Sea Ray SLX 280 Boats For Sale

The Sea Ray SLX 280 is the newest model in the brand's premium 280 series, filling the five-foot gap between the 260 and 310 SLX. Because the hull measures over 26 feet, it carries a yacht certification, meaning it can hold as many guests as there is seating room — more than many deck boats or pontoons of similar size. Buyers shopping Sea Ray boats for sale will find the SLX 280 in two distinct forms: a single stern-drive version with a clean, wide swim platform, and the Sea Ray SLX 280 outboard, which mounts twin Mercury Verados on the transom. The stern-drive hull has a length overall of 28 feet 8 inches, a 9-foot beam, and a 40-inch draft with the drive down; the outboard runs 31 feet 5 inches overall with a 35-inch draft.

Performance separates the two layouts clearly. The stern-drive SLX 280 comes standard with a 350-horsepower Mercury MerCruiser 6.2L MPI Bravo 3, with an optional 430-horsepower 8.2L MerCruiser. So equipped, it reached a top speed of 49.7 mph at 5,000 rpm, with a best cruise at 3,500 rpm and 32.7 mph, burning 15.7 gph for 2.1 mpg and a range of 219 statute miles on its 117-gallon tank with a 10% reserve. The Sea Ray SLX 280 OB pairs dual 250-horsepower Verados with joystick piloting, hitting 56.4 mph at 6,100 rpm and cruising most economically at 4,000 rpm and 35.4 mph for 249 statute miles of range. The outboard carries 135 gallons of fuel and 20 gallons of fresh water, has a dry weight of 8,053 pounds, and weighed roughly 9,500 pounds fueled and ready.

The helm features twin Simrad multifunction displays — 9-inch screens standard with optional 12-inch units — handling chartplotting, vessel and engine data, and zone controls, supported by stainless tilt switches for redundancy. A double-wide helm seat slides on a track, swivels to face the cockpit, and includes a drop-down bolster. The Fusion audio system places nine Signature Series speakers and a subwoofer, integrated into the bulwarks so the sources stay hidden. The outboard also includes a First Mate Marine Safety and Security System that shuts the engine down if the worn fob exceeds a set distance.

The cockpit uses opposing, knee-deep seating with diamond-stitched upholstery and grab handles at every seat, reaching a maximum depth of 39 inches. A 12-volt drawer refrigerator sits below the captain's chair, with a wireless charger hidden nearby. A full-beam locker in the sole stores skis and longer gear, and the head compartment offers a vacuum-flush toilet, sink, and cabinet. The electrically actuated Power Tower lowers level to the windshield seam, letting the boat run under bridges, and the U-shaped bow seating is tucked deep with wrapped stainless grab rails.

Aft, the 68-by-42-inch sunpad covers storage and an integrated cooler with its own drain, and the swim platform hides a four-step stainless ladder; the stern-drive model adds an electrically deployable swim step that extends 18 inches into the water. Three interior palettes are offered — gray, ivory on a white base, and Dune or stone with darker accents. Sea Ray's fit and finish shows in the full-fiberglass storage liners, gas-strut hatches, and wrapped grab handles. When comparing an SLX 280 for sale, weigh the stern-drive's fuel efficiency and open platform against the outboard's higher top speed and the convenience of joystick piloting with Skyhook.