Dear 38 Sundancer owners....

Coming from the other side..

I'm new to the forum, reading and learning LOTS from your great posts. We are waiting for the proceeds of the sale of our 41' sailboat and researching the 380DA - probably '99-'01 based on pricing. The comments on gas vs diesel are very interesting, particularly about justifying the difference in cost! To import a boat to Canada I have to factor currency exchange of around 18% at present + 14% provincial and fed. taxes.

I have read the cautionary comments on the 380DA exhaust system issues of this vintage, but any other thoughts that come to mind are definitely welcome.

Warren
41' C&C and near boatless..
 
Warren:

Since you are already aware of the exhaust issue, which is prevalent on the pre 8.1s which came in late 2001, one other issue is that in 1999, the head layout is different. It is the only year of the 380DA run where the toilet is in the shower. This layout allows for a bigger sink and access to the head from the main salon and the master cabin. However, IMHO, a toilet doesn't belong in the shower....

Oh, and welcome to the board....I see you got my email..
 
Yes, got your mail Dominic and your insights into the exhaust issue were very much appreciated! I didn't know about the toilet/shower combo in '99 - but that explains some inconsistencies in the photos that I've seen. Tell me, is one A/C compressor under the forward berth? Any annoying noise issues? If so, is there an easy fix?

Warren
Looking for a 380DA..
 
Warren:

Many Sea Rays, and other brands for that matter, have the AC compressor under the master berth. I don't have an issue with this placement, but then again, I can sleep on the 50 yard line during the Superbowl....other's may offer their opinions.

The '99 that Skip linked to above is sure worth a look-see. I would have to say that a pair of Roaring....I mean Diesels.... would trump the toilet in the shower issue. But that, would DEFINETLY require the admirals approval.

Good luck in your search.
 
Just a reminder guys (and gals)...this thread seems to be migrating between two different boats - the 380DA which has actually evolved into the new 40DA, and 38DA which is actually the end product of the previous 360DA evolution. It may be more helpful (and relevant) to compare apples to apples and not apples to oranges.
 
osd9 said:
Warren:

Many Sea Rays, and other brands for that matter, have the AC compressor under the master berth. I don't have an issue with this placement, but then again, I can sleep on the 50 yard line during the Superbowl....other's may offer their opinions.
Click to expand...

The location of the A/C, directly under the berth, was a concern of ours, that we ultimately were willing to concede on.
I assure you, it has not been an issue.
But, then again, I learned how to sleep on the 03 level, directly under the arresting cables on an aircraft carrier..lol: :lol: :lol: :smt043 :smt043 :smt043
Draw your own conclusion, but it has not been an issue....
 
Can you guys imagine that 380 with 3126's :grin: ??????????? It would really be fun to run that boat!!!!!!!!!!!! :smt101 JC
 
I duly note that there are two discrete flavors of 38 Sundancer.

If I have strayed off topic, I consider myself appropriately chastised.

I bet that 38DA with Cats runs like a dream, and of note, North Atlantic Marine Group has had that boat for nearly a year. I bet the savvy buyer can get a good deal and have a well laid out, well built, Cat powered dream of an express boat for about half the cost of a new one......or less.

regards
Skip
 
Thanks Steve - reassured that noise is not an issue. At anchor (with the air off) is there enough ventilation through the boat in hot weather to sleep with the forward hatch cracked open and the companionway door ajar without a fan? And by the way does SR put screens on all opening hatches?
Thanks,
Warren

Researching the 380DA
 
My 380 had screens for the forward hatch and inserts for the upper side windows and a slider for the aft sleeping area going into the cockpit. It didn't allow much air movement though. I had one of those bubble-back screen enclosures but it really did not do a great job keeping out the bugs so I never left the door open. If you have a diesel gen set.... use it... My wife, I should say, likes the put the thermostat at 65 degrees and create a fridge at night regardless of how hot it is out.... my 2 cents.
 
My 30 has screens on the portholes, and on the overhead hatchway, but not on the sliding door. I'd have to say negative on much air movement...
 
Merc 8.1

I had a 96 SR 370 with 8.1's and while it had a respectable top end, it was very thirsty and would drink 32-35 gals an hour at 26-28 knts, with fuel water and gear on board.

I surrended to that one in 1999 and moved back to diesel. I'm a die har don oil burners. Safe, high torque and safe.

As for maintenance costs its abut the same in most respects, except .... keep a diesels liquids clean like raw water, coolant and fuel and air and oil clean and you can run the pants off a gas engine in hard duty circumtances. The lower entry cost for gas isn't worth saving the difference when exit is considered, in my opinion.

Asureyez
460DA
450 Cummins
 
I'm not sure if this is the "official" 38 Sundancer thread - I could't actually find one :huh:- if there is please point me in the right direction.

My question is where is the fm radio antenna located as the current one is hopeless at holding a station for any period of time, so I want to swap it out?
 
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