NEW to SEA RAY products Moving Up (maybe) Express or Dancer

[Maybe A Dancer]

As I understand it, the Dancer series are all Walter V drives?

The Express are conventional straight drives?

Did SR offer either of these with a Cummins QSC?

Pod drives are NOT in this equation.

Currently own a PERFECT Trojan 10

meter with twin Yanmar 6LP's

Looking for more space, ease of access with transom door, easier dinghy storage.

Your suggestions & comments are appreciated.

RWS

 

[Strecker25]

You’ve got it right on the EC vs Sundancer in the 33-45ish range. Some of the very large sundancers have straight shafts.

they’re not necessarily Walters, some might be but you’ll see a lot of ZF/hurth transmissions.

The 2006ish 44 Sundancer had the QSC 500’s I believe

 

[NotHerDecision]

I have a 01 460 with ZF V-drives and 6CTA’s.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Looks like the EC - Express Cruiser was taken out of the lineup in the mid 2000, limiting my choices to the Dancer

Love the Trojan, but looking for something with more interior space, more storage space, more galley space, en suite head(s) and a deep swim platform where we can carry the dinghy easier.

My Trojan features a solid hull (no core or balsa) and woodless stringers.

no way will I consider pod drives

Suggestions?

RWS

 

[ttmott]

You will find that the DA (Sundancer) line is all V-Drive including the 500DA. The 550DA was a straight drive only.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

You will find that the DA (Sundancer) line is all V-Drive including the 500DA. The 550DA was a straight drive only.

THANK YOU !

Does this mean the SD - Sundancer line is all NON POD drive?

I prefer to stay in an Express style of boat - easier to single handle

On a bigger boat will need to add bow thruster

 

[Shaps]

my 2010 500 (and i believe the 2009 48) are pod boats. I don't think sea ray made pod boats prior to 2009

 

[fwebster]

the need for a bow thruster is dependent on the hull/power package design and your ability to handle a boat. I owned a 450Da with Caterpillar/ZF -vdrives and didn't have a bow thruster and never once thought "boy I needed a bow thruster. The reason is because the Cat engines produce a lot of torque at low speeds and the 450 has an extremely large center line to center line distance between the shafts which gives you a huge asymmetrical thrust advantage.

I think the 450DA is one of the best DA's Sea Ray ever produced but they were only offered in 1995 to 1999. This means most on the market today have had multiple owners and a careful survey will be required. They have tons of interior space, a huge cockpit, engine room space to die for, they are great sea boats and have a very dry ride.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

the need for a bow thruster is dependent on the hull/power package design and your ability to handle a boat. I owned a 450Da with Caterpillar/ZF -vdrives and didn't have a bow thruster and never once thought "boy I needed a bow thruster. The reason is because the Cat engines produce a lot of torque at low speeds and the 450 has an extremely large center line to center line distance between the shafts which gives you a huge asymmetrical thrust advantage.

I think the 450DA is one of the best DA's Sea Ray ever produced but they were only offered in 1995 to 1999. This means most on the market today have had multiple owners and a careful survey will be required. They have tons of interior space, a huge cockpit, engine room space to die for, they are great sea boats and have a very dry ride.

====================

Boat currently lift kept behind the house in SW FL

Access is under a DIVIDED fixed bridge

This bridge was poorly planned, not only is is a divided span, it is placed squarely in the middle of an S curve in the waterway.

A wide body of water feeds into this bridge. When the tide is moving fast, it can push you sideways - not good

I have no problem with the 13' beam on the Trojan. With her wide spread shafts, she navigates easily and docks like a dream.

With another 10' or so ahead of the props on a longer boat, I'm certain that the nose would get pushed during tidal events, making for an uncomfortable situation.

RWS

 

[ttmott]

THANK YOU !

Does this mean the SD - Sundancer line is all NON POD drive?

I prefer to stay in an Express style of boat - easier to single handle

On a bigger boat will need to add bow thruster

DA = Sundancer
DB = Sedan Bridge
EB = Express Bridge
EC = Express Cruiser
The DA Sundancer series was made in V-Drive, Pod Drive, and Straight Drive (in the 55 foot and greater).
I don't believe there was ever a "SD" model designation.

 

[Stee6043]

Do you have a target budget? Do you plan to keep the Sea Ray on your lift and if so, is there a max weight you need to stay under? Both of these constraints could help narrow the field of potential boats for you.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

No budget in mind at this time.

It's more about the boat.

At the same time, not going to spring for new with outboards.

Elimination of VOLVO & any kind of POD drive changes what year models would fit my slot.

Have 95' concrete dock. Boat lift can be modified or replaced.

Divided fixed bridge cannot, but relocation may be in the cards, depending on future financial fortune.

I'm not running out with cash in hand yet.

Simply trying to identify possibilities.

Searay, Tiara, Formula express style cruiser layout.

RWS

 

[Stee6043]

No budget in mind at this time.

It's more about the boat.

At the same time, not going to spring for new with outboards.

Elimination of VOLVO & any kind of POD drive changes what year models would fit my slot.

Have 95' concrete dock. Boat lift can be modified or replaced.

Divided fixed bridge cannot, but relocation may be in the cards, depending on future financial fortune.

I'm not running out with cash in hand yet.

Simply trying to identify possibilities.

Searay, Tiara, Formula express style cruiser layout.

RWS

Sounds like the sky is the limit. No outboards, no pods, everything else is on the table.

Why not a 650??
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2015/sea-ray-l650-3845227/

Or for the more budget minded, a more modest 610:
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2012/sea-ray-610-sundancer-3710926/

And last, a bottom doller 510:
https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2014/sea-ray-510-sundancer-3862631/

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Thanks for the suggestions, however my fixed bridge has a 13' 8" vertical height issue.

I need to stay in the 40' range & watch my clearances

Neighbor on my canal has a 45' Excalibur, has no issues with his length and the S turns before & after under the bridge

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks for the suggestions, however my fixed bridge has a 13' 8" vertical height issue.

I need to stay in the 40' range & watch my clearances

Neighbor on my canal has a 45' Excalibur, has no issues with his length and the S turns before & after under the bridge

Bugger, I missed your height requirement. You may be limited to low/mid-40' range with that bridge. It looks like a 2010 450DA is 13'6" waterline to mast light. I wouldn't expect 2" to be enough margin for anyone. On the other hand a 2006 44 will be a foot shorter +/- it looks like.

 

[SeaNile]

Wouldn't any of these mentioned boats be too tall when you add in the radar array/dome which 99% of these boats have?

 

[NotHerDecision]

I second Frank’s comments on the 450DA. We have a 460 that handles like a dream. I don’t have or need thrusters and my top of radar is 13’1”.

Just been a great boat. I assume you are fine with Sundancers as they are “express” style. The difference is the actual searay express is straight drove with bunks instead of a mid cabin.

 

[Strecker25]

the need for a bow thruster is dependent on the hull/power package design and your ability to handle a boat. I owned a 450Da with Caterpillar/ZF -vdrives and didn't have a bow thruster and never once thought "boy I needed a bow thruster. The reason is because the Cat engines produce a lot of torque at low speeds and the 450 has an extremely large center line to center line distance between the shafts which gives you a huge asymmetrical thrust advantage.

I think the 450DA is one of the best DA's Sea Ray ever produced but they were only offered in 1995 to 1999. This means most on the market today have had multiple owners and a careful survey will be required. They have tons of interior space, a huge cockpit, engine room space to die for, they are great sea boats and have a very dry ride.

Now that I have some seat time with our 410 I’d love to someday pilot a 450 and see the difference.

I assume you have been at the helm of both models (410/450), is the handling difference pretty dramatic between the two?

I think our 410 handles like a dream but the shafts are definitely tucked close to each other and near the keel. I was surprised how well it pivots once I saw how close to centerline the running gear is on the 400/410.

 

[sbw1]

Your Trojan has a great hull. Have you looked a Tiara 42 Open? Very fine entry and handles rough water well which you will appreciate. All of the Opens are express cruisers with a good selection of sizes.

 

[SeaNile]

All I know is in the 14 or 15 boats I've had in my lifetime our 1996 450DA is the easiest boat to handle. Rides like a dream, a breeze to dock, etc.