Let me be clear from the start. Cuddy cabins are my favorite style of
trailerable boat, regardless of brand. The hulls are generally deeper than comparable bowriders and offer more weather
protection. There’s a place for the kids to take an afternoon nap, as well as keeping gear dry. And these boats offer a
cozy cabin for overnighting.
True, cuddy models generally have less seating than a bowrider, but few boats can handle their maximum
capacity of people for any length of time without discovering what "close" really is. With that in mind, let’s take a
look at the latest cuddy from Stingray, the 225 CR.
Stingray’s reputation has been built on family-friendly boats with an exceptional level of performance.
Few builders get as much speed per horsepower as Stingray. Our test boat was powered by a 270 hp 5.0L Volvo Penta
single-prop drive, and top speed was in excess of 57 mph. That’s not bad for a boat just shy of 23 feet with a small
galley, portable marine head and cabin accommodations.
CABIN COMFORTS
The cabin layout has a few twists. The entry is on the port side, and as you step down, there is a sink and water system
on the port side against the cockpit bulkhead, with an Igloo cooler below. A portable butane stove rounds out the galley
on the starboard side.
Cabin-seating space is on the starboard side, and this extends the length of the starboard side V-berth for those who
need extra legroom. The cushion arrangement allows side-by-side sleeping for two with room on the port side for a third.
The portable head is located under the V-berth. Two reading lights are mounted forward along with two speakers for the
stereo. Two port lights are mounted port and starboard, and a circular hatch is overhead.
Topside on the bow is a stainless rail and a locker forward for an anchor and rode. The wraparound windshield has a
walkthrough center section, and access to the foredeck is via three molded-in steps in the cabin bulkhead.
HELM VIEW
The instrument panel features Faria gauges. The center gauge is a multi-function instrument providing readouts for oil
pressure, volts, temperature and fuel. Flanking this are the tachometer and speedometer, with gauges at each side providing
depth and trim indications. A flat surface below the gauges features a Ritchie direct-reading compass. An electrical panel,
with clearly marked rocker switches, is mounted to the right of the steering wheel and a high-powered stereo is mounted to
the left of the wheel, with a remote mounted on the bulkhead facing into the cabin over the galley.
The captain and mate have twin bucket seats with fold-up bolsters. The rear seat is mounted forward of the engine and
wraps around each side of the cockpit. Storage is provided under the lounge seats, and also contains an additional 25-quart
Igloo ice chest A table that stores under the rear deck turns the lounge area into a dining area. The cockpit area is lit
with indirect LED lighting. A full height Bimini top is standard.
The sun lounge over the engine has three cushions. The center cushion is removable, and that allows access to the rear
swim platform without the need to walk on the upholstery. Two large storage compartments are available under the sun lounge.
A large, rear swim stem is molded into the stern of the hull. This is a nice place to congregate when the boat is not in
motion. A multi-step boarding ladder is mounted under a lid on the starboard side of the swim step.
Stingray has a patented Z-Plane hull design that the company has employed for years. The planing strakes are recessed
into the hull instead of protruding from it, and their purpose is to reduce the turbulence and aeration of the water as it
passes under the hull. In addition to the Z-Plane hull design, Stingray employs a notched transom that allows the engine to
be set higher for less drag. This permits the prop to run in smoother water for reduced ventilation, particularly in turns.
Stingray carefully tests each model before it goes into production to make sure all engine mounting dimensions are optimum.
This is another reason Stingrays run so well.
