A question I cant find the answer to.

[hillsideshortleg]

What is the back part of the boat that you sit in called. You know the area behind the drivers seat. While we are at it. Which older cabin cruiser has more of that room? We would like to up size into maybe a 400 but there just doesnt seem to be a substantial increase in front to back room compared our 280. Sure it's wider but I would like more length.
Thanks

 

[b_arrington]

Cockpit.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

So the cockpit on your boat includes the outdoor seating area?

 

[Chris-380]

So the cockpit on your boat includes the outdoor seating area?

Yes, that area is the cockpit

 

[Blueone]

What is the back part of the boat that you sit in called. You know the area behind the drivers seat. Sure it's wider but I would like more length.
Thanks

You have some big motors in that 280. Option was a couple of 4.3L 205hp... did you retrofit 350’s ?

And the back of the boat ....width is everything .... long and skinny gets you know where ....

check out a bunch of boats...width makes a huge difference

 

[Korkie]

+1 on blue one. When we were contemplating between the 320 and 340, the extra 6 inches in the beam was huge influence in decision.

 

[Soulshine]

Beam over length every time.

I gained 3 1/2 feet of beam in my last move up and there’s no describing the difference.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

I get the beam and really appreciate it and want it. I just dont want a cockpit filled with what I consider uncomfortable seating. When we look at a boat we look to see if seating can be removed to open it up length wise.

 

[b_arrington]

I get the beam and really appreciate it and want it. I just dont want a cockpit filled with what I consider uncomfortable seating. When we look at a boat we look to see if seating can be removed to open it up length wise.

Frankly finding removable seating will be difficult in a Sea Ray, or most any similar cruiser. Most of the seating is fixed, molded in-place. There are a couple of exceptions such as Sea Ray's Amberjack line, most of which have a removable rear bench. From what I've seen most of the Sandancer layouts are variations on the same theme of fixed seats; the variables are cockpit sinks / fridge / BBQ, the specific layout, and how wide it is. It seems like as more modern Sundancers gets bigger (Say, 2000's and up more space is added below decks than in the cockpit. There is of course more room with a wider beam.

I think if you want a really flexible seating arrangement you may need to look at another type of boat.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

We really enjoy our 280 with the exception of the lousy electrical system raceways they built into the boat and the cockpit size. Are there any brands known for the cockpit size with the low profile the older Sea Rays have?

 

[glenncal1]

You might want to look at the newer Sea Ray Express Cruisers (1997-2001 I think). Large cockpits on those boats there were 370 and 400 models I believe. Tiara's also have large cock pit areas.