Sea Ray 400 Sundancer is still sturdy and seaworthy as a proper Yankee motor boat, but refines her flair to get even closer to the Mediterranean taste.
The process started some years ago, but it’s with the latest generation, which Sea Ray 400 Sundancer is one of the best examples of, that it has come to a complete fulfillment. Today the American shipyard, world leader in terms of production, has developed a personal yet universal touch, that complies not only to European markets (and the Mediterranean in particular), but also to the emerging ones in the Eastern world, where the combination of building quality, marine skills and Mediterranean love for the sun is especially appreciated.
Sea Ray 400 Sundancer: the deck
The model on test features dark-blue topsides and this unfortunately covers the graphic play of the side windows, which marks the sides and reflects Sea Ray family feeling, providing loads of natural light to the interior. The sharp bow and the sleek top which covers the cockpit almost entirely are the other distinctive traits of the exterior.
Sea Ray 400 Sundancer can sport a swim platform in two different sizes, or even a diving one, which is good for swimming but especially for launching and hauling a pram or a jet ski. What I like most in this area though is the grill, far enough from the cockpit not to annoy guests, but close enough to serve them quickly. The cockpit features an L-couch to starboard with a folding table, while to port there’s the steps to the passageways, not very wide, but equipped with handrails and with a high stanchion for easy access to the bow sundeck.
Sea Ray 400 Sundancer: interiors
The layout is simple but just as practical. The starboard side of the Sea Ray 400 Sundancer salon houses the dinette with an L-shaped sofa and, to bow, the double seat of the dashboard, which keeps the successful design of the entire Sea Ray range. To starboard, the TV cabinet, a double sofa and the galley complete the features. The wide opening of the roof and the huge side windows provide great brightness inside and give full continuity between indoors and outdoors. Down the companionway there’s two cabins with en-suite (a second option sports one head and more space for cabinets and closets). The master stateroom is forward, and enjoys all the light that filters through the portholes mentioned above. The second cabin is amidships and on our boat features three bunks, but of course you can opt for a low cabinet on the starboard side. Common traits are an excellent workmanship and the high quality of all materials: fabrics, leather, wood. As for the quality of the fiberglass…we are talking Sea Ray!
Sea Ray 400 Sundancer: the test
Our test boat has been in the water many months so the hull is not in perfect conditions. So, despite the oil-flat sea outside Bandelieu, performance and consumption are affected. Leaving the harbor I immediately appreciate the “must-have” maneuvering joystick. Progression is good, the plane is reached with a hint of nose-up which doesn’t hinder visibility, while the speed performance is limited by the mentioned conditions of the hull. The real plus with Sea Ray 400 Sundancer is the handling: the boat is responsive to the helm inputs without being nervous, and copies driver’s commands with immediate changes of direction and ever tighter turns. The minimum plane is at 1850 rpm and 11.3 knots, for a consumption of 70 liters per hour, but even at a cruising speed of 20 knots the fuel need remains tolerable. I try to cross our wake to test the hull (which boasts a sporty 17° deadrise) and I am confirmed that we need much, much more to compromise the boat’s seaworthiness. With no creaking nor thuds, the Sea Ray 400 Sundancer cruises smooth and quiet. There’s more about this American beauties: read our tests of Sea Ray 510 Sundancer and Sea Ray L590
The numbers of Sea Ray 400 Sundancer
- Length overall …………………………………… 13.26/12.20 m (43ft 6in / 40ft)
- Beam ……………………………………………… 4.11 (13ft 6in)
- Draft ……………………………………………….. 1.01 (3ft 4in)
- Displacement …………………………………….. 19,686 Kg
- Engines ……………………………………………. Cummins QSB 480 6.7 T3 2×459 HP
- Fuel reserve ………………………………………. 1211 l (320 US gal)
- Fresh water reserve ……………………………… 378 l (100 US gal)
- Passengers ………………………………………… 6
Performance
- 600 rpm ……….. 4,3 knots ………….. 4,9 mph ………. 2,5 lph ……….. 1,72 nm/l ……….. 1666 range* …….. 54 dB
- 1000 rpm ……….. 6,7 knots ………….. 7,7 mph ………. 12 lph …………. 0,56 nm/l …………. 541 range*……… 62 dB
- 1500 rpm………… 8,9 knots …………. 10,2 mph ………. 37 lph …………. 0,24 nm/l ………… 233 range*……… 75 dB
- 2000 rpm ………..13,0 knots …………. 15,0 mph ……… 77 lph…………. 0,17 nm/l ………… 164 range*……… 77 dB
- 2500 rpm ……….. 20,0 knots …………. 23,0 mph ……… 126 lph………… 0,16 nm/l …………. 154 range*……… 77 dB
- 3000 rpm ……….. 27,0 knots …………. 31,1 mph ……… 183 lph……….. 0,15 nm/l …………. 143 range*……… 78 dB
*(20% reserve)
Test conditions
Calm sea, temperature 29°C (84° F), soiled hull, fuel 120 l (32 US gal), water 360 l (95 US gal), passengers 2
Indicative price (VAT not included):
- with Cummins QSB 480 6.7 T3 2×459 HP from € 525.000
