74HardTop
New Member
- Sep 30, 2014
- 9
- Boat Info
- 1974 SRV240 Hard Top. Outdoor: Dinette, Sink, Stove, Refrigerator.
- Engines
- 255 Mercruiser. TR Drive
The 1973 SRV240 HardTop was a great boat and for 1974 Sea Ray decided to take it up a notch. They went for a taller hardtop and added a head and a longer roof. This created room for a standup head and galley, which were on the level of the forward berth, but still open to the cockpit area which retained the dinette and icebox of the 240 HardTop. It is my opinion that this taller concept led designers to consider raising (significantly) the already deep cockpit floor and adding the small aft cabin that gave birth to the amazing Sundancer line the following year. The Sundowner was retained the following year, 1975, with a shrunk down roof, but was gone by 1976. The Sundancer surged the popularity of the bigger Sea Rays and the Sundancer history is world renowned. I believe the 1974 Sundowner was an in-between step toward the Sundancer that has some qualities that really set it apart. It's deep cockpit provides a special level of comfort and protection from wind and spray that is a hallmark of so many Sea Rays. A good 2/3 of the boat is covered and the hardtop keeps out sun and weather and makes covering and enclosures a breeze. The open concept means that the dinette, galley and head are not behind a cabin door, but instead flow into the cockpit area, thus greatly increasing the desire to actually use the dinette. I purchased my 74 Sundowner a year and a half ago and it's amazing how solid the floors are after 42 years; another testament to the benefit of the big hardtop. I will follow up with many more photos and updates.