Need some help deciding which boat to purchase next.

04cobra23

04cobra23

Member
Aug 21, 2014
344
Boca Raton Florida
Boat Info
340DA and 215LR
Engines
Twin 8.1's and 4.3 Merc
Good evening guys! About 2 years ago I sold my 340 Sundancer as my son was born and we just never got around to using it. I am now in the market for a boat and I’d like to hear some opinions;

I’m somewhat torn on either a Sundancer or Sedan bridge. I’ve looked at 2007 44 Sundancer and noticed that the cabin isn’t so gloomy anymore like the older models. I’ve also looked at a 2006 44 Sedan bridge, love the “mini” condo feel, although the showers are a bit small. I’ve also contemplated going a bit smaller to a 05+ 400 Sundancer.

The boat would be used to cruise to Bimini/surrounding islands as often as possible. As well as anchoring at the local sand bars and just hanging out, grilling, etc. We like to entertain and have family on the boat with us to hang out and relax.

Any experience or suggestions is greatly appreciated. Def want diesel this time around.

Thank you guys!
 
go with the dancer - fewer bridges to worry about opening and the cockpit is not divided (up for the bridge, down for the smaller cockpit on the DB) so its way better for entertaining a group at the sandbar.....the 42/44 DA are often very close in price to the diesel 39/40 DA - and you end up with more power and a private rear stateroom with its own head, so unless you can find a really nice 39/40 at the right price, or are otherwise constrained to 40', the 42/44 is a no brainer
 
Thank you both. Any idea how the 42/44 DA rides/performs if a wave runner is on the platform? I would be purchasing a spark due to its light weight. I’m hoping to find either boat with an extended hydraulic platform. I called a company and they told me 30k to add one . Is there another cheaper route to have a waverunner on the rear?
 
04cobra23 said:
. I’m hoping to find either boat with an extended hydraulic platform. I called a company and they told me 30k to add one . Is there another cheaper route to have a waverunner on the rear?
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People with Freedom Lifts really seem to like them. But they are $$$.

There are 2 davit systems I know of that are rated for a Spark. The Hurley H3O, and some of the DinghyDavits.com. The latter has 3 types to consider - I’m not sure if all 3 are so rated.
 
04cobra23 said:
Thank you both. Any idea how the 42/44 DA rides/performs if a wave runner is on the platform? I would be purchasing a spark due to its light weight. I’m hoping to find either boat with an extended hydraulic platform. I called a company and they told me 30k to add one . Is there another cheaper route to have a waverunner on the rear?
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My friend had a 2008 44DA with a GHS hydraulic swim platform and the boat ran find with a Yamaha VX on the lift. You could feel that it was there no not an issue at all. The spark is lighter than that so you should be fine.
 
The view from the bridge coupled with the windows in the salon/galley is why we love the DB. A hyd swim platform would be nice, but we cannot justify it.

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
The view from the bridge coupled with the windows in the salon/galley is why we love the DB. A hyd swim platform would be nice, but we cannot justify it.

Bennett
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I absolutely agree with that. The one thing I didn’t like and what others have said is if you entertain it would be broken up a bit. That’s why I liked the express bridge, with access to the bow from the bridge felt a little more connected.
 
I'll definitely be looking at bridge boats when I'm ready to retire, just the admiral and I. From what I can see it's the floating cottage we all want to "end up with". For hanging out with more than a couple people the bridge boats seem to be challenging. Nobody sits up top when you're at the dock/anchor. And nobody wants to sit inside sipping on a cocktail when the weather is nice (maybe this is just a northern thing though?). This is where the DA gets pretty high marks. With the canvas off you can comfortably seat 4-6 adults in the back. I've also sat at the helm and spun the chair around for more room when hosting larger groups.

I vote get the DA now, save the 47DB for when you're an empty nester seeking more quiet time...
 
Even though Im a fan of the DA too, a 47DB is a great boat to entertain on - the entire back glass flips up like a hot dog stand and the galley is aft, so with the door open the indoor and outdoor spaces are really connected - and Im pretty sure they all had hydraulic platforms......but its a 50' boat and quite a bit more $$$ to buy and operate than the two options the OP is considering
 
Definition of the perfect boat...drinks 6, eats 4, sleeps 2 :)
Agree with above. DA entertains better in most cases, and sedan bridge is nicer to spend time on. The sun decks and aft cabins are better to live on but all the stairs are hard on older knees.
Go big enough and it doesn’t matter, they’re all nice.
 
Thank you everyone. I definitely want a hydraulic platform or a lift that I can put a jetski. Anything I should look for on a 42/44 DA?
 
We recently went through this and ended up with a 42 DB. Our concern was the entertaining space. You get much more "outdoor" space on the DA. However i must say that we love entertaining on the DB as it fits our family and friends perfectly. We've had 7 adults and 9 kids on board and we loved the fact that we were not on top of each other. Either the kids were up top or we were in the cockpit and vice versa but we didn't feel crowded. There is something to be said about the separate entertainment areas. So i wouldn't discount the entertainment space on a DB as ultimately it comes down to how many people do you expect to entertain on board and how frequently. Also consider if you have 9 people seated in the cockpit of a DA how many people will have to get up to let someone out from around the table. Now that being said having to wait for bridges could get old fast in your area. We're fortunate to not have to deal with this. We also test drove both and the DA does have quite a bit of get up and go compared to the DB. I'm just getting used to this moving from a 32 DA to the DB,but i must say the comforts of a DB is incredible especially if you have a young family. A hydraulic platform is just icing on the cake. I didn't think I needed one until we got one!
 
Consider how many nights at a time will you spend on the boat.

The DB offers more live able space than the DA. DA is better spending the day around sandbars.

Are you on the boat and out when it may be raining?
 
FootballFan said:
Consider how many nights at a time will you spend on the boat.

The DB offers more live able space than the DA. DA is better spending the day around sandbars.

Are you on the boat and out when it may be raining?
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Addition of a camper canvas to a DA can help here as well. I added one to AJ and it profoundly changed how we used the boat.
 
I've had both; go DB especially in the Bahamas.
Bridge AC mandatory for intercoastal cruising not required in the islands.
 
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