Interested in upgrading to a 380 Sundancer in the 2005-2007yr range. Any input on this boat?

marks737

Active Member
Sep 15, 2009
333
NJ
Boat Info
2005 390 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9
Thinking about upgrading from our 310 to a 380 Sundancer. Looking for input from 380 owners? What do you like or dislike? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
I bet there is a 380 specific thread down in the size-specific rooms?

If I were in your shoes I'd also be including the 400 in your search. I've convinced myself that when it's time to move up I'm going to want a separate head/shower and I want a "real" door on the master berth. And a hard top. Sea Ray seems to keep the sub-40 crowd in a similar feature set (one head, no door), aside from the hard top.

The cost between the 380 and 400 doesn't appear to be significant in this age range? Though if you're mostly cruising as a couple or doing very little overnighting the head/shower/door is probably unimportant. That 380 is a great looking boat...
 
Last edited:
'06 and up would be the 38DA with the center door - 39'LOA - '05 and down is 42'LOA and a completely different boat.......the '06 and up boat was the replacement for the previous years 360 sundancer.....it is really the biggest boat you want with gassers (very rare with diesels anyway)- handles/rides/uses fuel a lot like the same era 340DA......super nice boats with the half hardtop and separate stateroom and shower......
 
I have an 06 38DA. It does have a separate head and shower, and the master has a door. The triple side windows allow good amount of light into the cabin. Bilge area is reasonably sized and laid out to do most maintenance items without too much trouble. Excellent vision from the helm when driving and backing into your slip.

We take our annual holidays on the boat and travel to a local island and stay on the boat for approx 10 to 14 days. Water capacity at approx 200 litres is inadequate for these sorts of trips and so we have to top up every so often. Very happy with the ride of the boat during our coastal trips. All in all a great boat and looks great too (in my opinion).
 
Thanks! It seems with Sea Ray, you have to get above 38 to get a separate shower and private master berth, which are two of my criteria. I haven't physically been on a 380 yet, just searched a lot of listings. Will get on some in the spring to get a better feel. I think they are a great looking boats. The only thing it doesn't have that the first mate really wants is a walkthrough windshield which you don't find much with Sea Ray unfortunately.
 
Thanks! It seems with Sea Ray, you have to get above 38 to get a separate shower and private master berth, which are two of my criteria.

As mentioned previously mentioned, the 38 does satisfy your above criteria.

The walk through windscreen is no big deal. My wife and 8 year old daughter are happy to walk around the sides of the hardtop....no one has fallen in yet :).
 
I'm glad this thread came along. I thought for sure the 40's were the first shot at doors and showers. You learn something every day...

Good luck in your search!
 
As mentioned previously mentioned, the 38 does satisfy your above criteria.

The walk through windscreen is no big deal. My wife and 8 year old daughter are happy to walk around the sides of the hardtop....no one has fallen in yet :).

Thanks for the info! What's your fuel burn at normal cruise? Do you like the 8.1 engines? Also noticed you have an extended bimini over the cockpit, was that custom made? Beautiful boat!
 
Fuel burn I can't help you with .....I don't look.....and it is what it is :cool:. From memory best cruise is at 3,500 rpm according to Boat Test. Typically I would cruise in the 3,600 to 3,800 rpm range if I'm doing a trip, but my motors are also currently under propped as they will rev to circa 4900 rpm.

Yes I like the 8.1s and apart from a faulty plug wire, the motors have never let me down and are easy to maintain. The motors have now done over 600 hours and all in salt water. Would it be a better boat with diesels, probably....but they are rare for this boat in my part of the world.

Yes, I had an extended Bimini custom made to suit our warm conditions, plus new clears, mesh clear cover, etc. The original slant back Bimini didn't offer much headroom towards the rear of the cockpit once the sides and rear curtains were dropped down. Much more usable space now and also much cooler and brighter with the Stamoid material.
 
Maybe take a peek at the Formula PC 37 and 40 also?
I honestly could have gone either way when choosing our next boat. We went with a Sea Ray..I really like the cockpit grill. But the Formulas are really nice vessels..and they have the hard tops and solid berth doors. Nice heads too.
Just my .02
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,878
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top