Sea Ray 240 Sundancer

By Capt. Bob Smith

Test Captain

Sea Ray is a regular on BoatTEST and that allows us a unique perspective to their line. Year in and year out they continue to design and deliver boats that are well-thought out and responsive to the customer’s needs. They continually review their line and have customer focus groups to find out just what you want. The new 240 Sundancer is a fine example of delivering a pocket cruiser to the family with today’s needs clearly in mind. With the reintroduction of this model, Sea Ray completely redesigned the cockpit to provide their customers with more space to entertain.

At the Bow

Going forward is a simple task with the built-in steps at the dash and the wide walkthrough Taylor Made windshield. Aggressive grip surfaces help insure good footing. A large hatch allows air and light to enter the spacious cabin below. Our test boat came equipped with an optional windlass. Now you might not think that a windlass is necessary for this size boat, but the convenience factor, especially when short-handed and with kids aboard makes this one of the great add-ons for this model. Our model also had the optional spotlight with joystick control for picking the buoys out during a dark night approach. Sea Ray has moved all the engine fills to help prevent the accidental mix-up that may happen. The 240 SD has the water fill up front and the fuel fill in the back. This doesn’t prevent the accidental cross contamination, but it certainly helps.

New Layout

Moving on to the cockpit, the port side seating area is completely different from any layout I have ever seen. Instead of a bench with lounger back, they designed a new arrangement with two individual seats. A unique table system is between them for snacks and beverages. This table pivots out or stays flipped in place. The nice thing about that is if you jump up to grab a line and bump into the table, it will give way and spin into the stored position. The stern seat it is no longer a flip up/down seat, now it is a bench with storage below and a higher seatback. This is telling of the 240’s transition to a primary entertainment platform and no longer a combination fish and entertainment platform--take a look at their Amberjack line if that is appeals to you. Just behind the helm is an entertainment center for preparing and serving snacks and beverages at anchor and underway. A freshwater stainless steel sink with stainless steel rings for cup holders has a carry-on cooler underneath. The rings are a change here. Now the dew from the drinks doesn’t pool up in the bottom of a cup holder and drain into the cabinet below, it simply rolls off the counter top and onto the deck.

Helm Features

The helm station now has a low-glare beige finish for less eye strain and clearer view of the instrumentation when underway during bright daylight runs. A large area to the left of the wheel is ready for add-on electronic navigation gear. The joystick for the optional spotlight is also over here with the stereo remote. All the instruments have soft blue lighting for easy-on-the-eyes viewing at night. A really outstanding feature here is the Mercury SmartCraft. Mercury SmartCraft diagnostics monitor engine performance with precision and help you stay in control. The helm seat on this model is a double-wide seat with slide adjustment and bolster. The driver also has a dry box for wallets and licenses at the helm.

Below Deck

Sea Ray customers and focus groups told the designers they wanted a berth that was truly large enough to comfortably sleep two normal sized adults. Therefore the designers pushed the galley a little further back allowing more room for the V-berth, which now can accommodate two six-foot adults. During the day, this area is roomy enough for all to join around the table for snacks or a quick hand of cards at anchor. The galley features a large countertop for food preparation, covered sink and a refrigerator/freezer below. The galley also includes a microwave oven as well as housing the power distribution panel. Storage in the galley is limited, but the trade-off is more usable space in the V-berth/settee area. The full fiberglass enclosed head features a shower and portable toilet. A pump-out or a Vacu-flush head is optional. The mid-stateroom is a double bunk with privacy curtain; this space will be great for the kids to sleep.

Inventive ideas continue at the stern of the 240 SD where there is now a stern trunk for the lines and shore cords. Line organizers are across the back of the interior space. The cords run through the trunk lid and plug in to the port side well away from water intrusion. The swim ladder is tucked under the swim platform keeping the topsides completely clean. The entire stern area lifts for great access to the power plant for pre-launch checks and routine maintenance.

Specs

The redesigned 240 Sundancer with the standard swim platform measures 24’6’’ inches length overall. She carries a beam width of 8’6” and a dry weight of 5,593 lbs. The 240 SD requires a draft clearance of 37” with the outdrive fully extended and 20” with it tilted fully up. She has a fuel capacity of 75 gallons and can carry 20 gallons of fresh water. Standard propulsion is a 5 L 260-hp MerCruiser MPI with Bravo III sterndrive. Optional power includes gasoline power up to a 6.2 L MerCruiser MPI Horizon with 320-hp or a diesel Volvo 157-hp D3-160DPS.

Performance

We tested the 2006 240 Sundancer on Tellico Lake outside of Sea Ray’s Knoxville plant. She cruised most economically at 3500 rpm traveling 30.6 mph for a full tank range of 225 miles. She is on plane in 7.2 seconds and up to 30 mph in 15.9 seconds and at top end achieved 46.5 mph.

This boat has handling that was light to the touch with fingertip wheel control and carved tight turns underway.

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