Official 370 Sundancer thread

Hi 370 DA members, I am working my way through the over 2500 posts in this thread to learn more about this model. I am planning to look at a 98 model soon and wanted to ask what issues in particular to check on this specific vessel.

Thanks in advance for your input and the information already posted here.

MM
 
Hi 370 DA members, I am working my way through the over 2500 posts in this thread to learn more about this model. I am planning to look at a 98 model soon and wanted to ask what issues in particular to check on this specific vessel.

Thanks in advance for your input and the information already posted here.

MM

Bump...

MM
 
I suggest you search for the word Survey in this thread. That should give you general areas to look out for.
Remember this model is 20 years old now, so I'd be watching for corrosion on electrical connectors and signs of water leaks in the cabin, especially in the V berth.
 
I suggest you search for the word Survey in this thread. That should give you general areas to look out for.
Remember this model is 20 years old now, so I'd be watching for corrosion on electrical connectors and signs of water leaks in the cabin, especially in the V berth.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

MM
 
I read there was an arch height difference in some models and the 98 was taller. Is that correct? How big of a difference is the arch height of the 98 vs older models?

Did any of you compare the 370 to the 99-02 380?

MM
 
Anyone know where I can order the canvas hatches and windless covers from somewhere who already has them sized?
 
Hi Everyone,
I have a 1998 370 and never received the setee sleeper cushion or the sunpad for the cockpit. Can anyone show me what they even look like? I've googled, searched and asked and no one knows. I'd love to get them, but don't even know where to look. Thanks a bunch!!
 
Hi Everyone,
I have a 1998 370 and never received the setee sleeper cushion or the sunpad for the cockpit. Can anyone show me what they even look like? I've googled, searched and asked and no one knows. I'd love to get them, but don't even know where to look. Thanks a bunch!!

I checked mine today. I have photos, but the reality is that the shape is easy to determine. Under the settee cushions is a pull out board that is supported by the short table leg. If you pull it out, you can trace the outline of the cushion to match the outline of the board and the edge of the current cushions.

My measurements show that the cushion is approximately 68" long and about 21" wide in that sweeping shape. It also folds in half to fit into the storage space under the settee and is made from the same ultra-leather vinyl as the settee.

Hopes this helps.

Gene
 
Hi Everyone,
I have a 1998 370 and never received the setee sleeper cushion or the sunpad for the cockpit. Can anyone show me what they even look like? I've googled, searched and asked and no one knows. I'd love to get them, but don't even know where to look. Thanks a bunch!!
Hi Debbie, for the cockpit sunpad, are you talking the one that fills in the U-shaped lounge area behind the helm?
 
Hi all, has anyone had any luck making a new engine strainer gasket out of neoprene sheets or the like? I hate the cork and orings get pinched too easliy. Thanks!
 
Hi all. I am in the Lower Chesapeake. I currently own an 1963 37 foot wooden Baybuilt which is beautiful boat but I have decided that I want more creature comforts and its just time to go to fiberglass. I started researching and decided that I wanted a 98 370 DA. I have been searching all the usual places for about a year. Everything I saw was over priced, far away or did not look very well maintained. I recently found out about Club Sea Ray and created an account and started reading this thread. At the same time I posted a hello in the New Member section.

After posting that I received a message from a gentleman on this board who informed me that his friend directly across the creek from me was going to sell his 98 370 but that I had very little time as they were going to list it with a broker next week. I rearranged my schedule and went to see her on Sunday and all I can say is wow. I have been onboard a lot of boats in my lifetime of all kinds but I have never seen a twenty year old boat that looks like this. Literally looks brand new inside and out. The couple that owns it want a flybridge boat instead. They are super nice people and its clear that they are absolutely meticulous. They have never even cooked in it ever. Never even used the coffee pot. I don't think they ever even ate on board.

The motors had had water ingestion issues and were replaced under warranty with the new high rise risers and can style mufflers. They both have 220 hours now. You could eat off the engine room. The generator has been removed and serviced and reinstalled. I believe he said it had four blade props and an extra set. Also tons of spare parts. Refrigerator just replaced. Three flat screen tvs. Mattress in V berth new and really nice. Hot water heater new. All carpet inside professionally replaced with factory carpet last year and same for cockpit carpet. All electronics replaced in 2008. Radar, autopilot, depth, speed, GPS. Stereo head unit replaced with newer Clarion. Custom camper top that is incredible. The list of maintenance and upgrades is too much to type. Owner says he never spared any expense and it shows. I went and saw her Sunday and they were nice enough to take me for a ride and she ran great. Both motors ran at 165-170 degrees with 42 pounds of oil pressure. No vibrations. Very smooth. I gave him a deposit right then. Things are moving fast now. Got financed in three hours on Monday morning!

I am having the survey next Monday. Assuming that goes well I should have her in two weeks or less and will then post some pictures. I figure I won't post pictures until I am the owner. This thread which I read all the way through has given me a good list of things to give to the surveyor to look out for. Thanks again and hopefully I should be an owner in a couple weeks if the survey turns out ok. It will be so strange if after searching high and low I will end up buying one around 100 yards from my current boat because I posted on club sea ray.

As an antique wood boat owner for the last ten years I am no stranger to maintenance and working on boats so I look forward to jumping in. This thread has been great.
 
In reading this entire thread I did not get much information about the 370's handling and sea keeping abilities. I have only taken one short ride on a pretty calm day. The boat I currently have is a Baybuilt. The Chesapeake can get extremely nasty quickly. She is a semi displacement hull but I have had her out mid-bay surfing down six footers at 14 knots and been out in some truly horrible conditions like when you look over in the trough and you see green out of the window, but always felt I was gonna get home. She will take a pounding and get back home when there are may days everywhere. Can anyone give me any information about the 370's handling when things get crappy? Frankly I have read alot of threads by alot of haters calling Sea Ray's in general cocktail cruisers. I know that the boat can take alot more than I can but just wanted to know about the experiences of these boats by actual owners, not internet armchair captains thanks.
 
There was a member here (and a friend) who repowered with Yanmars and drove his 370 from Ft Lauderdale to Trinidad. he did pick his days but said when it did get rough, he still felt safe. i have personally gone from a flat calm no wind day to all Hell's breakin loose micro burst with 55 mph winds, and instant 6-8 footers, 500 yards offshore. As the design allows, I was shipping a good 500 gallons over the windshield into the cockpit on nearly every wave. I was most concerned with water getting into the engine room, and drowning the power. That would have put us on the beach for sure. As it played out, we just nosed into it, and waited it out for an hour and a half. When we got to our marina, we heard stories of distressed vessels, and CG at one point stopped over us, saw that we were stable, and moved on. Florida Gulf Coast is by and large a mill pond compared to Lakes and Northern cruising, but I came out of that particular situation with a newfound respect for the design. Just make sure your engine hatch gaskets are in place, and leave the transom door open.
 
I read there was an arch height difference in some models and the 98 was taller. Is that correct? How big of a difference is the arch height of the 98 vs older models?

Did any of you compare the 370 to the 99-02 380?

MM
I'll comment on the 2nd half of this question.
The 380 was by and large part of Sea Ray's one foot-itis marketing. From year to year they would take the same basic hull, and make it different lengths to entice moving up or down. For the real differences, it is easy enough to download the parts manuals from a late 370 and an early 380 and compare. I actually do that, because 1999 and on was when the documentation got a lot better, and more complete. They were employing a lot more CAD in their designs, and the detail shows. Also, Mercruiser did away with the 454 and started supplying 8.1 liter engines. My opinion is that the engine room is the main difference. It also introduced higher levels of engine monitoring with Smart Craft.
 
Thanks that was the kind of answer I was really hoping for. Survey still Monday but it could be rained out. Im going to put inspecting the engine hatch gaskets on the survey list I compiled to give to the surveyor from this thread.
 
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