About to buy DA - 360 or 380 - Do you feel the 2 feet

ROBOPTI

New Member
Aug 9, 2016
21
MANDEVILLE LA
Boat Info
2005 SUNDANCER 360
Engines
496 MERCRUISER 8.1S
Hey gang ... Newbie here .. Long time lurker - which is actually why I am about to jump into the bigger sandbox and buy a Dancer. Currently in a Yamaha Jetboat - and its run its course

I have tried to search - but the "bigger boat" threads kind of take on their own personalities :) - but I figured there are enough hardcore DA PROs in here - maybe you could give me an opinion or 2

Me & the Mrs are about 1 second from one of 2 boats ... a 2005 360DA or a 2000 380DA

They are both in excellent condition - virtually the same price. The 360 is more heavily equipped in terms of electronics - and its is the Navy Blue scheme which we both like - I can tell it's more of the "party" boat between the 2. The 380 is a total cupcake - all white scheme - VERY well taken of - basic electronics ... Honestly we cant make a bad move

But I am TRYING !!! to think long term - and I am really torn between the 2

The 360 is newer / and smidge fancier - might be slightly easier to sell in 5-7 years .. but the 380 is just minty. I personally feel the room. I have read about the cave affect in the Dancers - and I'm really trying to take that into consideration - and I am thinking 2 feet makes a big difference

So to you long terms Rayers .. Over time - Do you feel the 2 foot difference ... Is the 380 (even though it's older) - the better boat. This is a toughy. I WANT the 380 - but on paper the 360 "seems" better

I am starting to vapor lock on a decision ... but the length seems to be the big key ... unless there is something I dont know about buying older Rays.

Just looking for 2 cents from the crew

Thanks a TON !!!! in advance ... I am starting to panic and get the shakes - its decision time :-O
 
Is it just the two of you, kids now or in the future? That being said and previously having had a 380.....I'd go with a 410.
 
:) - Just the 2 of us ... Kids are gone ... and we tend to be quasi loners. A big part of the buy is a life style change ... We just want to be dock lizards and go riding
 
What engines are in each?


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Put me down for the 380. I think you will wish you had that two feet within a year of buying the 360. Of course, you'll probably want a 420 a few years after the 380!

If you're going to keep it for a while go with the bigger boat. It's not just two feet. It's a little more beam, a little more draft, a little more headroom, a little more room in the engine room....everything. These boats don't just grow in length when they grow.

The only caveat here would be hours (in my opinion) and maybe generator vs no generator. If the 380 has 2500 hours on the gassers vs 500 on the 360 that might sway my decision. And if the 360 has a gen vs none on the 380, that would also make for a more challenging decision. Electronics are easy to swap. Engines and generators are not.
 
I have a 360 (a 2005). It is more than enough boat for to overnight on (it is just my wife and I). We also use it alot for entertaining and can easily take 6 adults with us and not feel like we are sardines. Have been on a 380DA and though yes bigger I still like the layout and internal storage that the 360 has over it. Just my 2 cents ...
 
... So to you long terms Rayers .. Over time - Do you feel the 2 foot difference ... Is the 380 (even though it's older) - the better boat. This is a toughy. I WANT the 380 - but on paper the 360 "seems" better ...

Two feet is everything when it comes to a boat, it can mean a separate shower in the head, a door on an aft cabin, etc. But to your question, there basically the same boat except for the obvious. I would go for the one that makes your eyes widen and puts the smile on your face. If your going to have her for a long time you need to be happy. But in a year or two you will want to go bigger no matter what you buy. It always seems to work that way.

Personally, I'd go slightly bigger if you can. But the 380 is a nice boat.
 
If all is equal I would say the 360. It is just such a newer not and the same price with lower hours. Now frankly... I was in your shoes 60 days ago and now am looking at 460's... So just make sure you get what you want and it seems everyone's advice on this forum is buy your second boat first. Don't settle and find the perfect boat. Both you are looking at are amazing!


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We turned down a 2003 360 in favor of a 1999 380 - both in great shape for about the same price. While really close on paper, the 380 just feels bigger all the way around. Shallower draft too.
 
I wasn't going to chime in but I will!

I'm in agreement with the opinion of buy the bigger boat. As any boat gets longer, it gets wider, more headroom, more space in the cabin, cockpit and engine compartment. Electronics are easy to have put in and aren't outdated when you do. Upgrades for other stuff is part of the fun of having one of these big pieces of plastic that float.

From what you indicate, the 360 has about 80 hours more than the 380 and is 5 years newer. I'd get a survey done on both of them and see what pops up. But in my opinion, if you choose bigger you may delay the urge to buy bigger in a few years. But then again, maybe not!

Enjoy the process and whichever you decide on.

Mark
 
Both are gassers .... Both have the 8.1 gas from their respective build years

280ish on the 380 (2000)
360ish on the 360 (2005)

I may be wrong on this one, but my Boating buddies have a 2001 380 and a 2000 380AC and they are both equipped with 7.4's from the factory which are the 454's. If this is the case, the 380 you are looking at has been repowered / updated to the newer 8.1's (496's). I have to admit, I'm partial to the 8.1's as they are bullet proof.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either boat.

Are they listed with Nunmaker Yachts?
 
buy the biggest boat that you can afford and find a slip for
 
While the newer boat is tempting, the separate shower would be the deal breaker for me.
My kids are 16 & 19, they probably won't be making many more trips with us on the boat, we are shopping for another boat now, and although we don't need all the space the 380 offers, the separate shower is really important to us.
My wife really hated having to get everything in the head wet and working around a commode while taking a shower.
We had an older 300 Sundancer for years that was dialed in perfectly, relatively economic for us to own at this point, and had enough space for the two of us for a couple of nights. We made the tough decision to sell it and move up mainly to get the separate shower. Our old boat didn't have a generator either, and while not essential to us, it will be an added benefit of a bigger boat.
 
Kreole - You are on the money .. I mis-spoke. The 380 has the 7.4s. And neither are at Nunmaker .. Although my current boat is there - and I have known Miskowicz over there for a million years.

The 360 has a "seperate" shower - in that it has the Star Trek transporter glass tube in it ..

1st off - I LOVE !!!!!! this board ... I love the people in here. I hope I can return lots of favors to this community.

Bottom line - We are getting the 360 - We love both ... but as someone said above ... For whatever reason - That one makes us both go "OOOO"

Thanks guys ... Now if I just figure out where to get a camper enclosure made for a 360. From the few calls I've made I will hit the Powerball - while being hit by 3 consecutively pin-pointed lightning bolts as I watch a pig fly over the top of a car driven by a dog before I find someone who already has a mold for that ....

I'll just buy the L650 after I get hit the powerball

Thanks a TON !!!! gang
 
Just be aware that the blue hull boats are beautiful, when they are freshly detailed. And they do require regular washing as well. There's a guy over there that has about a 6 month wait to get you in. Im sure there's a canvas guy on the north shore, but I have a guy on the south shore that I used in the past and was extremely satisfied with...
 

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