Looks like Sea Ray is offering the 255 Sundancer in the USA for 2010

D

Dave S

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Oct 3, 2006
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Upstate South Carolina
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Sea Ray has finally updated their web site to show all the 2010 models.

As expected, most of the existing Sport Cruiser models carry over for 2010 with new model number designations based on actual LOA. Unless the web site is wrong, I noticed they are offering the 255 which has only been sold in Europe up until now as well as the 305 Sundancer (which appears to be a variant of the former 280DA) that I thought was a European only model.

The 255 appears to be built on the older (2004) 260DA hull (or a variant therof) and has a cabin layout similar to that particular model (but significantly updated). The big feature of this boat is the foldown rear seat in the cockpit. No prices are given so I don't know how much it will sell for.

Take a look on Sea Ray's site for more information. http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/10231/pmid/171321/255-Sundancer.aspx

255-1.jpg



255-2.jpg
 
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Wow, so they are going to have a 230, 240, 255 and a 260 in their lineup? That is a lot of small cruisers in close proximity, isn't it? All sharp looking boats though.
 
At this point I am wondering if the web site is showing European models in error because I also see what used to be European only models in the sport boat section as well (220 and 240 Sunsport).

:huh::huh:
 
Dave,

I think you are right on the money. I believe we will be seeing some deletions of the models you mentioned in the coming days/weeks.
 
Interesting... I always wondered why they did not offer the 220/240SS in the US?
 
Dunno ... when I look at Sea Ray's current line up I think they have lost their bearings ...at least as far as I am concerned. I am sure they know what they are doing and all ... but to get something comparable to the old 340 you have to go to a 370 now and that boat is 4,000 lbs. heavier than mine.
In the Sport Yachts section they discontinued the 43 which was the only dual state room boat in that size and I always thought that a dual state room boat in the 40-42 foot range was a major volume boat for them (410/420 dancers). I don't know how the 45 dancer with its "ball room" layout can fill that.

This confirms that for me the newer the Dancers get the less likely would they fit the bill for me. I still think that the 410/420 Dancers were the best combo of size and utility Sea Ray ever made. I actually still like the 410 better even though it is not as modern as the 420.
 
What's T-ECT for $8,000 more? Is that that catalytic converter? Keep it. Nice to hear they are offering the QSM4 as an option.
 
Alex D said:
In the Sport Yachts section they discontinued the 43 which was the only dual state room boat in that size and I always thought that a dual state room boat in the 40-42 foot range was a major volume boat for them (410/420 dancers). I don't know how the 45 dancer with its "ball room" layout can fill that.
Click to expand...

You missed the memo about rebadging. Also, you missed the fact that the 43 was 47'3" LOA. The 43 is now the 47. Same exact boat, different name.
 
Wow. I don't like them.

The cockpit seating in the new 260 appears to be lacking. I have seats for 7 people (8 if 2 of them are small). It looks like there is room for 4-5 in the new layout.

The cabinets in the galley look like a cheap Ikea store display.

The helm is a boxy looking kludge.

The boat looks horrible without the oval portlites on the sides, and the 2 rectangular windows in the sides of the hull don't cut it.

Those vents in the back aren't the prettiest design that I have ever seen. Black is the wrong color. Makes them jump out at you. Highlites the lack of portlites in my opinion.

Is it just me, or does the blue hull with the white bottom just look bad?

BUT... I wouldn't mind taking one with the Yanmar® 6LPA-STZP Bravo® III (307 hp - 229 kW) option for a sea trial. The idea of a diesel sterndrive just appeals to me. I wonder if you can order this in a boat for US delivery.

And I do believe that you are correct, Dave. The 255 must be a European model. All of the AC specs show 240v/50 Hz. It needs an arch. Just doesn't look like a SR without it.
 
Skibum,

I like the lines of the current 260, last year's 250, for the most part. However, I agree with you on several points including the oddly placed rectangular portlites. I prefer the oval shaped portlites above the rubrail. As far as seating capacity is concerned, I really don't see how you are going to get more than five to six people in a 24' Dancer. I would be willing to bet your 260 has every bit of 26' under the rubrail (bow to transom). The diesel option would be nice in my opinion as well.

Several have complained about the new 450 DA's layout. It would be interesting to compare the 450's layout with the 390/40DA's layout. I bet these two models have share similar dimmensions with respect to hull size.
 
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Is the aft cabin big enough for anything other than storage?
The one picture on the website makes it look like you've crawled into a coffin.
 
After 2004 Sea Ray really has gone done hill on a lot of their models. :smt009 The new 290 I rode in with the side saddle seat and fold up bed couch thing...I think their engineers are going away from week,weekend live aboard to more day boat entertainment types. I agree with the idea that 40 ft boat should have 2 cabins and yet the new 45 has only one with a TV room? That is really strange. :huh: But hey, if SR sells them, it means marketing, engineering got it right.
 
The 305 looks interesting. I wonder what the US version will look like. Available with single diesel option. I wonder if we'll see a single 496 option like the last edition of the 290
 
Missed that, SeaRide. If you click the link for the 280 you see a boat with the same specs as my 260, but the pictures of the boat (1st pic, 2nd row) clearly show it labelled as a 270 on the transom.

Is that really gonna be a 280? It's only 2" longer than my 260 using the "Overall Length w/Std. Integral Swim Platform" measurement. Looks like the current 280 is no more. Closest would be a 305?

Damn. This is getting wierd. I don't do wierd, I only do strange.
 
OK guys. All those funky model numbers are all european models, 240 volt. SR website has some tweaking to do.
 
JV II said:
You missed the memo about rebadging. Also, you missed the fact that the 43 was 47'3" LOA. The 43 is now the 47. Same exact boat, different name.
Click to expand...
You missed the price hike as the boat went "up" in LOA on the paper :grin::wink:
 
sfergson727 said:
I agree completely Alex. Even if the 430 is now the 470, their pathetic excuse for the 450 is pretty much unforgiveable. Unfortunately I am not in the position to buy a new sea ray, and will probably not be in that position again, which is just as well. When (if) it does come time to upgrade, I can't see myself buying a yacht designed after 2004, because as pointed out above, that is when the designers started taking drugs.

I don't know what is going on over at SR, but whatever it is, I don't like it, not one bit.
Click to expand...

BIG +1 on that one too sfergson !!!

If I ever upgrade it will be a 410DA ... of that I am pretty sure. A great cabin with what we need (Great seating, a big galley and a big, separate shower stall) and the biggest cockpit in its class by far. In my book the 410 just can't be beat ... but that's really just me for our likings. I Love the 420DA too but it already has some features and changes that reduce utility over the 410 for us (smaller cockpit due to more seating, smaller shower stall, less cabin space, better galley though!).
 
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