48 Sundancer - Information & Opinions Wanted

B

bdfritz

New Member
Jun 26, 2010
8
Florida
Boat Info
320 Sundancer 2003
Engines
Twin x 350 MAG MPI
My wife and I have spent many years with our 2003 - 320 DA -- and we're looking to move up to a 48 Sundancer.

Have an opinion to share about the 48 Sundancer? We're specifically looking at a 2006 or 2007 model. From what we've seen -- it looks like a nice upgrade. It appears to be one of the first models to incorporate the separate (with an actual door) mid-state room which we like for our little boy (but if you know others - please let me know). I especially like the all glass windshield , hardtop and the twin diesels.

Also... anyone know the bridge clearance for the 2006 48 Sundancer and/or the the 'actual' draft. I have the manuals -- but those don't seem to have from the waterline to the top most fixed point. Thanks

Thanks
Brian
 
It interesting to hear response from 48DA owners. We were also thinking to upgrade to a larger dancer but after more detailed observetions decided to go for Sedan Bridge. BTW, 480DB is very popular model, you might want to look in to it. I'm not trying to stear you in a wrong direction, just want to remind about other options before you spend huge chunk of money. It always helps to keep your options open.

Good luck,
Alex.
 
I don't have one but I've been on a 48DA many times. It gets my vote! It's an amazing boat...
 
Me as well. BY FAR the best SR (in my opinion) I would try to get one with IPS
 
Would love to get a 48 Sedan Bridge (my favorite boat for many years)... unfortunately, I have one fixed bridge that the city wouldn't like me running into! But it looks like the clearance on a 48 would make it just nicely.

Anyone know the exact bridge clearance or 'real' draft needed?

Regarding the IPS...I drove the 2010 - 450 DA the other day and noticed it was 'pretty rough' -- probably because i'm used to my purring MAG 350s with vDrives. Anyway, I also drove a 46 Sport Coupe with IPS Volvo Drives -- big difference on the 'smoothness'... but out of my price range and i'm not one for buying a new one and taking the big hit on depreciation the first year.
 
Another thing that I really liked about the 2006-48 (and newer) is the fact that it actually has a FULL mid-Stateroom (officially has two beds) with a door... not just a converted sofa.
 
promocop said:
Me as well. BY FAR the best SR (in my opinion) I would try to get one with IPS
Click to expand...

I think you mean Zeus drives.
I don't think Volvo's IPS is and option?

I want one too.
Come on Lotto!
I prefer the standard normal drive train with a bow thruster.
Pods are too new for me and only the newest (expensive) ones will have pod drives .
Most all for sale have bow thrusters.

Great looking boat.
Good luck in your search.
Mark.
 
Nice boat if you like completely enclosed hardtop. I do not like the fact it has two heads and no one is a day head! If you have day guests they will have to walk through the mid-cabin... I would die for a 52 DA! That has a great lay-out and the possibility of driving with wind in your hair!
 
I went from a 300DA to a 390DA to my 48DA. We absolutely love the 48DA, in many respects you get the best of all worlds. Not that it's perfect, there are a few things I actually miss from the 390DA and a few things I would change - but it's a terrific boat. Nothing against gas and I don't want to start a big gas/diesel debate, but suffice to say you will love the responsiveness the diesels give you. That said, getting good service on them on our lake (Lanier) has proven to be fare more difficult than when I had gas engines.

The 48DA is also so, so much easier to control and maneuver than my 390DA (which we also very much enjoyed). And I personally love the full glass windshield, the only exception being sometimes at night it would be nice to have no windshield, it does tend to cut down on the night visbility. We use the boat primarily for lake boating, however we did spent about two months on it travelling around Florida/Bahamas/Abacos. I added a water system, ice maker in the trunk, stern thruster, 3rd row of lights in the hardtop and a few other mods that really improved the overall experience - but from the factory it is an outstanding platform. The only thing that has consistently been a problem/annoyance is the big sump box, keeping that pump working and keeping it from overflowing into the 'forward bilge'. I finally did a mod that I read about (basically gutted the box and started all over) that has helped but even still if I don't clean it out about once a month (yuk) it fails as it did last night. And for our purposes, I really need about 2-3x the water tank capacity of what the boat comes with, the one thing we run out of every single weekend out on the water (we tie up for the weekend) is water. But overall, the boat is fast, handles great, is comfortable, livable and amazing for entertaining. Our dock has about 15 bridge boats on it and while I love the indoor space they have and no doubt they serve an excellent purpose and are ideal for many people, every night everyone ends up sitting on the back of our 48. When you pivot the helm chair around it just has far more 'outdoor' space than anything else out there in the category.

What would I change? The biggest thing is the seating area/couch/table at the stern. I miss having a full U shaped couch, where two couples could sit across from each other. The 48DA has a long couch at the very back, then a chopped couch facing it, not really ideal. And it comes with a small table so only 2 or so of the people sitting on that long couch can have a table (for meals this results in people eating with plates in their lap).

Hope that helps, feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions, etc.

PS - We also use and love having the hydaulic lift, as you can see in my picture we use it to haul around a jet ski.

Regards,
Capt. Jason
 
Last edited:
Interested to know how/why the 390 differs in Handeling vs the 48?
 
I see you have a 390, so I need to answer carefully. :) The 390 is a great boat, I enjoyed it very much and used it in both lake and ocean conditions. I still miss the big U shaped couch at the back. Comparing it to a 48 really isn't a fair comparison as the 48 is probably 1/3 to 50% more weight, diesels (I'm assuming your 390 is gassers as mine was), larger props, etc. And in my case my 390 had no thrusters, my 48 has both bow and stern thrusters. Add all that together and you have a dramatically different handling boat. The responsiveness of the diesels and the thrusters (and prop size) all make my 48 significantly easier to control and dock than my 390. Anyway, does that help answer your question? Like I said though, nothing against the 390, it is/was for me an excellent boat!

Regards,
Capt. Jason
 
no harm. I have a bow thruster on mine so it is easier to dock. Love my 390 but alas, its never big enough. Looked at the 44 but if I move up I want the 48. Love that 48 but it may be out of $ range...oh well
 
I have a friend with that exact boat, very nice boat. I will say while it's roughly the same size I believe the design of the hull is different and the layout and look is very different. It rides, at least his does, much different than a 48. I personally love the 48 (it was a huge overhaul from the 460, different in almost every aspect, not just a minor upgrade/update), but no doubt you can get a very nice 460 (and it's a very nice boat) that has some similarities for a lot, lot less money.

Capt. Jason
 
I would give up sex and drinking for one (1) year to have the 48! Okay, giving up sex once or twice is no big deal!
 
The 480 is an awesome boat - a dock neighbor has one - he can plant that boat in ways I could never dream of with the 320. It does have thrusters.
 
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