Sea Ray 245 Weekender Review and Specs [Video]

Sea Ray marketed the 245 Weekender from 2000 through 2005 as a mid-range model in the deservedly popular Weekender cabin cruiser series. This very nice overnighter was built on a 24-foot platform and housed single sterndrive engine packages rated at 150-320hp.

In this post, we’ll review this trailerable cabin boat and her key specifications.

Sea Ray 245 Weekender Review

Hull and Top Deck

Just like its smaller siblings, including the Weekender 215 and Weekender 225, the 245 was also built on a modified V fiberglass hull.

It had a transom deadrise of 19 degrees and a maximum draft of 39 inches.

As the name suggests, the overall length of the boat was 24 feet, extended by 2 feet with an external swim platform.

Depending on the model year, the claimed dry weight of the boat was 5,100-5,200 pounds with a standard engine.

Matched with a tandem-axle trailer, this tiny cruiser could easily be towed.

But fully loaded, you could expect the gross trailering weight of the rig to be upwards of 8,000 pounds. Therefore, the 245 wasn’t towable with just a family sedan!

Protected by a curved walk-thru windshield, the cozy cockpit was only available with one seating layout.

At the port side, you had a back-to-back lounger and the aft was fitted with a versatile full-beam lounger.

Assembled from two aft jump seats with a filler cushion between, this aft bench seat doubled as a one-person sun pad.

By removing the jump seats, you had not only significantly more free deck space but also easy access to the swim platform through the solid full-height transom door.

The helm was designed with a wood-grain dash with custom Sea Ray instrumentation completed with a compass and depth finder.

A power-assisted steering system with a 3-spoke tilt steering wheel plus a wide helm seat with flip-up bolster also came standard.

Behind this seat, there was a designated storage space for a carry-on cooler. Covered by a cushion, it also functioned as an additional “cooler seat.”

Cockpit storage compartments included a sizable floor locker, side panel storage compartments, under-seat storage units, and beverage holders.

The stern was designed with a 2-foot swim platform extension fitted with a concealed swim ladder and air vent.

You also had a ski tow eye, a grab handle, and a hidden fender storage, all mounted at the back of the transom.

The sliding fiberglass cabin door had integrated steps up to the foredeck and the curved windshield also had a walk-thru section.

Cabin

Through this lockable door, you could reach the inviting cabin.

Even though its interior was more spacious than its smaller siblings’, it lagged behind the Sundancer series.

This is no surprise, since Weekenders were basically oversized cuddy cabins with more cockpit space, while Sundancers were built as real cabin cruisers.

Forward, you had an asymmetrical V-berth with storage units underneath, a removable dinette table, and filler cushion.

Located on the starboard side, the fully enclosed head had a portable toilet and shower.

Families appreciated the little but well-equipped galley with stainless cabinets, 12V outlet, dual-voltage refrigerator, single-burner butane stove, trash receptacle, and the sink with a faucet.

The latter was connected to a standard pressure water system utilizing an 11-gallon freshwater tank. In contrast, a 10-gallon holding tank came as an option.

You could load your gear into hanging lockers, a mirrored bulkhead rope locker, and practical side storage shelves.

In terms of passenger capacity, the 245 Weekender seated 8 people and had a fuel capacity of 70 gallons.

Engines and Performance

Simple and economical, the 245 Weekender was designed with single sterndrive engine packages.

In 2000 and 2001, the standard power source was a carbureted 220hp 5.0L Bravo II, upgraded to a multi-port fuel-injected 260hp 5.0L MPI Bravo II in 2002.

Depending on the model year, optional engines included a 260hp 5.7L EFI, which could be opted with either a Bravo II or a Bravo III leg.

For those looking for more power, Sea Ray offered a 7.4L MPI, a 300hp 350 MAG MPI, and the top-of-the-line 320hp MX 6.2L MPI.

Besides these gasoline engine packages, the 245 could also be opted with 150hp MerCruiser and 157hp Volvo Penta diesel engines.

The 260hp engine variants (including the 5.0L MPI and 5.7L EFI) offered a top speed of 45 mph and cruised the boat in the mid-to-high 20s.

At this economical speed, the fuel economy averaged around 2 gph.

Thanks to her ventilated chine hull design, the 245 offered great performance in the turns and tracked well in both directions.

Specifications

The factory specifications of the Sea Ray 245 Weekender were as follows:

Dimensions and Capacities

Overall Length	24’ 0”
Overall Length with Extended Swim Platform	26’ 0”
Beam	8’ 6”
Draft (Stern Drive Down)*	39”
Draft (Stern Drive Up)*	24”
Dead Rise	19°
Dry Weight*	5,100-5,200 lb.
Max persons/weight*	8/1200-1400 lb.
(MWC) Max Weight Persons/Gear*	1600-1800 lb.
Fuel Capacity	70 gal.
Water Capacity	11 gal.
Holding Tank (optional)	10 gal.

Available Engine Packages*

Engine	HP	Fuel
MerC 5.0L B2	220hp	Gasoline
MerC 5.0L EFI B2 or B3	240hp	Gasoline
MerC 5.7L B2	250hp	Gasoline
MerC 5.7L EFI B2 or B3	260hp	Gasoline
MerC 5.0L MPI B3	260hp	Gasoline
MerC 350 MAG MPI B3	300hp	Gasoline
MerC MX 6.2 MPI B3	320hp	Gasoline
MerC D2.8L D-Tronic B2	150hp	Diesel
Volvo KAD 32P/DP	157hp	Diesel

*May vary by the year

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

Takeaways

Sea Ray marketed the mid-range 245 Weekender from 2000 through 2005 as a trailerable 24-foot overnighter.

She was claimed to be a cabin cruiser but due to a larger cockpit space and smaller cabin, she functioned more like a sizeable cuddy cabin.

With a gross trailering weight of about 8,000 pounds, the 245 was relatively easy to tow and launch.

Featuring a fully equipped galley, spacious V-berth, and an enclosed head with shower, the cabin made the boat suitable for weekend trips. Hence the name.

Engine packages included single 220-320hp gasoline and single 150-157hp diesel options.

Thanks to their durability and reliability, these cruisers are still popular among used boat buyers.

As a rule of thumb, their asking prices range from $15,000 up to $40,000 depending on the condition, age, features, and engine option.