1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

[starksy423]

Hey all,

I'm looking at buying a boat, and found a 230DA that I really like.

Have you owned/do you own one? What did you love about it? Hate about it?

I know I'll get a better answer from the Internet than the dealership. Any input from all of you would be awesome.

Cheers!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

What type of boating do you do, and what is your intended use of the boat in terms of how many people, activities, and body of water?

 

[starksy423]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

I'll be doing a combination of freshwater (Lake Washington and Lake Union) and saltwater (Puget Sound), with anywhere from 8 people during an afternoon to 4 people for overnight trips.

I'm already convinced that I want a Sundancer, especially after spending the last few seasons with my friend on his 220DA. What I'm more concerned with are issues other people have had specific to this particular model and layout. Is the engine hard to access for servicing? Is there enough storage space in the cabin? Is the design particularly susceptible to certain types of leaks or damage? That sort of thing.

Thanks for the response.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

I don't know about overnighting 4 people on the 230. It's really only a 2-person berth unless you are going to put up the canvas and have two sleep in the cockpit. I'd think a 250/260 model would be better suited to a 4-person overnighter. Getting 8 people in that boat is going to be an absolute cramped mess. I bet 6 people topside would be pushing it. Remember that half of the boat's length is taken up by cabin/berth, and no one wants to ride in a hot cabin during the day. Everyone will want to be topdeck.

 

[starksy423]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

It has the V-berth and a mid cabin, so it should sleep at least four comfortably. That's my big reason for going with the Sundancer as opposed to an Express Cruiser, Weekender, or other similar cabin cruisers.

Here's the layout and specs. The boat I'm looking at has all the optional equipment installed: http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNQSH759.pdf

Eight doesn't seem like a stretch. The U-seat should fit at least four, maybe five. The front bench can fit another two, maybe three. With all the additional room in the cabin, and the sun deck on the bow (for when we're floating), that gives me plenty of boat to handle it.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

I'm already convinced that I want a Sundancer, especially after spending the last few seasons with my friend on his 220DA. What I'm more concerned with are issues other people have had specific to this particular model and layout. Is the engine hard to access for servicing? Is there enough storage space in the cabin? Is the design particularly susceptible to certain types of leaks or damage? That sort of thing.

Thanks for the response.

all of your concerns are really not much, Sea Rays are fine boats well within my personal top ten in quality.

Layout is up to you though if thats what you like then thats your boat, for me personally I'm not into that layout but then I boat differently then you do, engine layout, my friend your over thinking this, boats simply don't have much room so being a contortionist to work on the motor is part of the deal, I have a Bow Rider with a wide open layout and working on the motor is a pain in the behind.

Storage space, again, there is never enough storage on a boat, but I find as you learn more about boating you learn to do more with less, or you find a nice 35' boat LOL

Don't forget that if you are buying used the care the boat has had over its lifetime is much more important then the make, I like to say that a Cobalt owned by a an owner that doesn't care is worth less to you then a Bayliner owned by someone who thought of his boat as his baby.

Also don't forget pics when you get it!!

 

[starksy423]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

all of your concerns are really not much, Sea Rays are fine boats well within my personal top ten in quality.

Layout is up to you though if thats what you like then thats your boat, for me personally I'm not into that layout but then I boat differently then you do, engine layout, my friend your over thinking this, boats simply don't have much room so being a contortionist to work on the motor is part of the deal, I have a Bow Rider with a wide open layout and working on the motor is a pain in the behind.

Storage space, again, there is never enough storage on a boat, but I find as you learn more about boating you learn to do more with less, or you find a nice 35' boat LOL

Don't forget that if you are buying used the care the boat has had over its lifetime is much more important then the make, I like to say that a Cobalt owned by a an owner that doesn't care is worth less to you then a Bayliner owned by someone who thought of his boat as his baby.

Also don't forget pics when you get it!!

Thanks for the input. I will definitely update with pics if this goes through.

Cheers!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

welcome to Iboats. the 230DA will be a fine boat for overnights, however may get cramped with 8 people unless you toss a couple down below or strap to the swim platform

 

[starksy423]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

welcome to Iboats. the 230DA will be a fine boat for overnights, however may get cramped with 8 people unless you toss a couple down below or strap to the swim platform

Thanks for the reply.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

It has the V-berth and a mid cabin, so it should sleep at least four comfortably. That's my big reason for going with the Sundancer as opposed to an Express Cruiser, Weekender, or other similar cabin cruisers.

Here's the layout and specs. The boat I'm looking at has all the optional equipment installed: http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNQSH759.pdf

Eight doesn't seem like a stretch. The U-seat should fit at least four, maybe five. The front bench can fit another two, maybe three. With all the additional room in the cabin, and the sun deck on the bow (for when we're floating), that gives me plenty of boat to handle it.

The only express cruiser in that class that I ever though had practical cabin accommodations for 4 is the 25' Larson Hampton/San Marino models. A friend has one and I've always been impressed at how well it was laid out. The later Cabrio models are the same as everybody else's- cramped.

Thanks for the reply.

As the former owner of a 24' Chris*Craft express cruiser (the Sundancer IS an express cruiser, btw), I can tell you that unless the other 2 overnighters are very little kids, sleeping 4 is gonna be a problem. You and your wife better actually try that v-berth, too. 8 in the cockpit? No room to move.

Not trying to rain on your parade, but you're asking a lot of a 23'er. Searay's (and everybody else's) 'max capacity' advertising simply means... 'if you pack 'em in like sardines, this is how many you can cram into it.'

My .02

 

[R_squared]

Re: 1994 230 Sundancer - Hey Owners!

Hey all,

I'm looking at buying a boat, and found a 230DA that I really like.

Have you owned/do you own one? What did you love about it? Hate about it?

I know I'll get a better answer from the Internet than the dealership. Any input from all of you would be awesome.

Cheers![/QUOTEe ]

I have the very same boat and have been running it for the last 3 seasons. Love the boat. It has the 5L (305) engine in it and is very economical to run. It's draft is small enough to get into areas bigger boats can't for anchorage. Been all over the gulf islands from Thetis to Roche Harbor with usually 4 people on board. Have had 6 adults and 4 kids on board but for only short trips. Sleeping has been fine for 2 adults and 2 kids. 4 adults is a bit cramped for overnight, but doeable...
Hope you enjoy the boat as much as we have.
Rick