Sundancer 370 Venture - any good?

V

voodle

New Member
Dec 9, 2014
27
Australia
Boat Info
275 Sundancer 2005
Engines
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI
Hi again,

I LOVE the look and concept of the 370 venture. All that space below deck, the engines are quiet and come out of the water, it's a modern boat and a good size. Sure, it's more expensive than my 2005 Sundancer 260DA (bought second hand) but in the future when the prices come down I may consider one. It's probably more expensive to run with 2 engines, especially servicing them, but I still like it. Any thoughts.

(Just checked the Sea Ray website and I can't find it for sale any more. Have they stopped making it?)

Thanks!
 
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sfergson727 said:
I don't have any experience with the boat, but there are at least two CSR members that have them. I can confirm that it was discontinued though.
Click to expand...

How many years was it in production? 2? I thought it was a good idea. I'm surprised it got nixed so quickly.
 
cwiert said:
How many years was it in production? 2? I thought it was a good idea. I'm surprised it got nixed so quickly.
Click to expand...

I thought it was a fantastic idea!! Perhaps sales weren't as good as expected. I hope sea ray considers it in the future again. I loved all that extra space downstairs.
 
I recall one of the complaints about this boat was that it was underpowered with the Verados and needed to be run at high RPM to stay on plane.
 
Several of us had the opportunity to run the Venture at the open house in Knoxville. It was such a novel idea and the power package so well engineered that I stayed on the boat thru about 3 different trips. Each time the boat has 12- 15 people on board and it was certainly no under powered. In fact, its performance with that load was very impressive.

That particular boat was hull #0 which means it was the very first one built by PD&E. The Engineer assigned to stay with the boat admitted that that particular boat was over propped and that production boats would have a quicker hole shot and lower cruise rpms. Perhaps that is why we sometimes see the under powered/needs rpms criticism every time this subject comes up.

We also have one 370 Venture here in this area and the owner loves the boat. He has it serviced here at the dealer's marina and has had nothing but a few small punch list items repaired after delivery. This particular owner keeps the boat at his home up in a shallow lagoon so it is a perfect fit for him.
 
Frank,

Do you think it might have been the price point it was at? Just not enough sales?

Chuck
 
I believe SR was the first to market with a boat of this concept. Pursuit and others quickly followed. I remember first seeing pics and pricing information and nearly fell off my chair when I saw the $470,000 price tag. I'm sure starting anywhere near this number scared away most buyers. About a year ago, i visited my local Marine Max and they had one that they couldnt give away. If memory serves me correctly, they wanted 200k for it +/-.
 
Wonder if Pursuit had any better luck with theirs?
 
There are usually only a short list of things that can kill a new boat that to market--price, design flaws, public not yet ready for the new concept, etc.

I wonder what it was with the Venture.
 
papertrail said:
nearly fell off my chair when I saw the $470,000 price tag. I'm sure starting anywhere near this number scared away most buyers.
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I agree. The price was stupid, especially when you look at Australian exchange rates. The concept was spot on though. I love the neat and clean engine installation, unlike a stern drive which takes up a lot of space. I like the idea of lower maintenance too. I have to leave my Bravo 3 in salt water on a mooring all day which is not something I like to do. The idea of taking an outboard up out of the water on a big boat like this was fantastic.

Come on Sea Ray, refine it, make it cheaper, and bring it back, even as a smaller boat with a single engine!!!
 
voodle said:
I agree. The price was stupid, especially when you look at Australian exchange rates. The concept was spot on though. I love the neat and clean engine installation, unlike a stern drive which takes up a lot of space. I like the idea of lower maintenance too. I have to leave my Bravo 3 in salt water on a mooring all day which is not something I like to do. The idea of taking an outboard up out of the water on a big boat like this was fantastic.

Come on Sea Ray, refine it, make it cheaper, and bring it back, even as a smaller boat with a single engine!!!
Click to expand...

Yeah like based on the 290 slx ob hull.
 
voodle said:
Hi again,

I LOVE the look and concept of the 370 venture. All that space below deck, the engines are quiet and come out of the water, it's a modern boat and a good size. Sure, it's more expensive than my 2005 Sundancer 260DA (bought second hand) but in the future when the prices come down I may consider one. It's probably more expensive to run with 2 engines, especially servicing them, but I still like it. Any thoughts.

(Just checked the Sea Ray website and I can't find it for sale any more. Have they stopped making it?)

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Axtually I would think outboards would be more cost effective to service than IO's. I think outboards are more,purpose built for marine use. I love the venture. The layout and full beam master are what sold me on the boat.m mix have heard others say that 300 Verados are slightly underpowered. Would have like to seem the boat with 350's.
 
I like the idea to the point that I'm repowering my old 270 Amberjack with twin outboards. Will post up performance data later this summer if all goes according to plan. Replacing twin I/O's (4 cylinder 150 hp) with twin Suzuki 175 hp. The new technology OB's - are light years ahead of the 1987 Merc I/O's.

At last peace and quiet .... and I don't have to stand on my head to change the oil! :)

And if it doesn't work out .... I'll pull the engines and put them on something else!
 
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Pursuit is still building 365is. Boating magazine did a comparison of the boat to the SR. Prices are similar. Range on the Pursuit is substantially greater by maybe 100 miles. It carries more fuel although the Yamaha engines are less efficient (.79 mpg vs .85 if memory serves) than the Verados. The Pursuit is much faster according to "Boating." And, there is a better venting system on the Pursuit to prevent salt water entry into the engines. The testers felt the Pursuit felt more stable at cruise speeds and planned better.
 
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