My attachment to this boat all started on a blustery day in May when I met Jim Grewe, Stingray's Great Lakes rep, and John Noel of Grand Valley Marine at the public ramp in Grand Haven, Michigan. We had a choice of heading out onto Lake Michigan or running the boat through its paces on the more tranquil Spring Lake. With heavy winds, high seas and small-craft warnings, we opted for the latter.

As we idled though a no-wake zone, Grewe noted the boat's wide appeal. "At shows over the winter, we had the almost-retirement-age couple as well as young families and young couples," he said. "Mostly people who had a boat before, and quite a few who had owned open-bow Stingrays who wanted to overnight."

Brand loyalty is something Stingray actively promotes, especially on its website, which serves as an active forum for Stingray owners—and where the South Carolina company picks up plenty of design ideas. The 240CR, for example, is in its third year of production, but sports some innovative tweaks suggested by owners via the site.

"As those people boat every day, they give us ideas we might not think of," Grewe said.

Some of the recommendations that became part of the 240CR's design include a storage bin inside the step into the cuddy, a port-side cabinet in the cuddy, an enclave for reading material and a storage area built into the cabin bulkhead where a couple of sea bags could be stowed. These added touches optimize space and definitely add a lot to the overnight capability of this 24-foot cruiser.

The 240CR is one of the three 24-footers in Stingray's lineup. The 240LR is a bowrider, while the 240CS is a mid-cabin design. The largest boats in Stingray's stable, the trio use the same hull configuration.

This model features a large, U-shaped seating area in the cockpit that wraps around the aft of the boat, providing room for up to six people. For dining, you can pop a single-pedestal table in the middle. For sunning, add two firmly supported cushions to create a massive sunpad. These cushions, as well as the table, store securely next to the motor.

A nice touch on the sofa is a snap-in cushion right in the middle of the transom. Take it off, and you have a nonskid gangway to climb aboard from the swim platform. In a testament to the boat's versatility, there's a shower, waterfill and even a trim switch back here. It's easy to board from the water or while the boat is on the trailer, thanks to a long, telescoping ladder. Two stainless steel grab handles are right where you need them when using the platform.

Forward of this on the port side is a sink with a removable, 25-quart cooler underneath. Directly across is a cabinet with another cooler built right into the top.

At the helm, both the pilot and passenger chairs swivel, allowing them to be used for round-the-boat discussions. Stingray makes it easy to access any part of the 240CR through the windshield via molded-in steps. On the bow, sunbathers can feel secure with the bow railing.