Anyone own a Sea Ray 400 Sundancer?

Tzan89

New Member
Apr 11, 2018
3
Boat Info
2016 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer
Engines
Between Boats
I am looking at purchasing a 2016 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer and wanted to get a realistic picture of the maintenance costs. We are comparing this vessel to the Regal 42 Sport Coupe which has the IPS pods at about 5K just in basic annual routine maintenance on the pair of engines/drives and over 10K to repair one pod. Fuel and dock handling are good on the Regal but the forward facing prop is a bit concerning. So we are zeroing in on the Sea Ray 400. Does anyone have any comment to add regarding the upkeep on the Cummins QSB 6.7 engines w/ V-drives? Fuel efficiency and value retainage of this model?
 
Welcome!!

Of course I'm partial to Sea Rays because I have owned a few and think they make a solid, stylish boat. There is a dedicated owners group and you will meet a lot of owners who have stepped up through the Sea ray product line..that says a lot about the boats and builder. All boats depreciate, and retained value will depend on when you sell and the condition of the boat at that time. I think you will always be able to resell the Sea Ray with Diesels and the 40' range is very popular.

As far as pods go, the selling usually is the ability to maneuver the boat with a joystick. The downside for me was that out drives do need some additional maintenance, as there are seals and other items below the waterline that will need to be looked at and can not be deferred. Plus the joystick control systems bring a whole other level of complexity. The Sea Ray has this joystick via the v-drives so best of both worlds.

I have 3126 Cats w/ v drives and its the easiest handing boat I've owned, and the diesel/v-drive combo is proven and easy to maintain. I like the Cummins and I think they make a great engine. The newer ones are electronic, so there is a little more to maintain on them, but most of it can be done DIY

As to the cost of maintenance, answer really depends on who is doing the maintenance. The routine stuff like oil, coolant, filters, belts, zincs can all be DIY'd and you will find someone on this site that has been there, done that and walk you through it along with general cost.

Performance wise...look at http://www.boattest.com/review/sea-ray/3435_400-sundancer They did a test of the 2016 40 w 480hp Cummins/Vdrives. Cocktail speed about 2 mpg, cruising 20-25 knots, about .7

2016 40.PNG
 
Last edited:
Welcome!!

Of course I'm partial to Sea Rays because I have owned a few and think they make a solid, stylish boat. There is a dedicated owners group and you will meet a lot of owners who have stepped up through the Sea ray product line..that says a lot about the boats and builder. All boats depreciate, and retained value will depend on when you sell and the condition of the boat at that time. I think you will always be able to resell the Sea Ray with Diesels and the 40' range is very popular.

As far as pods go, the selling usually is the ability to maneuver the boat with a joystick. The downside for me was that out drives do need some additional maintenance, as there are seals and other items below the waterline that will need to be looked at and can not be deferred. Plus the joystick control systems bring a whole other level of complexity. The Sea Ray has this joystick via the v-drives so best of both worlds.

I have 3126 Cats w/ v drives and its the easiest handing boat I've owned, and the diesel/v-drive combo is proven and easy to maintain. I like the Cummins and I think they make a great engine. The newer ones are electronic, so there is a little more to maintain on them, but most of it can be done DIY

As to the cost of maintenance, answer really depends on who is doing the maintenance. The routine stuff like oil, coolant, filters, belts, zincs can all be DIY'd and you will find someone on this site that has been there, done that and walk you through it along with general cost.

Performance wise...look at http://www.boattest.com/review/sea-ray/3435_400-sundancer They did a test of the 2016 40 w 480hp Cummins/Vdrives. Cocktail speed about 2 mpg, cruising 20-25 knots, about .7

View attachment 54882
Thank you so much for your response. I am new to Sea Ray but started looking more seriously as we were really set on the Regal 42 but after more research on the pods, I concluded they would get about twice the fuel economy at mid to high speeds / similar at slow speeds but incur significant costs for routine maintenance w/ Volvo certified personnel only. I also worry about the forward facing props. I wonder if Sea Ray would honor their warranty if maintenance intervals where performed by a DIY owner. Any thoughts on this?
 
I cannot speak to the DIY maintenance, but my first though is that if OEM parts/fluids were used, then yes. Someone with more knowledge than I will speak up. I too, have done a little research on the pods as my dock neighbor is buying a boat with Volvo diesels and pods. The annual maintenance, should one decide to keep it up right, is outrageous to me. I moved from a 260DA to a 44DB having never run a twin engine boat. I watched the broker operate this one during the survey. Day one, I backed her into a 16’ wide slip in the wind on the 3rd try. 7 months later, it is almost like 2nd nature. Why would i need the pods let alone the potential expense over and beyond the normal annual maintenance? Hit one submerged log and not just a bent shaft or prop....

I am not putting them down and to each his own...I personally do not need the added expense.

Bennett
 
I think I am the same thought process. I owned a single IO that I kept in the water (fresh water) and it need a lot of MX to maintain in top condition, but electrolysis takes its toll and sooner or later it better to just hang new one on. I decided I wanted only stainless and bronze in the water.

I agree the performance gains are significant, but does that outweigh the maintenance cost? I think you would have to make some assumption based on how and where you use the boat and make a cost benefit calculation.

It’s a sweet boat regardless and I think both options could be winners. The diesel option would be my choice. Keep in mind I’m in an older boat where the joystick was never an option.
 
Tzan89 ......I too may be a bit bias, but will be happy to have a form & function conversation with you for all three Zeus (Merc)-IP (Volvo)-and shaft applications. Can you share a number and time to call you on the PM side of this site?

Capt. Rusty
 
Hi Capt. Rusty. Yes please call me: 434-660-7036. I spent a lot of time on a 2018 SD 400 at the Bay Bridge Boat show in MD. Any light you can shed on our purchasing decision would be much appreciated.
 

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