Sea Ray 220 Bow Rider Specs and Review [Video]

Sea Ray Bow Riders have a reputation for reliability and outstanding comfort, and the 220 BR was no exception. Over the years this model underwent three different generations, which were as follows:

• 1^st gen. – 1992-1993
• 2^nd gen. – 1994-1996
• 3^rd gen. – 2002-2007

In this post, we’ll review these generations and compare them together in one comparison post.

First Gen. (1992-1993)

Review (’92-’93)

Sea Ray launched its deservedly popular Bow Rider runabout family in 1989.

In the early ‘90s, this series was expanded with several new models like the 240 BR and the 220 BR.

As the name suggests, the latter was marketed as a 22-foot model, but her dimensions and weight varied greatly over the years.

In the first year of its introduction, the 220 BR measured in with an overall length of 21 feet 4 inches and had a trailerable beam of 8 feet.

She weighed 3,150 pounds dry and could carry 44 gallons of gas and 8 gallons of fresh water.

Figuring the weight of these liquids, engine oil, and some basic gear, the estimated curb weight was 3,600-3,800 pounds with the standard engine and around 4,000 pounds with the optional ones.

Loaded on a matching tandem-axle trailer, you could expect the trailering weight of the 220 BR to be in the ballpark of 4,500-5,000 pounds.

Her stylish top deck was available with three seating layouts, which were as follows:

• Seating Plan #1: Aft sun pad, aft bench seat, two swivel bucket seats (helm/passenger).
• Seating Plan #2: Same as #1 but with helm back-to-back lounger seats.
• Seating Plan #3: Two back-to-back lounger seats and two Hi-Low jump aft seats, which formed a smaller sun pad. This layout was completed with a slide-out motor box table featuring drink holders.

Each plan shared the same forward bow lounger, designed with wraparound seating and cup holders.

The bow was also equipped with gunwale-mounted grab rails, cleats, eyes, navigation lights, and an anchor storage.

Wrapped around a curved windshield, the cockpit enjoyed two-tone upholstery with Sea Ray logos, armrests, cup holders, stainless-steel grab handles, gunwale deck step pads, side panel storage, a glovebox, an insulated ice chest, a ski locker, and a sound system.

Besides the integrated swim platform, the aft utilized a reboarding ladder, ski eye, and several grab rails.

In the 1992-1993 model years, the standard power source of the 220 BR was a 4.3LX MerCruiser sterndrive engine rated at 175/205hp.

In contrast, the optional 5.0LX, 5.7L, and 7.4L MerCruiser engines delivered 205-330hp depending on the model.

Drawbacks?

Just like many early Sea Rays, the 220 BR also utilized a wood-cored floor and bilge stringers.

When they came into contact with water, these wooden structural elements started to massively rot.

This is why these boats are rarely found on the used market; many of them have already ended up in marine salvage yards.

Specs Chart (‘92-‘93)

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	21’ 4”
Maximum Beam	8’ 0”
Draft (stern drive down)	32”
Draft (stern drive up)	17”
Dry Weight	3,150 lb.
Est. Trailering Weight*	4,500-5,000 lb.
Fuel Capacity	44 gal.
Water Capacity (opt.)	8 gal.
Std. Engine (’92-’93)	4.3LX MerCruiser I/O (205-175hp)
Opt. Engines (’92-‘93)	5.0LX MerCruiser I/O (230/205hp) 5.7L MerCruiser I/O (260/230hp)
Opt. Engine (‘93)	7.4L MerCruiser I/O (330/300hp)

*(w/ liquids, basic gear, and trailer)

Second Gen. (1994-1995)

Review (’94-‘95)

In 1994, Sea Ray heavily redesigned its 220 Bow Rider with much sleeker lines and modern features.

The new model returned with a significantly larger deep-V hull, which had a 20.5-degree dead rise at the transom.

Compared to the predecessor, she was more than 1 foot longer and 2 inches wider, and her fuel capacity had also increased from 44 to 50 gallons.

These changes caused the dry weight to rise from 3,150 to 3,700 pounds, which converted to an estimated trailering weight of 5,000-5,500 pounds.

Rated for 10 passengers, the spacious top deck also offered more free space and a lot of new bells and whistles.

Without the need for completeness, some of the most important novelties were:

• Sleeker lines and new colors
• Smoother gunwales without teak boarding steps
• Redesigned seats and upholstery
• Retractable swim ladder (not hide-away)
• Enlarged ski-locker with fiberglass lid
• More spacious sun lounge
• Entirely new dashboard
• Redesigned port-side console and side panels

Besides the new body and features, the second-generation 220 BR enjoyed more powerful engine packages as well.

As a rule of thumb, the standard propulsion in both model years was the 5.0LX MerCruiser Alpha I sterndrive engine.

This unit could be opted for a 5.7L Alpha I or a 7.4L Bravo I sterndrive engine in 1994.

In the following year, this list was expanded with the 5.7L EFI, 7.4LPT, and the 350 Magnum engine options.

These could be ordered with Alpha I, Bravo I, or Bravo III legs, depending on the model.

Performance?

As an example, fitted with the 5.0L Alpha I, the 220 BR topped out at 42-43 mph with some people onboard.

Specs Chart (‘94-‘95)

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	22’ 5”
Maximum Beam	8’ 2”
Draft (stern drive down)	32”
Draft (stern drive up)	17”
Dead Rise	20.5º
Dry Weight	3,700 lb.
Est. Trailering Weight*	5,000-5,500 lb.
Fuel Capacity	50 gal.
Water Capacity (opt.)	8 gal.
Passenger/Weight Capacity	10 / 1800 lb.

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

Engines (MerCruiser I/O)

Std. (’94-’95)	5.0LX Alpha I (230/205 hp)
Opt. #1 (’94)	5.7L Alpha I (260/230 hp)
Opt. #2 (’94)	7.4L Bravo I (330/300 hp)
Opt. #3 (’95)	5.7L Alpha I (235 hp)
Opt. #4 (’95)	5.7L Bravo III (250 hp)
Opt. #5 (’95)	5.7L EFI Bravo I (250 hp)
Opt. #6 (’95)	5.7L EFI Bravo III (250 hp)
Opt. #7 (’95)	350 MAG Alpha I (250 hp)
Opt. #8 (’95)	350 MAG EFI Bravo I (265 hp)
Opt. #9 (’95)	7.4L Bravo I (300 hp)
Opt. #10 (’95)	7.4LPT Bravo III (300 hp)

Third Gen. (2002-2007)

Review (’02-‘07)

After six years of hiatus, Sea Ray re-introduced the 220 Bow Rider in 2002.

Unlike its outdated predecessors, the all-new model was a truly modern runabout with full-fiberglass stringers and floor.

Thanks to its upgraded aft and 4 extra inches of beam, she offered much more space and comfort.

Despite its name, the new 220 BR was 23 feet long with its extended integrated platform.

The latter already housed a swim platform vent system and a hide-away ladder on the starboard side.

Another key novelty of the third-generation model was its entirely new cockpit layouts featuring a port-side walk-thru transom with a jump aft seat.

For the sake of this walk-thru passage, the sun pad and the aft bench seat were shrunken in width and located on the starboard side.

The helm was fitted with a cozy swivel bucket seat, armrest, and a luxurious dashboard featuring wood inserts and a small sun visor.

The standard floorplan also housed a port-side swivel bucket seat, which could be opted for a back-to-back lounger.

Directly in front of this passenger seat, you could find a sizable glovebox with a radio, a little insulated ice chest, and two cupholders.

Designed with wind protection in mind, the door of the helm console storage doubled as a bow gate.

Besides this sizable locker, you could find a plethora of hidden storage units under the bow lounge cushions, aft bench seat, sun pad, floor, and inside the side panels.

Other bells and whistles included a snap-in carpet, cup holders, grab handles, lights, trash receptacle, Bimini top, and more.

Over the years, Sea Ray offered the 220 BR with many different propulsion packages.

In the 2002 season, she was fitted with a standard 5.0L MerCruiser MPI Alpha I MCM engine rated at 260hp.

The same engine could be ordered with a more advanced Bravo III MCM leg or could be opted with the more powerful MX6.2L MPI Bravo III (320hp).

Each of these gasoline engines enjoyed a multi-port fuel injection system, a stainless-steel propeller, and a remote oil filter.

Specs Chart (’02-’07)

In this chart, we’ve listed the specifications of the third-generation Sea Ray 220 BR (2002 model year):

Overall Length w/ Swim Platform	23’ 0”
Maximum Beam	8’ 6”
Draft (stern drive down)	36”
Draft (stern drive up)	20”
Dead Rise	21°
Height – Keel to Top of Windshield	5’ 9.5”
Height – Keel to Bottom of Windshield	4’ 8.5”
Dry Weight	3,950 lb.
Est. Trailering Weight*	5,300 – 5,800 lb.
Fuel Capacity	47 gal.
Max Persons/Weight	10 / 1,400 lb.
(MWC) Max Weight Persons/Gear	1,600 lb.
Std. Engine (’02)	5.0L MPI Alpha I MCM (260hp)
Opt. Engines (’02)	5.0L MPI Bravo III MCM (260hp) MX6.2L MPI Bravo III MCM (320hp)

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

Comparison Chart

For a better comparison, we’ve listed the factory specs of the generations head-to-head:

Generation	1st	2nd	3rd
Years of Manufacture	‘92-‘93	‘94-‘95	‘02-‘07*
Overall Length w/ Std. Swim Platform	21′ 4″	22′ 5″	23′ 0″
Maximum Beam	8′ 0″	8′ 2″	8′ 6″
Draft (stern drive down)	32″	32″	36″
Draft (stern drive up)	17″	17″	20″
Dead Rise	NA	20.5°	21°
Dry Weight	3,150 lb.	3,700 lb.	3,950 lb.
Fuel Capacity	44 gal.	50 gal.	47 gal.
People Capacity	NA	10	10
Std. Engine	205/175 hp	205/230 hp	260 hp
Opt. Engine	205 – 330hp	205 – 300 hp	260 – 320 hp

* Specs apply to the 2002 model year.

Takeaways

Sea Ray marketed their popular 220 Bow Rider for many years in the ‘90s and 2000s.

The first two generations (‘92-‘93, ‘94-‘95) featured much simpler designs and rot-prone wooden structural elements.

In contrast, their 02’-07’ successor was a modern bowrider with a significantly larger fiberglass body.

Thanks to its spacious (wood-free) deck, great capacities, and luxury amenities, this runabout instantly became popular among buyers.

If you are considering buying a used Sea Ray 220 BR, best practice is to go with this latest generation and avoid its outdated forerunners.

Depending on their condition, engine option, and features, the asking prices of these 22-footer Sea Rays average between $10,000 and $25,000.

You also can’t go wrong with her closest relatives like the 200 BR, 210 BR, or the more spacious 240 BR.

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