Sea Ray 40 Sundancer

By Capt. Bob Smith

Sea Ray just keeps pumping out the new products, incorporating new and innovative ideas with each year’s models. I just got back from testing a few after the huge Miami Boat Show. They say they had an awesome show with many boats being sold at the show. It looks like the 2004 boat season will see a big bump in new boats hitting the water.

The new 40 Sundancer is designed to get noticed whether you are entertaining at the dock or on the way for a sundown cruise or weekend getaway. Attention to detail and comfort underway make the 40 a great entertainment platform and a luxurious retreat for you and your guests on the water.

At the Bow

Her anchoring system is complete with stainless chute, storage locker with wash down spigot and a Lofrans Progress I windlass system for easy anchoring. 316 stainless rails surround the spacious forward deck. A huge optional sunpad takes full advantage of this space forward. Access to the cockpit from the forward deck is squeezed a bit to utilize maximum space in the entertainment section of the cockpit.

Our test boat had the optional hard top with full enclosure. I was told that they do not remember selling one without the hardtop, so it is a popular add-on. If you do a lot of cruising in any weather, you will definitely enjoy this one. A comfortable snap-in cockpit liner makes walking around barefoot more enjoyable. Our boat had exchanged the icemaker for a combination refrigerator at the wet bar.

Behind the Wheel

The helm seat was a custom Euro-style seat with armrests, bolster, heavy-duty pedestal with swivel and pneumatic height adjustments. The companion bench was oversized with storage underneath. The dash has plenty of room for added flat panel displays and ours had them all. Gauges and switches were within easy reach and steering was hydraulic assisted with a wood-accent tilt wheel. The SmartCraft diagnostic system monitors are standard on this model. When you want more air from across the forward deck to the helm, an electric front vent is just a button away. Cockpit seating is ample and U-shaped for keeping the conversations rolling.

Cook’s Delight

Stepping below, you enter a beamy galley on the port side with a convertible sofa to starboard. The finish carpentry below is exquisite. Even the air vents have beautiful doweling across them. The galley includes a coffee maker, two-burner stove, microwave/convection oven and lots of storage. Under the spacious countertop is a dual voltage refrigerator and freezer. To the right of the overhead cabinetry, a flat panel screen that’s tucked away. Push a button on the side and it slides right out to reveal storage for DVDs.

Accommodations

A door on the port side grants access to the head which has another door for private access from the main stateroom at night. The full shower is separated to the port side with access only from the main stateroom. The main stateroom has a full size bed, TV/DVD combination, hanging lockers and lots of storage around the sides. Aft of the main saloon is a conversation pit with another convertible couch. A privacy curtain is tucked away in its own storage hanging locker to starboard.

Engine Access

Heading back up and topside, you gain access to the large engine spaces through an electric hatch under the cockpit flooring. Not being a small guy I was pleased with the access room for checking fluids and doing routine maintenance on the standard twin VD-8.1 S Horizon MerCruiser gasoline inboards. Even with the standard gas powered generator I could move around with safety and comfort while working around the engines. The transom door even has a safety switch that will not let you raise the engine hatch unless it is open and locked into place so you don’t rip it off while watching the hatch rise. The integrated swim platform is large enough for everyone to enjoy at anchor, and board a three step concealed swim ladder and integral grab handle make it simple to get back aboard.

Specs

The 2004 40 Sundancer is 41’0” overall and has a 13’2” beam. With her inboards she has a draft of 34” and deadrise of 19 degrees. She carries a dry weight of 19,300 lbs and a fuel capacity of 275 gallons. She has a 70 gallon fresh water capacity and a 42 gallon holding tank. Her patented underwater exhaust delivers a quieter cruise and encourages the conversations to keep rolling underway.

Performance

This 40 handled like a delicate dancer, easily maneuvering in the busy marina and through the intra-coastal waterways to Biscayne Bay where we tested her. The strong currents in the marina didn’t create much of a challenge to her handling and the professional grade helm made working with her a pleasure.

There are many, many more standard features and an impressive list of options available on Sea Ray’s 2004 40 Sundancer, too many to cover in the space we have here. If comfortable cruising and entertaining for the day or a long weekend is in your plans, Sea Ray has the answer in the 2004 Sundancer.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 40 Sundancer is 34.8 mph (56 kph), burning 59.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 225.96 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 40 Sundancer is 22.8 mph (36.7 kph), and the boat gets 0.72 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.31 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 177 miles (284.85 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 370-hp MerCruiser 8.1S Horizons.