2000/2001 380DA thoughts, opinions, reviews

[mrsrobinson]

I found a lot of posts on the 380DA here, but not "official" post like I see for other models.

In my endless search for the next boat I found (online) 3 380s with CATs that look nice in the ads. Of course the brokers will tell me it's the best boat on the market having never even stepped onto the boat (sarcasm).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this boat having never been on one, preferably from current/past owners of one. Everything I see and read online is positive, I like them. It's just me and the GF so the size looks good. I am 6' 3" so standing room is always a challenge, from what I read I should be ok though, even at the helm. I don't want the 7.4s.

These are the 3 I found in order of how close they are to where I will keep the boat. I'd like to hear your ranking of these, if you will. My favorite is the last one, though of course it's the farthest away.



https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-7966827/

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8001030/


Thanks

 

[fwebster]

I have a lot of experience with the 380DA with Cat diesels. They are great handling boats and wirth Cat engines are extremely efficient. A close friend of mine ordered one new in 2002 and I ran it for his kids when he was not available. It was a total loss in Hurricane Michael in 2018, and was replaced with a new 44DA, or the family would still own it. the 38 DA with diesels are great boats, probably in the top 2-3 that Sea Ray produced in this size class, ranking 3rd to the 450DA and the 400/410DA. I am surprised that you found 3 in that close proximity to you because diesel 380DA's are usually snapped up within a few days of hitting the market.

I've been down your boat search rabbit hole several times going back about 20 years to the SRO forum, so don't take offense at these comments:

Most owners run this type of boat from a seated position, except with docking or perhaps anchoring. Having enough head room for a giraffe to stand at the helm is a pretty restrictive requirement. Besides, the Sea Ray canvas package allows for the bows in the top to be adjusted a little to accomodate for a tall boat driver.

Distance from home- Finding the right boat is more important than dealing with the inconvenience of travel to initially inspect the boat or deliver a boat . After all, a lot of Sea Ray owners, particularly those who own the 380DA, the 400/410 DA and the 450DA, keep their boats longer than they keep the wives or significant others. Travel to see a prospective boat then, to take delivery and run it home seems a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

One last point……..you have thus far just owned gas powered boats. I keep boats a long time….my first big boat was a gas 390EC that we kept for 9 years and them we moved up to a diesel powered 450DA. I had 2 kids in college and when we sold the 390EC the change in the cost of boat ownership and overall cash flow witht a Caterpillar powered boat felt like one kid graduated from a private school. Cat diesels are not only efficient to operate, their required maintenance is a fraction of what a gas boat costs. The only real maintenance requirements are annual oil and filter changes, a valve and injector adjustment at 250 hours, then cleaning aftercoolers and another valve adjustment at 1000 hours and 2000 hours………no corrosions issues with exhaust systems, no plugs and plug wires, no fuel coolers problems, and no horrendously expensive Mercruiser parts.

Hurry up and latch on to one of the 380 diesels because I'd bet they won't be on the market long.

 

[JimG]

Have you been here?
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/official-380-thread.12200/

 

[Mig22]

All 3 look like nice options and that’s a swing in price range between the 1st and 3rd which you’ll need to investigate…upgrades/updates vs. none??

The 3rd it would allow you to direct some of your budget towards whatever upgrades/updates YOU would want mechanical and/or cosmetic.

380’s of this era were a well built and have more space vs. the newer 380 versions. It will provide good room for your height too. We comfortably cruise with 4-6 adults aboard and overnight with 4. The horse shoe cockpit seating provides great room to lounge and the cabin is very spacious with its open layout. The storage on these vessels is magnificent - plenty of room for all provisions and gear.

Some items to check to see if they have been replaced are:
-refrigerators
-water heater
-battery charger
-air conditioners
-duck bills & vacuum pump
-seawater intake hoses
-when was the last bottom job

(Likely the items have reached or are approaching their life expectancy…they’re not deal breakers if they haven’t been done but they will be a potential future expense)

Pay attention to any items that have been bedded such as windlass, windows, all underwater items exhaust ports, rudder, struts….most I’ve seen have held up but are due to be redone if they haven’t already …if it’s 20 year old bedding it’s is on borrowed time don’t neglect.

Diesels in this model are somewhat rare…Sea Ray did put 8.1s in these years too which provided a bit more torque over the 7.4s.

Lastly consider hiring help to do a buff/wax and refreshing the boot stripes if needed before you take your maiden voyage …it’s alot to do yourself ask me how I know…and you can spend the time with other to do’s..

Happy shopping - it’s a sellers market but you’ll enjoy all the comforts these 380’s provide.

 

[bbwhitejr]

You have two great responses above from Frank and Mig22. With the exception of the 2nd one, the electronics have all outlived expectations. For ball park figures, ACs are about $2500-3000 each, refrigerators are $1000, camper top and new upholstery-$1200, battery chargers-$400, buff and wax $2500, and on and on. My focus would be on how well the Cats have been maintained and the documentation. Particularly the raw water side of things. If it were me, I would attempt to look at all 3 and then pick one to survey. I would have a hull surveyor and a Cat guy present for all. Pictures can be very deceiving. If I looked at one and immediately liked it, I would enter into a contract with down payment with contingencies for surveys. Just my opinion...

Bennett

 

[mrsrobinson]

Have you been here?
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/official-380-thread.12200/

Boom, thank you, I searched on "380", "380 official" and that one did not come back yesterday.

 

[mrsrobinson]

One last point……..you have thus far just owned gas powered boats. I keep boats a long time….my first big boat was a gas 390EC that we kept for 9 years and them we moved up to a diesel powered 450DA. I had 2 kids in college and when we sold the 390EC the change in the cost of boat ownership and overall cash flow witht a Caterpillar powered boat felt like one kid graduated from a private school. Cat diesels are not only efficient to operate, their required maintenance is a fraction of what a gas boat costs. The only real maintenance requirements are annual oil and filter changes, a valve and injector adjustment at 250 hours, then cleaning aftercoolers and another valve adjustment at 1000 hours and 2000 hours………no corrosions issues with exhaust systems, no plugs and plug wires, no fuel coolers problems, and no horrendously expensive Mercruiser parts.

Hurry up and latch on to one of the 380 diesels because I'd bet they won't be on the market long.

Well said, and agreed. I think I am done with gas, given the issues I have seen in the last 3 - 4 I have inspected and surveyed. I am not convinced, at all, they cost any more to maintain/service at this point.

Most owners run this type of boat from a seated position, except with docking or perhaps anchoring. Having enough head room for a giraffe to stand at the helm is a pretty restrictive requirement. Besides, the Sea Ray canvas package allows for the bows in the top to be adjusted a little to accomodate for a tall boat driver.

Are you calling me a giraffe? ;-)

Having had boats with/without standing headroom at the helm I don't think I can go back to never being able to stand. Yes, it is a restrictive requirement, I agree. I spend a lot of my cruising time standing, looking around, stretching my legs, etc. And I have more bumps and bruises on my head then I care to count

 

[Stee6043]

You have two great responses above from Frank and Mig22. With the exception of the 2nd one, the electronics have all outlived expectations. For ball park figures, ACs are about $2500-3000 each, refrigerators are $1000, camper top and new upholstery-$1200, battery chargers-$400, buff and wax $2500, and on and on. My focus would be on how well the Cats have been maintained and the documentation. Particularly the raw water side of things. If it were me, I would attempt to look at all 3 and then pick one to survey. I would have a hull surveyor and a Cat guy present for all. Pictures can be very deceiving. If I looked at one and immediately liked it, I would enter into a contract with down payment with contingencies for surveys. Just my opinion...

Bennett

I feel like you missed a 0 on "camper top and new upholstery"!! I'd bet that interior work (if the quality is good) is $5-6k all day long. Canvas on these boats is another $6-7k...

 

[bbwhitejr]

I feel like you missed a 0 on "camper top and new upholstery"!! I'd bet that interior work (if the quality is good) is $5-6k all day long. Canvas on these boats is another $6-7k...

Good catch and you are correct...I did miss a "0." On my 420, both were all over $12k.

Bennett

 

[becnme]

I am 6'4'' and had a 2003 380 Dancer, along with spending weekends on my friends 380 numerous times. I had no trouble standing at the helm or inside for the most part. The shower had a seat which helped in its use and the bed was a little short but I managed. All in all I thought it was a great boat for a couple.
Frank and others have covered the boats and diesels so I will only add that ours was gas and ran fine but was thirsty.
I always thought it would be interesting to run one with diesels but in our area they were scarce.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Shoyrtt]

Thanks, looking at your signature, you are an expert IMHO

Just talked to my buyers broker. This one is in his backyard so he will check it out for me this week:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8059883/

He just listed one with the 7.4s, one is a newer long block. I am just not sure about those 7.4s in a boat this size:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-7808170/

After hearing from Frank, why would you even consider the gas powered boat? Take a look at the three diesel boats and buy the best one available.

 

[Golfman25]

Thanks, looking at your signature, you are an expert IMHO

Just talked to my buyers broker. This one is in his backyard so he will check it out for me this week:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8059883/

He just listed one with the 7.4s, one is a newer long block. I am just not sure about those 7.4s in a boat this size:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-7808170/

The three you posted don't seem stupid expensive compared to what I see around me in the Great Lakes. The difference between the 7.4s and the Cats doesn't seem too large.

 

[Sgrochow]

After hearing from Frank, why would you even consider the gas powered boat? Take a look at the three diesel boats and buy the best one available.

+1.

6 years ago I started the search for an "upgrade" to my 30' gasser. Found my current boat within a year in Canada, Lake Simcoe. Brought her back via the Trent-Severn, Lake Ontario and Erie Canal. I get the same MPG in the 40 DA as I did in the 30 gasser. I've run it hard every year, NYC and back this year, Rideau Canal the previous year etc. If you have the money, do yourself a favor and forget about gas engines.

 

[SeaNile]

Cats in a 38 DA? That is a kick ass package! I looked at those briefly as well, loved everything about the boat, especially the diesels!!

 

[dtfeld]

I feel like you missed a 0 on "camper top and new upholstery"!! I'd bet that interior work (if the quality is good) is $5-6k all day long. Canvas on these boats is another $6-7k...

A whole new camper canvas is $12000.

A 380 with 3126s will be a great boat! If you like the 380, look at the 410s as well. Very similar and a little more in the aft cabin area.

 

[mrsrobinson]

After hearing from Frank, why would you even consider the gas powered boat? Take a look at the three diesel boats and buy the best one available.

I'm not considering it, just sharing that my broker shared this with me. He agreed I should go with diesels based on what I have shared with him. He did say the one with the 7.4s runs very well though.

 

[Chris-380]

I have the 7.4’s, plenty of power for a 380, if that’s your concern. 13 construction workers, loaded with beverages and food for the day, no issue with getting on plane…. For height at the helm, I am 5’10”, should be plenty of head room for you to stand

Thanks, looking at your signature, you are an expert IMHO

Just talked to my buyers broker. This one is in his backyard so he will check it out for me this week:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8059883/

He just listed one with the 7.4s, one is a newer long block. I am just not sure about those 7.4s in a boat this size:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-7808170/

 

[Chris-380]

@Mig22 is a big part of the reason I own a 380, he has advised me over the years on several items on my boat. His assessment is spot on.

If I was looking for one in this market, the one for $115k is a smoking deal, and needs a good look (to see why?) then I would look at the one for $150k second, lastly the $139k.
I just had all new canvas and camper enclosure along with a cockpit cover built for mine in the spring, that’s $12k. I think all 3 are worth a look at asap, because they won’t be around long.

Love my 380, have no plans to sell after 3 seasons of owning her.

I found a lot of posts on the 380DA here, but not "official" post like I see for other models.

In my endless search for the next boat I found (online) 3 380s with CATs that look nice in the ads. Of course the brokers will tell me it's the best boat on the market having never even stepped onto the boat (sarcasm).

I'd like to hear your thoughts on this boat having never been on one, preferably from current/past owners of one. Everything I see and read online is positive, I like them. It's just me and the GF so the size looks good. I am 6' 3" so standing room is always a challenge, from what I read I should be ok though, even at the helm. I don't want the 7.4s.

These are the 3 I found in order of how close they are to where I will keep the boat. I'd like to hear your ranking of these, if you will. My favorite is the last one, though of course it's the farthest away.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8059883/

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2001-sea-ray-380-sundancer-7966827/

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-380-sundancer-8001030/


Thanks

 

[quality time]

I owned a CAT powered one for four seasons. It was a good stepping stone for our family of four coming from a 330DA. If I was to do it over again I would look at 410DA's but for a couple the 380 should be fine. We cruised at 21-22 knots burning 24 GPH if I recall.

We had it trucked up from Florida because there were only 3-4 on the east coast at the time. I paid $155k about 12 years ago.

 

[Stee6043]

View attachment 117910 I have the 7.4’s, plenty of power for a 380, if that’s your concern. 13 construction workers, loaded with beverages and food for the day, no issue with getting on plane…. For height at the helm, I am 5’10”, should be plenty of head room for you to stand

Once you drink the diesel coolaide....all you see in a post like yours above are &^*%*&)* (*&(# ^(*&#.

I'm starting to wonder how my boat even has enough power to back out of the slip. Man alive...