One of the first things you notice when you throttle up a Stingray boat, and its 250LR is certainly one of them, is how “freed up” the boat feels from the water—which is one of the reasons why a Stingray made our list of Five Starter Boats that are Perfect For the Beginner. Drag is evident on a lot of boats you drive. That’s not to denigrate the competition; hydrodynamic drag is difficult to overcome. But Stingray is clearly good at it. The key is the Z-plane hull design, and seat-time with many of their models tells us that the longer the boat, the better the hull design works.

Stingray 250LR bowrider

Throttle up the Stingray 250LR and the boat noses over on plane easily, with low planing speeds, which are great for sightseeing cruises. What’s more, the Z-plane hull design makes for sure handling and higher top speeds than other models of similar size and weight with identical power.



A conventional hull features strakes that essentially protrude from the hull. Z-plane strakes create a different plane. Combined with a notched transom, the water flows smoothly the propeller to give it better bite, even with slightly elevated drive heights.

Inside the 250LR, Stingray is clearly upping its game. The largest bowrider in Stingray’s lineup, the 250LR offers buyers a great deal of cockpit and cargo space. For example, the bow area is fitted with generous sculpted lounges with grab handles that fall readily to hand and gobs of stowage underneath. Stingray included a built-in cooler underneath the forward most seat cushion, with enough room for a 12 pack and enough ice to keep them chilled. There’s a decent size anchor locker on the tip of the bow, too.

Stingray 250 LR bow rider

Ready for a cool drink? The Stingray 250 LR is happy to help provide it.



Stingray included another cooler in the cockpit, adjacent to the sink. Beneath the sink is yet another cooler. This one is a removable 25-quart Igloo, and it fits snugly into its own cubby hole with plastic fittings to hold it in place while you’re underway.

In addition to a full head compartment tucked beneath a clamshell-style door, the cockpit has an abundance of seating, including a massive rear U-shape lounge that converts to a oversize sun pad with optional filler cushions. Just aft of the sunpad is the swim platform, which is equally generous and fully featured. It has a small locker that doubles as a seat. There’s also a tow eye, a telescoping swim ladder and a trim switch for the drive.

We also like the long list of standard features that are often sold as options by competitors, but on the Stingray are included at no cost in the convenience package. For example, the 250LR comes with a pressurized water system that feeds the cockpit sink and the transom shower. The stereo system is Bluetooth compatible, too. All standard.

Stingray 250 LR

The 250LR also comes with a Bimini top with a stand-up boot and indirect LED cockpit lighting, which are great for those sunset cruises.



A waterline-to-rubrail band of colored gelcoat on the hull costs $737, and given how great it makes the boat look, it’s probably worth every penny. Make ours navy blue, please. Add a canvas cover for $146, and call it good.
Specifications
Length25'0"
Beam8'6"
Draft2'10"
Deadrise19 degrees
Displacement4,340 lbs
Fuel capacity68 gal.

Stingray’s 250LR is the convergence of everything Stingray boats does well. It’s nimble and fun to drive, yet comfortable and luxurious enough for those leisurely twilight cruises. It’s a top-shelf package packed with value: base price with a 5.0-liter MerCruiser V8 and Alpha One drive is $50,152. Freight and dealer prep bumps the price, as will a trailer.

Other Choices: The Cruisers Sport Series 258 is another bowrider with a tricked-out running surface. Same goes for Regal’s 24 Fasdeck. You may want to check out Bowriders: 10 Key Considerations Before You Buy to gain more insight into how these types of boats compare.

See Stingray 250 listings.

For more information, visit Stingray.

 

Written by: Brett Becker
Brett Becker is a freelance writer and photographer who has covered the marine industry for 15 years. In addition to covering the ski boat and runabout markets for Boats.com, he regularly writes and shoots for BoatTrader.com. Based in Ventura, Calif., Becker holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s in mass communication from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
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