The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer provides a comfortable ride and with the optional Axius joystick she's easier to maneuver than ever.

V-drives and 310-hp engines used to be the standard for this model. Sea Ray listens to its customer feedback, and that paved the way for the 375-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engines with Bravo 3 outdrives as the new standard. But rest assured, if you’re a big fan of V-drives, they’re still available. Of course some people may lack of confidence to move up to a boat this size and that is why we tested this latest model with Axius joystick functionality. Now she docks as easy she drives.

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The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer provides a comfortable ride and with the optional Axius joystick she's easier to maneuver than ever.

Mission Statement

Sea Ray’s mission with the 370 Sundancer is to create a capable cruiser that offers two couples overnight privacy while still being able to add convertible accommodations for another two people. She also has outstanding entertaining capabilities and excellent handling characteristics.

Distinguishing Features

• Standard air conditioning – This is an item nearly always relegated to the options list, but this 370 Sundancer comes standard with a 16,000 BTU reverse cycle system.

• Maple hardwood flooring – It's much more common to see faux teak flooring or perhaps even vinyl decking, but Sea Ray went with the maple hardwood flooring. Not only that, it also has a distressed look just as in quality homes.

• Standard molded hardtop – This is also an item typically relegated to the options list and we’re glad to see it standard, as it really adds to the looks, as well as the all-weather functionality.

• Side decks – On a boat with a windshield walk-through side decks are usually left out of the equation to add a little more space to the cockpit deck. With her 12’ (3.66 m) wide beam, Sea Ray thoughtfully added the 13” (33.02 cm) side decks to ease handling lines.

• Speakers at the sun pad – Here’s a first…. the rails to the outside of the two bow sun pads have stainless steel speakers mounted to them. This is certainly a place that I’d want to listen to some relaxing music (if I ever relaxed in the sun, but I hear some people do).

• Double-wide full-swivel helm seat – The helm and companion seat can rotate around to face guests in the cockpit for apres boating cocktails.



The 370 Sundancer’s long bow and narrow entry help keep spray down and out providing a dry ride.

Handling

In my opinion, the 370 Sundancer handles much like the smaller sportboats. With the Bravo 3 outdrives she’s very responsive to control inputs and it's easy to get aggressive with her handling. I also found her low speed maneuverability to be outstanding as she responds quickly to differential controls and rotates with the pivot point being right at the helm position.

Upon accelerating her bow comes up 12-degrees, and because the bow is so far ahead of the helm you will lose sight of the horizon for a few seconds.

When turning, the 370 Sundancer seems to be very agile. She can easily take a turn at full speed, but any land-based guests may find that a little disconcerting. She leans only 7-degrees into the turn and tends to dig her forward shoulder in during the turn. This brings the bow down improving visibility while at the same time causing speed to bleed off to more manageable levels. In other words, even if you decide not to be easy on your guests the 370 Sundancer will be. And since this boat has a standard hardtop make sure that you clear the area before entering a port turn as the hardtop will come down into your line of sight.

When you take power off she'll settle back into the water stern first which again momentarily brings the bow up into your line of sight.



The main deck layout of the Sea Ray 370 Sundancer.



This is one interior option: note the mid cabin lounge arrangement and the elongated sofa.



An optional arrangement calls for a full double bed in the mid cabin with a privacy bulkhead and door and a small setting area.

Performance

The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer has an LOA of 37'6" (11.4 m), a beam of 12’ (3.66 m) and a draft of 37” (94 cm). With an empty weight of 18,064 lbs. (8194 kg), 166 gallons (628.4 L) of fuel and two people on board we had a test weight of 19,480 lbs. (8836 kg).

With a pair of 375-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engines driving Bravo 3 outdrives we reached a top speed at 4800 rpm and 43.8 mph. At that speed we had a fuel burn of 51 gph giving us a range of 162 miles. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm and 27.3 mph. That speed reduced the fuel burn to 27.75 gph which the 370 Sundancer could maintain for 7 hours and 18 min and 200 miles while still maintaining a 10% reserve.

She reached planing speed at 5 seconds, accelerated to 20 mph in 8.1 seconds, 30 mph in 14.2 seconds, and continued accelerating through 40 mph and 25.4 seconds.

Features Walk-Through

Starting at the stern the 370 Sundancer has a full beam swim platform that comes out 2’ (.6 m) and then there is a step above going to the deployable bustle seat. Our test boat was equipped with an optional extended swim platform that comes out another 2'3" (.68 m). It doesn't go quite full beam, but it does run 8'6" (2.59 m). The standard swim platform has steps that extend out to the sides so you can easily board the 370 Sundancer from a floating dock. In both quarters there are 10” (25.4 cm) stainless steel cleats and they are custom made with the Sea Ray logo cast into them.

The deployable stern bustle seat opens very easily. There is a latch on the top that releases and then the seat comes down aided by a gas-assist strut. With the seat in the deployed position there is a barrel-bolt over to the port-hand side that will release the seat back from a hinged panel to access the storage area underneath the seat.

To the port hand side is a hatch leading to the shore power cords, the master breakers for the 120 V cords, the freshwater outlet, TV and phone jack and the city water inlets. At the bottom of the hatch is a notch for allowing the shore cords to run out, and then they just simply run across the swim platform. I'd like to see a channel in the swim platform with a cover over it so that the cords can run underneath without causing a tripping hazard. Also in the two quarters of the swim platform are speakers which compliment the aft section as an entertainment center. In addition to being able to board from the swim platform there are steps to the port and starboard side of the cockpit leading up to the exceedingly wide caprails at 13” (33.02 cm).

Entering the Cockpit

The entryway to the cockpit is over to the starboard side and right in the entryway is a hot and cold transom shower and an acrylic boarding gate that allows the captain to see through from the helm, giving a clear sightline to the end of the swim platform when backing into a slip. The door is a lift and open arrangement and I find that in the closed position it remains very solid.



The acrylic gate allows continual sightlines to the stern so backing into a slip with the gate in the closed position is not a problem. The optional electric grill can be seen recessed into the counter of the wet bar.

Just inside, there’s a storage hatch to the starboard side bulwarks and that hatch has a micro switch inside so that when it's in the open position the electric lift engine hatch will not function.

Standard Wet Bar

The cockpit itself features L-shaped seating with storage underneath all seats. To starboard is a standard wet bar and on our test boat we had an optional 110v electric smokeless grill installed. A single basin stainless steel sink is just forward surrounded by a stainless grab handle. Underneath are two hatches, one gives access to an optional air compressor line for inflating water toys with a switch just above to activate the compressor. Just below the stove is an optional dual voltage Dometic refrigerator. Another speaker is just above the range.

Above it all is a very large hardtop, which is standard on the 370 Sundancer and it includes a forward opening sun hatch in the center. There are two white LED lights just ahead of the hatch that I’d like to see cycle through blue, red and white. Sea Ray included flush-mounted rod holders in the caprails. There is a pedestal for a teak table and a lower pedestal will turn the entire L-shaped seating into a sun lounge.

Under the observer’s seat is space for a pullout 36-quart (34L) cooler and there are brackets to hold this cooler in position. The hatch opens down and lays flush against the deck and is held in position by a stainless steel piano hinge.

Engine Compartment

A pushbutton at the helm actuates the electric lift engine room hatch (provided the previously mentioned bulwarks storage door is closed) and there is access in and out of the cockpit with the hatch in the open position. Our test boat was powered by twin 375-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engines with SeaCore corrosion protection. To the starboard side is a 4KW low-CO emission Kohler generator. To the port side are the holding tanks. We also have a fixed firefighting system installed as standard equipment.



With the engine hatch lifted there is access in and out of the cockpit. There is a surprisingly large amount of space ahead of the engines and even a ladder leading into the compartment.

Both hydraulic engine hatch actuators can be removed so the hatch will open fully for more intensive maintenance on the engines. There is a removable step ladder leading down into the engine compartment with plenty of room ahead of the engines for doing any service.

Helm Area

Moving forward, the helm area is on the same level as the main cockpit deck. The seats are on elevated positions 7 ½” (19.05 cm) up from the main deck which allows more room down below in the mid cabin. The observer seat is a 2’ (.6 m) wide bucket seat. It slides and swivels and there is a sizable stainless steel grab handle just forward 1” (2.54 cm) thick as well as the conveniently located stainless steel windshield frame that I find strong and beefy, and I quite naturally found my hand on it during the entire test run. Two stainless steel drink holders are just ahead.

Helm Seating

The helm over to starboard features a double-wide captain’s seat measuring 21” (53.34 cm) each for both the driver and observer. Both have flip-up bolsters and slide fore and aft. I appreciate the fact that Sea Ray included flip down foot rests for both positions, and while some tall captains may not appreciate it, short ones such as me will.



I was so comfortable behind this helm that actually started to forget I was supposed to be testing this boat.

The double-wide helm seat swivels around to face the action in the cockpit which makes the entire helm and cockpit deck into a very intimate gathering area. With the seat in the rotated position there is room behind the seat for the captain to be at the helm. The flip-down footrests also serve well when the seat is rotated into the aft position so that when you're facing the crowd you still have a place to rest your feet. The seat latches into two positions, one at a 90-degree angle and another at 45.



The helm and companion seat swivel to increase effective entertaining possibilities.

Helm Console

The helm is very nicely laid out with burl wood accents surrounded by a tan fiberglass console to reduce glare. On our test model, a hybrid Raymarine nav display was over to the portside. All switches are pushbutton and waterproof and flank the SmartCraft vessel view display. Even with the Vessel View display it's nice to see that there analog gauges running along the top of the console.



The helm is attractive and functional with the wheel matching the burl wood panel.

Power Quadrant

The Axius control pad is over to the starboard side and on our test boat included the Skyhook position keeping feature with auto heading control and tracking to waypoint. The MerCruiser sticks are the Digital Throttle and Shift system, or DTS, which includes trolling mode, a low-speed docking mode, single lever and throttle only mode. Further aft is the Axius joystick that is positioned very nicely so that when you are facing aft it falls very naturally to my left-hand.



Ergonomics certainly come into play at the 370 Sundancer helm. Notice how comfortably positioned the joystick is set back into a narrow slip.



There’s more than enough standing headroom under the standard hardtop. The flip-up bolster serves as more of a leaning post than an elevated seat.

Walk-Through Windshield

Going up to the bow, the hatch to the cabin has integrally molded steps that are at a 30-degree angle which I found comfortable, and I noticed that I did not have to duck my head to avoid hitting the forward edge of the standard hardtop. The walk-through windshield has two interconnected latches that so turning the top one also turns the bottom one. There's a grab handle over the hardtop for assistance when moving back into the cockpit.



The upper section of the walk-through windshield drops down to provide added ventilation to the cockpit.



Even though there is a center-mounted windshield walk-through to the bow there are also 13” (33.02 cm) wide side decks to both port and starboard. In addition to being able to board the 370 Sundancer from the swim platform there are steps leading up to the caprails to both port and starboard for boarding from a fixed pier.

Foredeck

At the working end of the bow the rails come up 24” (61 cm) which complies with ABYC standards. To the portside are foot controls for the Quick windlass which is under a concealed hatch. There's an 8” (20.32 cm) cleat for securing the anchor rode and an access hatch allows you to get underneath to manage any tangles. Underneath this hatch the deck is angled towards the bow channeling all water out either side of the stainless steel anchor chute. To the port side of the hatch is a remote control spotlight.



The optional remote spotlight is mounted off to the side of the foredeck and behind are the foot controls for the windlass.



The windlass is concealed under a hatch in this compartment is angled forward so washdown water will run out alongside the anchor shoot.

Sun Room

In the center of the foredeck is a double-wide sunpad that is adjustable to come up into the chaise lounge position and locks into three separate positions, plus laying flat of course. Our test boat was equipped with two stainless steel speakers mounted to the grab rails on both sides of the sunpad.

Lower Deck

The companionway has floating teak and holly tread stairs that are secured to a metal frame support. Immediately to port is the head. There is a separate compartment for the shower and the standard Vacuflush toilet and another compartment for the sink. Decking is a low-maintenance teak grained vinyl. There is a hull side window with an opening portlight embedded in the window and a full-length mirror on the inside of the door.



The head has a separate compartment for the shower/toilet and sink area.

Galley

To port is the galley with 4'7" (1.4 m) of available counter space and the counters are designed to provide the familiarity of home with a 38” (95.5 cm) height. Headroom starts off at 6’7” (2 m) at the entry and drops to only 6’1” (1.85 m) at the forward berth. Off to the forward section is a double-burner electric Kenyon stove that is recessed into the solid surface counter which eliminates the need for sea rails. A micro-switch is on the left-hand side shutting the grill off when the cover is in the closed position. Just ahead is a single basin stainless sink. Outboard, and towards the port hullside window, is a deep and lengthy storage compartment. A microwave is above. Down below is a refrigerator. A cabinet houses a refrigerated drawer along with two storage drawers and under the sink is a waste basket and a sea rail is just below the sink.



This is the open mid cabin arrangement that most people with families prefer.



There’s plenty of headroom in the cabin and elongated skylights allow natural light to enter the room. The deck is all distressed maple hardwood flooring that gives the entire cabin a vintage yachty look.



The counter is 38” (95.5 cm) in height. Notice the floating teak and holly steps and the hand rail by the sink.

Forward Berth

Forward is a queen-size island berth that is accessible from both the port and starboard sides with storage cabinets to either side. There are also additional storage compartments forward, above the berth. A hatch is overhead with both a screen and a blackout shade and the entire forward berth includes an electrically actuated extension and a lift up Posturepedic backrest.



Note all of the wood in the 370, something that we think gives the boat a cozy, yachty feel.



An option for the forward berth is the electrically actuated Posturepedic mattress.

Dinette and Mid-Berth

To starboard is a four-wide couch that has a release latch underneath to pull it out and easily deploy into a berth. A pedestal base is just in front of the couch allowing it to be used as a dining area. At the aft bulkhead is a flatscreen TV measuring 32” (81.28 cm) and speakers are concealed in the overhead.



The comfortable sofa converts to a berth by simply pulling a strap. Once converted, storage is exposed behind the seatback. This makes a great place to store the bedding.

And of course the mid cabin has seating that also deploys into a berth. The mid-cabin includes a 17” (43.18 cm) optional flatscreen TV mounted to the portside bulkhead.



The mid cabin makes a comfortable sitting area that converts to a berth.

Observations

The Sea Ray 370 Sundancer is a model that has been around for quite some time and it is been hugely popular for Sea Ray. Between the comfort level, ergonomics, multiple gathering venues, and kind handling characteristics there's little doubt why this boat has been popular.

When we compare the 370 Sundancer to other boats in class we discover that she falls roughly in the middle of the beam and displacement parameters. When we compare performance we see that the 370 actually compares favorably with most other boats in class.

But the biggest take-away from our test is how good looking the new interior of the 370 is. The lavish and creative use of woods and the earth-tones of the fabrics employed give the vessel a yacht-like feel below. This is something that we are seeing with regularity on the new Sea Ray models and it should generate the desired response.

Test Power: 2 x 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG DTS with Axius

						Range
RPM	MPH	Knots	Total GPH	MPG	NMPG	Stat. Mile	NM	KM	KPH	LPH	KPL	dBA
660	4.1	3.6	2.50	1.64	1.43	334	290	538	6.6	9.5	0.7	67
1000	5.9	5.1	3.65	1.60	1.39	326	283	525	9.5	13.8	0.68	71
1500	8.2	7.1	5.60	1.25	1.09	255	222	410	13.2	21.2	0.53	76
2000	10.0	8.7	10.70	0.93	0.81	189	164	304	16.09	40.5	0.4	76
2500	12.0	10.4	17.15	0.70	0.61	142	123	229	19.31	64.9	0.3	78
3000	18.0	15.6	24.15	0.74	0.65	151	131	243	28.97	91.4	0.31	82
3500	27.3	23.7	27.75	0.98	085	200	174	322	43.94	105	0.42	84
4000	34.1	30.5	40.00	0.88	0.76	178	155	286	54.88	151.4	0.37	89
4500	40.7	35.4	51.00	0.80	0.69	162	141	261	65.5	193	0.34	89
4800	43.8	38.0	64.75	0.68	0.59	137	120	220	70.49	245.1	0.29	89

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

Test Power: 2 x 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG DTS with Axius

Time To Plane	5.0 sec.
0 to 30	14.2 sec.
Test Power	2 x 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG DTS with Axius
Transmission	N/A
Ratio	N/A
Props	15.75 x 22.75
Load	2 persons, 3/4 fuel, 0 water, minimal gear
Climate	99 deg., 90 humid.; wind: 0 mph; seas: calm