Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 vs Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 against a modified vee Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 at 21,0 ft versus Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 at 23,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 tips the scales at 4 244 lbs — 3 929 lbs less than the Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 at 315 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 has a 40-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 carries 37 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 10 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 and its 300-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Sea Ray 205 Sport 2013 with its 260-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.
General Boat Info
Model205 Sport
Model230 Fission
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. (2.43 m)
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail19 in. (50 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.42 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.48
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] inches19
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.52 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches38
Weight - Detail3,150 lbs. (1,429 kg)
Weight - Detail4,244 lbs. (1,925 kg)
Weight - kg1428.81
Weight - kg1925.04
Weight - lbs.315
Weight - lbs.4244
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail21 ft. (6.4 m)
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7 m)
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMerCruiser®
Engine makenot available
Engine/s standard4.3L MPI ECT Alpha® 1 sterndrive
Engine/s standard350 Magnum? MPI Bravo? III DTS sterndrive (Digital Throttle & Shift replaces standard throttle and shift)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail37 gal. (140 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters140.06
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Gal37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower220 hp (164 kW)
Horsepower300 hp (224 kW)
Engine max260 hp (194 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMerCruiser®
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum people10 / 1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
Maximum people10 @ 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailTandem axle, painted
Trailer - Detailnot available