Ok, I swear my 94 290 is bigger than the 310

[jsturdevant]

I know they've changed how they measure boats, but I figured 31 footer should be bigger than this.

I was at the KC boat show last night. As always, I go directly to the Sea Ray cruisers grinning from ear to ear. They only had two cruisers this year, the 310 Sundancer and 450 Sundancer. I stepped on the 2010, 310 Sundancer and I felt like the cockpit should be a little bigger, but I love the seating. I stepped down into the cabin and I was surprised how small it felt. I'm 6'2" and I couldn't stand up in the head, with my shoes off. My buddy who is 5'8' couldn't sit up in the aft cabin. Don't get me wrong it’s an amazing boat, but I can stand up in the 290 head and the Aft cabin is much larger, plus I can sleep 6. To me, it felt more like a big day cruiser. They wanted $170K with $60K off. The 450 Sundancer was amazing. I think they wanted $550 with $200K off. I still love Sea Ray and always will. Beautiful Boats!

 

[mwph]

I was on the 310 at the Atlanta show. The boat was loaded up with options, looks very nice, (don't they all), and was offered with extended warranty, free this & free that, all for the low, low "boat show price" of $184k.

I was born at night but it wasn't last night. Thanks but no thanks.

 

[Dick Whetstone]

I never measured it but I think my 2001 270DA is just as big as a new 280. In 2001 (as far as I know) Sea Ray was the only boat manufacturer in the class who measured the length of a boat from nose to tail of the useful area.

Sea Ray did not include the pulpit or the anchor or the swim platform when they advertised boat length. From the point of the anchor to the end of the swim platform the total length of my 270 is a little more than 30 feet. Of course when paying dockage by the foot, I claim it is 27 feet.

 

[sbw1]

The boats today are definitely not as big as their numbers suggest compared to the 1990's. Even in the 2000s something seems not quite right. When my 32 Open is parked next to a 330 SR the owner always asks what size boat we have and can't believe it's a 32 when I tell them. I was in the SR show room a while back and most of the heads seemed to be unusable for showers and daily use if you are over 6 feet tall. I had a better head on my 1986 30 foot express. It was big enough to shower in and had plenty of head room for tall people.

 

[Ididntdoit]

the new 310 is the size of the 01 - 08 280 which was roughly the size of the 2000 and earlier 270.........If I measured my height the way searay does boats I would be over 7' tall by now!

 

[tleeah]

When people (familiar with Sea Rays) see my cabin space ('96 290 Sundancer), they do not beleive it is a 290, but bigger.

 

[Bugsy24]

I have a 2008 310 da and it's what they were selling as a 330da last year! No split berth that you have to make up!!!!!! Full albeit bizzare forward sized mattress, but again it's like the brochure in the 2009 catalog!

 

[JimG]

Starting with the 2010 boats, for what ever reason, SR set the model numbers to match the LOA... i.e. the 310 is now 31' long. So now you get a 2008 290 size boat with a new 310 price. :huh:

I'm glad I have the 33' 310! :smt038

 

[sbw1]

what is the logic behind changing the numbers on a regular basis? Does it sell more boats?

 

[JimG]

what is the logic behind changing the numbers on a regular basis? Does it sell more boats?

I don't think it has been on a regular basis that I can remember... I believe it is more in line with the international trend though. :huh:

 

[JerryS]

what is the logic behind changing the numbers on a regular basis? Does it sell more boats?

My bet would be $$$$$$$$$ :smt001

 

[Whitenights]

What is the beam on the new 310? My 1990 280 was 10 1/2'. The 1990 310 was 11 1/2'

My 1990 350 is 12' 4". Overall length is 39'5" so maybe I really have a 40 footer??

Maybe they will bring back the built in bow pulpit so they can call it even longer??

 

[Bridog]

What is the beam on the new 310? My 1990 280 was 10 1/2'. The 1990 310 was 11 1/2'

It's 10'. SR's new 330DA is the same length and beam as my 2006 300DA.

 

[MonacoMike]

I noticed that no manufacturer offered a large trailerable cruiser that has more cabin and head height than my 14 year old 270 at the Chicago show.

The number game has gone on for decades. The 270 was 10ft in the mid 80's, 9-x in the early 90's, 8-6 94-99, and 9-2 through the 2000's. :smt021

 

[Good 2 Go]

I think it's disappointing SR decided to play the brochure numbers game to align with what Cruisers and Regal have been doing for years. Probably going for an apples to apples comparison for newbie boat show shoppers buying on impulse.
Some numbers,
2011 Regal 35 Express, 34'8" LOA, 13,500 lbs,
2011 SR 350 DA, 35'6" LOA, 15,400 lbs
Current 350 Dancer is more boat than the Regal 350 and it used to be a 310 Dancer. I can see why the sales department saw this as good but as long time SR owners it's kind of annoying.

Sort of interesting is looking at LOA and displacement numbers for Sea Rays, they have put on considerable weight.
2004 340 DA, 37'6" LOA, 12' Beam, 14,600 lbs
2011 370 DA, 37'6" LOA, 12' Beam, 18,064 lbs
Pretty much the same boat but 4,000 more pounds? Heft can be good for knocking down seas but also thirstier for fuel. All those extra TVs and built in grill can't weight that much, though I can see some extra weight in the cabin appointments and the hardtop, but not 4000 lbs more.

Not sure what my conclusion is about that.

 

[arcticspud]

Our '99 310 Sundancer is the same size as the new 350. Go figure?

 

[La Maddalena]

My wife and I went to the Seattle Boat Show last weekend and of course were checking out the larger boats - the 470 and 500 - cause you're always looking to move up, not down, right? They are gorgeous and expensive. Then we stepped onto the 350 (which I mistakenly thought was comparable to the 2009 350 that we were seriously considering before we bought our 2003 360) and were surprised to see how small it felt. No wonder - it is really more similar to the 310 from 2 years ago back when we were looking at new boats! Our broker did tell us that the 360 we bought was essentially the same as the 2007 380 in size, so I guess he was right about that. Seriously confusing.

 

[JV II]

what is the logic behind changing the numbers on a regular basis? Does it sell more boats?

It increases your margins. Like selling a lighter candy bar for the same price or whipped yogurt for the same price as regular or 5 oz of tuna in an 8 oz can.

 

[sbw1]

It increases your margins. Like selling a lighter candy bar for the same price or whipped yogurt for the same price as regular or 5 oz of tuna in an 8 oz can.

Boo! Spit!!

 

[CV-23]

I know what you mean jsturdevant.....One reason I shopped for the 1990/91 270 SD was because of it's size (30'6") and curved glass windshield. The 9' beam is not a problem on the right trailer and creates a nice cabin. I'm 6'1" and have no problem standing in the cabin or head. Our cabin seems very open and the v-berth is always setup for a nap. I like the dinette for playing cards and eating but a curved sofa would be nice too. I've been in newer 260's and the cabin is pretty tight to move around in. Your 1994 did go to a 9'8" beam and 32'4" OL....hugh! I really would gain little room going to a 300 other than beam which becomes a trailering issue. The 330, 340 and 350 really open up the cabin but lots more $$$$ and beam, Mike.