What are differences between the 38 and 390/40 Sundancer?

[ziekman@cox.net]

A buddy of mine has had an '07 Silverton 33 Convertible since new. He's a former Sea Ray owner, and had been looking at 38's and 390's. He says the 390/40's are a foot longer than the 38's, but was looking to me for the other differences. I have no idea. Can anyone help? Thanks in advance for any help, as always!

 

[480ces]

The 38 has a center door from cockpit to transom. The 390/40 is a conventional configuration.

There is little more room in both the cockpit and salon of he 390/40.

The side windows are somewhat prone to departing both models...the 390 is probably the best buy.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

The 38 has a center door from cockpit to transom. The 390/40 is a conventional configuration.

There is little more room in both the cockpit and salon of he 390/40.

The side windows are somewhat prone to departing both models...the 390 is probably the best buy.

"Departing"?

 

[480ces]

"Departing"?

They were only installed with sealant (probably 5200). If you search there are several incidents posted here where a window popped loose/fell out/departed the boat in heavy seas. I don't belive any sank but several cabins ended up pretty wet.

A few that I looked at had windows with leaks, one was ready to come loose. It wouldn't deter me from buying one, but I'd mechanically fix and rebed the windows!

 

[juggernaut1]

There are a heap of small differences between the two and probably best to look at the specs sheets and the layouts of the two boats to appreciate all the differences. In the main the 390/40 is a slightly bigger version of the 38 (longer and wider) with slightly bigger fuel, water, holding tank capacities, but running less deadrise than the 38 (19 degrees vs 21 degrees).

From my casual observation, the additional length appears to be mainly evident in the salon which essentially gains an extra seat on the salon couch (4 seater vs 3 seater) and thus a longer and slightly rearranged galley on the opposite side. The head salon entry door is also perpendicular whereas it is an angled entry on the 38 and the upshot of this is that the angled entry on the 38 does make the head smaller inside - although the toilet positioning on the 38 is slightly angled to somewhat combat this so as to angle your knees away from the angled door when sitting. Still some larger or long legged people may still find the 38's head too small to sit comfortably.

A salon skylight is also evident on the 390/40. The earlier 390 doesn't have v berth windows whereas the 38 does and I think the later 40 also does. The other main difference, as pointed out, is the cockpit layout between the two, and the 390/40 has hard top which extends slightly further aft than that of the smaller 38. Beefy rails also support the front of the larger hardtop on the 390/40 whereas the 38 has none.

However, I would say the main and deciding point will be whether your friend wants gas or diesel and if diesels are the preference - I would suggest that diesels in the 38's would be thinner on the ground compared to the 390/40.

 

[ziekman@cox.net]

There are a heap of small differences between the two and probably best to look at the specs sheets and the layouts of the two boats to appreciate all the differences. In the main the 390/40 is a slightly bigger version of the 38 (longer and wider) with slightly bigger fuel, water, holding tank capacities, but running less deadrise than the 38 (19 degrees vs 21 degrees).

From my casual observation, the additional length appears to be mainly evident in the salon which essentially gains an extra seat on the salon couch (4 seater vs 3 seater) and thus a longer and slightly rearranged galley on the opposite side. The head salon entry door is also perpendicular whereas it is an angled entry on the 38 and the upshot of this is that the angled entry on the 38 does make the head smaller inside - although the toilet positioning on the 38 is slightly angled to somewhat combat this so as to angle your knees away from the angled door when sitting. Still some larger or long legged people may still find the 38's head too small to sit comfortably.

A salon skylight is also evident on the 390/40. The earlier 390 doesn't have v berth windows whereas the 38 does and I think the later 40 also does. The other main difference, as pointed out, is the cockpit layout between the two, and the 390/40 has hard top which extends slightly further aft than that of the smaller 38. Beefy rails also support the front of the larger hardtop on the 390/40 whereas the 38 has none.

However, I would say the main and deciding point will be whether your friend wants gas or diesel and if diesels are the preference - I would suggest that diesels in the 38's would be thinner on the ground compared to the 390/40.

Juggernaut, thx for these details. You've obviously studied these models, and your sharing is going to be very helpful. I do know he's looking for diesels after having at least 3 gassers, he's ready to make the move.

 

[juggernaut1]

No problems,

Yes, I studied the 38 and larger Sundancers (2006 onwards as I preferred the side windows on these models) I'm in Australia and no 40DA's were for sale on my side of the country. There was a 2008 395 (later model 38) with diesels and zeus drives with skyhook but at a premium of $125,000 - suffice to say it's still for sale!! I'd rather get a bigger boat altogether for that sort of money.

Also looked at a 46DA which was a really nice boat / layout but thought it was too big for my experience as I was moving up from a 16.4 foot runabout.

 

[Brutus C Paw]

The 390/40 is 2 feet longer and 8" more in the beam. Therefore the salon space is noticeably larger. When they went to the side hull windows the nomenclature was changed to 40 from 390. With all that said, I know of a very well cared for 2007 38 for sale in the Racine WI area. :smt001