Sea Ray L590 is the “entry level” of the L-Class by the American boatyard. Luxury is not just in that letter, but is spread with taste all around the boat.
Whenever you test a Sea Ray you can’t forget that you are approaching one of the world leaders in boatbuilding, with crafts that space from small daycruisers to large motoryachts. This fascinating Sea Ray L590 belongs to the latter category, as a core model in the L-Class range. As luxury is not unknown on many of the boats I test, I am curious to see how it’s been declined by the American yard.
Sea Ray L590: interiors
I have frequently pointed out that in recent years Sea Ray have embraced the Mediterranean taste, with bright interiors and light-hued furnishings. The Sea Ray partially L590 belies this trend, going back to more vivid joineries and darker fabrics. The pictures of the gallery don’t do full justice to the real look of the boat, as they turn down the brightness of the interiors. In reality, the shades of the furnishing perfectly returns the feeling of luxury inherent in the name.
Continuing my discovery of Sea Ray L590, I appreciate the glass door that separates the cockpit and the salon: its elements slide to create a total continuity between the two areas. I would have preferred to see a galley-aft solution, to better serve the cockpit and not only the inside dinette. A beautiful parquet floor uses dark colors and a purposely “rough” workmanship,which proves appealing to the eye. The wide living area to starboard continues – with a step up – in the aforementioned dining area, served by a peculiar table shaped like a triangle. To port, towards the bow, the galley enjoys very generous measures, still remaining concealed when the countertop which covers the sinks is closed.
A note of merit goes to the hard top with transparent, opening roof: it really turns Sea Ray L590 in an open boat, and when the sun is too hot a sliding curtain can provide the desired shade.
The mess below decks is tiny, to leave all the space for the three cabins. The owner’s takes the full beam and features an “American” cabinet, that is, with a number of drawers and compartments comparable to a five-star hotel room; the bed is placed against the starboard side, while to port is the big bathroom with shower and toilet, each in a separate space, and the sink with its elegant top visible at the entrance. The VIP forward cabin and the double-bunk guests room share the second bathroom, well-sized and again with a separate shower.
Sea Ray L590: the deck
The Sea Ray style can be recognized right away: sleek lines and tapering windows enhance the overall sportiness of the boat. The glazing is generous in the deckhouse, but smaller along the hull sides: this hinders the light and the view for the below cabins.
The large lifting swim platform leads to the cockpit featuring a dinette with L-shaped sofa and a triangular table, served by a grill which relieves from needing the inside galley. The side decks are well sized, but the port one is better as the other one is obstructed by the sofa. The bow is very well equipped: not only the expected sun bed, but also a front-facing sofa that converts into a second living protected by a retractable awning.
Sea Ray L590: the test
A deadrise of 17.5 degrees leaves no doubts about the seaworthiness of Sea Ray L590, already before we leave the harbor. The price to pay is in the horsepower needed to push fast such a hull: in fact the three Cummins, for a total of nearly 1,800 HP with Zeus transmissions, have to give it all. In the end we reach 30 knots, with a rather challenging fuel consumption. Just speed down to a cruise of 20 knots and you read a down-to-earth value, still aligned to the size of the boat of course. The minimum planing pace is held at 1900 rpm and 16 knots, the engines burning 158 liters per hour: probably the best speed is then around 20.
On the other hand the sea of Cannes, chopped by the many boats on test, doesn’t give the smallest trouble to this Sea Ray L590, which faces it with stability and safety. No jolts or creeks come from the structure, and all the waves are crossed with great agility: this is a boat made for real cruising. Sure, the price seems challenging: but believe us, Sea Ray L590 is worth every cent of it. Check also our full test of Sea Ray 510 Sundancer
The numbers of Sea Ray L590
Length overall 17.93 m (58 ft 10in)
Beam 4.87 m (15ft 11in)
Draft 1.43 m (4ft 8in)
Displacement 26308 Kg
Engines Cummins Diesel 8.3-600 3×593 HP
Fuel reserve 3975 l (1050 US gal)
Fresh water reserve 757 l (200 US gal)
Cabins 3
CE design category B
Performance
*(20% reserve) **in the salon, doors closed
Test conditions
Moderate sea, temperature 32°C (90° F), clean hull, fuel 1400 l (370 US gal), water 700 l (185 US gal), passengers 7
Indicative price (VAT not included, Cannes Show offer):
With Cummins Diesel 8.3-600 3×593 HP € 1,700,000
