Best Sundancer between 38 and 42

Mightychan

Member
Oct 8, 2016
157
Panama City FL
Boat Info
2005 DA 420, AB Dink
Engines
Cummins 6CTA
Hello all, I currently own a 32 Sundancer and want to move up. I am looking for more room, and want diesel power. I will probably buy a boat between 10 and 15 years old. Of these boats, are there any that are better than others, or any boats that I should avoid?
Also, I notice that a decent number of these boats have hardtops. I think I would like the hardtop, but I really don't know the pros and cons. Discuss?
Thanks, Chan
 
Agreed, older ones they add canvas and wish they had the hard top! (Or at least I do)
 
agree on the '05 420 with cummins power and a hard top.....should be able to get a nice one for around 200k options to look for are bow thruster (not really needed) and cockpit air (not 100% needed in RI) If 200k is too much the 03/04 models w/o a hardtop are the same boat for much less money......still too pricey? try an '04/'05 or so 38.......42'LOA and at the end of the run they were available with cummins power (earlier ones were 3116 Cat).......if your dead set on a hardtop the '06 up 380 (actually a replacement for the previous 360) is a great boat, but diesel examples (yanmar power) are rare......Kinda skipped the '05 and up 390/400 but prices for nice diesel examples often approach similar year 42/44s........have fun with the search!
 
I moved up from an 2003 320 Sundancer to a 2005 420 Sundancer. Really love the extra room with doors on forward and rear staterooms + two heads. With the twin Cummings it’s one of the best designed boats SeaRay ever made. Definitely find one with a hard top!
 
I have a 2004 420 with twin Cummins 6CTA-8.3s, all mechanical engines (no common rail, no computer). As others have mentioned, the hardtop is wonderful. It is what allows me to be on the water more as I am a bit "sun challenged".

There is a ton of information on this site. I love the economy of these engines paired with a 45 foot boat weighing in (dry) at 22,500 pounds. Cruising at 2200 rpm, at about 25 +/- mph, consuming 24 gph. That's essentially 1.0 mpg.

Keep us posted. Good luck with the search!

Jaybeaux
 
Of course I am a little biased but... if you can swing the dockage then why not look for a 460? Same engines and economy with more room. The 01’s to 05’s have hardtops and can be had under 200k.

We are not too far away if you want to go for a ride one weekend... better yet Frank Webster is an hour away... once you see that 450 of his you may fall in love ;).
 
Notherdecision, a 46 would be great but would be tight in my slip. I looked at a 42 with an extended platform today, 50 loa, and I am not sure if I have the room for her without changing marinas .

Actually, Frank is only about 20 minutes away from me. I am afraid that, if I see his boat, a craving is gonna be flung on me...
 
Another question about these boats. I just realized today that the 42 draws 40 inches due to the props not being in pockets. Is this true of all the boats in this size range? I sure do like the 32 inch draft of my 32. Thanks
 
I have a friend selling a 2004 420 for $165k. 6CTA Cummins with 1k hours. It is an immaculate boat and very well cared for! I would have bought it but it is way to big of a step up for me considering my previous boats were bowriders which is why I settled on a 320. Its next buyer will be one lucky boat owner! I would love to own that particular boat or one of that similar year/model one day.
 
Depends on how you will use her. The 2003 and newer 420DA with hardtop is great but if you need a touch more room go with a 2005 460DA. My 410 is basically the same as the 420 but more efficient and no hardtop.
 
I have a friend selling a 2004 420 for $165k. 6CTA Cummins with 1k hours. It is an immaculate boat and very well cared for! I would have bought it but it is way to big of a step up for me considering my previous boats were bowriders which is why I settled on a 320. Its next buyer will be one lucky boat owner! I would love to own that particular boat or one of that similar year/model one day.
Why? My first boat was a 99 380 DA. A bigger boat is not harder to run. I was a sailor before and never owned a power boat.
 
I hope to make that step up in a year or two.
Why? My first boat was a 99 380 DA. A bigger boat is not harder to run. I was a sailor before and never owned a power boat.

Thats what Ive been told. I am sure I will end up making the jump to the 45-50' range in a year or two at most. The 320 just felt insanely comfortable for me and the perfect size. I got one hell of deal so it def made the most sense.
 
I have a friend selling a 2004 420 for $165k. 6CTA Cummins with 1k hours. It is an immaculate boat and very well cared for! I would have bought it but it is way to big of a step up for me considering my previous boats were bowriders which is why I settled on a 320. Its next buyer will be one lucky boat owner! I would love to own that particular boat or one of that similar year/model one day.
If your friend's 42 is still om the market have him contact me. Bob. Fawcettfam@aol.com
 
Mightychan,

There is a 420DA for sale in PCB that has every possible option......6CTA's, blue hull, hard top, rigid frame aft enclosure, about a 1.0 mil watt stereo and it is in immacualte condition. The owner has cared for her and she has been under a covered slip behind the owner's house since new. She sold twice, but one engine has failed a mechanical survey and the problem has been evaluated by the guys at Treasure Island. The questionable engine will need to be rebuilt at some point (estimated @ $6,500 - $8,000 depending upon what the mechanics find when they tear down the engine) but the seller needs to sell the boat and is is probably waiting on an offer he can work with either by handling the rebulid or by negotiating the selling price to cover it.

I'll be in town for the next couple of weeks...... at the marina or at the island nearly every day....stop by if you have time.
 
I went from a kayak to a 380. So happy I did. I have no patient for the whole upgrade every two years thing!
 
image.jpeg
Another question about these boats. I just realized today that the 42 draws 40 inches due to the props not being in pockets. Is this true of all the boats in this size range? I sure do like the 32 inch draft of my 32. Thanks
This response is a bit late... The 40" draft is not a problem...when we anchor out I have the depth sounder set to the tip of the props... When we are in known sandy bottoms I anchor in 1' and everyone is happy being able to touch the bottom. Yes 32" would be better but but 45' x 14' kind of makes up for it... Here is a pic of the "sort of pockets" .... Good luck with the search

I need to read a bit closer you already have the boat?!!?
 
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