flybridge (sedan bridge) vs. Sundancers

Richie89

Richie89

Active Member
Aug 20, 2012
599
Miami Beach, FL
Boat Info
450 Sundancer
Engines
Twin Cummins 480 Zeus
still searching for my next boat. plan to buy in 2015. going to put in a slip near JAX, with it being in the water just off ICW all the time.

will go on day trips with family, but major use will be wife and i cruising up and down eastern coast, wanting to run inside and outside when weather cooperates.

definitely want diesel for economy as we will put many miles on boat. and inboards as it will be sitting in the water all the time.

was about sold on a 2006-2008 380 as i like the layout a lot. then i found the Meridian and Sealine flybridges. important to wife is bow cushions for laying out and cockpit seating when entertaining. i like the salon areas that you get with the flybridges.

i've read good things about the 28-42 Sundancers handling in case of caught in weather. eventually, we will venture over to the Bahamas.

i could really use input as i don't wanna end up buying the wrong boat. planning on spending at least 200K.
 
also i should add is that nice lines are very important to wife. she thought the Meridian 391 (i think) with the aft cabin was odd looking and not a cool looking boat like the Sundancers. that's one reason i mentioned to Sealine as they are good looking boats.
 
The 420/44DB is a nice looking boat too. Based on your requirements and where you boat it looks like you might be leaning a little more towards a 'dancer than a DB. Both are great and have their strengths and weaknesses. Every boat is a collection of trade offs and there is no one size fits all.
 
This boils down to how you will use your boat on the coast.

Keep in mind that the way you use your boat is likely to change once you acclimate to coastal boating. We are a very good example........I always thought of "big" boats as bridge boats, but we lucked into a 390EC as our first Florida boat. We found that we enjoy day boating and anchoring on the thousands of secluded beach spots that looked like the Bahamas here on the NW Fla coast. That means we are on and off the boat all day long. We also really enjoy coastal cruising and spend a lot of time visiting various towns, marinas, resorts, etc. in the 150 miles from Pensacola to Apalachicola. We have grown children who are only at the boat during their vacations so it is basically just the 2 of us. I also run some boats for the marina and for friends, so I get to see the best of both style boats. The bridge boats do offer some separation for passengers, but that also means the exterior space is limited to the bridge and a small cockpit. We don't want to climb up to the bridge to relax and I wouldn't want wet bathing suits in the cabin all the time. We also find that handling a Sundancer is a lot easier than handling a boat on 2 levels for a couple. Sure, it can be done, but it is a lot easier when you need to help your mate figuring out line placement or handling lines when there is only one level.

The only significant advantage to a DB that I see is somewhat better visibility toward the horizon and you may be able to see shallow water better depending upon the angle of the sun. For this reason, the DB might be a better long distance cruiser than a DA. I say might be because the height of the bridge off the water means that the occupants on the bridge are subject to a lot more motion and, if you are in the cabin, the engines are loud.

Using our situation as an example, we ended up with a 450DA.....the old style late 90's one; not the new warmed over 40DA.......tons of space, great sea boat, the engine room to die for and very economical (16-20 gph the way we cruise her). Equipped with a good electronics package, the 450 has been a perfect fit for us. We have added and aft enclosure so when a squall comes up (daily occurrence on the Gulf coast @ about 3 pm!), we just put up the curtains and slow down.

If you want to discuss the difference between Sea Ray and Meridian quality .....well, Meridian achieves their lower price points by choosing less expensive materials and construction methods. I cannot address Sealine because they are not popular boats on the Gulf coast and we don't see them at all.

Could be you guys are at the point where you need to spend some time looking at boats.

Good luck shopping...........
 
This is such a "personal preference" decision. How you are going to use the boat.

We had a DA, was mostly just on it during the day, anchored out overnight 9 or 10 times a year. Was 20 minutes from the house on a lake, I think it was the perfect boat style for us in that application and location.

When we decided to move our boating to the coast, we knew we would be absentee owners, going to the boat now means getting on a plane.

My work situation allows me to work out of the office remotely. So in thinking about our needs, we felt the extra space in the Salon - with windows worked better for us. We can stay a week or so at a time, I have a place that I can setup my laptop and get work/calls done.

I like both styles - there are a lot of plus's.

Meridians are nice looking boats. Have had 2 different ones on bareboat trips. Felt they were a little lighter than the Sea Ray, tended to slide around a bit. Just my opinion. Not a factor on the ICW, but you might feel the inlet a bit more. Still very good boats.
 
What Frank said. I'll add....

At least $200 Large sets no max so that makes it tough. The Annapolis show is next weekend and that will give the soup to nuts of what is out there. It may be worth the trip. I was there last year and what I noticed was the absense of canvas. I loved it. As a matter of fact, the lack of canvas is one of the reasons a little or big sneaker is on my short list. The only problem is money is on my long list!!

I was stationed in JAX and Mayport long ago. I assume you can still set your watch by the 4 PM daily 30 minute afternoon rain storms. In that area, the lack of canvas is a blessing. Close the sunroof, wait for the storm to pass. Open the sunroof. Easy button!

I would suggest a hardtop over canvas. When anchored together, sitting under my hardtop vs sitting under a friends canvas (both same design series 330's) the temp difference is night and day. Mine is much cooler. Everybody who has canvas over their cockpit comments on that about my boat.

In that you are willing to travel out of the SR line, I would recommend Regal. Their new sport coupe line fits the bill I described above. The 52 looks like someone took a megayacht and threw it in the dryer. It's sharp. The 4460 commodore is still very stylish and aggressive. The tiered swim platform was way ahead of it's time. Sabre and Hinkley build a hell of a boat, but probably too tradidional for your admiral based on what you describe her needs are.

Whatever you go with, good luck. Keep us posted on the search and how you arrived at your decision. I for one could always use lessons learned.
 
What Frank said too, but (no offense intended here) I like the flybridge models because the sundanders are know as basement boats for a reason. If you like to feel like you are outside and like light then the flybridges are the way to go. Any sundancer I have been on seems like going down to the dark cave......
 
It is truly your own preference. I owned an express before buying my sedan bridge. We felt like we were in a cave. We lived on the sedan bridge for the summer and loved the open airy feeling. Our first choice was a Meridian, but couldn'the find the right one in our price range. We were ecstatic to find the SeaRay. You will get many differing opinions. Everyone has their own taste and favorite. We have no regrets owning our SeaRay.
 
I enjoy the cave boat! :grin:

You do miss the 'looking out the living room window' feeling you get with the SB
When I want to just look around, I go up to the cockpit.
The only thing I really did not enjoy is the swaying you feel on the flybridge.

Ron (rondds) lost his fly bridge in Sandy and picked up a cave boat - says he loves it.
I'd ping him!
 
fwebster said:
If you can find a Hinkley for under $200K, pm me the listing and I'll be on the next plane.
Click to expand...

No kidding... In fact, I'll charter a plane just to beat Frank to it!!

Seriously though, what others have said here... It's a matter of personal choice and plan of use. We had 2 dancers then went to a bridge - Can't ever see us going to back to a dancer (express) style. Pros and cons between both are abundant... Let us know what you end up with, and when you work your way south from JAX, look us south-easters up!! Good luck and have fun with your search!
 
I go along with a lot of others on this.

But im in exactly the same synch as you at present. Footitis or whatever has set in. When we bought the 33DA 3 years ago, I was looking for a Flybridge, based on my fishing. The wife and daughter swayed it to a cave boat. Hence this one. After 3 years the wife is ready to move to a bridge.

She has back issues and cant sit down for very long. We have never eaten in the saloon area, yet we have reupholstered and had acustom table made for down there etc, so it is very comfortable. She hates the 3 steps down into the galley every time. We ended up removing the Searay fixed seats and rear fridge unit in the cockpit, so we have a great open area outside. But as I said, we spend ver very little time downstairs because of that closed in feeling. The deck (on our 93) is a pain to walk around to the front on.

The pluses! We are all together in the cockpit when we are travelling, we are together at anchor. It is a breeze for two to dock, and I regularly take it out and bring it back in alone. My wife gets the poops with me on calm days when I go up the front and drop the ropes off myself before coming back to the helm, to save her the climb. I can fish easily with only 2 of us on board, we do a lot of trolling, so one of us at the helm and one in the cockpit, you can chat to each other etc, and be from the helm to the rods in a blink of an eye.

Like Frank I have full covers.

Now as I said, my wife hates the setps now, and she wants that airy breezy open feeling.

We looked at an imacculate 96 400 Bridge last weekend, she loved it. It ticked every box for her, stairs up to the bridge, not a ladder, small cockpit, but the way the saloon/galley opens straight up to it, the cockpit was not an issue. it also had a great swim platform. And it just kept going. Heather needs to lay down, there was a couch right inside the saloon that was so close to the cockpit she would not feel seoerated with me sitting out there, there was also 2 couches up on the bridge. Walking around the dec to the front was a breeze for her. I wont even go into the 3 bedrooms or the 2 bathrooms which she loved, or our 19 year old daughters comment of but you inly have me, why 3 bedrooms?

Downside......I would not be able to fish it at all, I couldnt see the cockpit well enough to control a fish, bck down on it etc. etc.

Every boat is a compromise, (my perfect scenario, would probably be at least 3 boats) and I dont think any one can tell you the answer. All you can do is take every ones positives and negatives, work out the list of what are your most important things and then search.

The 400 Bridge, I felt would cover 80% of our needs perfectly, the issue I have is the other 20% (fishing) is very important to me......now my fishing partner is probably going to buy a reltively new Luhrs, (as he and his wife also need the stairs not the ladder) when that happens, my boat's fishing requirements, probably wont be required often.....but
 
Had a Sundancer. Loved it. Had to sell it 'cause it had BravoIII and we were moving to salt. Wanted a 2003 410EC with diesels. Wife said she hates the cave life and won't do it again. So now I own a Sedan Bridge.

Everyone's needs are different. All our opinions are good data, but only you know what best fits your situation.
 
This would fit your bill. Your wife will want these sexy lines for the next bow shot. The 420DA is probably just what you need.
 

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All my friends have bridge boats, and when we are at an anchorage or rafted....everyone is on our dancer. One time we had 17 people eating dinner in the cockpit!!
 
""""This is such a "personal preference" decision. How you are going to use the boat."""""

I have to agree..... You just have to get on all of them and see what "talks" to you. Don't miss out on the fun. Go check out the boats and see which one makes you happy.

Personally, I don't like the cave that much. I'd prefer to see more when I'm down below. But, I love the cockpit and the bow. I also don't have the windage of a DB. Still every boat is a trade off. You just have to decide what you want to compromise.
 
fwebster said:
If you can find a Hinkley for under $200K, pm me the listing and I'll be on the next plane.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can find a Hinckley for under $200 k. There's a 1970 Bermuda 40 in Seattle
At $ 189 and one in Harpswell, Me for $245. I'd go with the Maine boat. For those who don't know Hinckleys are not like other boats. These are like Rolls Royce and Ferrari in one package. Despite the age they will be in Bristol condition.

All that being said, Hinckley only builds day boats in power.

Henry

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Boat Guy hits the home run. When Frank was helping us we were all over the map looking at boats. Of all the great advice Frank gave us the absolute best advice was to slow down, decide what we are going to do with the boat, and then wait until a boat talks to you. You will know when the perfect boat is talking to you.
 
Just a random thought. Have you spent time cruising on a Fly Bridge? If yes, then skip the rest of my message.

If not, what about doing a bareboat charter for a weekend on a Fly Bridge. Would cost a couple of K, but you would have 2 days, 2 nights, living on the boat and would probably walk away with a much better determination of dancer vs bridge. Guessing you would have a good handled on your preference for your type of use.

Much cheaper than buying the boat and either missing what you don't know about - or buying a bridge and then finding out that you don't like it as much as the Dancer.

We have done a couple of charters with a company in the Chesapeake, really good folks to work with. On different occasions we took out a Meridian, Sea Ray, and a Carver. Not sure what they have currently available. Bareboat charters are getting tougher and tougher to find, but they are still out there.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Yes, you can find a Hinckley for under $200 k. There's a 1970 Bermuda 40 in Seattle
At $ 189 and one in Harpswell, Me for $245. I'd go with the Maine boat. For those who don't know Hinckleys are not like other boats. These are like Rolls Royce and Ferrari in one package. Despite the age they will be in Bristol condition.

All that being said, Hinckley only builds day boats in power.

Henry

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...



Henry.........

You just like the woodwork on the Hinkleys!

In a perfect world I would have a Hinkley day boat and a Rybovitch for cruising. The joinery and finish work in both are museum quality.
 
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