10 Things to Check During a Boat Test Drive

The best way to test the substance of any product is to use it! That means more than just a quick spin on a lake. A good test drive should be fun, entertaining, and give you a true sense of how the boat feels and functions in all water conditions. Bring the entire family along and spend some time experiencing the real-world function of those stylish interiors, storage, and other features.

1) Check useful storage for boards, skis, coolers, and other gear. Don’t forget accessibility and convenience.

2) Evaluate entry into boat from dock. Note positioning of steps and walkovers.

3) Observe space and seating arrangement in both cockpit and bow areas. Evaluate bow comfort, accessibility, and roominess. Sit in various seat locations and note seat contouring, overall support and comfort. Remember traffic flow and leg room with all passengers seated.

4) Sit in the driver's seat and scan the dash for instrument placement, visibility and ease of use. Check forward visibility over the dashboard. Note comfort and convenience of driver's seat.

5) Observe freeboard, depth of seating and dryness of ride in all conditions. Evaluate safety for the kids.

6) Accelerate! Note how quick the boat comes to plane and ride comfort. There should be little or no flexing in the windshield walkthrough, dash area, or seat bases.

7) In quiet water maneuver to check handling.

8) While cruising in rough water, evaluate ride.

9) Allow all legal drivers in the family to drive and note user-friendliness.

10) Discuss with the dealer whether or not the boat delivers on everyone's expectations!

Great video of the 2013 Sea Ray 230 SLX

*Boat in Muskoka*