2004 and Newer 39 and 40 Dancer Owners with Gas 8.1 Engines

Just a few observations I've made. 390/40 DA with Gas Engines (8.1 HO) will move right out but at 40+GPH. You'll be able to run with the big boys but you're going to pay.

When you buy you'll need to figure that when you finance it's $7-8 per month per thousand. With diesels you'll save on fuel but can you afford another $300-400 per month in payments plus the additional maintenance.

Big gas boats tend to sit around with for-sale signs on them for a long time. There are several 370- 400-410 gas boats around our marina that have been for sale for at least two years and I'm not biting. Find me a well maintained diesel 380-400 and I'm there.
 
I have experience with the 380 sundancer, the 40 sundancer and the 44 sundancer with the 8.1 horizons. At 3450 rpm you will be getting 21 mph and burning 30 gph which translates in to .7 mpg. The 380 and 40 sundancer are the same dimensions and weight but the 44 sundancer weighs about 2500 lbs more and is wider and I still mangage to keep the same .7 mpg. On a gas engine the cruise speed is about 75% of wot. Since the max rpm for the 8.1 horizon is 4600 rpm, that 75% figure translates to 3450 rpm. In my experience this engine speed produced the best fuel economy on all three boats.
My top speed at wot was 34 mph on the 380 and the 40, and the top speed on the 44 is 33 mph.


bluebelly

07 44 sundancer
 
Made the jump after researching this ad nauseam and taking into account all of our local factors.

Anyone happen to have good numbers for the 8.1 HO for WOT and best cruise, or where I might find the information?

Thanks in advance...
 
Registered said:
Made the jump after researching this ad nauseam and taking into account all of our local factors.

Anyone happen to have good numbers for the 8.1 HO for WOT and best cruise, or where I might find the information?

Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...

Good luck with your boat. I have been studying these boats for the last 18 months and have come close to pulling the trigger on one or two. They are a great boat and yeah with the 8.1HO it should run well and of course your going to burn fuel but you saved money in the purchase and the fumes will be better. Congrats
 
Overextended,

I sent you a PM that you should read about the actual performance on the 8.1L gas boats.

AAK
 
Re: Interesting article Gas v diesel

Bridog said:
Ozzie, you can't mention that guy here on CSR :grin: Besides he wrote that in 1998 which gas prices here averaged 1.03 a gallon.
Click to expand...

Hey BriDog...

Just wondering... Does "that guy" have basically good information, but loses traction in his message because his rudder is fully cocked at all times?

I have read A LOT of his stuff and am still purchasing an older Sea Ray... I'll have to admit, some of what he says does make me raise an eye brow. In doing so, he did give me a list of items I'm going to talk about with my surveyors. I'm in the purchase process now for a 1991 420 DA with 3208's.

I would honestly like some opinions on "that guy" without anyone having a completely "cocked rudder". I have been boating for a while and owned several boats (both new and used) and some of what "that guy" :) says I have found good solid advice for ________ (enter boat name here)____.

I'm new here and have learned a ton - that's the only reason I ask... I hope to soon report that I am an official Sea Ray owner - first one!

Thanks,
~33
 
Cabin A/C Filter

Anyone out there that can give me a hint as to how I can access the unit and filter? The one that is under the stairs and behind the fridge...

I've been hitting it with the beam vac, but I really want to get at it properly.

I'm at wits end with this one.
 
I realize this is an old thread, but I thought I would post some information per my smartcraft from a Lake Michigan cruise we just finished. Generally, when on the lake I tried to maintain 25 mph which was in the 3700 to 3750 rpm range.

Hours 23.02
Miles 385.4
Gallons 556.2
mpg .693

The water was about 3/4 full the whole time and my wife packed clothes and wine for a month or two to cover the 12 days we were gone.

This was from my slip and back, so its all idling waiting for the fuel dock to clear, no wake zones, etc.
 
On the A/C filter I had a hard time also & it is very simple (thanks to the SROC), look at the very top of the grate covering the filter, you will see two small white nylon tabs. They slide to the right & let the grate come forward to expose the filter. After washing out put things back & slide the tabs back to the left & your done.
 
Rockyranch said:
On the A/C filter I had a hard time also & it is very simple (thanks to the SROC), look at the very top of the grate covering the filter, you will see two small white nylon tabs. They slide to the right & let the grate come forward to expose the filter. After washing out put things back & slide the tabs back to the left & your done.
Click to expand...

Geez! Thanks, Rockyranch! I hope it's that easy...

Do you have to pull the fridge to service the actual unit?
 
Re: Hijacked

Hijacked,

I'm not sure what the dealers are saying, but truth is, My 36 Sedan with 8.1's burns 40 gph @ 3600 rpm doing 18 kts.
 
I have a 2005 390 Sundancer with 8.1 HO I run my boat at 3600 to 3700 RPM and smart craft has me burning 36 to 40 Gallons per hour.
I have a friend with the exact same boat as mine except he has the 8.1 and he burns aproximatley 35-39 per Hour

BTW my 2005 is for sale and BOE marine is the broker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,224
Messages
1,428,895
Members
61,116
Latest member
Gardnersf
Back
Top