The Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 vs Sea Ray SLX 280 2022 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 at 26,0 ft versus Sea Ray SLX 280 2022 at 28,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray SLX 280 2022 tips the scales at 7 018 lbs — 6 550 lbs less than the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 at 468 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 Sea Ray SLX 280 2022 tops out at 350 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 carries 65 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Sea Ray SLX 280 2022. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Sea Ray SLX 280 2022 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 240 Sundeck 2005 could be the deciding factor.