Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Coupe Reviewed
Dancing on Water
If a versatile, sporty, well refined bowrider coupe cruiser with high-powered outboards appeals to you, the latest Sea Ray 320 Sundancer Coupe OB may just be the ideal fit.
Renowned dealer Queensland Marine Centre (QMC) supplies an extensive and quality range of top imported brands to the Australian market. The legendary Boston Whalers, Mastercraft surf/wakeboarding boats, Crest Pontoons, Protector RIBS, Mercury, and an executive range of Sea Ray boats covers every aspect of boating — so it’s not surprising that they are a force to be reckoned with. With the latest addition of the Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Coupe (outboard) to the QMC fleet, they are certainly taking sport cruising to the next level.
IT’S ALL IN THE DESIGN
Let’s take a closer look at what the Sea Ray 320 Sundancer Coupe Outboard has to offer. The stylish, sharp, and soft combo of modern lines is eye-catching to say the least. Now to be honest, I’m huge fan of the big Yank centre consoles and sport fishers — but the addition of high-powered outboards and bowrider versatility to the 320 Sundancer certainly caught at my attention.
Designed to suit day-boating with a touch of luxe, the 320 Sundancer Coupe is just as good as an overnighter/weekender in my opinion, having numerous creature comforts included. Stepping aboard, you don’t have the benefits of a full swim-platform due to the new outboard configuration. However, this is a small compromise as the outboards can be fully trimmed out of the water, eliminating excess leg maintenance, and enabling easier servicing. It’s a neat and compact install with ample room to move on either side, as well as having direct access to the separate battery switch and shore-power hatch as well as a colossal storage hatch for gear.
A few steps up then leads to the open plan cockpit, and I must say that Sea Ray have done a sterling job at creating an ideal setting for those that like open air entertaining. It’s a beamy hull that maximises the internal cockpit area, allowing for a spacious wrap around lounge, reversable port helm seating, a wet-bar with fridge, sink and grill, as well as twin captains seating to create the ideal social cockpit setting. I do like the teak flooring option box ticked as it really adds a classy touch to the new 320, as well as the rear electric sunshade. A canvas sunroof built into the hard-top and a fully covered cockpit giving you the option to head out in all seasons.
At the helm, the captain has 360-degree views through the front screens and side glass, as well as a stylish black dash consisting of dual Simrad units, Mercury Vessel View, and numerous electronics panels for accessories. I also like the control position having a dedicated side moulding with joystick control positioned for easy access behind the binnacle, rather than up on the dash.
As standard, most sport-cruisers have limited access to the fore deck or bow, however, Sea Rays innovative port side walk-through opens up to another new world of sociability.
A trio of stylish lounges or day beds with audio control and sunshade options form the new bow configuration, as well as enabling easy access to the windlass anchor system. A bow-ladder might be an option to add, however would need to be customised due to the bow height.
Below decks you have the cabin, consisting of a spacious lounge with table insert that drops to form the V-berth, as well as a low-profiled berth in the midships with twin singles that convert to a king-sized bed. The head amenities are fair sized with shower and vanity included, and I like the fact there’s a fridge and microwave tucked away on the port side rather than having a full galley taking up valuable real estate below decks — in my opinion the cockpit wet-bar is the ideal spot to cook and prep food.
Aside from the abundance of standard and refined features onboard, the optional aircon to cabin and cockpit is well worth it regardless of which state you live in.
SPORTING COUPE
The days of granny and grandad cruising are long gone, and whether it be stern-drives or outboard powered, sizeable cruisers are becoming more like sports boats. With new hulls designed to handle rougher water at speed, 35–45 knot top-ends are common — and with the new addition of outboard power, this appeals to me and certainly has its merits in a number of areas.
Back at the helm, the slick Mercury digital controls, Mercury vessel view and joystick control creates smooth and seamless operating of the 320 Sundancer. Powered for performance, the Mercury 350hp supercharged Verado’s are the perfect match with hole-shot being smooth and quick, considering the size and weight of the 320. On the plane she comfortably cruises at a quiet 4300RPM/18–20 knots, and economy sitting around 91L/h combined.
Knock the hammers down and this sporty cruiser hops up to a healthy 39–41 knots at WOT, depending on wind and load. Revs sit at 6400RPM and economy jumping to around 210L/h.
For those not fazed about high performance, you can still cruise or putt along at a mellow and economical speed of around 10 knots. 2000RPM produces 9.26 knots speed and gentle economy of 20.8L/h fuel consumption — sounds like a good offshore trolling speed to me.
We tested in some odd conditions for a change, with a perfectly timed winter storm pumping 25 knots through the Gold Coast seaway. When it comes to the ride and handling, then, it’s no doubt a sporty cruiser of note when you dial up the revs. With a 21-degree deadrise and 7 tonnes of weight, the ride is pretty soft and dry in the rough. Although not a dedicated offshore boat, I would be happy to run it offshore for the odd fish, and I would certainly be adding a few fishing accessories to suit. Overall, the Merc Verados are exceptionally quiet and smooth running in the background and, with the optional joystick control, docking, manoeuvring, and slow cruising a breeze.
WRAP
Again, I’m an avid fan of the high-powered Yank centre consoles geared up for serious offshore runs and fishing. The coupe cruiser style of boat however is growing on me quickly as the ideal family or weekender vessel. The Sea Ray Sundancer 320 Coupe is ideal for quick day-boating trips in style, as well as equally good for weekends on the water with the family in tow. Tricked up with all the best gear, bells, and whistles, they do come in at a premium price — as to be expected — however the standard 320 Sundancer starts at very competitive price of around $570K.
Regardless of preferences, the Sea Ray Sundancer Coupe’s are available in a range of sizes from 26ft to just on 40ft, in twin or trip outboards, or stern-drive configurations. Overall, the 320 Sundancer presents as an easy to handle, stylish looking, and nicely laid out sports cruiser with refined finishes and sporty performance.
Facts & Figures
Sea Ray 320 Sundancer Coupe OB
PRICE AS TESTED
$704,900
OPTIONS FITTED
Twin 350hp Mercury Verado wht ob with joystick control, full coupe hard top enclosure, generator kohler 220v/50, air con/heat,cockpit/cabin 220v, dual simrad digital dash w/merc v/view link 12”, blue led lighting package, grill cockpit, built in 220v, teak flooring - c/pit/ bow/ swim platform, thru hull under water lights - blue, windlass-electric w/chain & ss anchor, 220 vac/50 cycle elect system, adjustable v-berth table support, bow table & dedicated storage, camper canvas package, cockpit fridge dual volt 220v/50-12v, extended sunshade, hull side colour - steel gray, opening canvas section-fiberglass h/top, sunshade for bow seating
PRICED FROM
$570,000 Including Twin Mercury® 350 Verado® Outboards with Joystick Piloting.
GENERAL
TYPE Sports Cruiser
MATERIAL GRP
LENGTH 9.88m (32ft 5in)
BEAM 3.23m (10ft 7in)
WEIGHT 7000kg
DEADRISE 21 degrees
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE 14
BERTHS 4
REC. HP Twin 350hp
MAX. HP Triple 250hp
FUEL 598L
WATER RAW 106L
WATER FRESH 121L
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL MERCURY VERADO 350hp, White with joystick control
TYPE Inline 6 DOHC 24-valve / supercharged 4-stroke
WEIGHT 303kg dry
DISPLACEMENT 2600 cc
GEAR RATIO 1.75/1
PROPELLER REV4 15P
MANUFACTURED BY
Sea Ray
SUPPLIED BY
Queensland Marine Centre (QMC)
Unit 10, 71 Shipper Drive, Coomera QLD 4209
Ph 07 5519 9035
E sales@qmc.com.au
W qmc.com.au