Sea Ray 210 Sundeck Specs and Review [Video]

Powered by MerCrusier sterndrive engines, the Sea Ray 210 Sundeck uniquely combined a bowrider hull with the floorplan and amenities of a deck boat.

Sea Ray marketed the entry-level 210 Sundeck from 1997 through 2004 and again from 2008 to 2009.

(For the 2010 season, the model was simply rebranded as the 220 Sundeck without any significant changes.)

Let’s drill into the details and fully discuss these separate generations.

First Generation (1997-2004)

Hull and Deck (’97 – ‘04)

Released in 1995, the first Sea Ray Sundeck ever built was the extremely popular 240 Sundeck.

Encouraged by the success of this model, the manufacturer expanded its deck boat family with a variety of new members.

Often referred to as the first-generation 210 Sundeck (or 210 SD), the 21-footer variant debuted in 1997 and remained in production until 2004.

Unlike traditional deck boats that typically have moderate-V hulls with a shallow deadrise, this model was designed with a true deep-V hull.

It measured 21 feet in length, with a beam of 8.5 feet, while its deadrise was 21 degrees.

Featuring a traditional deck boat layout, the top deck was available in two variations, which came with different cockpit layouts.

The standard seating plan had two swivel bucket seats with flip-up bolsters and a port-side aft bench seat with a walk-thru transom.

In contrast, the optional plan was designed with an L-shaped wraparound lounge but lacked the port-side companion seat.

Both of these cockpit designs shared the same basic features like a wraparound windshield, table mount, and cup holders.

Nestled into the port console, you could also find a lockable head and a cocktail table with a sink and a sprayer.

Unfortunately, some key amenities like the bimini top and the extended swim platform were only available as options.

The two floorplans also shared the same bowrider-style forward lounge, fitted with a floor locker, large cushioned seatings, under-seat storages, cup holders, grab handles, and speakers.

The optional hi-low dinette table doubled as the support for the bow sun pad filler cushion.

Keeping easy boarding in mind, the bow was designed with a convenient boarding platform, including a boarding step and a bow storage unit.

The latter housed a concealed bow ladder and the anchor with its line/chain.

There’s no question that the main advantage of this early 210 SD was its lightweight construction.

Fitted with the standard engine, her claimed dry weight was as low as 3,500 pounds, which increased to roughly 4,000 pounds with the liquids and some minimal gear.

Figuring in the weight of a matching single-axle trailer, you could expect the trailering weight of this 21-footer deck boat to be anywhere from 4,600 to 4,800 pounds.

Even with the optional engines and some personal gear, the total weight of the rig remained in the neighborhood of 5,000-5,500 pounds.

Engines and Performance (’97 – ’04)

Over the years, the 210 SD was marketed with many different MerCruiser sterndrive engine configurations.

In the early years, the standard power source was a single MerCrusier 4.3L with an Alpha I MCM sterndrive engine option. This V6 gasoline marine engine was rated at 190 hp.

The list of the optional engine packages included:

  • 4.3L EFI (220 hp)
  • 5.0L (220 hp)
  • 5.0L EFI (240 hp)
  • 5.7L (250 hp)
  • 5.7L EFI (260 hp)

All of these MerCrusier gasoline engines were paired with Alpha I MCM sterndrive propulsions.

They also came standard with power steering, including a tilt steering wheel and trim.

These bells and whistles made piloting very easy and enjoyable, which was a game changer for novice captains.

Powered by the Stanard 4.3L 190 hp engine, the top speed of the 210 SD was about 45-46 mph under ideal conditions.

With the mid-range 5.0L EFI, this top end increased to nearly 50 mph.

Specifications (’97-’04)

The factory specifications of the 1997-2004 Sundeck 210 were as follows:

Overall Length

21’ 0”

Beam

8’ 6”

Height – Keel to Top of Windshield

5’ 10”

Height – Waterline to Top of Windshield

4’ 3”

Draft (stern drive down)

37”

Draft (stern drive up)

17 ¾”

Dead Rise

21°

Dry Weight

3,500 lb.

Est. Trailering Weight*

5,600-6,000 lb.

Fuel Capacity

50 gal.

Usable Fuel Capacity

47.25 gal.

Water Capacity

10 gal.

People Capacity

10 persons

*(w/ std. engine, liquids, basic gear, and trailer)

Second Generation (2008-2009)

Hull and Deck (’08 – ‘09)

After three years of hiatus, Sea Ray re-introduced its 210 Sundeck for the 2008 season.

The second-generation model returned with a refreshed look and some new bells and whistles.

Thanks to its new swim platform, her overall length increased from 21 feet to 22 feet 4 inches.

The hull kept its 21-degree deep-V architecture but its beam was reduced by one inch.

To the greatest regret of many fans, the capacities of the boat had been significantly decreased, including the fuel capacity (50 to 45 gallons) and the passenger capacity (10 to 8 people).

The most important design changes included upgraded swivel seats and a widened, more square bow area, which already housed a more spacious forward lounge.

The revamped head compartment also offered more space, but in return, the tiny sink disappeared from the top of the port console.

Its door also enjoyed stronger, more durable hinges.

Another novelty was the slim entertainment center on the starboard sides behind the helm, which housed a small counter, cupholders, and a dedicated cooler storage.

The transom was also redesigned with a floor locker beneath the walk-thru passage and a foldout aft-facing transom seat, which was a huge improvement over its predecessor.

Families and watersport lovers appreciated the transom-accessed ski storage and a much larger extended swim platform, which already came as standard.

It was equipped with a retractable ladder while the transom was fitted with grab handles, a transom shower, and a pop-up ski tow eye.

At the helm, the seat was redesigned for more comfort while the dashboard was already fitted with standard Mercury SmartCraft gauges.

https://youtu.be/p2h7iXLbVP0

Engines and Performance (’08 – ‘09)

Just like its predecessor, the second-generation 210 Sundeck was also equipped with MerCruiser gasoline sterndrive engines.

The standard power option through this era was the MerCruiser 5.0L MPI engine.

Rated at 260hp, this V8 gasoline powerhouse enjoyed many advanced technologies like a multi-port fuel injection system and a Bravo III sterndrive propulsion.

The 210 SD topped out at 44-45 mph with this standard engine and about 48-50 mph with the optional 300hp MerCruiser 350 MAG.

In summary, the available MerCruiser engines and propulsion systems through this era were as follows:

  • Std: 5.0L MPI Bravo III (260 hp)
  • Opt: 350 MAG MPI Alpha I (300 hp)
  • Opt: 350 MAG MPI Bravo III DTS (300 hp)

The latter was the most advanced propulsion package in the offering.

As the name suggests, it utilized an innovative SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) system.

https://youtu.be/-cBq3XpM-Mg

Specifications (’08-’09)

The factory specs of the second generation (2008-2009) Sea Ray Sundeck 210 were as follows:

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform

22’ 4”

Maximum Beam

8’ 5”

Height – Keel to Top of Nav Light

9’ 2 ¾”

Height – Waterline to Top of Nav Light

7’ 7 ¾”

Height – Waterline to Top of Windshield

4’ 3 ½”

Draft (stern drive down)

38 ¾”

Draft (stern drive up)

23 ½”

Dead Rise

21°

Dry Weight

4,835 lb.

Fuel Capacity

45 gal.

Usable Fuel Capacity

40 gal.

Fresh Water Capacity

5 gal.

People Capacity

8 persons or 1100 lb.

Total Weight Capacity

1400 lb., persons, gear

Takeaways

Sea Ray marketed its popular Sundeck 210 deck boat for the 1997-2004 and 2008-2009 seasons. In 2010, the model was rebranded as the Sundeck 220.

This unique entry-level Sea Ray was built on a 21-degree deep-V hull and enjoyed a spacious deck boat floorplan.

Hence, its design mixed perfectly with the performance of a bowrider and the comfort and amenities of a comfortable deck boat.

Even though the 210 was a nice little boat, its popularity lagged behind its larger siblings like the 220 and 240.

Thanks to their outstanding durability, many of these iconic boats appear for sale on the used market.

The asking prices of the first-generation 210 SD typically range from $8,000 to $20,000 while their second-generation successors are offered for $25,000-$35,000.

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


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