Stingray founder and president Al Fink says the new 220DR is "like a pontoon boat on steroids," with the room of a party slab, but the speed and performance of Stingray's patented Z-Plane hull.

The 220DR replaces the company's previous deckboat with one that offers better performance, greater storage, improved seating and extra amenities. It also has more of a high-freeboard bowrider look than the flatter design of conventional deckboats.

Power options range from 220 to 320 hp, with Volvo Penta or MerCruiser sterndrives available.

Features include fore and aft boarding ladders, which swimmers, skiers and beach-going picnickers will appreciate. Bow and transom shower/washdowns make for easy cleanup. And the boat was built to keep the "pleasure" in pleasureboating, with multiple coolers, abundant seating, sunbathing filler cushions fore and aft, a CD player, a sink, drink holders throughout and an enclosed head compartment with a screened porthole.

Stingray fully utilizes storage space and includes a massive transom trunk and dedicated bow anchor locker. In lieu of the conventional walk-through transom that reduces seat space, the 220DR has steps that allow you to walk over the transom and into the cockpit.

An independent company, Stingray builds its boats in a state-of-the-art plant that Lakeland Boating staffers toured recently. Virtually everything short of the engines is built on site to ensure quality. All Stingray models have custom engine-vibration dampers, automatic bilge pumps with manual override, stainless steel hardware, premium 32-ounce vinyl with foam backing, indirect cockpit lighting and a remote oil-changing system (for MerCruisers only). All models are backed with a five-year hull-protection plan and a three-year hull-blister protection plan.

Buy a Stingray and the company will give you your very own webpage where you can post pics of your boat. And even if you're not buying a boat, the site is worth visiting.

Dave Mull
Lakeland Boating