Searay 390/40 or Cruisers Yacht 405/415?

Hi All,
Our dilemma.
My wife and I really like the Searay390/40.
We have looked at a few.
PROS -
Many for sale, although not in my area in MA.
The quality, layout.
Hardtop (less eisenglass).
Helm AC.
Fwd Stateroom, very roomy, versatile.
Master Stateroom, roomy, nice layout and storage
CONS -
Not crazy about the electronics I've seen on the models available for sale, all original Raymarine. No one seems to have been upgraded.
Small swim platform. We have dogs and may be harder for them to come aboard.
Closed-in feeling with only a small vent on the front windshield at the helm. I like to open up front windows (I know trade off not having eisenglass) and get fresh air when cruising. I know there are side windows but not having airflow through the front I'm thinking will be claustrophobic.

Cruisers 405/415
Havent been on one yet.
PROS -
Quality seems good, still not a Searay.
Hardtop (less eisenglass), some models. Few with the Hardtop.
It has small eisenglass panels from the hardtop to the windshield. Front air flow!
Fwd Stateroom is adaquate, not as nice a setup as the Searay.
Master Stateroom looks roomy, layout looks good. Looks like a lot of storage.
Has a larger factory swim platform. Better for the dogs and docking.
A few have had upgraded electronics.
CONS -
Not many for sale, fewer with the Hardtop. Especially in the MA area.

The Searay comes with Cummins.

The Cruisers comes with Yanmar.

I'm coming from gas engines, this will be our first diesel so I'm trying to get more familiar with these.

We would like to be in our new boat this spring.

Any thoughts or comments would be welcome.

Thanks, Happy New Year!

I looked at the Cruisers before we made our purchase. You mention the eisenglass panels between the windshield and the hardtop. This also caught my eye.

Make sure to check availability of parts and service on the Yanmars. May be another con.

Bennett

I’ve been on several Cruiser Yachts at the dealership we purchased our DB from. Nice amenities for sure but I still think over all quality is better with Searay.
Good luck with what ever you buy.

I also was considering a 390MY before I pulled the trigger on my 400DB. As I understand it, the Yanmars are high RPM diesels as compared to the Cats or Cummins engines. This means more noise and vibrations which could lead to engine issues. Additionally I believe they have a higher fuel burn.

As for the layout I have only one word... STAIRS. To get anywhere you are constantly going up or down stairs. Gets old quickly.

If you do any of your own mechanical work, go crawl around the engine room if you can get in there... you pretty much need to be a contortionist to get thru the hatch. I was afraid I would get stuck down there.

Then I saw the 400DB and I knew what my next boat was....

I have been on a few newer Cruisers and they are okay. Knock on the hull of a Cruisers then on the Sea Ray. Sea Ray is much more solid!

My wife & I couldn't be happier with our 2005 390! Once you have a hardtop you'll never go back. The front windshield panels zip out allowing full ventilation. As far as the swim platform goes, its huge! We have (2) 80# Springers that swim off of it with ease. Ours has Cummins 380's that make driving and docking this vessel effortless. Cruises wonderfully at 2450 rpms (24 mph) burning 36 gallons/hour. My only regret is I didn't buy the 52 and get it over with! Good Luck!

I would not let the electronics drive my decision on purchasing a boat - that can be changed.

Swim platform not easily changed - a factor you should take into account. Along with the stairs.

Overall I think the finish out is better on a Sea Ray than on a cruisers (personal opinion).

I would prefer Cummins over Yanmar.

Are you considering other models in the same price range?

FootballFan said:

I would not let the electronics drive my decision on purchasing a boat - that can be changed.

Swim platform not easily changed - a factor you should take into account. Along with the stairs.

Overall I think the finish out is better on a Sea Ray than on a cruisers (personal opinion).

I would prefer Cummins over Yanmar.

Are you considering other models in the same price range?

Click to expand...

4K puts a 6ft platform from Swimplatforms.com on the back.

They look and fit great.

Keep in mind that you're on a Sea Ray site asking about preference. Be sure to find a Cruisers forum too!

Note that 390/40 can refer to both a Sundancer and a Motoryacht. You might want to edit the first post and mention that you're looking at AC's / motoryachts...

johnq29 said:

My wife & I couldn't be happier with our 2005 390! Once you have a hardtop you'll never go back. The front windshield panels zip out allowing full ventilation. As far as the swim platform goes, its huge! We have (2) 80# Springers that swim off of it with ease. Ours has Cummins 380's that make driving and docking this vessel effortless. Cruises wonderfully at 2450 rpms (24 mph) burning 36 gallons/hour. My only regret is I didn't buy the 52 and get it over with! Good Luck!

Click to expand...

You sure of your fuel burn? 24 MPH and 36 GPH is .667 MPG. That's not very good for diesel.