Sundancer How long is too long

[Blueone]

@Blueone You hear what @Skybolt said? Huh?

Ya ….. @Skybolt also said it’s hard finding a parking spot ….. I have winter storage all setup….. but nothing for the summer…. it won’t fit in my current slip….. I’m going to look seriously in the spring.

 

[Jaybeaux]

Ya ….. @Skybolt also said it’s hard finding a parking spot ….. I have winter storage all setup….. but nothing for the summer…. it won’t fit in my current slip….. I’m going to look seriously in the spring.

Uh, I was talking about the part where @Skybolt is a big fan of the 48. Scheesh.

 

[Blueone]

I just got confirmation today on a 14 day trip this summer…. 2 weeks is nothing on a 45’…. When I first bought it I lived on it and commuted to work all summer my wife would come up on weekends…. It was no problem

 

[Blueone]

Uh, I was talking about the part where @Skybolt is a big fan of the 48. Scheesh.

Ya I would like your boat too if you bought me dinner

 

[techmitch]

Ya ….. @Skybolt also said it’s hard finding a parking spot ….. I have winter storage all setup….. but nothing for the summer…. it won’t fit in my current slip….. I’m going to look seriously in the spring.

Did you mean a slip without a parking spot in front of it with a car in it?

 

[my3sons]

21 kts @ 2250rpm, 27 kts wot +/- 2725 rpm
We’ve taken many cruises 30 to 90 days On both our 400db and the 360da.
With the 400 db the longest was the U.S. portion of the loop, 402 days with 1 week off the boat to come home for Christmas.
The Bahamas was a little over 8 months with a one week break at Christmas.
Would have done the same thing on a 45ish or bigger Sundancer.

edit: I forgot, on the loop I had to come home when we were on Kentucky Lake for an important medical appointment. Was home for 4 or 5 days.

 

[Blueone]

Did you mean a slip without a parking spot in front of it with a car in it?

Ha ha

 

[Skybolt]

Aw....how kind! We're planning to stop by your place this August. Dinner is on me!

Crab deck, drinks on me!

 

[Blueone]

Crab deck, drinks on me!

God I miss that place

 

[Skybolt]

God I miss that place

There is a lot to miss. Staying at the dock where I am doesn't suck. They did over the Narrows restaurant and there is a hotel next to it now. That whole area is fixed up. No more gravel parking lot. And of course Red Eyes ...

 

[Blueone]

There is a lot to miss. Staying at the dock where I am doesn't suck. They did over the Narrows restaurant and there is a hotel next to it now. That whole area is fixed up. No more gravel parking lot. And of course Red Eyes ...

Do they still do the bikini contest….. that was a blast back in the day

 

[Blueone]

There is a lot to miss. Staying at the dock where I am doesn't suck. They did over the Narrows restaurant and there is a hotel next to it now. That whole area is fixed up. No more gravel parking lot. And of course Red Eyes ...

I’ve stayed in your marina as a transient many times

 

[SeaNile]

It's that time of year again where I seriously consider selling my 50 DA. Probably going to write up a new description, take new pics and get it listed within a month.

 

[Sua Sponte]

Had a 50 Dancer 2006-2023 and took it all over Lakes Huron and Erie averaging 80-100 hours a year. At least one ten-day trip each summer, with kids, longest trip was Georgian Bay which was 16 days onboard. Easy peasy.

Cat 3196s would give a 26 knot cruise propped 29/28 at 82% load.

 

[Skybolt]

Do they still do the bikini contest….. that was a blast back in the day

Yes and the poker runs.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

1996 450 DA 3126 CATS

26.6 MPH @ .90 - .94 MPG as verified by dual floscans ay 2400RPM

16 nights out doing the Florida loop last year 660 NM

GREAT BOAT !

BEST !

RWS

 

[dtfeld]

Never too long…just too narrow.

 

[ttmott]

The boat that I am a very big fan of is @Jaybeaux's boat. The 48 dancer with shafts. That is the perfect size boat for just about anywhere. If it's not that then a step up to what @ttmott has, the 52 sedan bridge. But I have found that mid forties are easier to get in marina's. I don't mean physically, but reservations.

I moved from a 400DA with Cat 3116's to the 52DB with QSM11's. 350HP to 660HP each engine. The cruise speed on the 52 is about 6 MPH greater at 36 GPH. That's running the engines at 75 percent load at 1850 RPM. I understand the 52 with the optional MAN's has an even faster cruise but I don't know the burn rate.

When bigger boats are considered the more important things in my book are things like width in the gunnels for walking, access in and out of the cabin/solon, access around the engines and gear, storage, visibibility from the bridge, and stability at sea. The 52DB clicked all the boxes except for the full beam master.

The 58DB is a fast boat also and has the full beam Master but I detest the engine room and lazarette in comparison to the 52. The 58 is also a 24 volt boat which brings in some electrical complications. Just my opinion though.

From a cruise speed aspect the big Sea Rays are probably a bit faster than their smaller siblings.
But to me it's the journey not necessarily the destination. I have no issues coasting at 15 knots.

 

[Skybolt]

... But to me it's the journey not necessarily the destination. I have no issues coasting at 15 knots.

Isn't that the truth. Depending on the destination, I also take my time. It's a great feeling when everything is running as it should and your in beautiful surrounds.

 

[ttmott]

Another thing I forgot to mention is the 52 is a QUIET boat running. The 58 even quieter. I didn't realize how much nicer it is on a long trip compared to the 400DA due to the lack of engine noise.