370 Sundancer- 1995 to 1999

B

Barry340

New Member
Feb 23, 2009
14
New York and Florida
Boat Info
1997 370 Sundancer
1979 58' Hatteras Motoryacht
Engines
Twin 7.4 Mercruisers
Twin 8V92 Detroit Diesel
Hi-

I presently have a 2003 280 Sundancer, and am looking for a larger boat. I have looked at 34's in the 1999 to 2002 and really liked the boat, but I am intruiged by the late 90's 370 as well. I like the extra beam and the stall shower, as we tend to be destination boaters and stay on the boat a lot. I have not been aboard a 37 yet, so do not have the benefit of being in the boat, but the layout looks great. Trying to decide which way to go to............

Are there any 370 Owners that could give me some insight, into the following:
  • Speed- What is cruise with Gas Engines? Cruise with Diesels?
  • Fuel Consumption- GPH for Gas? GPH for Diesel?
  • Boat Handling- Are you happy with how it handles in rougher water? Are you happy with handling in close quarters (docking)?
  • Problems- Are there any problems associated with this model to look for?
  • Any other insights would be welcome!
This forum is great. People that love their boats and want to share with their knowledge. Thanks for your help in advance.

Barry340
 
Hey,

I start by saying that I love my 370!

1. Mine is a diesel boat and we cruise at 22 Knots at 2200 RPM.


2. We get about 1.1 to 1.2 MPG in our normal operating around here. I'm sure this would be higher on an extended trip where we didn't have to come off plane a bunch.

3. This thing handles GREAT!!!

4. None that I'm aware of. We have over 1500 hours on ours now.

5. We really enjoy the seperate shower. And the fwd state room door is great when you have guests!

My main advise would be look for a diesel boat they are very rare but definitly worth it!
 
Barry-

I had a '95 and we loved the boat but hated the gas engines. It was our first Sea Ray and we had no real problems for the 3 years that we owned her.

Aarrhh & Aarrhh is right. Buy a diesel powered boat if you can. The 454 carbed gas guzzlers got about .6 mpg at 19 knots (32 gph). My engines were raw water cooled only. No heat exchangers so I'm sure that they were ready to be replaced soon (1250 hours). On a boat that age there isn't a lot a difference in price between gas and diesel so take your time for the right boat to come to you.

It was very roomy below and an excellent boat to cruise. Once I replaced the blue shag carpet the cabin looked a lot more up to date.

The boat handled really well except that I had to use a lot of trim probably as I had a dinghy on a lift.

Good luck.
 
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for what it is worth, i sea trialed a 98 370 and found the helm very uncomfortable. if you were standing the headroom to the canvas was very low and if you sat down on the helm seat it seemed very difficult to see.

one man's opinion.

the rest of the boat was awesome, tons of room!!!
 
brettcloak said:
for what it is worth, i sea trialed a 98 370, if you sat down on the helm seat it seemed very difficult to see.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, what was so difficult? I find the vision while sitting to be great. I have canvas panels (used during the summer) that go between the top of the windshield and the top, even with those in place there are no problems, ever.

John
 
brettcloak said:
for what it is worth, i sea trialed a 98 370 and found the helm very uncomfortable. if you were standing the headroom to the canvas was very low and if you sat down on the helm seat it seemed very difficult to see.

one man's opinion.

the rest of the boat was awesome, tons of room!!!
Click to expand...

Are you sure it was '98? The '97's had a lower arch and that complaint was very common. In '98, they raised the arch 3-6" which makes all the difference.

Gene
 
Gene is correct they did raise the arch in '98 and if you like to stand and drive it makes a big difference. My boat has the 7.4 gas engines and I cruise 19-21 knots at 3600 rpm's. My boat had the three bladed props swapped out for four bladed props so I can not comment on the original props but my boat handles very well in both rough water and while docking. It does not respond like a diesel boat but it has never been a problem for me. I agree a diesel version would be nice but I would still be in the hole if I had bought a diesel instead of a gas when you consider the buy price difference. With boat prices where they are now the price difference may not be as much. If you buy a gas you need to be aware of the water intrusion issue with these engines. There has been several long discussions on this forum about the problem. Let me know if you have any questions as this was a very important issue for me when I bought my boat.

The 370 is a great boat and we love it. The stall shower is great as is the private front stateroom. We were in the market for a 340 until we went on a 370. There is no comparison in my opinion between he two. It is worth going a little older to get a 370.

Good Luck in your search!
 
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You must be right, I had to be on the 97 and not the 98 because I did feel that the headroom was very low and 3 and a half feet would make a HUGE difference.

Good luck in the search for your upgrade from the 280 Sundancer, it only took me a month to realize that boat was too small for my family. Great boat but not for the way we used it.

Brett
 
Jack said:
...My boat had the three bladed props swapped out for four bladed props so I can not comment on the original props but my boat handles very well in both rough water and while docking....!
Click to expand...

Jack, what do you have for props? Dia, pitch?

Gene
 
brettcloak said:
You must be right, I had to be on the 97 and not the 98 because I did feel that the headroom was very low and 3 and a half feet would make a HUGE difference.

Brett
Click to expand...

Three to Six inches, 1/4 - 1/2 feet.
 
I have a '97 370. I am 5'10" and can stand at the helm OK. The top of my head would probably be touching the canvas top, if I were taller.
 
I''m 6' and stand at my helm all the time. However I have a 98 and I think that was the year they raised the arch.
 
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