The boat Sea Ray should build?

[AndersonAcres]

The boat Sea Ray should build – Intrepid 475 http://www.intrepidboats.com/models/475-sy/index.php

Of course, I can’t afford this boat, but it makes the Sundancer line look archaic -- and I love Sundancers. If I could buy a new boat and didn’t have to settle for a used bargain, this would surely be at or near the top on my list.

IMO, a boat with multiple modern outboards has a lot to be said for it. Quiet, redundancy, ease of service/replacement, can lift the drives totally out of the water, better fuel economy, modern technology – and I’ve heard that gasoline fumes are much less of a worry with outboards, too.

Looking at IPS and Zeus compared to these drives, and I think outboards, in their simplicity have it all over their newer and very more complicated competition. Just consider hitting something hard with a Zeus or IPS, compared to an outboard.

And that’s just a discussion of the propulsion systems. Take a look at the interior of the 475. Again, IMO, the light brought into the interior makes the Sundancer caves makes me think Sea Ray could be accused of torture (you listening Ms Pelosi?).

I hope Sea Ray designers take some cues from this boat’s interior and propulsion system.

Downside? Each outboard can cost $20K.

Of course, this is all dreaming. Currently, I’m without a boat and look forward to the day when I can afford to own and operate a used Sundancer in the 32'-37’ range. Thankfully we sold the 250 last summer as I am very happy not to have a boat payment complicating my life. Income has taken a serious hit in the last 12 months. Looks better now. Maybe that 370 DA will be mine next summer. If I win the lottery, maybe the Intrepid 475.

 

[gbolton]

My brother in law has a Intrepid 390 and you are right. It is a very impressive boat inside and out.. I was amazed with the electronics setup it had..

 

[tobnpr]

Depends on what you're looking for.
Outboards have their limitations- and always will. They ain't got the torque of a diesel engine, and you can hang 6 of them on the stern of a "real" 47 footer- like this one:

http://www.vikingyachts.com/models/pages/plans.asp?numIdVal=46O

and they're going to be incapable of pushing the hull. Nice boat, but it's a very small 47' boat. With a beam of only 13'-8", it's got less than my 39'. The Viking- as with most others in that size range- have a beam that's nearly 3' wider. The Viking weighs over 52,000 lbs; Intrepid doesn't list the weight of the 470, but I'll bet it's half that. Some cracker-jack designer figured they only need a 25 gallon fuel tank for the diesel generator- which will only run it for a day. What were they thinking?

The narrow beam hampers the interior layout a bit, I don't care for the V-berth seating and would prefer the more commom L-shaped sofa of the Viking, and the possibility of 2 staterooms. The Intrepid does have the advantage of the full-beam master thanks to the outboard power, but many builders are now switching to IPS which also provides enough room under the helm to accomplish this.

I guess my point is that it's a nice boat "for what it is", but you can't compare it on an "LOA" basis with the likes of the Vikings, Berts, and Cabos.

 

[Presentation]

What deft person said that an outboard is quieter?












Yes, I know its spelled deaf.

 

[mwph]

tobnpr......Nice post. Thanks for including the link.

 

[SeaRide]

Try running a 225 HP Verado. The six cylinder Verado series is very quiet and smooth throughout its rev. range. At idle you can only hear the water stream from the tell tale and the silent whirring of the power steering pump. I was impressed.

Who knows many of us may all be running outboards eventually. I wouldn't be surprised if GM powertrain slowly kills off the development of marinized V8s since Obama has mandated some very lofty CAFE mandates.

 

[fc3]

The hard top looks like an afterthought. Outboards? No thanks! That has to be the dumbest idea going, pushing near 50 feet of boat with gas engines. Not just gas engines, outboard gas engines with tiny props. Fortunately for that manufacturer, there are lots of people with more money than brains. They'll probably sell 'em all.

 

[islandhopper00]

I like em'. Fit me in the more money than brains catergory. Wait, I don't have the kinda money it would take to buy one of thoes boats. But if I did, Intrepid boats have always looked great to me.
I do understand the point Frank and others make though. If I were to live aboard, or spend alot of time aboard, a big diesel convertable is for me.

 

[rabyers1]

Well, beauty is certainly in the eye of the beholder, as they say. But if you love Sundancers and their design created with an artistically complicated series of arcs and curves that comprise a very contemporary hull profile throughout the entire DA line, then how can you call that Sea Ray artwork archaic in comparision to those unimaginitive, ruler-straight lines of the intrepid? And then that slab of bolt-on roof added like an afterthought?

 

[MikeS]

A new Azimut 62 flybridge went past our dock today on the Manasquan Inlet....damn nice boat.

 

[Big Al]

Nice boat, but not for me.

Personnally, I don't see why a sundancer is archaic VS this boat. It is a 47 , do we compare it to a Sundancer 48 or the new 43 ?......sorry but no comparison there. I believe the Sundancer 48 is far more better looking.