I thought I would give a quick overview of our new (to us) boat. Plan B is a 1997 Sea Ray 400 Sundancer. She is what people call a ‘gasser’. In other words we have gasoline engines rather than diesel. I had really wanted diesels but there seemed to a huge premium on cost to get a comparable boat with diesels – way more than we would ever save in fuel. So, lurking under the cockpit floor are 2 huge 7.4L big block Mercruisers (454’s), each putting out 380 hp. Ok, by the standards of today’s express boats that’s not that impressive but from our eyes coming from a sailboat with a 3 cylinder 28 hp diesel……In addition there is a good size Westerbeke generator under there also – again producing more horse power than our previous sailboats only engine.
On the hard at Kennedy s - the transom and swim platform
The helm. I am not sure I will ever get used to all these buttons.
So, what else did we get besides acres of fiberglass and 2 huge engines? Well, down below we have a master cabin with a center-line queen berth and lots of lockers and room. Moving aft we have the master head to Port and aft of theta the galley with Corian (or similar) countertops, 3 burner glass top stove, fridge and freezer, microwave, extractor fan…… To starboard is the curved main salon settee all in leather and the main electrical control panel. Further aft is the day head and the mid cabin (Sea Ray speak) or aft cabin, Hidden away from view are 2 HVAC units that are reverse cycle central air and central heat – works just like home. Also a central vac unit.
We like the layout – it seems to work for us.
As for the ‘decorating’ down below ……….well, not all that came from the factory is exactly to our taste.
Up in the cockpit is really where the Sundancer excels. They are made for enjoying the summer with lots of seating, a wet bar and ice maker and a great view forward from the helm. That was a big surprise. We always knew that the flybridge boats had an outstanding view but had assumed that with an express that you would be sitting way down in the cockpit. Not so – the helm area is raised above the mid-cabin and gives a great view.
Through the transom door you step onto a 3 ft deep full width swim platform. This has a built in concealed boarding ladder and just a great size for anchoring and swimming.There is also a big storage locker built into the transom with a big opening door we call the garage door.
