New 350 Sundancer
- Thread starter Red Stripe
- Start date
KayKook
New Member
Walk through windshield, it's about time. SR is finally catching up to the other builders. When they start adding permanent steps to the bow, instead of that silly steps in door arrangement, they have finally arrived.:smt001
- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
OK, enough with the cryptic stuff. What are you guys saying? You like the old? You like the new? Nobody likes change? What's the story about that book? You have to communicate your thoughts here.
geriksen
New Member
After twenty years in the business including 11yrs at a Sea Ray dealership, I have decided this.
The boats that gave Sea Ray it's reputation and market share were built in the late eighties and the ninties. (I'm talking about sundancers here) From about '04 on up things have started getting really "funky". This new 350 is a perfect example. The '91 350 sundancer always struck me as one of the best looking, best running, and best all around boats that Sea Ray or anyone else ever built. I am out of picture space here so I can't post a picture of one. Maybe somone else can. That new 350 doesn't even come close in my book.
The '93 to '99 500 Sundancer was another classic. Awesome boat!
It's not just Sea Ray. Other builders are doing the same thing, except Bertram and Hatteras whose boats still look like boats.
Sea Ray's have always had great resale value but this bunch has me worried.....
btw, I am not afraid of change. In fact, I always try to have the latest and greatest of everything.
These boats have certainly "changed" but have they "improved"? The prices have tripled!
Now, I will admit that they have dramatically improved inside. The new interiors blow away anything done in the 80's-90's. You can update the interior of an older boat (hardwood floors, and flat screen TV's and new hardware are going in my 580 as we speak), but you can never change the lines of a boat. That kind of ugliness is forever.
anyone remember the Mustang II built in the 70's ? I was like a cross between a pinto and a fairmont.....It was a mustang....... at least is said so on the side. Funny that the new one that is such a great seller looks like a carbon copy of the '68. It was beautiful then. It is beautiful now.
Time will tell, but this looks like a low point in Sea Ray design to me. And I hate to see that....
At these boat and fuel prices, shopppers need something to get excited about to sacrifice that kind of $$$$ For me, this "ain't it". Hopefully for someone else it is.
The boats that gave Sea Ray it's reputation and market share were built in the late eighties and the ninties. (I'm talking about sundancers here) From about '04 on up things have started getting really "funky". This new 350 is a perfect example. The '91 350 sundancer always struck me as one of the best looking, best running, and best all around boats that Sea Ray or anyone else ever built. I am out of picture space here so I can't post a picture of one. Maybe somone else can. That new 350 doesn't even come close in my book.
The '93 to '99 500 Sundancer was another classic. Awesome boat!
It's not just Sea Ray. Other builders are doing the same thing, except Bertram and Hatteras whose boats still look like boats.
Sea Ray's have always had great resale value but this bunch has me worried.....
btw, I am not afraid of change. In fact, I always try to have the latest and greatest of everything.
These boats have certainly "changed" but have they "improved"? The prices have tripled!
Now, I will admit that they have dramatically improved inside. The new interiors blow away anything done in the 80's-90's. You can update the interior of an older boat (hardwood floors, and flat screen TV's and new hardware are going in my 580 as we speak), but you can never change the lines of a boat. That kind of ugliness is forever.
anyone remember the Mustang II built in the 70's ? I was like a cross between a pinto and a fairmont.....It was a mustang....... at least is said so on the side. Funny that the new one that is such a great seller looks like a carbon copy of the '68. It was beautiful then. It is beautiful now.
Time will tell, but this looks like a low point in Sea Ray design to me. And I hate to see that....
At these boat and fuel prices, shopppers need something to get excited about to sacrifice that kind of $$$$ For me, this "ain't it". Hopefully for someone else it is.
skolbe
Well-Known Member
- Oct 3, 2006
- 3,549
- Boat Info
- 320 Sundancer, Zodiac 290 Wave Inflatable Tohatsu 6HP, Boston Whaler 130 Sport
- Engines
- 350 Mag V-Drive - Kohler 5ecd
The $$$ are a bit much for me to absorb. I paid almost half that price for a new 07 - 320. I realize my 320 has less features. But to gain a few more feet and a few more features for that much more $$$. Hard to justify.
jrirvine1
Member
My impression of the new designs is that they seem to be developed by art students doing a sculpture study of blending dissimilar shapes rather than by marine architects. (i.e. the placement and shape of windows, totally different helm station and sweeping hull shapes to name a few) The new form, including bling, may be edging out function, which might not be the best approach for a boat. They may be advancing the style in a contemporary artsy kind of way in an effort to provide some distance from the competition with little regard for general use, performance and operation.
This is not to say that they look bad, because I think there is much to like about the overall design when viewed as a whole or sum of the parts. My concern is that all of this drives up the cost without adding to the intended use, which is to be sound, seaworthy and functional, but then I’ve always subscribed to the less is more and function before form schools.
Last summer, we took a trip up the bay in 15 – 20 mph winds and 2-3’ chop of about 30 miles. My older style hull design gave me a totally dry ride but a brand new searay of the new design and same size as mine pulled in a few minutes later with a totally drenched captain and crew. Apparently, every wave came over the sides of the hull and sprayed over the windows, but at least they have a rumble seat!
Jim240
Member
Well, I think part of the hull issue may be the dropped nose. For heavy seas, I would think this would be the opposite of what you'd want. You'll notice that the dropped nose has showed up in the design of other vehicles, even aircraft. I think there's a perception that it's "newer" to the brand identity people.
But from the practical standpoint, I'd also think it would give you a bit more visibility over the bow. Let's face it, the line of boats is designed for comfort, be it the cocktail set or the family with kids. This market is much more likely to use the enhanced visibility than the heavy sea robustness.
Personally, I'd rather have something that performs well in the worst conditions, but I often find that my opinion on things is in the minority!
But from the practical standpoint, I'd also think it would give you a bit more visibility over the bow. Let's face it, the line of boats is designed for comfort, be it the cocktail set or the family with kids. This market is much more likely to use the enhanced visibility than the heavy sea robustness.
Personally, I'd rather have something that performs well in the worst conditions, but I often find that my opinion on things is in the minority!
barryg
Member
- Jun 24, 2007
- 966
- Boat Info
- 2005 320 Sundancer, Garmin 5208
- Engines
- Twin V-Drives 350 Mags
One of the leading things Sea Ray did was to offer the 350 with the new Zeus pods. I just got the dvd from Sea Ray on it, and it is pretty amazing, and gives not only total control at docking, where you can actually maneuver the boat sideways, but up to 15% better fuel economy as well as a higher top end speed wise; and is combined with their diesel engines.
B
B
chef_doctor
New Member
- Dec 12, 2006
- 20
Had a chance to go aboard the 350 last week. Personal opinion is I like it. The cockpit is better, the helm and shotgun passenger seat revolve to face stern. the hardtop is a great feature. Down below is pretty much the same as the 340 but there are a few improvements. The boat shows far better in reality than it does in the pics. They told me that the AXIUS drives will be available later this year. Didn't say anything about Zeus. The walk thru windshield feature is great. It's still a new boat and the price is HIGH.
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geriksen
New Member
Absolutely true. There are so many boat builders out there who seem to blindly follow what ever Sea Ray does. Sea Ray has the biggest market share and they all want a piece of it. That is exactly why this is so important. Like or not, they all have to compete with Sea Ray.
Formula has avoided this trap for the most part except for this one. The 45 YC. What a beauty.
http://www.formulaboats.com/yacht/1119949-gallery.aspx
geriksen
New Member
here is another beauty.
don't mean to hijack the thread but this new 350 Sundancer is a mainstream, mid-size cruiser from the largest baot builder out there and it is a poster child for this new ugly (imho) trend.
http://motorboats.apolloduck.com/new/image.phtml?id=8920
don't mean to hijack the thread but this new 350 Sundancer is a mainstream, mid-size cruiser from the largest baot builder out there and it is a poster child for this new ugly (imho) trend.
http://motorboats.apolloduck.com/new/image.phtml?id=8920
mawyatt
New Member
As mentioned before the 350 does look much better in real life. As far as SeaRay leading and the others copying, the 340 was losing market share to the 3760 Regal, 348 Four-Winns and others. SeaRay copied some of the others best features, blended in some of their own new features and came up with the 350. Sure it's the new target in this size boat but it's built on many features from others. I don't think SeaRay has the commanding position they had in the past, they are leading but not by a wide margin. I looked at every boat in the size range in Miami, I was there 3 days!! The 350 was the best of the bunch IMO, very impressive boat in person...but don't expect Regal and others to sit around, they will show up with their contenders soon I'm sure. I would have the 350 now if it didn't cost so much. I agree with others the 350 is just too much for this size boat, even if it is a SeaRay!!
Mike
Mike
tobnpr
New Member
I can't stand these bubbly-looking spaceship euro-style POS's. A boat needs to look like a boat. What's with these ridiculous looking sheer lines?
Even Bertram and Hatteras are incorporating this into their boats, but thankfully not to the extent as we're seeing here- at least the basic hull lines remain seaworthy. I think Jim240 is spot on- what's with the droopy bow- this ain't a Concorde! NOT SEAWORTHY unless you like stuffing your bow in heavy seas. I think they probably have interior designers and not naval architects doing the hull designs...
I do like the interior of the 340 (which I can see on the website), but again I have to wonder who decided on the placement of that big flatscreen on the aft cabin bulkhead- at the end of the salon couch and perpendicular to it. Yeah, I can see myself watching a few hours of TV with my head and neck turned 90 degrees so I can see it...does the boat come with muscle relaxers and a masseuse?
Even Bertram and Hatteras are incorporating this into their boats, but thankfully not to the extent as we're seeing here- at least the basic hull lines remain seaworthy. I think Jim240 is spot on- what's with the droopy bow- this ain't a Concorde! NOT SEAWORTHY unless you like stuffing your bow in heavy seas. I think they probably have interior designers and not naval architects doing the hull designs...
I do like the interior of the 340 (which I can see on the website), but again I have to wonder who decided on the placement of that big flatscreen on the aft cabin bulkhead- at the end of the salon couch and perpendicular to it. Yeah, I can see myself watching a few hours of TV with my head and neck turned 90 degrees so I can see it...does the boat come with muscle relaxers and a masseuse?
KayKook
New Member
Well said. Sea Ray is leading, only in volume. They are playing catch up to FW,Regal and even Rinker on many levels. They have a ways to go. When Four Winns releases their new 40 foot boat this fall, you will see what I mean.
mawyatt
New Member
I agree except I don't think in the 350 size the SR is catching up. Of all the boats from the other manufactures the 350 stood out. I'll give SR credit they did their homework. This is all good for us, competetion is the American way....just wish they could reverse the pricing trent. As long as boat prices are linked to oil prices we are doomed. Maybe someone will figure out how to make a quality boat with all the features that cost less.
Mike
fropleyquark
New Member
- Dec 30, 2007
- 99
Hey, since everyone's giving opinions, figured I would too! Now, keep in mind, I'm VERY new to boating so don't beat me up too bad. I gotta say that I really like it. I know quite a few of you have criticized the new styling but I like the way they look. Now as far as seaworthyness, I'm still learning. But honestly, I think the earlier styles just scream outdated. I'm not a fan of 80's styling and thats what the previous model pics remind me of. Someone said it was rediculous to have a walk through window on a boat that large. Why? It's practical. It works. I like it. I even like the big windows. Way better than the triangle arrow style of the previous model to me. More modern looking. I like the hard top too. Think it looks good. But hey, to each his own. Just figured I'd throw my $0.02 out there! Cheers!
teekster
Member
That's the first time I have heard of the 2003-7 (?8) 340 Sundancer as having "80's styling."
