What's better? Sundancer or Venture

[Christian]

Hi all, I have a quick question for you guys..
I currently have a 2006 sea ray Sundancer 340 in excellent condition and I am thinking of changing it for a 37 Venture 2013. I wanted to know what is better, whether to have the twin 8.1 inboards or the two 300 outboards engines that the Venture brings. I await your comets... thanks..

 

[Third Edition]

Venture is quieter, better fuel economy, too, from what I've read. Outboard engines have longer life than the 8.1 inboards, assuming both are maintained properly. You can get those outboards nearly, or completely out of the water. A big plus in my book. Outboards let you more safely get into those shallow places we have all over FL. The outboards allow you to get into areas you'd never even attempt with the boat you have.

You will have more cabin space with the Venture, but less countertop space in the galley. That lack of counter space is made up for by the cooking options in the cockpit. Plus the cockpit and helm both are much more modern looking, and more modern electronics-wise.

I'm not sure of the advantages of the boat you currently have, compared to the Venture. I'd take a Venture over our 360 any day. For me the issue is cost.

A similar boat to consider is the 360/370 Grady-White Express.

 

[Christian]

Thanks Eric for your replay. Yes, shallow water is one of the reason and also easy to work on engines... I'd like a cruising boat about 37' with outboards and around 2013-14

 

[Third Edition]

Have you looked at the Grady-White 370? Great boat. Likely a lot better riding than the Venture if you go offshore.

 

[KevinC]

Thanks Eric for your replay. Yes, shallow water is one of the reason and also easy to work on engines... I'd like a cruising boat about 37' with outboards and around 2013-14

I own the 340SDA and have been on the Venture 370. The Venture was a cool boat but it "felt" smaller and seemed like a whole lot less storage. So, it's going to depend a lot on how you boat. The mid cabin with the offset bed makes that area looks spacious and luxurious, but if you need more than one sleeping area for the family you will need to deal with converting the v-berth area. If you do a lot of cruising the galley space is a little bit limited compared to the 340SDA. The Ventures deck layout also seems more applicable to day boating with the sunpads attaching to the covers but you loose the aft storage on the swim platform. Its nice to have the built in grill on the Venture but compared to the 340SDA you sacrifice cockpit seating for that gain and I never liked having the grill under the canvas - but that is personal. I also think the 340SDA is going to handle around the docks a lot better so the Venture may need a bowthruster.

Just some of my opinions - YMMV.

-Kevin

 

[Henry Boyd]

Back Cove also offers outboard cruisers as well. I only saw a venture at the boat show, but my opinion remains the same; I thought it was a fabulous idea that should have done better than it did.

That said, now that I have diesels there’s no way I’m going back to gas. But we do live on shallow water and to be able to moor it behind the house like we did with our 280 would definitely make me consider switching back.

 

[Christian]

Guys, thanks for your replays.. very useful.
Question.. why do you say that to docking the venture you need the bowthruster?
also.. what is the experience of having outboard engines? Is it easy to work on them? They give less or more problems than inboards engines? Is the maintenance more complicated? Thanks guys

 

[Third Edition]

Outboards are easier to get to, as you've mentioned. Draining the lower oil, though, is difficult if the boat is in the water. Can be done, but difficult. Is perching on the swimplatform to work on an outboard more problematic than being in an ER? Dunno. I think modern outboards are a few notches above mercruiser gas inboards in terms of being more modern technology, more efficient, quieter, better longevity, etc.

Then you need to think about a dinghy. A swimplatform is great for a dinghy. Where would you put one on a boat with outboards? May not be an issue for you, but it is a deal killer for some.

Does the boat have a generator? Some of the outboard boats have diesel generators. That IMO is a plus. Dunno what a Venture has.

 

[Todd320]

Guys, thanks for your replays.. very useful.
Question.. why do you say that to docking the venture you need the bowthruster?
also.. what is the experience of having outboard engines? Is it easy to work on them? They give less or more problems than inboards engines? Is the maintenance more complicated? Thanks guys

The thrust at idle will be larger on the a boat with inboards, and the pivot point is closer to the center of the boat. The outboards pivot point will be more aft, and the thrust less with the smaller props and typically less torque at idle. The Venture, compared to other outboard cruisers, the props are pretty far apart, and that will help when trying to maneuver, but I don’t know how it would compare to an inboard. Most Ventures have a Bow Thruster, so not an issue in my book.
Maintenance for outboards is easier to access, definitely, and in my experience, just better and cheaper overall. Had a Yamaha 200, and needed little to no maintenance, but it was a 2 stroke, so hard to compare. There seem to be way more mechanics that service outboard engines, so plenty of choices if you need to switch.

 

[Christian]

Yes, of course, all that you say makes sense.
The advantage that I see in an outboard enginewould be the one below. Please correct me if I am wrong in any and please indicate the disadvantages if you can.

Outboards engines:

1) can be disassembled easier and changed
2) less weight
3) You can make the floshing with fresh water very easy
4) stand up and propeller won't get wet
5) less noise
6) safer for being out of the boat
7) smaller
8) more space inside the boat
9) less heat in the bilge
10) fewer parts with rust that are unreachable
11) less manifold problems
12) less cables
13) there is no shift box that big
14) there are no strainers for water intake
15) get more air from outside
16) there is no water in the bilge
17) no need blower
18) only use salt water to refrigerate
19) do not use shaft seal
20) there is no through holes in the bottom (only gen and A/C maybe)

 

[Golfman25]

Wasn't familiar with them so took a look online. I actually like it. Concealing the outboards is a neat trick. Looks like a winner. Good luck.

 

[Christian]

Neither do I, actually this week was when I found out that that kind of boat exists.

 

[Christian]

But I still wanted to see someone talk about the disadvantages of the outboard engines...

 

[Golfman25]

But I still wanted to see someone talk about the disadvantages of the outboard engines...

Yeah, I'm old school. But in today's world I think outboards are the future of gas engines for boats. The mothballing of the 7.4 started the ball rolling. And I don't see trucks using "BIG" gas engines all that much anymore. Enter the 4 stroke outboard. Outboards are created for a specific use -- Marine, as opposed to using a land based engine. You see them everywhere these days.

 

[Christian]

Yes, I have been able to observe that. Precisely thats the reason of my question. I really like my 34 sundancer with its inboards engines. I think my boat is wonderful. But I was considering migrating.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Yes, I have been able to observe that. Precisely thats the reason of my question. I really like my 34 sundancer with its inboards engines. I think my boat is wonderful. But I was considering migrating.

The 340 is one of sea ray's finest - if you had a 320, I would say its a no brainer to upgrade.....I just don't think I would spend a significant amount to "upgrade" to the venture from a 340.....still no hardtop, still no separate shower, still no private stateroom - and some have complained the power is only marginal on the venture where the 340 is a rocket - as for maintenance, the ER is fairly accessible on the 340, and its not like you have outdrives that require tons of maintenance either.....while the venture definitely wins in the draft dept, the 340 is not horrible with the prop pockets....Yup - I'd keep the 340....

 

[Christian]

Yes I think you are very right in your comment. I see you mention that the outboard engines have high maintenance, could you give me more details about that please.

 

[Christian]

Sorry i think you were talking about stern outdrives... no outboards engines.. my bad.

 

[Confused]

I would disagree outboards are quieter and question if those that think that, have ever actually been on a boat with multiple big power outboards. I’d also disagree with them running longer than an inboard setup.

I do like the fact the Venture retains a swim platform. That would be a deal breaker for my kids. Unfortunately it appears worse to work on than a tradition inboard boat.

 

[Todd320]

I would disagree outboards are quieter and question if those that think that, have ever actually been on a boat with multiple big power outboards. I’d also disagree with them running longer than an inboard setup.
I do like the fact the Venture retains a swim platform. That would be a deal breaker for my kids. Unfortunately it appears worse to work on than a tradition inboard boat.

In this specific case, outboard Verados on the venture, are super quiet. The test from boattest.com reported 72db and the fact that he could talk at cruise, without needing to raise his voice. I can’t do that on my 320, with twin 350 5.7s. My brothers Suzuki 4 stroke can barely be heard at idle, I’ve noticed this on most 4 strokes I’ve been around. The venture also has these engines covered, so even quieter.