Shopping for Sundancer 380

Chad1070

New Member
Mar 6, 2019
2
Boat Info
Boatless. Currently shopping for Sundancer 380
Engines
Boatless
Hello everyone! I've done a bit of reading here and finally joined up! Looking forward to learning from the seasoned veterans here as I'll soon join the Sea Ray ownership club. I'm currently eyeing a few Sundancer 380's in the 2005-2006 range to place on a north Dallas area large lake this Spring. The search results are obviously producing more boats with the 8.1 Horizons over the diesel option...with one in particular equipped with Yanmar diesel. Note: I'm searching the whole country. Shipping is of no concern.

I've learned a few things already from my broker/friend and others in this forum...who all say you'll hardly ever regret owning diesel power and dependability. That being said, I realize my mission on a lake is not that of a coastal boat, and will include short periods of motoring and longer periods anchored in coves with the generator running. I'd also like to consider this an overnight boat as well, even on a lake. The second issue I'm finding between the two engine options is that more of the diesel boats are being sold from saltwater areas. In fact, both gas and diesel boats in this size appear to be found more from saltwater regions and I'm hoping that buying one and shipping to lake water doesn't haunt me in the end.

If anyone could shed light on their experience or knowledge of Diesel vs. Gas on a 380, and saltwater vs freshwater for a soon-to-be lake boat, I would greatly appreciate it! Cheers!
 
Can you easily get diesel on the lake you’ll keep the boat on? This can be a limiting factor on some lakes.

Are your friends who are recommending the diesels also in inland lakes?

I’d agree that you’d likely never regret owning the diesels but you may regret the expense/maintenance if you don’t use the heck out of it.
 
I started looking for a 2000-2004 380 and ended up with a 2001 410 diesel salt water boat. I LOVE it, but the first year has been a huge learning curve and a huge investment in time and treasure to get her up to my standards.

This boat is 45’ overall with a 13’10” beam, and CAT 3126 were the normal engine. The 2005+ version is the 440. That is a great boat as well as it has Cummins power and hard tops available, but at a fairly large premium.

I too bought from saltwater to put on a freshwater lake outside ATL. However, I have plans in the future to do some looping on her, so diesels were a “requirement”. Keep in mind it’s always cheaper to buy your last boat first.

PM me we can discuss pros and cons (almost all pro, not much con).

Dave
 
There is a gas boat here in Tampa, saltwater of course, that looks really great, I think it would be great in fresh water, and super easy to maintain those engines, and you don't really have to worry too much about poor fuel economy on a large lake. Granted, pictures always lie, but these pictures are at least pretty good (note, not my boat, but I would really like to buy it, but not in the cards right now!) Granted, a bit newer than you were looking for, but only by 2-3 years, and the wood floors in the cabin look amazing (at least, to me...)

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/20...g-engines-3507842/?refSource=standard listing
 

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