With a top speed of 54 mph, the Stingray 240CR, with its patented Z-plane hull, delivers the kind of performance you come to expect from a Stingray. This 24-foot cuddy cabin offers much more, though, with many the features commonly found in small cruisers.

Often, cuddy cabins realistically offer little more than a small space to get out of the weather, but not much in the way of real facilities. Stingray, though, builds more into its cuddy cabins, leaving owners with the realistic option of taking weekend cruises.

The cabin is built on a full fiberglass liner with sleeping accommodations for two, along with a portable butane stove, a chemical head, screened deck hatch and recessed portholes. As you board the cockpit from the rear, moulded steps take you over the engine box.

The seating area of the cockpit is comprised of two swivel bucket seats with bolsters and a large U-shaped bench seat at the rear. The cockpit features a built-in sink with a 25-quart carry-on cooler to port, with an additional built-in cooler behind the helm seat. The helm of the 240CR has a full range of instruments including a compass, Humminbird depth gauge and helm controls for the Kenwood CD stereo.

The cockpit area has lots of storage under the rear seat. Stylish and functional steps to the foredeck are integrated into the dash console. At the bow the 240CR has an anchor and rode locker. Aft, the built-in swim platform with its recessed ladder, also houses a large self-draining storage area and washdown system for outside showers and rinsing the boat.

As mentioned previously, the Stingray 240CR — powered with a 5.7 Gi Volvo swinging a DuoProp — hits a top speed of 54 mph at 5,100 rpm. Even more impressive was the acceleration to plane. From a dead stop the 240CR reached 20 mph in just 4.4 seconds, 30 mph in 6.25 seconds. The combination of the Volvo Penta DuoProp, the powerful 5.7 Gi engine and the Z-plane hull makes the difference.

Cruising along at top speed the sound-meter read 95 dbA at the helm and 100 dbA in the aft area of the cockpit. Considering the size of the engine and the speed I was traveling, I felt the readings were reasonable.

Although testing took place on a fairly small lake with calm water, there were a number of boats creating a lot of wake, allowing me to experience how the boat handles waves. To no surprise, the 240CR carves effortlessly. Moving ahead with my testing, I put the 240 through a number of different turns, watching the boat respond instantaneously to all my commands.

Much of that performance can be attributed to Stingray's patented Z-plane hull. The Z-shaped strakes work to create the kind of hull lift that lowers fuel use and increases top speeds. The Z-plane hull, however, also improves cornering and all-round handling. While the Volvo Penta helps boost this boat's performance with its twin counter-rotating propellers, the Z-plane hull also has a lot to do with it.

With a unique combination of performance and accommodations, Stingray 240CR gives you that feeling of cruisin' in style.

Brian Battershell
Boats and Places Magazine