50'+ Sundancer insights

S

srkartholl

Member
Dec 19, 2013
32
Florida
Boat Info
460DA (sold)
1991 350 DA current
Engines
Merc 454's, V-drives
Contemplating getting a SunDancer...looking at a 500DA/540DA/580SS. All approx 2000 vintage. Plan would be to cruise the FLA coasts for a couple months at a time.
Does anyone have any input as to maintenance costs, etc I might be looking at? Don't really need to get anywhere fast, so plan to just putt around the ICW...combination anchor/transient docking. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
 
You can contact Dancin' Dave, he has a 580SSS. It depends what you are looking for in the boat. If you want a ton of living space in the cabin, the 510DA was a great model.
 
Ours is a mid 90s. Love the boat, plenty of room etc. You can expect .75 MPG, regardless of speed. These big engines just don't care, fast or slow. Good solid ride. These big engines need to run hard every now and then. Our idle speed is around 7-9 mph depending on current, we can maintain plane in the upper teens and top out upper 30s. Engine noise a little high in the cockpit. We would actually like to go back to 40-42 Sedan. Quiet ride up top, better fuel economy with the Cummings. Watch out for the big Catapillars. History of problems.
 
I'm a Sundancer guy, but I suggest you look at a sedan bridge as well.... No matter what deal you get on a boat, prepare for considerable costs in maintenance, fuel, and docking... What ever you calculate, it will cost more. It's not that it's a bad thing, if you expect it. If you think the big cost of the boat is the purchase price, then you might want to reevaluate.

As a guide, I get about 2mpg at displacement speed and 1 mpg at cruise.

You say you're between boats. What boating experience do you have?
 
When I think about slowly cruising between anchorages, big Sundancers with 24-30 liters of diesel displacement and 120v house systems don't jump to mind. If it were me, I'd consider boats with 12v refers and smaller engines unless you later expect to "need" lots of space and speed as you go from marina to marina.
 
RollerCoastr said:
When I think about slowly cruising between anchorages, big Sundancers with 24-30 liters of diesel displacement and 120v house systems don't jump to mind. If it were me, I'd consider boats with 12v refers and smaller engines unless you later expect to "need" lots of space and speed as you go from marina to marina.
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What Sundancer has 12-15 liter engines? I've got 8.3s and the boat has plenty of power.
 
8V92s are close to 12 ltr , some of the 63 DAs had 12v92s which are getting close to 18 ltrs if I am doing my math right. Talk about fuel hogs.
 
JV II said:
What Sundancer has 12-15 liter engines? I've got 8.3s and the boat has plenty of power.
Click to expand...

Nearly all the ones he mentioned! A DD 6v92 is the smallest engine available in all of those boats, and even that is a 2-stoke, so in electronic form, it compares to a 4-stoke 11-12 Liter engine.

In a 500DA, 540DA and 580SSS, you'll find engines such as the DD 6v92, DD 8v92, Cat 3196, and Cat 3406. That's a range of 9-something liter 2-strokes to 15 liter 4-strokes. Then we can start talking about Dancing Dave's 3408's. Whew! :)
 
What do you want to talk about...... Love my 3408 s ! Got the power when I need it. I can cruise at 25 kts and burn 24 gal per hour per engine or I can idle around at 7 kts on the icw with the blow boaters and trawlers and burn 1 gal per hour or anywhere in between. The boat is 61 ft overall and needs the correct power, they dont call it a Super Sun Sport for nothing, sort of like a Sundancer on Steroids!
RollerCoastr said:
Nearly all the ones he mentioned! A DD 6v92 is the smallest engine available in all of those boats, and even that is a 2-stoke, so in electronic form, it compares to a 4-stoke 11-12 Liter engine.

In a 500DA, 540DA and 580SSS, you'll find engines such as the DD 6v92, DD 8v92, Cat 3196, and Cat 3406. That's a range of 9-something liter 2-strokes to 15 liter 4-strokes. Then we can start talking about Dancing Dave's 3408's. Whew! :)
Click to expand...
 
Mine runs really nice with the Cummins QSM11's, can carve full over turns without cavitation.
Have owned it for 2 yrs and could not be happier with my Sea Ray Choice.

WarrenG
 
Here are 8 reasons why I like the 580 Super Sun Sport! I cant help you with the 18 Liters however.
DSC_0853.jpgDSC_0851.jpgDSC_0431.jpgDSC_0245.jpgDSC_0136_2.jpgDSC_0112_2.jpgDSC_0090_2.jpg
 
I thought you wanted to go larger Dave? Maybe a 68SSS?
 
Dancin Dave said:
Ken, If I'm blessed any further, my next boat will have a pair of CAT 3412 s in her!
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Very nice , walking in the engine room would be cool. I imagine yours is close to that though...
 
some stand up and some squating and kneeling but great access with the trunk and hatch up.
 
There is way more to "Saramee" than is being seen in these photos....This is a family boat to the MAX. That baby has been up and down the East Coast so many times, I don't why that haven't change the waterway to 580SS Way...

This boat is home to my definition of what family boating is... Yeah, there's Dave of course but the boat belongs to the Ladies of the house regardless of what he says. And if you ever get the chance to meet that clan, you will see why they rate at the top with Capt. R.

Saramee is our strong work horse of a Yacht and she can handle just about any condition, inside or out. With Dave at the Helm, Saramee can be considered one of our Flagships....with the 3 ladies onboard, she becomes Sea Ray #1.

I consider it an honor and privilege to be considered in the same frame as "Saramee Too" and the best part is that I have known that boat before she became a Whitman's Sampler.

You are now talking about one of the greatest boats Sea Ray ever built...and Saramee is still as beautiful now as she was when she departed here (the factory), I would rather talk about these things than just about any other subject that can come up. You hit Gold when you said the 580SS was a good one!

You guys know way more than you think but glad I can add to your discussions.....let's call it a passion.

Capt. Rusty Higgins
 
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