The November/December 2008 issue of Boating Life Magazine highlights ‘Next Generation Sport Boats’ with the 2009 SL222 leading the way. Robert Stephens describes the boat’s 22’ 7” length and 8’ 6” beam and remarks, “it’s a bowrider, with passenger seating for 10 and, with a 300 hp engine, a top speed in the ballpark of 50 mph. How many times have we seen all of the above numbers on a boat test? The numbers in this case are not only deceiving, they’re an injustice.”

The test proved impressive thanks, in part, to the SL222’s generous interior space. “We don’t have the interior square footage of every 22-foot boat on the market, but we’re willing to argue that the SL222 blows them all away when it comes to floor space.” Stephens continues to describe the many benefits of “an extra 6 – 8 inches of usable lateral space” throughout the boat.

Despite the SL222’s great appeal to the wake sports crowd, the article also acknowledges the boat’s more fuel-conscious attributes. “While they were reworking the whole foundation of the 22-foot sport boat, Four Winns also considered how boaters’ behaviors are changing in this fuel-conscious era. They went with a living-room set-up in the cockpit, with angular components and sloped backrests.” Stephens also notes, “The SL222 has one of the most inviting transom hangouts we’ve seen, with stereo speakers, the wide platform and a dedicated seat molded in next to the sun pad. The whole idea is that you can be boating while sitting still.”

To catch up on all the details of this ‘Next Generation’ review, check out the November/December 2008 issue of Boating Life Magazine.