When you look for a deck boat, you’re looking for a solution to a social dilemma. You’re
not old enough for a pontoon boat and you have too many friends for a runabout. You want a
boat that’s fast, fun and sexy, but you don’t want to get into payments over your head. If
you want all that, plus performance, you turn to a company like Stingray.
We tested the 220 DR on a cloudy day in South Carolina, and quickly found this boat to have
many bright spots boaters will appreciate. First, check out the performance. An economical but
powerful GM Vortec 5.0-liter engine powered the MerCruiser stern-drive to a thrilling 51 miles
per hour. For water sports, the 220 has the ability to recover skiers quickly thanks to its
very agile turning radius. We couldn’t make it blow out in hard-over turns, either.
There are just as many pleasant surprises in the creature comforts of the 220 DR’s spacious
cockpit. The full liner hull features a slip-resistant finish and snap-in carpet for easy
cleanup at the end of a strenuous day of water sports. From the swim platform aft, step over
the transom and into the cockpit via the companionway, revealed by removing the center cushions
of the C-shaped lounge. Forward entry is more convenient still, thanks to the nonskid platform
on the bow and the nonskid locker cover that doubles as a boarding step.
Storage compartments abound in the Stingray 220 DR and you’ll need them to accommodate the
crew you’ll be entertaining on the weekends. An entertainment galley keeps the snacks and drinks
flowing continuously, and the roomy head below makes a daylong cruise comfortable and convenient
for all. Stow the dual cocktail tables, crank up the stereo or CD player and you’ve got a
dance-hall size deck that rocks — even at anchor.
