With a stable hull for changing water conditions, a good deck boat is useful for a variety of on-water purposes. That's what we found with the 230 SD — plus, it maneuvers like a smaller boat. Our test boat utilized its 260 horses to good advantage, tracking true and handling high-speed turns without unduly stuttering. As a good deck boat should, it gets up on plane quickly for a 4,000-pound boat, with minimal bowrise.

The 230's stability is due to hull modifications that include a deepening of the "tunnels" to direct smoother water toward the prop and to increase directional stability. It's also very dry, thanks again to the trihull, and generous insulation does a good job of muting the noise.

Standard equipment alone makes this a complete deck boat (options on our test boat included a fuel/water separator, an extended platform and a transom shower). Weekend athletes will appreciate the grab handles at the collapsible ladder on the standard molded-in platform that also offers storage for wet gloves and ski ropes. Entertainers get a wet bar with pressurized water in the cockpit, and beachcombers have the convenience of a bow ladder for beaching up.

Nautic Star includes a trick little head/changing room on the 230. It's located in the port console and goes deep into the hull, giving visitors more headroom than you might expect. There's also a wind dam that folds into a recess along the console and pulls out for those chilly evening runs. In the forward lounge they've done a "Doh!" with the backrests of the lounges. Instead of having them mounted vertically against the consoles, they're tilted into a natural reclining position (about 30 degrees). Throw in warm sun and a cool breeze, and the positioning will put you to sleep.

We found it a comfortable boat, with top-grade upholstery and flip-up bolsters on the bucket seats. Speakers are inset in the coaming panels to keep the cockpit streamlined for guests. Odds are, buyers will want to fill the 12 seats with friends and family.

Notable Features
• Sunbrella Bimini with stainless quick-release frame is easy to maintain
• Ski locker has a fiberglass liner with pillow mat, and excess water drains to the bilge
• Also available with a fishing option and as an outboard
• Gas and water caps open with no key; use hands to twist off
• Comes with a 10-year transferable hull  warranty
• Structural grid is built with fiberglass stringers and composite transom

Test Drive
Test Engine: MerCruiser 5.0 L MPI
Test Prop: 17-pitch, aluminum
Test Load: People (200 lb.); Fuel (10 gal.)
Top Speed: 49.2 MPH @ 5,200 RPM
Time to Plane: 3.8 sec.
Time to 30 MPH: 7.1 sec.
Min. Plane: Not tested

Stats
Length Overall: 25'
Beam: 8'6"
Dry Weight: 3,950 lb.
Seating/Weight Capacity: 12/1,600 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 63 gal.
Max HP: 300
MSRP (test boat): $42,351

RPM / MPH / SOUND LEVEL

 Idle 3.8 71 db
 1,000 5.8 70 db
 1,500 8.3 72 db
 2,000 12.5 75 db
 2,500 21.4 78 db
 3,000 28.9 80 db
 3,500 33.0 84 db
 4,000 37.6 85 db
 4,500 42.0 86 db
 5,000 48.1 92 db
 5,200 49.2 92 db