The Sea Ray 340 Sundancer is Sea Ray’s new flagship in their cruiser line. She comes standard with TVD-MX 6.2 LMPI MercCruiser gasoline v-drives. The Sea Ray 340 delivered a smooth ride and handled nicely. Her length overall hinders her from making tight turns without coming off step.

The 340’s helm features a wood accented control station which includes custom back lit instrumentation panel, dual shift and throttle controls, waterproof switch pads and SmartCraft diagnostics. The helm layout has double bucket helm seats with flip up thigh-rise bolsters, a port side bucket companion seat with flip up bolsters and a spacious U-shaped aft seats.

You will want to add the new optional SmartCraft system view for at-a-glance monitoring of air and water temperatures, fuel flow range, maintenance records and more. For an added measure of confidence for docking, an optional bow thruster is also available. In the cabin, the new 340 Sundancer is impressive with a bright wide-open salon with deep cherry wood finishes and large mirrors throughout. An unbelievable amount of storage space is found under the cabinets and the salon v-berth. A forward hatch with sky-screen cover and bonded and circular skylights add to the feeling of spaciousness.

In keeping with the new exterior styling, sleek curves are the order of the day with a large crescent shaped sofa that converts to a bed for extra guests. The convenient dinette table has its own designated storage compartment for fast, easy stowing if extra floor space is needed. You will find a Clarion single CD stereo system with 6-disc changer and digital cockpit remote control. Another standard feature is the 13” TV/VCR. An optional stereo remote from the transom is also available.

You will find extra storage space in the 340 Sundancer’s easy to reach gunwale cabinets and a generous floor compartment. The galley hosts an unbelievable amount of counter space along with a two-burner stove, microwave, and refrigerator. There is also a fully enclosed fiberglass head with a vacu-flush head, shower, sink and vanity.

The large cockpit area has everything for relaxing and entertaining which includes a refreshment center with a wet bar and cooler. The portside wet bar has a sink with faucet, icemaker, and plenty of storage space. In the cockpit, you will also find beverage holders, snap-in carpet liner, acrylic transom door, a self-draining fiberglass floor liner, indirect lighting, extra storage below the helm seats, and a cockpit table with sun pad filler cushion with stainless steel handrails.

After having spent some time on Sea Ray’s 340 Sundancer for 2003, I found the boat to be very nicely laid out in the cabin and in the cockpit. The helm is what a captain would want a helm to be. The standard instruments and controls are great and the optional electronics are to die for! The boat handled well in close quarter maneuverings without a bow thruster. However, the option of having a bow thruster is recommended. I found the salon to be unbelievably roomy and spacious for a 34-foot boat. Sea Ray has kept their word regarding creating a racy new profile for the 340 Sundancer. I think they may be on to something when they say they are setting new trends in the cockpit area. It was a pleasurable experience to put the 2003 340 Sun Dancer through its paces.

By Capt. Kedd Lytton-Smith

Test Captain

Speeds measured with Stalker ProSports radar gun. Fuel consumption (gallons per hour) measured with Floscan digital fuel-flow meter on gas inboards, sterndrives, and outboards, TechMate electronic scan tool on gas EFI inboards, Caterpillar digital fuel-flow meter on diesel engines, or permanently installed fuel-monitoring equipment. Range is based on 90% of published fuel capacity. Sound levels determined using Radio Shack digital decibel meter on A scale. 68 dBA is the level of normal conversation.

Performance Chart

Test Conditions