Sundancer 450 vs. 460

[Maybe A Dancer]

The layouts are similar

the portlights are placed differently

seems the deck forward is also very different

Hull construction?

Layup?

Are these both VEE drives

Can someone please help point out the other obvious differences?

BEST !

RWS

 

[NotHerDecision]

Here is what is on the top of my head.

460 has sliding sun pad in cockpit, sliding sofa in midcabin, sliding sofa in salon- not always a positive because you can lose storage. 450 has 2 different layouts, 460 does not. 460 has hardtop option. 450 seems to be slightly faster, probably weight but possibly hull design. 460 mainly has Cummins power and 450 mainly has cat power but both can be found with other options. 460 has dual voltage refrigeration 450 is all 110v unless an inverter is installed. 460 has 240v power I can’t remember if 450 does. 460 was an evolution of the 450, so lines are more curvy and the port lights are in the hull instead of the deck (can be a positive or negative). The 450 swim platform is my preference as it has a “bench” you can sit on and the actual platform is below that. 460 has helm air option. I believe both boats have cored decks and hulls above the water line but that’s a frank or sea ray question. Both are v drives.

side note. If you feel like coming over to Texas happy to show you our boat and take you for a ride.

 

[fwebster]

I wan a 2001 460DA for a friend about once a month. I ran my 1996 450DA every day I was in Florida. We boat in a very busy commercial and tourist area with rental PWC's and pontoon boats driven by inexperienced operators who have no clue about the rules of the road or right of way. THe 460DA was heavy, had a hydraulic platform, a hardtop and a Cablemaster. I found that boat had a tendency to create a blind spot right in front of I's talked witgh other 460DA owners who didn't find that opjectional so I think that comments id driven by me conservatism in running boats and aversion to risk in a very busy area.

I think the 450DA is significantly lighter and gets out of the warter and on plance quicker.

The 460DA has portlights and hull vents mounted in the hull while the 450DA has those things mounted in the deck cap. This eliminates a significant risk of water intrusion in the hull sides. The area where the portlights and hull vents are mounted in the 450DA deck is solid fiberglass so there is nomoisture risk. All these boats can leak rain ans wash water into the deck core if the boats are not maintained properly. I recently sold my 450DA and the surveyor the buyer chose tested the hull, bottom and deck with a moisture meter and found no wet areas.

I also think the 450 has one of the best engine rooms to work in due to the wide shaft spacing.


There are a number of 460's on the market, but there are a very limited number of 450's available. I think this ios because of thew popularity of the 450Da due to an overall great design that yields a very easy boat to manage and run.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

According to POWERBOAT REPORTS:

Sundancer 450 production run 1995-2000

Sundancer 460 production run 1999-2005

I found this review on line for the 450:

 

[dtfeld]

Sea Ray changed the naming convention every couple of years, when they did a design refresh. These boats are very similar in size/features.

The biggest difference is the interior layout earlier models were white laminate, the later models they went to a wood grain laminate. The helm layout is usually different and depending on what you intend to do with new electronics this could be factor. And of course price...

One thing I love about the 460 is it has a recliner in the corner...wish i had bucked up for that!!

 

[techmitch]

Sea Ray changed the naming convention every couple of years, when they did a design refresh. These boats are very similar in size/features.

The biggest difference is the interior layout earlier models were white laminate, the later models they went to a wood grain laminate. The helm layout is usually different and depending on what you intend to do with new electronics this could be factor. And of course price...

One thing I love about the 460 is it has a recliner in the corner...wish i had bucked up for that!!

One thing I love about the 460 is it has a recliner in the corner, oh, and the hard top!

 

[dtfeld]

One thing I love about the 460 is it has a recliner in the corner, oh, and the hard top!

460 with a hard top is a sweet boat.