360, 370, 380, 400, questions, which one?
- Thread starter JReed918
- Start date
most will say buy the most boat you can now, which I generally agree with. The 400 is not only the longest, but the beamiest at 14’ which makes a big difference both in the cockpit and down below.
we went for the 410 over the 400 because our year (2002) lost the piping on the seats and got what I consider some better materials down in the cabin (ultra leather on the sofa and aft cabin). I think for an 18 year old boat it mostly looks pretty modern.
they’re all really good boats, if you want diesel power you’ll find it a lot easier in the 400/410
not without some rearranging. Even our 410 can technically sleep 6 but that would mean two in the aft, two in the forward, and two on the salon couch which would be a tight fit.
comfortably 6 or more usually means a 3 stateroom bridge boat or at least a bridge with a salon that has a pull out couch.
- Jun 5, 2016
- 5,571
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
- Engines
- Cat 3126 V-Drives
Here's my 10,000' overview. First off, cant go wrong! All great boats. There is something to like about all of them.
370- The late 90's version ran from about 1994-1999ish Has an older styling especially on the interior, that has white formica. A buddy has one and one feature I love about this boat is the back of the boat has a great sitting area over the swim platform. Makes a very comfortable place to sit. One downside to this model is the height under the arch. for the most part, you can not stand at the helm.
The 1999-2003/4 360-380-410 are very similar in styling. If you get into this model group, each gives you about 2' more in length and several inches in beam. Most have generator, AC, microwave, coffee maker. Generally speaking, the late 90's were the 400's and the 2000's were the 410's with the difference in styling (most prominently Formica vs wood grain veneer). This style change also allowed more head room at the helm for the post 2000ish models (I'm 6'3).
The 360 is the first model that has a separate fridge freezer, but I think it has a wet head (no separate shower). One possible downside, there are not a lot of these around, I think most people either went for the 340, or bucked up to the 380.
The 380 gets you a fridge/freezer combo, and a separate stand up shower (very nice!!).
The 410 gets you a second head (wet head) and a aft cabin separated by a sliding door (not a curtain). You'll find more diesel powered versions in this size.
Dave
370- The late 90's version ran from about 1994-1999ish Has an older styling especially on the interior, that has white formica. A buddy has one and one feature I love about this boat is the back of the boat has a great sitting area over the swim platform. Makes a very comfortable place to sit. One downside to this model is the height under the arch. for the most part, you can not stand at the helm.
The 1999-2003/4 360-380-410 are very similar in styling. If you get into this model group, each gives you about 2' more in length and several inches in beam. Most have generator, AC, microwave, coffee maker. Generally speaking, the late 90's were the 400's and the 2000's were the 410's with the difference in styling (most prominently Formica vs wood grain veneer). This style change also allowed more head room at the helm for the post 2000ish models (I'm 6'3).
The 360 is the first model that has a separate fridge freezer, but I think it has a wet head (no separate shower). One possible downside, there are not a lot of these around, I think most people either went for the 340, or bucked up to the 380.
The 380 gets you a fridge/freezer combo, and a separate stand up shower (very nice!!).
The 410 gets you a second head (wet head) and a aft cabin separated by a sliding door (not a curtain). You'll find more diesel powered versions in this size.
Dave
Last edited:
My elaborated take on this: We looked at all of these boats when shopping to replace the 310. We spend many nights on the boat and sometimes up to a week at a time. The upgrades we were looking for in moving up were mainly, larger refrigerator, cockpit refrigerator, separate shower, larger bed, door to separate the forward stateroom.
The 360 was certainly larger than the 310, but we were not crazy about the lack of the U-shaped cockpit seating, however it did have a circular shower enclosure which effectively made it a semi-dry head (floor gets wet), which we thought was fairly unique given the size of the boat.
The 370 was a bit older, 1998 if I recall, sharp looking but not really large enough to justify the move. It was also a bit dated for us, especially in the cockpit. We also found the seats to be a bit shallow in the leg area and not as comfortable as we wanted.
The 400/410 was really nice, for sure, second head and all, and larger second cabin. There are some differences between the two, and each had compelling designs. The 400 had a seemingly enormous cockpit and we liked the aft stateroom better than the newer 410. The newer 410 had a more contemporary interior and cockpit design that we liked a bit more than the older 400.
We ended up settling on the 380, mainly because we didn't feel like we needed a second head or a dedicated second stateroom. We felt that the cabin seemed as big if not larger than the 400/410 due to the lack of the head a dedicated stateroom. It's open and spacious feeling, especially for two. Indeed, the cockpit is a bit smaller than the 400/410, but it was great for us. The 400/410 hull wise is seemingly much larger than the 380 (stand at the anchor and look back at helm on each... the 400/410 looks MUCH larger), and since I do my own work, wax, etc., I really didn't feel the need to go that big. Not to mention spending on the additional footage for everything on a yearly basis. Our mindset for boat shopping has been to "find the smallest, largest boat that suits our needs".
Another boat not mentioned here, is the 410 Express Cruiser. Has a different cabin layout with second stateroom centrally located instead of aft. It also has a bench seating layout in the cockpit, which may be preferable to some.
In the big picture, though, if your needs are to sleep 6 on a regular basis, the suggestion to look at bridge boats is a good one.
The 360 was certainly larger than the 310, but we were not crazy about the lack of the U-shaped cockpit seating, however it did have a circular shower enclosure which effectively made it a semi-dry head (floor gets wet), which we thought was fairly unique given the size of the boat.
The 370 was a bit older, 1998 if I recall, sharp looking but not really large enough to justify the move. It was also a bit dated for us, especially in the cockpit. We also found the seats to be a bit shallow in the leg area and not as comfortable as we wanted.
The 400/410 was really nice, for sure, second head and all, and larger second cabin. There are some differences between the two, and each had compelling designs. The 400 had a seemingly enormous cockpit and we liked the aft stateroom better than the newer 410. The newer 410 had a more contemporary interior and cockpit design that we liked a bit more than the older 400.
We ended up settling on the 380, mainly because we didn't feel like we needed a second head or a dedicated second stateroom. We felt that the cabin seemed as big if not larger than the 400/410 due to the lack of the head a dedicated stateroom. It's open and spacious feeling, especially for two. Indeed, the cockpit is a bit smaller than the 400/410, but it was great for us. The 400/410 hull wise is seemingly much larger than the 380 (stand at the anchor and look back at helm on each... the 400/410 looks MUCH larger), and since I do my own work, wax, etc., I really didn't feel the need to go that big. Not to mention spending on the additional footage for everything on a yearly basis. Our mindset for boat shopping has been to "find the smallest, largest boat that suits our needs".
Another boat not mentioned here, is the 410 Express Cruiser. Has a different cabin layout with second stateroom centrally located instead of aft. It also has a bench seating layout in the cockpit, which may be preferable to some.
In the big picture, though, if your needs are to sleep 6 on a regular basis, the suggestion to look at bridge boats is a good one.
Haden
Active Member
- May 27, 2020
- 482
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 8.1l Mercury w/V Drives
2001 380 here too. Amazing boat!! Top speed last week with a little wind was 33mph by gps. I should have take a picture.
Haden
Active Member
- May 27, 2020
- 482
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 380 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 8.1l Mercury w/V Drives
It truly depends on how handy you are.
bahamabreisus
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2007
- 2,555
- Boat Info
- 370 dancer, previous 500,420,390,300 dancers
- Engines
- 454 CI MPI
Best thing about 400DA would be 2nd head
jsed
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2008
- 301
- Boat Info
- 2002 360 Sundancer
Zodiac 310 RIB, 15hp Johnson
- Engines
- Twin 8.1S
360 is a great boat. We've slept 5-10 - yes 10. Filled the cockpit! 
Otherwise, 2 is perfect, 4 is fun, and 6 is pushing it.
It has a circular shower door in the head (i thought the "floor gets wet" comment above was funny).
This is the smallest "sport yacht" in Sea Ray's line up at the time. The craftsmanship and materials are equal to larger yachts. We've done long weekends, and 2 week vacations, and never get tired of her.
Operating costs are key as well. I don't know that i would go much bigger than this without going to diesel.
Just my opinion. Love our boat. Sorry the season is almost over...
Otherwise, 2 is perfect, 4 is fun, and 6 is pushing it.It has a circular shower door in the head (i thought the "floor gets wet" comment above was funny).
This is the smallest "sport yacht" in Sea Ray's line up at the time. The craftsmanship and materials are equal to larger yachts. We've done long weekends, and 2 week vacations, and never get tired of her.
Operating costs are key as well. I don't know that i would go much bigger than this without going to diesel.
Just my opinion. Love our boat. Sorry the season is almost over...
Its just the me, the wife, and our 2 year old son on our 410 with the second head. Before he was potty training no one touched the second head and I thought it was a bit of a waste - now that he's using the head I'm happy his terrible aim is in his own head compartment
360 is a great boat. We've slept 5-10 - yes 10. Filled the cockpit!
It has a circular shower door in the head (i thought the "floor gets wet" comment above was funny).
This is the smallest "sport yacht" in Sea Ray's line up at the time. The craftsmanship and materials are equal to larger yachts. We've done long weekends, and 2 week vacations, and never get tired of her.
Operating costs are key as well. I don't know that i would go much bigger than this without going to diesel.
Just my opinion. Love our boat. Sorry the season is almost over...
We are going to look at a 360 on Saturday. Only downside is, it’s priced higher than all the others we are looking at. But it’s at our lake and wouldn’t need transported.
- Jun 5, 2016
- 5,571
- Boat Info
- 410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
- Engines
- Cat 3126 V-Drives
Its just the me, the wife, and our 2 year old son on our 410 with the second head. Before he was potty training no one touched the second head and I thought it was a bit of a waste - now that he's using the head I'm happy his terrible aim is in his own head compartment
But who cleans it??!!
haha. I'm glad the sprayer pulls out and there is a drain...
firecadet613
Well-Known Member
- May 10, 2007
- 5,253
- Boat Info
- SOLD - 2007 Four Winns V358
- Engines
- Twin VP 5.7GXi V-Drive / ZF63s
That's worth between $5-10,000 right there, between transport costs, travel expenses to get to and from the boat plus your time...
that's a great advice. I paid up for our boat because it was a half mile away from our home slip. transport costs add up quickly, you have to travel to the boat a couple times for sea trials and surveys and factor those costs (both time and cash), and then rely on someone to truck the thing safely for potentially hundreds of miles.
DavidBukstel
Member
- Sep 2, 2014
- 61
- Boat Info
- 1999 400 Sedan Bridge 3 Staterooms
- Engines
- Caterpillar 3126 Mechanical 420hp
I have a 400db with 3 staterooms. I easily sleep 6 in the staterooms with an additional 2 on the couch. The 2 full heads are also nice. The sacrifice is a smaller kitchen and 1 couch in the salon.
