Tow Away

Become an Instant Tow Pro

We all take for granted the many electronic devices on today’s automobiles. From Cruise control to automated braking systems. Considering the rapid advances in electronics and the many such devices we see in our cars, it is only logical that many such systems will find their way into boats. While we have seen autopilots linked to GPS systems in yachts for several years, we are now beginning to see several interesting technical electronic devices finding their way into smaller family boats.

Case in point - - Mercury Marine has introduced a new advancement in tow sport technology that allows anyone to become an instant “tow pro”.  They call it “Smart Tow”.  You might expect to find a system like this in a high-end professional ski or wakeboard boat, but Mercury launched the device in their quite affordable Sea Ray 230 Select.  I’m sure they figured that more cottage families are skiing today and with a Smart Tow installed, one boat is all the family needs. Even more importantly, anyone in the family can drive for water sports, with a new level of confidence and control.     

The operation of Smart Tow is remarkably simple. Think about sport towing as having two stages. The first is getting your tow up and running, by initiating a pull from zero to the desired operation speed. This stage is critical because too much power will upset inexperienced skiers, while too little power will give experienced skiers too much drag. Achieving the correct balance in this initial stage is the difference between an experienced towboat driver and a novice. With Smart Tow, a single control gauge is fitted at the helm. By pressing a button this gauge, you are asked to select the most appropriate pull from a choice of five launch settings. The second step is to enter the rpm setting that you know will deliver the appropriate running speed for the person you are towing. Boarders and tubers will want a much lower speed than slalom skiers and bare footers.

When both of these numbers are set, you simply take up the slack in the rope, check for when the skier is ready then push the throttle lever fully forward. You will hear a beep to let you know the system is reading the settings and then Smart Tow, coupled with digital throttle and shift, completely takes over and delivers precisely the launch and pull speed that you ordered. It even compensates automatically for speed changes in turns. When the ride is over or your tow falls off, a single tap on the throttle returns the engine to idle speed.

When Mercury Marine was looking for a boat in which to install and demonstrate Smart Tow, the Sea Ray 230 was an obvious choice. Not only does Mercury Marine own Sea Ray, but also Sea Ray is well established, as one of the most popular cottage runabouts and 23’ 7” is a good length for a sports towboat. To ensure that skiers and wake boarders are getting everything they need, the special Smart Tow package includes a ski mirror, a wakeboard tower with integral bimini top, extended swim platform and concealed three-step stainless steel ladder. Since this is all about having fun on the water, owners will appreciate the iPod interface with docking station and the Clarion stereo package with dash and transom remotes. Two-tone gel coat hull graphics let your neighbours know that you are serious about tow sports. Of course such a tow machine would not be complete without a funky name and so Sea Ray has labeled it the “Fission Edition”. And if traveling to different lakes is in your plan, you can add a Fission Edition colour matching tandem trailer with four-wheel disc brakes.

In addition to the benefits of Smart Tow, the Sea Ray 230 offers many reasons to buy this boat as a comfortable runabout. The twin bucket seats include the flip-lip feature that allows you to drive from a higher seating position when approaching a dock. The rear bench seat also is unique, in that the portside of the seatback can be moved to provide a walkway to the swim platform, while the starboard side of the seat folds onto a rear facing chaise lounge. Persons riding in the bow section have two-way lounge seats that are long enough to really stretch out. I found further positive proof that the Sea Ray designers did not hold back on 230 features when I spotted the stainless drink holders and grab handles adjacent to every seat; the lockable wakeboard storage; power-assist steering; six 10-inch cleats; a tempered & tinted curved glass windshield, icebox in dash; carry-on cooler, snap in carpeting, a cockpit cover and a door between the cockpit and bow area, to keep wind from blowing onto cockpit passengers.

The helm on the 230 Fission Edition includes a host of items that will keep any driver happy and better informed. Examples include a keyless ignition system, multi-function gauges, an hour meter, a fuel consumption information gauge, power assisted steering, tilt wheel, SmartCraft digital throttle/shift plus a wood-grain dash and steering wheel.

Evidence of construction quality can be found wherever. All through hull fittings are stainless steel, the inside of all storage areas are gelcoated and the marine plywood stringers are encapsulated in fiberglass.

But with Smart Tow, the Sea Ray 230 Fission Edition becomes more than a solid family runabout. You also get a worthy ski boat that makes every member of the family a tow pro. By simply matching the settings to the skill level and type of tow sport - - Smart Tow will deliver consistent and precise towing.

Specifications

Boat:
Make/Model: Sea Ray 230 Fission Edition
Length:    23’ 7”
Beam:       8’ 6”
Deadrise:    21º
Weight:    4,244 lbs.
Draft: (engine down) 38”
Fuel Capacity: 50 gals.

Power:
MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI w Bravo III drive.
Horsepower:  300
Gear Ratio:   2.20:1
Propellers: Stainless 28” Bravo III 
Warranty:   2 years
Base Price: Under $50k

Performance:
Top Speed: 52.0 mph
Acceleration, 0 to 30 mph: Approx 10 seconds.

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