Express Cruiser vs Sundancer

M

Mrichardson

New Member
Nov 28, 2009
22
Chicago
Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 340 Express Cruiser
1977 Century Arabian - 17'
Engines
Mercruiser
Hello all

I am considering a EC or Sundancer in the range of 33ft. Does anyone have any recommendations or insights about the differences?

I will be using the boat for two purposes.
1. General boating and fun on Lake Michigan. Mostly cruising and time out on the water.
2. A place for me to stay a couple nights of the week during the summer months so that I can take a break from a long daily commute. i.e. instead of driving home every night of the week during the summer, I will stay overnight on the boat at my marina slip.

Any insights?

Thanks
Michael
 
Ec. has larger cockpit/daytime use..dancer has living room/kitchen/bedroom/comfort zone when weather is foul or buggy ..entertain comfortably..like at home..?????????IMHO..3 ec--3 dancers...
 
Mrichardson said:
Hello all

I am considering a EC or Sundancer in the range of 33ft. Does anyone have any recommendations or insights about the differences?

I will be using the boat for two purposes.
1. General boating and fun on Lake Michigan. Mostly cruising and time out on the water.
2. A place for me to stay a couple nights of the week during the summer months so that I can take a break from a long daily commute. i.e. instead of driving home every night of the week during the summer, I will stay overnight on the boat at my marina slip.

Any insights?

Thanks
Michael
Click to expand...

Are you looking at a specific boat model and year?
This is not a 100% rule, but here you go....

Express cruiser = more room in the engine compartment / many have straight drives

Sundancer = more room in the cabin, normally V drives or sterndrives

Neither is the ‘right boat’ for everyone.
 
Sounds about like us and that's why we went with the EC. We wanted a boat more suited to taking people out for the day/evening, not for guests to stay aboard. Get as big of one as you can afford. I bet you find yourself wanting to stay there all you can. :smt001
 
I would recommend pricing out 33 da and EC... You will probably find the DA much cheaper than the same age EC...
 
For what it's worth, I think all of the comments abvove have merit, it all depends on what you want out of a boat. I have a 340 DA, and love it When I bought mine I had a choice and I picked the DA because I wanted the full aft bed. That seemed to fit my needs better. But, I have to say when I'm working in the bilge it would be nice to have the extra room you get with an EC. One thing you may not realize is the DA sits a little deeper aft because the engines sit futher back. Either one you pick you'll have a blast. Good Luck.
 
Rum Runner said:
For what it's worth, I think all of the comments abvove have merit, it all depends on what you want out of a boat. I have a 340 DA, and love it When I bought mine I had a choice and I picked the DA because I wanted the full aft bed. That seemed to fit my needs better. But, I have to say when I'm working in the bilge it would be nice to have the extra room you get with an EC. One thing you may not realize is the DA sits a little deeper aft because the engines sit futher back. Either one you pick you'll have a blast. Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Depending on year and model the ec will have a lower deck with out the sleeping area and will not need the windshield extension isinglass which is a big positive. Trade-offs are always tough.
 
WE went with a 340DA for the cabin space. It's still got a lot of space in the cockpit for entertaining too.
 
The ECs in the 98-2000 year ranges were about a foot wider than the DA models. Need to look at both to really understand the differences.
 
I'd echo most of the above, but I've never owned an aft-cabin boat...
Without a lot of overnighters with mulitple guests/family members aboard, I'd favor the EC. Not as tight in the engine room.

I would also be curious to know (not that it would necessarily change the decision) whether there is a difference in resal values between the two types.
 
I have put much thought to this.....I dedcided on the EC for these reasons:
-inboards = more stable ride in sloppy stuff
-more engine room
-flat cockpit...
- better for fishing
-Capt head is not above windshield
-cockpit better for entertaining
-love that 454 7.4 inboard exhaust sound
-2 helm chairs, port and starboard
.....for what its worth.....both awesome boats!
 
I went for a Sundancer I have 5 in the family and one yellow lab. Not much into fishing except this year I do want to take the kids out saltwater fishing. More this was a mobile home. Agreed that the engine room is a little tight, but workable, besides that half the fun is working on the boat.
 
Buddys got 410 EC.... The thing goes like hell. Damn straight shafts !!!

His Engine room is spacious !!!!!

I personally like my DANCER..

Rob
 
If I compare my 340 Amberjack (used to be EC) to the same year 340 Dancer, it is 2' longer, 2' wider, and 1500lbs heavier (dry weight). It is also taller - just plain well bigger. Not really the same size boat even before talking about the layout. It is no mystery that it would be more expensive.

Moving on to the layout, I agree with the "Drinks 8, Eats 4, Sleeps 2" comment earlier. If this doesn't fit your boating lifestyle, then go for a Dancer.

As far as performance, I really like the more balanced feel of the EC models although with the same engines, the Dancers would probably run faster (less boat to push). The extra beam is always welcome and you'd need a longer Dancer to match the wider beam of the EC. The engine has very good access with at least 1' of room between the engines.

Also, there is something nice about not being lost in the masses since EC models are not as common as Dancers.

All a matter of personal preferance...:thumbsup:
 
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