In the interest of providing the rec.boats political debate society with a
short, boating related interlude, I am tossing in one of my more recent boat
review items. :-)

Be warned.

1. It's very long. Send out for coffee after the first 1700 words.

2. Some favorable comments about many aspects of the product are included.
Those who become emotionally distraught when reading anything not bitterly
hostile to the marine industry are invited to either skip this thread or flame
me privately at . Won't accept responsibility anybody becoming
po'd and acting badly after ignoring this advance disclosure.

3. Alternate, issue-oriented, informed opinions offered without personal insult
are eagerly solicited in this venue for the purpose of promoting discussion.
Thank you.

********
A Boat for All Seasons


Boat brochures. The Pacific Northwest is geographically removed from the most
intensely populated boating regions, and brochures are quite obviously designed
for the loosely defined "mass market." It is fair to say that brochures promote
the dream, and the images we see portrayed often have little to do with actual,
boat-owning reality.

We seldom see brochure photos taken on the sort of somber, damp days that
characterize seven or eight months of our year 'round season in these
latitudes. Brochures show calm, ultra-blue water and bright, crystal clear
skies. Beaches in brochures are always smooth and sandy, not Pacific NW mud
banks with a generous allotment of barnacle-covered rocks. Everybody seen in a
brochure photo is young, thin, tan and wearing a bathing suit. The only
exception seems to be that traditional shot (more common before we all became
more sensitive to good taste) of the balding, beer-bellied, midlife crisis
Average Joe piloting a sleek-looking yacht. In the questionable "classic" the
skipper is always accompanied by at least two or three nubile, doe-eyed females
who (coincidentally) happen to be thin, tan, and wearing just "barely" enough
to avoid arrest in most jurisdictions. Sometimes the ladies (?) are even in
heels!

Reality in the Pacific NW is a bit different. Summer doesn't really get
underway in earnest until Fourth of July, giving us three reasonably sunny
months a year. We tend to be skeptical about the long-term health effects of
tanning, and seldom go into our 50-degree waters voluntarily. A Pacific NW
boater is more likely to be wearing a sweatshirt and drinking a hot beverage
than lounging in a bikini while sipping from an icy cocktail decorated by a
tiny, paper umbrella. We're not all young, and unfortunately we're not always
thin, either. That older gentleman with the three young girls? Here in the
Pacific NW, that's a dad, his daughter, and her college roommates out for an
innocent afternoon cruise.

The disparity between the warm tropical images in boat brochures and our NW
reality undoubtedly deters many mariners from granting vessels with a lot of
open deck space and cockpit seating serious consideration when shopping for a
family boat. "Great for a couple of sunny months," some conclude, "but probably
not as much fun in cool weather!" We tried out a new Sea Ray 340 Sundancer from
Lake Union Sea Ray one blustery morning in late March. We reaffirmed that even
here in the Pacific NW an express cruiser can be comfortable and thoroughly
enjoyable without waiting for a rare, sunny day.


Observations at the dock

Steve Thoreson spent the morning acquainting us with the 340 Sundancer. Steve
had to return some customers' calls, and we took advantage of the opportunity
to look at the boat even more thoroughly than usual before getting underway. As
much as we try to resist describing a boat as looking anything at all like an
automobile, the impressive exterior lines of the 340 Sundancer seem to suggest
a shape that General Motors would use for a seagoing version of the Corvette.
This is definitely not your uncle Sven's keel-cooled commercial gill-netter,
nor does it aspire to be. The form is fast, sleek and slightly exotic. The
reverse raked, standard radar arch is so well integrated into the design that
the boat would look incomplete without it. It's a style that says, "I can move
quickly and with authority through the water," more like a graceful dolphin or
a majestic orca than a relentlessly lumbering sea lion.

A "340" Sundancer measures 37'6" including the integral swim step. A full
12-foot beam translates into additional room in the cabin and cockpit. Our test
boat was a twin inboard, powered by MX62.L MPI MerCruisers. V-drives allow an
engine placement well aft, also creating additional usable cabin space. Sea Ray
lists the "dry weight" of a 340 Sundancer at 14.600 pounds. The 340 Sundancer,
with V-drives, draws only 2'8".

The 340 Sundancer at Lake Union Sea Ray was equipped with a full canvas
enclosure for the bridge deck and cockpit. In the NW, one should almost
consider a canvas enclosure essential for any vessel with an exterior helm.
Most sedans and trawlers have flybridge enclosures, and with a single, exterior
helm an express cruiser will require some canvas as well to be enjoyable during
much of the year. The canvas on the Sea Ray 340 was rather obviously conceived
and designed by the same people who drew the hull. The canvas fits well, both
physically and esthetically, enhancing both the utility and the appearance. A
weekend cruiser to any port on Puget Sound will encounter far too many vessels
that look like Omar the Tentmaker scabbed a jury-rigged afterthought onto an
otherwise nice boat. Not one of the boats with a " but too bad about the
canvas" job will be a 340 Sea Ray Sundancer.

Sea Ray conceived the 340 Sundancer to be responsive to the needs of typical
Pacific NW boating families. The boat can be a luxurious retreat for a two or
three-day getaway, or a sturdy, reliable vessel reassuringly sound and
adequately spacious for an extended summer cruise. With a 225-gallon fuel
capacity, there is no need to plan a cruise from fuel dock to fuel dock, and a
21-degree deadrise will help prevent the "flat bottom blues" when the chop gets
frothy and the spray begins to fly.

The cabin layout of a 340 Sundancer emphasizes open space and flexibility.
Interior trim is a practical mix of spectacular Cherry Wood cabinets with a
deep glossy finish and Formica (tm) liners and shelves, deep pile 44-ounce
carpeting, and plush, easy care upholstery. The durable surfaces make it easier
to relax- kids or careless guests are unlikely to soil or stain anything beyond
reclamation. Snap-in Sunbrella (tm) carpet runners, a thoughtful touch
frequently encountered on Sea Ray products, additionally protect the carpet.

Most forward in the cabin layout is the oversized master berth, flanked by
backrests and stowage lockers to port and starboard. The overhead hatch and
several cabin lights allow this area to be a lounge area for reading or
watching videos during the daytime, while a privacy curtain on a recessed track
converts the forward area to a private, master stateroom when it's time for
bed.

Aft of the master berth and to port, the 340 Sundancer galley is a generous
length of joinery and functional workspace. A molded fiberglass countertop with
granite-colored gel coat incorporates a functionally proportioned molded sink
and recessed, two-burner cooktop. The recessed cook top is an especially
thoughtful touch- the surrounding rim will help prevent any saucepans or
teakettles from wandering off down the countertop if the cook is working
underway. Both the sink and the cooktop can be covered with Corian (tm) covers
to increase the amount of uninterrupted countertop. Refrigeration is provided
by an AC/DC undercounter refrigerator and freezer combination with about four
cubic feet of space- the usual "standard" in a vessel in this category. Warming
and baking chores are handled by a microwave oven built in above the
countertop.

Sea Ray traditionally builds boats to a very high standard, and some thoughtful
touches are evident in the galley. A stout handrail is attached just below the
sink to give the cook greater confidence if the vessel is negotiating water
conditions not typically seen in those boating brochures. A power vent system
exhausts steam and cooking odors from the galley. Opening and closing lockers
and drawers, or sliding the two tambour enclosures behind the countertop
confirms that the traditional "solid" feel of fittings and hardware always
associated with Sea Ray is well represented on the 340 Sundancer. A TV/VCR/DVD
combo is built into the galley on a handy fixture that extends so the TV can be
viewed from either the master berth or the settee in the salon. When retracted,
the TV is well secured against possible damage underway.

Aft of the galley on the port side, (and conveniently located at the base of
the companionway steps between the main cabin and the bridgedeck), is the 340
Sundancer's head. A VacuFlush head is standard on the 340, and with the
legendary efficiency and low flush volume of a VacuFlush few families would tax
the 28-gallon capacity of the standard holding tank on an extended weekend
cruise. The galley is designed to be easily cleaned, and it incorporates a
molded sink as well as a hand-held shower. A power vent will extract all the
steam and moisture to keep the compartment fresh. There's over six-feet of
standing headroom, (which is an important consideration for those of us who
will be "standing" in the head). Of all the interior cabin areas, Sea Ray
appears to have put less priority on creating a world-class head than on
maximizing other areas. The head appears well fit and is very serviceable, and
on 90% of the boats on the market it would be a proud accomplishment. Even so,
the utilitarian head pales in comparison to the deluxe accommodations
throughout the remainder of the 340 Sundancer.

Opposite the galley, to starboard, a crescent-shaped settee fronts a bank of
stowage lockers. Sea Ray claims these lockers are the largest available in this
class, and they probably are. The Corian dining table with inlaid cherry edging
can be easily removed, making room for the settee to fold out into a double
berth. The main cabin does not seem at all crowded, and the Sea Ray designers
have succeeded in creating an open, airy, feeling in a class of vessel that can
seem dark and confining when poorly done.

Sea Ray calls the 340 a "Sundancer", rather than an "express cruiser", because
the 340 is a "mid stateroom" design. Aft of the main salon and the companionway
steps, Sea Ray has included a cozy area ideal for small conversational
gatherings or a spot where a tired crewmember might seek some solitary peace
and quiet. By day, there is seating for a half dozen adults, and enough
headroom under the helm seat and steering console above that even tall people
can sit upright (but not stand) without crouching. A privacy curtain can be
drawn across the area at night, and the seats knock down quickly into a cozy
double berth. There are no fewer than six legitimate bunks available on the 340
Sundancer with the settee in the salon converted, or four with the salon left
intact for dining, games, or conversation.

Steve Thoreson joined us on the dock just as we had finished our careful
interior inspection. One small electric heater had kept the 340 Sundancer cabin
warm and comfortable while the boat was connected to shorepower at Lake Union
Sea Ray. Despite an outside temperature in the upper 40's, the cabin heat
flowing into the covered bridge deck had made the temperature there very
acceptable as well. Generators are considered optional on the Sundancer 340,
and our test boat was equipped with a 5kw Kohler 120-volt unit. With the
all-electric galley setup and electric heat, the optional generator is almost
essential on this boat.

"We can move the heater up to the cockpit and run the generator if we get cold
once we're underway," said Steve.

The 6.2L Mercruisers roared to life instantly from a stone-cold start. The
engines and V-drives are well aft, and accessed by means of an electrically
operated hydraulic system raising the aft cockpit sole. The sole supported by
hinges at the base of the transom. There is (are?) "oodles" of room on both the
inboard and outboard sides of the engines for routine servicing. With the sole
raised, engine access is a standup, fresh air affair. Buyers of Sea Ray 340
Sundancers won't be spending time on hands and knees in a dark dingy engine
room, unless they're still aboard their trade in and praying the engine will
fire up "one more time."


Observations underway

The rain relaxed to typical NW drizzle as we got underway. Most brokerage docks
have extremely tight fairways, and Lake Union Sea Ray is not exception. The
sure-footed predictability of twin inboards allowed us to make a very precise
turn without any drama at all. As we began wending our way across Lake Union,
Portage Bay, and the Mountlake Reach to Lake Washington, Steve pointed out some
of highlights in the helm and cockpit areas.

"This boat is equipped with the SmartCraft (tm) system. Absolutely everything
you could ever want to know about the engines and operating conditions is
displayed on this digital readout here at the helm. Our customers are really
excited about this feature. If anything, there might be almost too much
information available, but you don't have to try to concentrate on most of it
in order to just properly run the boat." Steve was certainly correct about the
wealth of information available. The SmartCraft system will display fuel level,
oil pressure, coolant temperature, engine hours, engine speed, instant and
average fuel consumption (as well as projected range), trim tab status, and
water depth and temperature. The SmartCraft interfaces with a GPS to provide
accurate readings of speed over the bottom.

There is an additional set of analog gauges for each engine, "just in case" the
SmartCraft suddenly crashes, (although this is not known to be a problem). The
controls at the helm consist of touch pads rather than more commonly
encountered rocker or toggle switches. "They're waterproof!" explained Steve.
"You could clean the steering console with a hose, and not have to worry about
effecting any of the gauges or switches."

Our test boat was equipped with a Raymarine SL70CRC radar/plotter and a
Raymarine VHF radio. A remote control for the Clarion CD changer allows musical
entertainment to be adjusted without ever leaving the helm.

We noticed that Sea Ray has divided the helmsman's bench into two specific
seats, with an armrest in the middle. "Each seat has its own adjustable
bolster," said Steve. "The bolster can be tilted up so that a short person,
such as a child, could sit next to the skipper and get a good view of the
water. The bolsters also adjust so that it is comfortable to stand at the
wheel, and the inboard armrest provides some side support for a helmsman
sitting all alone at the wheel. Visibility from the helm is excellent.

There's a single seat in the port forequarter of the bridgedeck, with the same
adjustable bolster seen on the seats to starboard. A wetter is located at the
port base of the radar arch, complete with sink, pressure water, and a standard
icemaker. Cockpit seating for a comfortable six makes a graceful conversation
curve beginning behind the helmseat, continuing down the starboard gunwale, and
crossing the transom to the port side transom door.

Sea Ray uses computer controlled robots to spray the gelcoat into the molds,
and produces most parts through a molding process that precisely control the
resin to roving ratio and produces peices with two finished sides. This
exceptional fiberglass work is very evident in the cockpit area, where most of
the finished surfaces are gelcoat. A sharp and critical eye would be hard
pressed to find the slightest defect in the finish. The product seems to
reflect a process of high technology executing a vessel designed up to a very
standard, rather than down to try to meet a predetermined price point

As we motored past the Webster Point buoys that mark the end of the
speed-restricted Ship Canal, we brought the 340 Sundancer up to plane. The
vessel accelerated without hesitation, gaining speed very quickly while
retaining a sense of solidity and command.
We ascended the bow wake smoothly, and were on plane seamlessly. A slight touch
of the trim tabs made a minor correction in planing attitude, but it was
apparent that the 340 Sundancer has a carefully designed hull that requires
only minimal adjustment to run almost perfectly on her own lines. The noise
level was lower than on many vessels where
V-drive inboards are separated from the helm by a bulkhead, rather than merely
the cabin sole. Sea Ray says it is using a sound insulation that absorbs,
rather than reflects engine noise. We can attest that the results are notable
and impressive.

We ran the 340 Sundancer pretty hard. Between a slight chop on the windward
side of the I-520 floating bridge and our best efforts to rip up the surface by
cris-crossing our own wake, we got to experience some reasonably "lumpy"
moments during the trial. The Sundancer burst through, (rather than "bounced
over") virtually everything we encountered. Although speedy and agile, this Sea
Ray rode like a heavier boat. Very reassuring. The Sundancer 340 is a boat that
will handle snotty conditions in comfort, and should a mariner encounter
unexpectedly extreme conditions, this is just the type of solidly built vessel
that you would want to bring a boater and family safely back to port.

Top speed on the 340 Sundancer, at 5000 RPM with throttles wide open, was 33
mph. Most people won't run a gasoline engine wide open for extended periods of
time, but backed down to 4000 rpm we observed very respectable cruise speed
readings averaging about 25 mph. Fuel consumption at cruise is in the low
30-gph range- comparing favorably to similarly sized vessels we have tested
recently with diesel, rather than gas engines. Most of the diesel engine boats
would be closer to 1mpg, or burning about 6-8 gph less than the 6.2L
Mercruisers. Steve Thoreson remarked that the 340 Sundancer is available with
twin diesels, but at an upcharge of nearly $50,000. At a difference of even 8
gph, assuming $1.75/ gal fuel costs, we estimate it would take 3,571 operating
hours to "break even" if fuel savings were the only reason to consider the
diesel option. (That's over 35 years for many boaters).

After testing a few Sea Rays, we have developed a rather high expectation for
the product line. The 340 Sundancer proves that the Sea Ray "experience" is
alive and well in the 2004 model lineup.

While the weather was bleak and dreary, rather than stereotypical sport boat or
express cruiser brochure conditions, running the Sea Ray Sundancer 340 from
beneath the canvas was fun and comfortable. Had we been testing a flybridge
motoryacht, we would have been similarly cocooned in a canvas enclosure. There
are some distinct advantages to having the helm closer to the water,
particularly when the skipper lends a hand with lines and fenders after coming
alongside a slip or lock wall. With a 5kw Onan, we would have had plenty of
power to heat both the cabin and the cockpit, but we were comfortable without
heat once underway. In spite of what well-meaning but gossipy dock stalkers
might insist or even what instinct might suggest, a run through relatively
scummy weather will prove to any skeptic that a Sea Ray Sundancer can be a
wonderful boat for all seasons in the Pacific NW. During the spectacular sunny
season, many people would opine that few boating experiences are superior to
dashing along in an open express cruiser. No "brochure bimbos" in heels and
bikinis or prissy umbrella drinks required.


The corporate honchos at Sea Ray have remarked, "We don't sell boats, we sell a
lifestyle." There's no doubt that certain panache is attached to a boat with
the Sea Ray pedigree. Most adults realize that we are not really defined by
what we own, but by the same token our taste in boats is rather easily defined
when we select from one of the high caliber trademarks. Boats are a long-term
purchase, and value received is often a more reliable indicator of comparable
value than inexpensive price paid. A consistently high resale value,
traditional with Sea Ray, can also mitigate a steeper initial cost.

There is a lot of value in a Sea Ray 340 Sundancer. The vessel we tested at
Lake Union Sea Ray in Seattle had a base price of $222,167. With the Raymarine
radar, the 5kw Onan, the SmartCraft system, freshwater cooling, and some
miscellaneous options the retail price on the vessel as equipped was $251,082.
In a market where one could spend nearly as much but have to settle for
considerably less boat, the 340 Sundancer deserves a careful look. In any
season.