38,39,40 or 46 Sundancer?

T

Tulio

New Member
Jan 30, 2018
8
Long Island South Shore
Boat Info
1998 330 Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser 7.4L
Hello Everyone,
I have previously owned a 310 and currently own a 330 which I enjoy very much. I have done several weekend cruise but look forward to doing longer cruises with further range. I want my next boat to be powered with diesels. I haven't seen many 38 diesels. The 39 and 40 are very similar in prices in particular between the 05 and 07 range. The older 46 seem to be at an even better price.

My question is, will the comfort of a 46 be voided with the added cost of a bigger boat in particular the 40?

Looking forward to your opinions. Thanks in advance!
 
Tulio said:
Hello Everyone,
I have previously owned a 310 and currently own a 330 which I enjoy very much. I have done several weekend cruise but look forward to doing longer cruises with further range. I want my next boat to be powered with diesels. I haven't seen many 38 diesels. The 39 and 40 are very similar in prices in particular between the 05 and 07 range. The older 46 seem to be at an even better price.

My question is, will the comfort of a 46 be voided with the added cost of a bigger boat in particular the 40?

Looking forward to your opinions. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Are you talking about the cost of ownership difference between the 46 and the smaller options? It always varies widely by location but for us in western NY the total cost of ownership between our previous 290 and our now 410 is actually pretty minimal. Its our first year with it, so there is a bunch of money to be spent bringing things up to our standards but the recurring costs are actually quite similar. When I look at things like storage, haul, wrap, etc that are charged by the foot the 10' or so extra doesn't change the bill by all that much.

I think you'll find the differences between 40's and 46's to be even less. They'll have a similar setup in terms of ship systems, batteries, engine maintenance, etc.

If you're looking at the listing price differences I think you'll have to spend some time on each model, but at the very least the 46 is quite a bit heavier and if you get a hardtop version weighs even more than the 39/40. Coupled with the wider beam and more length would be a bit more comfortable underway in crappy conditions and of course a bit roomier while sitting at the dock
 
Not in the market yet but following the same logic above I would choose the 460 as well.

Current market has 460's close to the same price as the 39/40 Diesel with hard tops
 
With insurance rates on older boats I would get the newer boat. Don't be sucked in by size as it can be limiting based on the area you boat in. Seriously notate how you use your boat. Buy for that. Stay away from the "what if's" and try not to get size envy. Using myself as an example my favorite boat has always been a 48. We looked at them, as well as the 44's, and realized for where we keep our boat and how we use it that the 40 suited our lifestyle the best. Just offering a different perspective. Lastly, the mechanical aspect of the boat would be the deciding factor for me.
 
Jp Gator, Thank you for your perspective. K appreciate it. I really don't see much of a difference between the 38,39, and 40... I do like the 40 in the 05 to 07 range and I do believe it would be something that we would keep for an extended period of time. It's only my wife and I. Rarely do we have any overnight guests. We do our boating on the Soutj Shore of Long Island which is none for it's shallow water. Obviously, I will have to spend time on each model and determine what will work best...
What do you have pushing your 40 and what kind of fuel burn rate are you getting?
 
I have an ‘08 with the Cummins 425HO. We are over propped so I’m having those done as I type. My fuel burn was 14ish at cruise when it should be closer to 11. Diesel can be delivered for cheaper than at a Marina. Either way it’s still a ton cheaper than than gas. I had an ‘07 34 which taught me I wanted diesel and bigger. The beam of the boat was important to me because of the space. 12 foot beam to 13.2 felt noticeably wider. The 44 even more so but we couldn’t negotiate on the boat we wanted. The length wasn’t as big of an issue as the beam for us. When you look at the boats pay attention to that. See if the extra space maters. On these express cruisers you spend a lot of time outside in the cockpit/seating area so those little details tend to matter. The draft is also important since they aren’t outboards. These v-drives in that range are roughly 3 feet(technically 2’8”). The 05-07 has the split throttles where 08 and up went digital. I’ve had both and you learn both. No issue there.
 
I have a 98 330 Sundancer with split throttles now. My cockpit space is bigger than many newer bigger boats... I burn about 25 to 30 gph obviously depending on load and rpm's.
You numbers seem quit advantageous.. Where are you with rpm's and speed to get 14ish?
 
Oh sorry, that’s per side.

we cruise at 2400rpm and around 22 or so depending on currents. With the new props should be less fuel and around 2600rpm.
 
Yes sir. Fully loaded we cruise at 21-22. Less fuel she creeps up to 24ish. I’m almost 3 years into my bottom paint so I’m due as well.
 
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