Looking for a "newer" Express Cruiser...

[cwellington]

...currently own an '06 Amberjack 290 ~ very nice! However, looking to possibly "size up".....love the EC's however, I understand they stopped making them (?) We looked at a '98 Express 370 with approx. 548 engine hours.....loved the entire concept, however, don't really want to go that far "back in time..." Anyone know of any freshwater, later models out there? I know that we wouldn't have any problem selling our AJ, but, once again, just can't see going into a boat that's eight years older than ours.....would probably keep ours before making a move like that.....

 

[Ididntdoit]

Get an '02 340 amberjack......same boat - or even better a 37 EC if you can find one - These are my favorite boats sea ray ever made....

 

[Zorba]

The only thing you are going to find that is "newer" is the 06-07 340 Sportsman. It's a 340 dancer with a rearranged cockpit. Dual entry transom, with built in livewell, coolers and bait station. IT's geared towards fishing/diving. Not very popular and hard to find. There is one that is floating around the Port Clinton area. Will show up for sale about once a year.

Other than that your options are the 97/98-02 330/340 express/Amberjack and the 370 express.

 

[cwellington]

...okay...you mentioned a 37 EC....this is the one we looked at, however, it's a '98...and, our AJ is a 2006.....eight year difference.....what are your "thoughts???"

 

[dpmulvey]

Look at the drive train and if there is any moisture in the hull, etc...

If you like the layout, upgrades are cosmetic and can be used as a bartering tool at sale. Also, the older the boat, the closer to reality the sizing of the actual hull will be. For example, you could fit my 330 into a mid 80's 340. All the manufacturers have been playing mind games for years.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I would do it! Your '06 is approaching the time for major maintenance anyhow.....bellows, manifolds/risers, canvas etc. Its not that "new" anymore. The 37ec is built like a tank with plenty of room/access to service/upgrade everything - If you go into it with a full survey and the correct expectations (maintenance/upgrade costs - canvas, electronics etc) you cant go wrong.....I would love one of these, but cant make do without an aft (mid) cabin....(AKA my wife wont let me)

 

[Z-Worthy]

Honestly, if you like the layout and handling characteristics of the straight drive EC and you simply want something newer, then I'd leave the Sea Ray brand. If it's within your budget, look at some of the newer express models from Viking, Cabo, Rampage, etc. If that's a little too rich for your blood, then look at a newer Tiara. Sea Ray has dominated the market in V-drive mid-cabin Sundancers, and for very good reason. But if you want a straight-drive express then you can do a lot better than Sea Ray.

 

[fwebster]

But, the rest of the story is that the handling and performance differences between straight inboards and v-drives evaporated at about the time this fellow says boats are too old for him. Sea Ray has done a great job in making v-drive boats perform and handle. If you were blindfolded then led to the helm of both styles, I think even a very experienced boat driver would have trouble identifying which was the straight inboard and which was the v-drive. Buying an express cruiser just because it has straight inboards is no longer a valid reason to rule out all Sundancers.

I had the best EC ever produced, the 390EC. I looked at straight inboards and decided on a 450 Sundancer........and the trade up was the best boat money I ever spent.

 

[Searaybio270]

I agree with Frank. My friend at a 380Sundancer 2008 and my 400EC 1996, I couldn't tell the difference in handling. Sea Ray has come a long way and with respect to the owners. I truly like them both. Now having said that the 1996 400EC is up for sale. Moving to an area with small lakes at best. So for now no need for the big boat or the SR270SD.

 

[JBJ]

My 370EC is the envy of my dock which includes a 2010 37 Formula. My boat is known as the Tank for it's ability to take rough water. I can also outrun the Formula with it's IPS drives.

 

[Billfletcher]

Honestly, if you like the layout and handling characteristics of the straight drive EC and you simply want something newer, then I'd leave the Sea Ray brand. If it's within your budget, look at some of the newer express models from Viking, Cabo, Rampage, etc. If that's a little too rich for your blood, then look at a newer Tiara. Sea Ray has dominated the market in V-drive mid-cabin Sundancers, and for very good reason. But if you want a straight-drive express then you can do a lot better than Sea Ray.

I really like the Vikings and if I was still into fishing that would be high on the list.. They have also reduced the amount of models like the other manufacturers. the smallest sport fisher they offer is 42 ft. their only coupe/EC boat is around 60 ft if I remember correctly.

I didn't realize the newer V drives handled as well as the straight drives. It would seem the more forward location of the engines towards the boats meta center would be advantageous in heavier seas.

 

[Robf]

I have a 340 Sundancer listed on here currently. Although it is a 2002, I have upgraded nearly everything on the boat including new canvas, upgraded lighting, new waste holding tank and transfer pump, new freshwater pump, new anchor rode, electronics are upgraded Garmin touchscreen, new bilge vent blowers, etc. The engines have been compression tested and the hull and topside were checked for moisture when I purchased and were bone dry. It has the 8.1 liter Mercruisers with V Drives and Westerbeke generator. Welcome any questions. This boat is a must see for anyone in the market.
Rob

...currently own an '06 Amberjack 290 ~ very nice! However, looking to possibly "size up".....love the EC's however, I understand they stopped making them (?) We looked at a '98 Express 370 with approx. 548 engine hours.....loved the entire concept, however, don't really want to go that far "back in time..." Anyone know of any freshwater, later models out there? I know that we wouldn't have any problem selling our AJ, but, once again, just can't see going into a boat that's eight years older than ours.....would probably keep ours before making a move like that.....

 

[JVM225]

This is timely discussion for me since I've been considering a bigger boat. I absolutley love the Sundancers, but the EC's with their straight inboards are much easier to deal with for maintenance and repairs in the bilge.
The price is the loss of the aft berth, but you also pick up a much larger cockpit.
It's a tough call. It really comes down to a personal choice, and how much you really need that aft berth.

 

[fwebster]

If you are considering wide body 370EC's, consider how hard it is to find a good clean well maintained 15 year old boat, especially a high demand one, most likely was used for fishing or diving, like the EC.

 

[CliffA]

This is timely discussion for me since I've been considering a bigger boat. I absolutley love the Sundancers, but the EC's with their straight inboards are much easier to deal with for maintenance and repairs in the bilge.
The price is the loss of the aft berth, but you also pick up a much larger cockpit.
It's a tough call. It really comes down to a personal choice, and how much you really need that aft berth.

I have read many similar threads that state concerns about the space in the engine room as a deciding factor about which boat to buy.....while having ample space in the ER is also important to me I place less emphasis on this than most...how much time do we really spend in the ER compared to the time we spend enjoying the layout of the cockpit and cabin?.....I think we all would agree that the time spent in the ER is just a small fraction of the time spent over the ER so why would anyone decide not to purchase a boat that has a cabin and cockpit layout they really like just because the space in the ER is a little tight?...

IMO buying a boat with the space and layout I like in the cabin and cockpit easily trumps the concerns of tight space in an ER as a deciding factor...as an example the space in the ER of my 340 is tight but I really like the layout and space in the cabin and cockpit.....

cliff