The new Sea Ray 43 Sundancer has taken the classic “’dancer” lines and refined them in subtle ways that make, to our eye, an attractive-looking express cruiser. In our opinion, the two-tone treatment of the vessel above in navy blue (or another appropriate color) is well worth the extra up-charge for the colored gelcoat.

Capt. Steve Says...

Well, to be sure, the Sundancers have a lot of fans, and frankly, I’m one of them. My long time favorite has been the 33 “’dancer”, but like a woman’s legs, the longer they are, the better they seem to look. The new Sea Ray 43 has the classic characteristics of the two-stateroom, two-head layout, but her length is as appealing to the eye as it is functional for the crowded party.



The 43 Sundancer has a two-stateroom two-head layout that makes for a perfect family, or two couple, cruiser. There’s also plenty of room for entertaining four to six people.

A Grand Entrance…

Sea Ray has finally solved a long-time complaint of mine and made access to the boat much easier. They used to have the hull sides go way back to almost the back of the swim platform, so you would be left with just a small step to come aboard with. Now there’s a very large and easy to navigate, space for stepping onto the swim platform and then on through the stainless steel framed acrylic walkthrough to the cockpit.

They’ve also accommodated those that board from a higher fixed dock. You step onto the wide gunwale and then there are easy steps down into the cockpit. The cockpit layout is much the same as others in this class, with a large U-shaped settee to starboard and entertainment center, with standard icemaker, is to port. I do like how Sea Ray handles storage under this U-shaped lounger with gas assist struts and long piano hinges. Also, abaft the lounger is a large aft facing seat for catching the action to the stern. To make it a larger sunpad, the lounge backrests pivot to open the space up nicely. Fender and line storage is intended to be under the sunpad. This is as handy as we’ve ever seen it.



Note the two electrically actuated forward window vents, the side windows vents open the same way. The helm seat is fully adjustable. Please move the compass to starboard to center it with the hub of the steering wheel. Note the red horn rocker switch (good). Why are the throttles mounted on a surface that is canted inward instead of level? The VHF is handy to both skipper and a companion. How about a molded in compartment for cell phone, sunglasses and other stuff?

Helm...

The helm is well laid out with several items that I like. First, the helm seat is double wide and adjusts in all directions and includes the flip-up bolsters. There’s glass in front of me and not plastic with a window frame right at eye level. I can stand at the helm without having to open the sunroof and pop my head out like a prairie dog from its hole. Fresh air is brought in from forward and side electrically operated vents. Sea Ray has done a better job of this than I have seen on many other express cruisers, particularly those from Europe.



Port and starboard sliding sunroofs are important to keeping peace in the family. Full marks to Sea Ray for this innovation.

Overhead are two separate sunroofs – port and starboard -- that are also electrically operated. This is an important detail, one that has cost Sea Ray some extra money, and one you should consider. If the other half of your partnership prefers sun, but you prefer shade (as I must have, being very fair-skinned), then with two sunroofs each person can be made happy. If you want to trade places, simply reverse the electrically-powered sun roofs.



Beautiful teak steps lead into the roomy salon. Note the large sofa that easily converts into a sleeper. The pedestal table is removable for even more room. Window blinds are wood. Note the storage room overhead. I like the hardwood cabin sole.

Going Below...

Below decks the area is at the same time both conventional and well-executed. Teak steps lead you to a spacious salon. The sofa to starboard easily converts to a berth, and has a removable pedestal table in front. The galley has all the regular features, and I like that the covers for the stove and sink have dedicated storage. The mid cabin and forward stateroom are accessed through sliding pocket doors. The aft stateroom features twin berths that easily convert to a single queen.



Pocket Shoji screen doors close off both the mid (at left) and forward cabins. Note largish stainless steel door to refer/freezer at left. There is dedicated storage for the sink and stove top covers. Why is there a hand-hold below the sink (because the boat rocks), but no counter fiddles to keep things from sliding off the counter when the boat rocks?!

Specifications and power...

The Sea Ray 43 Sundancer has a LOA of 47'3" / 14.40 m, a beam of 14' / 4.27 m, and a draft of 42" / 1.07 m. She has a dry weight of 28,500 lbs / 12,928 kg, a fuel capacity of 350 gal / 1,325 L, and holds 100 gal / 378 L of water.

The power options for the 43 dancer are divided between the twin 420-hp Cummins QSB 425 diesels and the optional 474-hp 480s, both with Zeus pod drives. Interestingly enough, an Onan 11.5kw generator is standard as well.

We have not tested the boat so I can’t give a recommendation as to which power option to select. Hopefully, we’ll be asked to test the boat in the future. From what I can see, Sea Ray has done a good job on the macro picture, now it is a matter of the details, performance characteristics, and aftermarket support.

Check out the Sea Ray Seven Seas Sales Event here.

Visit the Builders website here.