Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 vs Stingray 230SX 2005 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 or the Stingray 230SX 2005?

For trailering, the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 has the edge at 2 825 lbs dry weight versus 3 557 lbs for the Stingray 230SX 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Stingray 230SX 2005 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 measures 99" wide, compared to 96" for the Stingray 230SX 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 or the Stingray 230SX 2005?

The Stingray 230SX 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 and Stingray 230SX 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 and the Stingray 230SX 2005 are built by Stingray. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 vs Stingray 230SX 2005

Stingray

Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012

2012

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Stingray

Stingray 230SX 2005

2005

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 vs Stingray 230SX 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 vs Stingray 230SX 2005 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Stingray 230SX 2005 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 20,7 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Stingray 230SX 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeStingray

Model208LR Sport Deck

Model230SX

Model Year2012

Model Year2005

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam99 in. (250 cm)

Beam96 in. (244 cm)

Beam - Meters2.51

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches99

Beam - Inches96

Bridge clearance - Detail49 in. (124 cm)

Bridge clearance - Detail52 in. (132 cm)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.24

Bridge clearance - Meters1.32

Bridge clearance - Inches49

Bridge clearance - Inches52

Deadrise19°

Deadrise20℃

Depth - DetailMolded Depth: 48 in. (122 cm) windshield base to keel Max Depth: 62 in. (157 cm) with standard windshield Bow Depth: 16 in. (41 cm) bow to cushion top; 32 in. (80 cm) max depth

Depth - Detailnot available

Depth - Centimeters157.48

Depth - Centimetersnot available

Depth - Inches62

Depth - Inchesnot available

Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (46 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detail20 in. (51 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.46

Draft [drive up] meters0.51

Draft [drive up] inches18

Draft [drive up] inches2

Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (91 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.86

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Inches34

Draft [max] - Inches36

Weight - Detail2,825 lbs. with 4.3L engine

Weight - Detail3557 lbs. (w/ 6.2L MPI engine)

Weight - kg1281.4

Weight - kg1613.43

Weight - lbs.2825

Weight - lbs.3557

Height - DetailFreeboard: 24 in. (61 cm)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters0.61

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches24

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Feet20.67

Length - Feetnot available

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 8 in. (6.3 m)

Length overall - Detail22 ft. 8 in. (6.9 m)

Length overall - Meters6.3

Length overall - Meters6.91

Length overall - Inches248

Length overall - Inches272

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail57 gal. (216 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters132.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters215.77

Fuel tank capacity - Gal35

Fuel tank capacity - Gal57

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Operational Info

StorageIce Box: 32 + 24 qt. (30 + 13 l)

Storagenot available

Maximum capacity1,715 lbs. (778 kg)

Maximum capacity1850 lbs. (839 kg)

Maximum people9

Maximum people8

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity3 gal. (11 l)

Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 vs Stingray 230SX 2005 — Common Questions

Which is easier to trailer — the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 or the Stingray 230SX 2005?

For trailering, the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 has the edge at 2 825 lbs dry weight versus 3 557 lbs for the Stingray 230SX 2005. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 9 passengers, while the Stingray 230SX 2005 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 measures 99" wide, compared to 96" for the Stingray 230SX 2005. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 or the Stingray 230SX 2005?

The Stingray 230SX 2005 has the bigger tank at 57 gallons, versus 35 gallons on the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012. That 22-gallon difference translates to roughly 66–110 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 and Stingray 230SX 2005 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 and the Stingray 230SX 2005 are built by Stingray. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Stingray 208LR Sport Deck 2012 full specs ← Stingray 230SX 2005 full specs