Sea Ray 205 Sport Specs and Review [Video]
The 205 Sport was the top-of-the-line model in Sea Ray’s Sport bowrider series. The first generation 205 Sport was manufactured from 2006 through 2012, and its successor only lived two short years.
In this comprehensive post, we’ll review these generations and their factory specifications one by one.
First generation (2006-2012)
Hull and Top Deck (’06 – ’12)
For 2006, Sea Ray not only redesigned its popular 175 Sport and 185 Sport runabouts but also expanded the family with two larger brothers.
The mid-range sibling was labeled the 195 Sport while the top-of-the-line model was released under the name of 205 Sport.
The first generation of the latter was in production from 2006 through 2012. The lively 21-footer quickly became popular among boaters and was the best-selling model in its class for many years.
When it comes to specifications, the 205 Sport was a bowrider-style 21-footer runabout built on a deep-V fiberglass hull featuring a 20-degree deadrise.
She measured in with an overall length of 21 feet, an 8-foot beam, and a maximum draft of 33 inches.
Its dry weight changed slightly over the years due to a change in the standard engine.
According to the operator manual, it weighed 3,150 pounds in the 2006-2008 model years, which increased to 3,265 pounds in 2009.
Adding the necessary liquids including 37 gallons of gas and some basic gear, you could expect the estimated curb weight of the boat to be 3,650-3,800 pounds.
Putting her on a 1,000-pound tandem-axle trailer, its estimated trailering weight was roughly 4,650-4,800 pounds.
Sure, these numbers were just ballpark figures, since they would vary depending on the engine option, the weight of the trailer, and the amount of personal gear.
Its modern and stylish bowrider-site top deck was available in three different floorplans.
Each of them utilized the same cushioned bow sitting area and the tinted wraparound windshield.
What they differed in was the layout of the cockpit.
The standard seating plan offered the smallest free deck space since it was designed with a fixed, one-piece sun pad and a rear bench seat.
In contrast, the optional seating plans came with two Hi-Lo aft jump seats with an engine box between them.
These special seats could be raised to complete the sun pad, providing a larger continuous surface.
The port-side companion seat was a back-to-back lounger, while the helm seat could be either a swivel bucket seat or a back-to-back lounger.
As a rule of thumb, each of these deck configurations had the same capacity, including 8 persons or a maximum load of 1200 pounds.
The boat was also designed with high-quality features and accessories.
The most important of these included stainless steel cleats, bow and stern eyes, cup holders, grab handles, navigation lights, a ski tow hook, a Clarion stereo system, and a 12V outlet.
Fitted with a three-step swim ladder, the swim platform was integrated into the transom.
You could find plenty of storage space on the deck under the seats, in the side panels, and a large ski/wakeboard locker hidden beneath the floor.
The latter enjoyed a gas-assisted fiberglass lid while the port-side console housed a glovebox.
Captains appreciated the richly equipped helm utilizing a power-assisted steering system with a tilt wheel.
Instrumentation included a speedometer, tachometer with LCD hour meter, trim gauge, and a 4-1 gauge (voltmeter, water temp., oil pressure, fuel level).
The list of optional features was also quite long, the most important of them included a compass, depth finder, snap-in carpet, watersport tower, starboard windshield wiper, custom graphics, premium audio systems, covers, and more.
Engines (’06 – ’12)
In the year of its introduction, the standard power of the Sea Ray 205 Sport was the 190hp version of the MerCruiser 4.3L V6 engine. Optional engines included the 4.3L MPI V6 (220hp), the 5.0L V8 (220hp), and the high-end 5.0L MPI V8 (260hp).
Each of these engines was paired with an Alpha I MCM sterndrive propulsion system.
Besides their obvious power and displacement differences, these engines differed in many other ways as well.
The MerCruiser 4.3L and 5.0L were carbureted engines and they came standard with aluminum propellers.
As their name suggests, the MerCruiser 4.3L MPI and 5.0L MPI enjoyed a more advanced fuel injection system, remote oil filter, and a stainless steel impeller. (MPI here stands for: Multi-Port Injection.)
For 2009, Sea Ray replaced the standard power of the 205 Sport from the 4.3L 190hp to its 220hp variant. This increased the dry weight of the base model to 115 pounds.
The 5.0L and 5.0L MPI remained available as optional power sources until the end of the model life cycle.
Performance (’06 – ’12)
Let’s talk about the performance of these different power mills.
With the base 190hp engine, the 205 Sport was slightly underpowered, especially with more people onboard. This power source could propel the boat to a top speed of 45-47 mph under ideal conditions.
Fitted with the 220hp MerCruiser 4.3L MPI engine, the 205 Sport went on plane in about 4 seconds and could reach its optimal cruising speed of 28-30 mph in 7-8 seconds.
At this economical speed, the engine burned roughly 7.5 gph, resulting in a fuel economy of 4 mpg. Its estimated fuel range with such gentle use was 135 miles.
The boat reached its 50-51 mph top speed at 4800 RPM when its fuel usage was about 16-17 gph. At this speed, the fuel economy averaged around 3 mpg, which gave her a range of 100 miles.
For more performance, the boat could be rigged with the MerCruiser 5.0L and 5.0L MPI engines which offered a remarkable top speed of 53-55+ mph.
Thanks to its deep keel, the hull had great turning abilities and it could cut through the chop with ease.
Specs Charts (’06 – ’12)
For your convenience, we’ve listed the main factory specs of the Sea Ray 205 Sport (2006 model year):
Dimensions and Weight
Overall Length with std. swim platform |
21’ |
Maximum Beam |
8’ |
Bow to Transom/Keel Intersection |
18’ 6 5/8” |
Draft (stern drive down) |
33” |
Draft (stern drive up) |
17” |
Dead Rise |
20° |
Dry Weight |
3,150 lb. |
Est. Trailering Weight* |
4,600-5,000 lb. |
*(w/ std. engine, liquids, basic gear, and trailer)
Capacities
Fuel Capacity |
37 gal. |
People Capacity |
8 persons or 1100 lb. |
Maximum Capacity |
1,200 pounds, inc. persons, gear |
Engine Specs
Engine Type (MerCruiser) |
4.3 TKS (std.) |
4.3 MPI |
5.0L TKS |
5.0L MPI |
Propulsion |
Alpha I MCM |
Alpha I MCM |
Alpha I MCM |
Alpha I MCM |
Carburetion |
Carbureted |
Fuel Injected |
Carbureted |
Fuel Injected |
Displacement (Liter) |
4.3L |
4.3L |
5.0L |
5.0L |
Displacement (cid) |
262 cid |
262 cid |
305 cid |
305 cid |
Cylinders |
V6 |
V6 |
V8 |
V8 |
Engine Stroke |
4-stroke |
4-stroke |
4-stroke |
4-stroke |
Horsepower |
190hp |
220hp |
220hp |
260hp |
Second Generation (2013-2014)
The 2013-2014 Sea Ray 205 Sport was the successor of its first generation (2006-2012) forerunner. The new model returned with a shallower deadrise, greater capacities, and more bells and whistles.
Hull and Top Deck (’13 – ’14)
Sea Ray redesigned its top-of-the-line 205 Sport runabout for the 2013 season.
Compared to its predecessor, the deep-V fiberglass hull of the new model was almost an inch longer while its deadrise went from 20 to 18 degrees.
Her weight capacity was increased from 1,200 to 1,600 pounds and its passenger capacity went from 8 to 10 people.
Her claimed dry weight remained at 3,265 pounds, which meant a curb weight of 3,700-3,800 pounds with liquids and some minimal gear.
With a solid tandem-axle boat trailer you could expect the estimated weight of the complete rig to be in the ballpark of 4,700-5,000 pounds.
Protected by a curved wraparound windshield, the top deck could be ordered in two different versions.
The standard seating plan featured a more spacious cockpit with a helm bucket seat and a back-to-back starboard companion seat.
These were completed with two Hi-Low aft jump seats, one on each side of the motorbox. Raising these seats turned the aft section into a small sunbed.
The optional seating plan had two swivel chairs, an aft bench seat with a flip-down step pad, and a full-sized sun pad.
The latter was upgraded with an all-new transom walk-thru, which ensured easy access to an integrated swim platform.
Key features of the boat included stainless steel cup holders and grab handles, a Sony audio system with a CD player and iPod connector, cleats and eyes, lights, armrests, a ski tow eye, a 12V outlet, and more.
You could load your gear into numerous storage units including side storages, under-seat storage units, an aft storage, a floor ski/wakeboard locker, and a glovebox.
The helm was designed with a power-assisted steering system and a large dashboard featuring a plethora of gauges and switches.
Engines (’13 – ’14)
The standard power source of the 2013-2014 Sea-Ray 205 Sport was a MerCruiser 4.3L MPI ECT (V6) engine rated at 220hp. However, a 260hp version of the MerCruiser 5.0L MPI ECT (V8) engine was also available as an option.
Both of these engines featured an advanced fuel injection system, remote oil filter, and an Alpha I sterndrive propulsion with a stainless-steel impeller.
Fitted with the standard 220hp engine option, the revamped 205 Sport topped out at around 50 mph while its best cruising speed was just below 30 mph.
In contrast, with the optional 260hp engine package the boat could reach the mid-50s with a light load.
Specs Charts (’13 – ’14)
Factory specifications of the 2013-2014 Sea Ray 205 Sport were as follows:
Dimensions and Weight
Overall Length with std. swim platform |
21’ 3/8” |
Maximum Beam |
8’ |
Keel to Top of the Windshield |
5’ 1 1/8” |
Keel to Top of Tower |
8’ 6 “ |
Overall Height from Stern Drive |
11’ 4” |
Draft (stern drive down) |
35” |
Draft (stern drive up) |
19” |
Dead Rise |
18° |
Dry Weight |
3,265 lb. |
Est. Trialering Weight* |
4,700-5,000 lb. |
*(w/ std. engine, liquids, basic gear, and trailer)
Capacities
Fuel Capacity |
37 gal. |
People Capacity |
10 persons or 1500 lb. |
Maximum Capacity |
1600 pounds, inc. persons, gear |
Engine Specs
Engine Type (MerCruiser) |
4.3 MPI ECT |
5.0L MPI ECT |
Std/Opt. |
Standard |
Optional |
Propulsion |
Alpha I Sterndrive |
Alpha I Sterndrive |
Carburetion |
Fuel Injected |
Fuel Injected |
Displacement (Liter) |
4.3L |
5.0L |
Displacement (cid.) |
262 cid. |
305 cid. |
Cylinders |
V6 |
V8 |
Engine Stroke |
4-stroke |
4-stroke |
Kw |
164 kW |
194 kW |
Horsepower |
220 hp |
260 hp |
Takeaways
The Sea Ray 205 Sport was the top-of-the-line model in Sea-Ray’s Sport bowrider series.
Its first generation was manufactured from 2006 through 2012 which was phased out by its 2013-2014 successor.
This model was built on a deep-V fiberglass hull and could be ordered with either 4.3L or 5.0L MerCruiser gasoline engines.
The bowrider-style top deck was available with three different layouts, each rated at 8 passengers.
Marketed from 2006 to 2012, the first-generation model was built on a deep-V (20-degree) fiberglass hull and rated for 8 passengers.
The revamped model could carry 10 people and enjoyed more bells and whistles like a walk-thru sun deck, and a more advanced Sony audio system.
Engine options in these model years included the standard MerCruiser 4.3L MPI ECT (220hp) and an optional 5.0L MPI ECT (260hp).
Thanks to their durability, many of these boats are still in very good shape.
If you are looking for a used Sea Ray 205 Sport for sale, you can find plenty of them on Boats.com, eBay, Craigslist, or online forums.
Depending on their year and condition, their asking prices vary between $10,000 and $40,000.
Interestingly enough, the MSRP of a new 205 Sport in the late 2000s was also in the ballpark of $35,000-$40,000!
These specifications in this post are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.