Old School vs New School Value

Sundancer123

Sundancer123

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Mar 25, 2007
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seems like the 2000-2003 SRs had alot more cabin and cockpit space

take for examples

00-03 38da compared to the 03+ 44da --- they look the same if not the 44 smaller overall , cockpit and cabin

the newer styling seems to have given up space
 
I recently made that comparison between my 390 EC and a '06 380 DA...I couldn't believe how much smaller these boats have gotten in the last 20 years.:thumbsup:
 
You have to remember they added "feet" when they went to the 2 digit model designation. The older 38' Sundancer (which I had) was a 380 DA. The new 38 DA is really the old 360 DA replacement. I think the 380 DA became the 390 or 40 DA? My 480 DB was updated to the 52 DB as they started counting the swim platform in the length (adds 3.5 feet). I assume some smart guy said "Hey! Let's charge more for bigger boats and all we have to do is rename them!!!" It is confusing as people think the new 47 DB replaces the 480 DB and that's not true. The 47 DB is really closer to the old 450 Express Bridge (IMO).
 
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sprink56 said:
I recently made that comparison between my 390 EC and a '06 380 DA...I couldn't believe how much smaller these boats have gotten in the last 20 years.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

It's a "38 DA"... not a 380 DA... see my previous post.
 
what would you say in new style has the cabin openness and massiveness of a 2000 -2003 510?
 
We had a close look at the new 310 Sundancer, we own a 2001. It is about 9 inches narrower, a few inches shorter. A lot less space in the cockpit and cabin. The old 310 is closer to the new 330. But the prices, well they have increased... Also the new 310 is heavier buy about 1500lbs. My friends 400db, is now the 44db, not much difference in the space, but a lot in the price. I guess all the new gadgets justify their agressive pricing.

R.Blatter
310 Sundancer 2001
 
take the old school 2000+s -2003's slap a few plasmas in her and spray paint the countertops with fletchstone granite spray... save yourself 100k

!!!!!
 
rblatter said:
My friends 400db, is now the 44db, not much difference in the space, but a lot in the price. I guess all the new gadgets justify their agressive pricing.
Click to expand...

I can't speak to the DA series as that is not my domain... but the 44DB is my domain! The 400 became the 42 but that change came along with a significant re-styling both externally and in the interior both of which were significant upgrades. My buddy has a 2003 400. There are some things that are better about the 400 vs. the 42/44, but the 42/44 is a way better looking boat than the 400. And for some reason the 44 has a ton more room in the engine room. Looking at the boats side by side we still can't figure out where all that room is coming from.

Then the 42 became the 44 and those boats are identical. That said the "aggressive pricing" seems to me to be more driven by the fact that the older boats are, well, older.

We all know that boats, especially new ones, depreciate in a very rapid, non-linear way, right? A 2003 400DB was new once too, and then it was probably aggressively priced versus similar 1997 vintage boats. And so on. There is no logical argument for purchasing a new boat (keep in mind I've done it three times, but at least I go in knowing that it's financially stupid)

That said, don't be fooled by list prices, what people are actually paying for these boats is way less than the uber-inflated list price!
 
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Four Suns said:
My 480 DB was updated to the 52 DB as they started counting the swim platform in the length (adds 3.5 feet). I assume some smart guy said "Hey! Let's charge more for bigger boats and all we have to do is rename them!!!" (IMO).
Click to expand...
Don't forget that your boat was a 50 footer for a couple of years before it became a 52 footer.

Beautiful thing, that marketing!
 
We looked at the new 35 Sundancer at the Dallas Boat Show. We made a comparison to our 2001 340 Sundancer. Our opinion is we would not trade even for the new 35.
 
I feel like the only boat that has stayed similar in terms of layout and space is the 91-99 500 Sundancer and the 2003-2009 500/52 Sundancer.

I tend to break it down like this in my opinion.

48 Sundancer = 99-2005 460 Sundancer
420/44 Sundancer = 1997 and up 400/410 Sundancer

There are some in between and the smaller ones get even more mixed up!
 
My 2001 380 DA is 42' LOA and 13' beam. The 2007 model is 3' shorter and 6" narrower. However the 2007 model is 1,100 heavier, dry. Part of this could be attributed to the hardtop on the 2007.
 
The 380DA was replaced with the 390DA and then renamed the 40DA. The dimensions on those boats are fairly similar (42'LOA vs. 41' and 13' beam vs. 13'2") weights are comparable as well. The 42' LOA on the 380 included a much longer non-integral swim platform making the useable space on the 380 and 390/40 about the same. As Gary said the '06 38DA was a replacement for the 360 not the 380. In any event, the 380 and 390/40 are great boats.

Southpaw II said:
My 2001 380 DA is 42' LOA and 13' beam. The 2007 model is 3' shorter and 6" narrower. However the 2007 model is 1,100 heavier, dry. Part of this could be attributed to the hardtop on the 2007.
Click to expand...
 
having just spoken to the DA domain....I'll only add to what Festivus has said.....the 400 may have been a great looking boat just a few years ago but the current 44DB is light years ahead in styling....one of the things Sea Ray does best and they did a great job on that update. Of course my opinion may be somewhat biased...:grin:

festivus44 said:
I can't speak to the DA series as that is not my domain... but the 44DB is my domain! The 400 became the 42 but that change came along with a significant re-styling both externally and in the interior both of which were significant upgrades. My buddy has a 2003 400. There are some things that are better about the 400 vs. the 42/44, but the 42/44 is a way better looking boat than the 400. And for some reason the 44 has a ton more room in the engine room. Looking at the boats side by side we still can't figure out where all that room is coming from.

Then the 42 became the 44 and those boats are identical. That said the "aggressive pricing" seems to me to be more driven by the fact that the older boats are, well, older.

We all know that boats, especially new ones, depreciate in a very rapid, non-linear way, right? A 2003 400DB was new once too, and then it was probably aggressively priced versus similar 1997 vintage boats. And so on. There is no logical argument for purchasing a new boat (keep in mind I've done it three times, but at least I go in knowing that it's financially stupid)

That said, don't be fooled by list prices, what people are actually paying for these boats is way less than the uber-inflated list price!
Click to expand...
 
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