom and bilge stringers means an enormous restoration project, which may cost much more than you expected!

Specifications in this post are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.