2018 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 OB
2018 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 OB The new sea Ray dancer combines two boats in one, a Bowrider and a Sportscruiser, to maximize entertainment and family navigation, and improve day and night options. The great new creative bow with Trick bow rest area is a highlight. But also, the convertible cabin seat with sun protection Hardtop, the stunt crossbar with Swing-Away Sungate for a perfect interface with the water, and the open plan overnight Pad for a family under decks.
Driven by the owner’s entrance and recognition that today’s weekend warriors want more space and conveniences above, and a little less uncommon use of accommodation and gallery space under the decks, the 320 Sundancer marks a point of inflection in the evolution of sea Ray. First, we caught the wind of this change while in the US with sea Ray last year. You can read more about the design background of the exciting Sundancer 320 in this article.
But while multifunction boats are hot, some look like Swiss Army knives. This ‘ dancer, however, still has a sharp and carefree profile. With two engines of 300HP MerCruiser 6.2 L MPI DTS improved with units of stern Bravo III, the boat has a lot of sport with the cool cruise. You really get the feeling of driving a well balanced and beautiful boat on the easy-to-use rudder.
Launched as a high-quality offer, this first new 2018 Sundancer model 320 in Australia debuted at the 50 ° Sydney International Boat Show as one of the first in any part of the world. With went some significant improvements, the showboat was a real luxury offer competing with European Marques rather than price-point production boats. That’s where Ray’s positioned himself today.
The local importer added a lot of additional equipment and options to elevate this 320 Sundancer even more. Another nice thing about this boat is that it is not too big to store in a dry pile, where the hull and aft units will remain ready for the race in a moment of notice, adding to their daytime sailing convenience which is what this boat is T Odo.
Sea Ray’s importer in Sydney, Mark Chapman, is no stranger to U.S. ships and demanding local sailors looking for a luxury sailing experience instead of a cheap trip. To make a good thing even better, he scored a lot of boxes of options.
You can get aboard a 320 Sundancer with stern tail-there is also a new outboard blown variant-your-mind with triple 250HP or twin 350Hp Mercury Veras-from $379k using twin 250HP Mercruiser 4.5 L MPI ECT motors with legs Bravo III.
This Sydney Showboat had a $449k sticker ticket with all upgrades. Start with the largest engines of 300HP MerCruiser 6.2 L for more than 40 knots of sporting performance — we recommend this power enhancement given the seating capacity — and you can go up to 450HP 6.2 L models, 260HP 3.0 L MerCruiser diesel, and Axius joystick docking It’s an option.
It was good to see that our boat had an improved AC power system with a new generation low-emission Kohler gasoline generator and an inverter. In this way, you have autonomy away from the dock with the AC power in the call for, say, electric cabin iron, air conditioning/heating, and any devices you want to connect (we will add an electric barbecue larger).
The boat had a full cabin with teak deck and a swimming platform and a trimmed bath table, along with walnut interior carpentry, additional opening hull cable, a LED lighting update and additional bow table with Dedicated storage.
Read more: 2018 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Cost
The improved stunt Swing-Away sill parasol seat called the Sungate is a highlight, besides that there was an improved hydraulic submersible swimming platform, the optional must-have full Hardtop with SureShade extended electric awning and an extra cabin cooler.
At the helm, the ship had double 9in Raymarine MFDs with radar so that it could navigate in a misty river or stream or into the sea in compromised visibility. There was a bow propeller for docking, a windlass with stainless steel anchor, and a high-quality sound system that extends to a separate area in the arc.
As we drive it, the Sea Ray Sundancer 320 was a loaded luxury weekly and a dayboat boat with the works that attracted a large crowd in the 50-second Sydney boat show.
With a total length of 33 feet 10in (10.31 m) with optional extended swimming platform, and a beam of 10ft 8in (3.25 m), the Sundancer 320 is a large boat. In the head, it looks like a giant Sundeck from that range of the Sea Ray. Only the high-volume hull obviously contains a full-height interior. We’re going to get to that.
The innovation begins with the bow seats, which are accessed by a Portside along with the rudder and the adjacent company that carries under the decks. There are an opening windshield panel and a wind gate to seal the cabin arch in, say, winter, but we left the street open most of the time and we just walked from the cockpit to the fore seat and back at will during our test of Sydney Harbour.
Such is the ease of access that the arc immediately becomes a full-time usable part of this Sportscruiser and, in doing so, you get an almost Bowrider. The increase in the usable space of the cover gives the impression that you are in a 40-footer. The second separate and private seating area ahead will be popular with children and teenagers as much as a lot at dusk with a drink in hand.
The most important thing is that it is nice and safe for its crew thanks to the high rails that draw the bow seat. You can also relax when navigating as you do not unduly prevent the driver’s vision, especially as the rudder seat has a high Flip-back height reinforce to elevate your position and views.
Meanwhile, the spacious main cabin has lots of plush enveloping seats. The backrest in the seat of the copilot is reversible, creating a lounger oriented to the stern shaded by the Hardtop. Teak decking adds to the luxury and appearance and is all very comfortable.
That optional completely molded Hardtop is a must-have and, together with the optional electric SureShade cabin awning, you can shade most of the seats at the high-noon. This is important when you make lunch.
The amenities at the wet bar include an optional grill, but Chapman made the point that he would fit a BBQ the size of Aussie instead. In addition, there is enough flat space here for a 240v Health-Grill-type device that has both cooking spaces but is portable and easily replaced, such as a built-in grill.
Another great highlight lies at the blunt end. The crossbar’s lounge has the optional folding backrest that creates a large parasol and opens the cockpit to the swimming area. The optional Sungate is aptly named and increases the interface and comfort of the boat’s shore.
The optional electric swimming platform, a feature normally found on a boat 40 feet or larger, helps to swim with children, snorkel and just hang out semi-submerged. There are tumbler holders, remote stereo and indoor shower nearby. Diving, swimming, sunbathing, lounging, eating, drinking… and doing it again.
The new dancer 320 is a boat so knowledgeable of the summer, with much more usable space, that the sportsmen of yesteryear, with its long foredecks convex and the smaller cabins, usually under the scrutiny in a boat of this length, have been obsoleteados. That was the ambition of sea Ray all the time. Mission accomplished.
But what about the preparations for sleeping? Downstairs, the open-plan interior has full free space and beds for four. There are a convertible bow dinette and an aft cabin with single beds that glide together to make a king. In the middle, at the foot of the stairs, is a recessed fridge and a microwave oven. There is also a flat screen TV to keep the family entertained after sunset.
The atmosphere under the terraces and with the opening ports is really very nice. There is no wasted space with a lower kitchen, as all your food preparation and kitchen is back up and outdoors. The Hardtop and the camper counting package (on the test boat) should help if you are trapped in bad weather. But you’ll probably find yourself at home.
Either way, stand for the separate bathroom with full marks, hand and rose-mounted shower wall. If you need a couple of hot water and 121lt on board, you can take a short shower. The toilet was a series TECMA market and the ventilation was good.
320 We can say that the interior of the Sundancer is in the form of a day full of sails, with strange nights thrown to this day. Nowadays, it is a daily boat ride that the owners use today’s boats.
Some multifunction boats are similar to Swiss Army knives, which have a sharp and casual profile. And with the two engines of the 300HP MerCruiser 6.2 L, the boat, developed with stern units, has a lot of performance and people moving energy. The beamy boat can easily sit 12.
The promoter of the people still has 21 degrees of Deadrise very respectable, so it does not strike like a boat of a great body. With the parent company Brunswick Marine that owns both Sea Ray and Mercury, you are sure that a pair of engines also works.
The button access to the engine bay reveals the twin 6.2 L V8s, the batteries, and the bilge, while the diagnosis of SmartCraft transmits everything from engine levels and fuel use to speed and reach when it is running.
The steering is energy-assisted, the accelerators and shifts are DTS Fly-by-wire models, and with leg and tilt adjustment, plus tabs and indicators, you can run this boat anywhere free and easy to button down or compensated by the list. Active Trim, Mercury’s automated trimming system, is an option.
At rest, we have fired the Kohler fuel generator and, I must say, is silent and smoke-free. So even with the kids in the water, you can run the Gennie and electric BBQ at lunch and not worry about the broadcasts.
This particular Sundancer 320 was built in a sea Ray plant in Europe, so it is one of the first in the world and shipped to our shores. The quality of the upholstery was first class. The moldings were also beautifully executed. These things are a hallmark of sea Ray.
Sea Ray has a well-deserved reputation and positioning as America’s largest brand of boats in Australia. With a big investment in R&D in new models like this innovative Sundancer 320, you are looking to reclaim more from the demanding buyers market instead of just the first timers.
Read more: 2018 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Review
The ergonomics of the 320 Sundancer are punctual. The throttles fall to your right hand, the adjustable wheel feels comfortable in your left glove, while the dash vision and windshield is clear from the twin bucket seat. Turn the reinforce and get an even clearer vision, even with the reclined crew in the front halls. From bow to stern, you can put your eye on the extremities of the boat and, with the bow thruster, I found the departure of the Navy in Rozelle Bay to be a snap.
After launching the lines and idling at Sydney Harbour, it was an emotion to see the acceleration of the Twin 300HP MerCruiser 6.2 L V8s. We were only two, but with a 12 still shooting out of the hole cleverly. Through the rugged ferry road, there was no hit, while the handling of the sports allowed us to put the hard wheel and bench for the camera back near Athol Bay.
You get the true sporting performance of this social and Sportscruiser wagon. Just once, crossing a steep stele at an angle, there was some spray to report. But this high-sided hull is inherently dry. It is a good run and just what you want in a very busy port, Great Bay, for that sortie offshore to an island or nearby call port.
As I mentioned in the video, I could not clean the smile of my face running at 30 knots of fast cruising on the GPS. According to the official data of the sea test, the maximum speed with the twin engines of 300HP MerCruiser 6.2 L and the propellers of Bravo III with a set of the launch of the 24in Helix and two on board is 41.9 knots in 5200rpm.
The 30-31-knot cruiser enjoyed 4000rpm for a range of 153NM using 90 percent of 643LT’s fuel supply. At these speeds, there are around 76dba, which points to a smooth and silent boat. Sea Ray also goes to large lengths to the bed linings and prevents flirting.
2018 Sea Ray Sundancer 320 OB
But the most economical fit is 3500rpm, which gives 25 knots, and just a lovely comfortable speed with plenty of passengers on the seats. Its range is approximately 156nm. You can keep the aircraft at 3250rpm and 12.6 knots, but you will not get efficiency at low planing speeds.
As for acceleration, the twin V8 rig is obviously no slouch, especially with duo props grip. The street ahead of the teams outside the brand. It takes just 7.4 seconds to hit 20mph (17.5 knots) and 12 seconds to wind out to 30mph or that 25-26 knot ideal cruiser.
As Mark Chapman returned to take over the reins after my driving test, I headed to the bow to enjoy the cruise views of the Sydney icons. Flip-down armrests, adjustable backrest, beverage stands and stereo/iPhone connectivity mean you can have this area in advance. It is a highlight and creates a fairly remarkable onboard experience at the 320 Sundancer.
