Need advice/input on 48 Sundancer

[JB MARSHALL]

After 30 yrs of high performance boating we are now changing gears/speed and moving into the cruiser seen. We really like the 48' Sundancer and would appreciate any and all input/feedback on the boat. We are looking at 2008 - 2012 both with straight shaft and Zeus drives, we have only have been out on the 47 with Zeus and it was sweet. however I would like to get some perspective between the two on handling, ride quality, running cost and maintenance. Would you go for Zeus drives over straight shaft?

Thank you in advance for your help/input.

JB

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Anyone out there willing to share their experience on a 48 Sundancer?

 

[rcknecht]

I was considering moving up to the 48 DA, but then I went on one... I assume you are on the Hudson.
I don't like the Zeus drives because they draw more water, require much more maintenance, and it you hit a log the are designed to fall off...
The 48 DA is a beautiful looking boat, but what I did not like about the 48 DA is that it felt confining. It felt small for such a big boat. You have to look through the windshield when driving, and if you aren't running the air it gets hot... For the money, I will look for an aft cabin or Sedan Bridge...

 

[Nick 55]

Give it a few days and you will get some good opinions from 48 owners. In my opinion, I love them. It's a nice size and gives you some shelter from weather without as much canvas as smaller/older Sundancers. I have not been on a Zeus powered boat though and I urge you to be patient for the others' insights about the boats they own.

 

[Rocket]

Hi Nick, too busy on the water or i would have replied quicker! We are enjoying the 48da and this is our second season. When doing my research to purchase, it was suggested to me that the Zues powered boat does not perform well. I dont have any first hand experience to the truth of this but this was relayed by seasoned SeaRay sales person. Being that the boat was not designed for Zues and it would have increased my buy in price, i decided for standard V drive set up. I cruise at 2250 RPM at about 22.5 knots up to 2400 RPM at about 26 knots, depending upon wind and current. Burn rate is 38GPH to 44 GPH respectively. I understand that the Zues boat will cruise about 1.5 knots faster.
THis boat handles very well and i am pleased in all sea conditions. We had her out in 6 foot seas last week and i can tell you the structure was solid with no squeaks or rattles. She can handle alot more than i probably can.
Maintenance on this boat is no different than any other twin diesel vessel. Besides normal motor and transmission maintenance please budget the following:
After Cooler Service - 3 years or 300 hours - $ 3500
Raw water impellers - 2 years or 200 hours - $ 1000
Heat exchanger cleaning - every 4 years - $ 2500
Transmission gear oil change - every 2 years - $ 500
Belt Change - every 100 hours - $ 300 - simple
Annual - oil, filters, primary secondary, coolant filter - $ 800
If you are boating in the north east you will not need to run the cock pit air unless you have the canvas down at the dock. When runnign there is plenty of ventilation from the 2 large winshield vents and overhead hatches.
Let me know if you have any specific questions?

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Rocket thank you for the great feedback. I am really up in the air about Zeus drives, they were pretty slick and made the boat handle like a sport boat when we were out on a 47 I don't have first hand experience on a 48 with either Zeus or straight shaft. We know that we like the size and layout better than the 47. So I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible to help us make the right choice.

Thank you,
JB

 

[Rocket]

Rocket thank you for the great feedback. I am really up in the air about Zeus drives, they were pretty slick and made the boat handle like a sport boat when we were out on a 47 I don't have first hand experience on a 48 with either Zeus or straight shaft. We know that we like the size and layout better than the 47. So I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible to help us make the right choice.

Thank you,
JB

JB, ive never piloted the 47 however i can tell you that the 48 is not a sport boat. If you are looking for performance on turning and carving then i dont think this is the boat for you. THere is a considerable size and weight differance between the 47 and 48. The 48 is a comfortable cruiser with alot more living space than a 47. If it is just for weekend use, 2 night stay over than the 47 should be fine for 4 people. We use the 48 as our summer home and trips that last over a week. How do you intend to use the boat?

 

[Clemson]

I just listed our 480 with Marine Max in Wrightsville Beach NC. Black hull with every Sea Ray option....2007 and in pristine condition....$429,900. Waxed 4 times a year with ALL maintenance completed every year. Moving up to larger Sea Ray. You will not be disappointed in the 480 with V Drives.

 

[Rich122]

JB

I ran my 2007 48DA for 4 years until I traded up to the 540DA. It is a GREAT boat, and ran trouble free. As Rocket said just normal maintenance costs and fuel. The 48DA has MORE then enough room, both below and in the cockpit. I love the full windshield and no more canvas, and as far as hot--tat's what cockpit A/C is for. In fact the new 510DA (the 48DA replacement) is far smaller feeling and cramped. I would suggest going for the early models with 540's & V drives.

If you are on the Hudson you may be north of me, and getting the Zeus combo serviced will be an issue. This 540DA is a pod boat so.......

Rich

 

[Lothlorien]

I have a 2006 48 dancer and I think it is the one of the best models Sea Ray ever made. I would definitely take the v drives over the Zeus as I think they still have issues with the Zeus electronics. I have friends with them and they do strange things some times. Also if you have trouble out on the water away from home, almost any good mechanic can repair a traditional drive whereas there are not very many people that are qualified to service Zeus pods. My 48 is 51 feet overall when the swim platform is included. I have the Cummins QSC 540 and top speed in good water id 31 + knots. Not bad for a boat this size. She handles very well out in the Atlantic and have never felt she was out of her element. Had a 420 dancer previously but we fell in love when we say the 48.The only complaint we have is that there is not a walk round master stateroom berth.

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Thank you all for so much info and great insight. Rich my main location is on the Hudson but we do a lot of trips out to the sound and down the coast into the Chesapeake, will go farther and longer with a big 48' cruiser.

We have another scheduled appointment to view another 48’-2008 this Saturday. Any thoughts on the downside of not having teak in the cockpit, built in grill or hydraulic swim platform? These are items we would like but if the boat is in great condition would it hurt resale when we’re ready to move up?

 

[Rich122]

1) Teak in Cockpit: I had teak on the upper helm only same with my 540DA. It looks greats, and I like the cockpit and swim platform bare gel coat. I never use the carpets. Just mop after it rains and on your way. And if you have the total teak package you will get three different colors as the sun fades the swim plateform, and the aft part of the lower cockpit. the helm stays clean and golden with he hard top.

2) The 48Da cockpit TV is just on a stand in a counter top hole. I never watch TV in the cockpit so I removed the TV and put a George Forman grill in that corner. It worked great and never moved.

3) I didn't have a hydraulic platform either. But I boat alone most times and never need to launch a tender. I put a Hurly davit on and pull a small tender 9.9hp OB. It took a little effort (not the strongest guy around) but 2 people could easily.

I traded up to the 540Da and I heard my 48DA was sold within 10 days with no problems

rich

 

[Rocket]

JB - Rich is right on with the Platform, i dont have and easily launch and retrieve a 9 foot AB hardbottom and 8 HP motor with a block and tackle. I looked at alot of boats with full teak and in my opinion would be too much to maintain. My boat actually had no teak and we installed Flexteak, we love it, no maintenance, no fading, hose it down and go.

 

[JV II]

I'm on the 4th season with the 48DA and there is no desire to go bigger. It is very spacious inside and out.

I would shy away from the Zeus boats because the hull was not originally designed for Zeus. The v-drives and a bow thruster can replicate any motion a Zeus drive can do for this hull. It has to be one of the easiest boats to handle at the dock. So, you get no real gain in efficiency or performance, but add all the complexity, maintenance, and cost. The Cummins QSCs are durable and easy to get serviced. If I were you, I would not eliminate 2005-2007 boats in your search. There is no difference in design. With a newer boat, you get an extra set of grab bars on the arch, digital throttle and shift, maybe newer electronics, and that's it.a 2005-2006 will save you $100,000+ over a 2008, with no downside if the boat was well maintained.

I cruise burning 42 GPH at 24 knots, running at 80% load on the engines.

I love the hydraulic platform, but if I couldn't find a boat without one, it would not be a deal breaker. Try to get it.

I have a Magnum electric grill over the cockpit fridge. It's the next best thing to a built in.

Teak or Flexiteak, you will not regret it. It makes the look of the boat and eliminates all the carpet woes.

They did not build a lot of the 48s, so the resale tends to be better than some of the other production Sea Rays. The newer the boat, the more of a hit you are going to take on resale. They tend to bottom out at the high $300,000s and low $400,000s, depending on condition.

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Anyone have comments pro's or cons about carpet down in the salon? Seems a lot have split, 1/2 wood on the galley side and 1/2 on the salon side. I'm not a big fan of carpet on a boat, they hold the dampness and odor of mustiness.

 

[ph321]

Anyone have comments pro's or cons about carpet down in the salon? Seems a lot have split, 1/2 wood on the galley side and 1/2 on the salon side. I'm not a big fan of carpet on a boat, they hold the dampness and odor of mustiness.

Mine has the carpet downstairs and I'd definitely prefer the all timber flooring. Having said that I leave one A/C on dehumidify mode whenever I leave the boat and it never has any odour / dampness smell.

Only other thing I'll add to the comments above is that I would definitely try and find one with the hydraulic platform. You'll be able to fit a bigger tender or jet ski which will let you do a lot more. I've got an 11ft centre console with 40hp 4 stroke on the back and I regularly take it on long runs that you wouldn't be prepared to do with a smaller tender.

Good luck. Paul

 

[Docjason]

JB - Rich is right on with the Platform, i dont have and easily launch and retrieve a 9 foot AB hardbottom and 8 HP motor with a block and tackle. I looked at alot of boats with full teak and in my opinion would be too much to maintain. My boat actually had no teak and we installed Flexteak, we love it, no maintenance, no fading, hose it down and go. View attachment 41634

I agree with the the sttement that teak is a lot of work... have it on my other boat (Donzi 39ZSC) and it also gets very hot in the sun. Does flexteak get hot?

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Can anyone chyme in about the usefulness of the washer/dryer combo, does it work well, anyone experience any leaking issues?

Also anyone experience issues with their hydrolic swim platform?

Thanks,
JB

 

[Rocket]

Can anyone chyme in about the usefulness of the washer/dryer combo, does it work well, anyone experience any leaking issues?

Also anyone experience issues with their hydrolic swim platform?

Thanks,
JB

We've been on 10 day trips and use the Washer Dryer not to often. However when we do use it, it works but doesnt handle alot of clothes.

Dont have the swim platform but there are 2 versions: Factory OEM is a GHS installed by florida bow thruster, another version done outside the factory was a sealift unit. Sealift was less expensive to install but only has one hydraulic actuator. As far as issues, Ive had experience with the GHS and the hydraulic lines needed replacement after 8 years and a refresh of the fluid. No other issues works very well. You will need to paint it and service the zincs.

 

[Rocket]

I agree with the the sttement that teak is a lot of work... have it on my other boat (Donzi 39ZSC) and it also gets very hot in the sun. Does flexteak get hot?

THe version we installed is their newest called 2G. I was told by the installer that the new compound they use absorbed less heat. I thought it was all sales pitch and going in was expectiing to be hot. After having it this season i am suprised that it doesnt get to hot that you cant walk on it. Beauty is you can hose it down and cools off instantly. Best upgrade i have doen to any of my boats.