The Sea Ray 610 Sundancer has an LOA of 61'6" (18.75 m), a beam of 16'9" (5.11 m), and weighs 60,200 lbs. (27,307 kgs.) which makes her truly a large yacht by anyone's reckoning.

The Mission

The Sea Ray 610 Sundancer was designed to be the ultimate yacht for tens of thousands of Sea Ray owners around the world who could make it up to the rarified atmosphere of a 61' boat which would have to cost well over $1 million. Obviously that would be a pretty exclusive group, and one used to luxury and a yacht with top-notch fit-and-finish. Sea Ray has set out to build such a boat, one that can entertain a large party for day trips, and also comfortably cruise three couples or a large family on an extended water-born vacation.

Major Features

Sea Ray has tried to make the 610 Sundancer as cruise-ready as possible with its standard boat. It pretty much knows how its customers will use the boat, so to make the 610 Sundancer even more enticing vis a vis its competition, the builder has loaded in lots of equipment normally found on the option list. Here are a few of the items that caught our eye--



Note how wide the aft doors open to bring the outside in.



Looking forward on the main deck toward the helm, note the expanse of windows. The skipper can stand at the helm and see out in all directions. The overhead sunroof panels are standard.

Hydraulic swim platform. This is an expensive item of equipment and it is standard on the 610 Sundancer. Although it is called the swim platform, the hydraulic platform on the stern of the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer is primarily designed to hold the tender for the mother vessel. A second attribute of the large platform is the fact that it can be lowered into the water and used by scuba divers to ease into the water and back aboard.

Both kids and their parents will enjoy lowering the platform into the water for some pleasant splashing and swimming at anchor in a quiet cove. The swim platform, when raised, also makes what is known as a "teak beach" where the gals can sunbath to their hearts content.



The aft deck is made to seat six. We like these foldable seats which are easy to stow.



Note that there are two nav screens in front of the skipper and another one in front of the companion as an option.

Bow and stern thrusters. The Sea Ray 610 Sundancer comes with an optional JMS (Joystick Maneuvering System) joystick. Because she has a standard bow and a standard stern thruster, the joystick can operate very much the same as one unconnected to a pod drive system. The JMS device has been employed for several years on yachts and has proven its effectiveness and user-friendliness. Some captains even prefer it to a joystick operating pod drives.

A complete suite of electronics. The Sea Ray 610 Sundancer comes equipped with more standard electronics than we usually see on most vessels. Included are dual Raymarine E120 wide screen navigational systems, GPS and a 4KW HD radar. She also comes with an autopilot and a VHF among other basic electronic gear.



The accommodations deck of the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer.

General appliances and equipment. The 610 comes standard with a separate washer and dryer, a central vac system, and an icemaker and refrigerator units for the wet bar on the bridge. All of the appliances needed in the galley are provided right down to a coffee maker. A teak deck is standard in the "upper sunroom" (the bridge deck/salon) and a raised wood sole is standard in the galley.

Sea Ray is rightly proud of its clever helm seat and companion seating arrangement whereby the companion helm seat can be swiveled around to face the salon. Both double companion seat and the helm seat are Stidd. Above on the overhead, are two electrically-actuated sunroof panels that independently open.



The galley of the 610 with standard raised hardwood floor is one of the largest we have seen in this size express. Note the TV screen which faces the settee on the port side of the salon.



We like this picture because it proves that the 610's cabinets can actually hold dinner plates, something consumers of million dollar boats should not take for granted.

Performance

We tested the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer with its standard twin MAN 1051-hp engines with V-drives. On test day the water was flat but we had a full load of fuel and half a tank of water, plus two persons aboard. Our top speed was found at 2340 rpm where we recorded 35.8 knots, burning 111 gallons per hour.

Best cruise was found at 1800 rpm where the 610 traveled 24.7 knots burning 62 gallons per hour. This gave the 610 Sundancer a range of 323 nautical miles. While these fuel flow numbers seem relatively high, in fact they are pretty much in line with what we normally find when testing a 60,000-pound boat at these speeds. The MAN 1100 CRM diesel is known for its advantageous weight-to-horsepower ratio.



This sofa is in the salon opposite the galley.



If you have ever used a combo washer and dryer in a boat you know it leaves a bit to be desired. That's why we are pleased that Sea Ray has found room for separate units for each function -- the best way to go.

Observations

Because of her of 16'9" (5.11 m) beam the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer is quite roomy below and on deck. This is perhaps one of her most important attributes. On the aft deck six people can comfortably dine. Below, the master and VIP staterooms are large and their heads have separate shower stalls.

The salon below and galley are as big as any we have seen in this size range. Sea Ray is working hard to maintain a high standard of quality of fit-and-finish in the 610.

Probably the most important thing for any boat in this size range is reliability. With Sea Ray's renowned engineering staff, the good reputation of the MAN engines, and the alacrity with which the builder's customer service staff operate, we suspect that the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer will be a reliable vessel for an owner who wants hassle-free boating.



Most master staterooms in this class have a love seat under the port lights, but the 610 Sundancer has a full sofa.



The forward VIP stateroom is pretty standard, but has plenty of light.



There is an optional small cabin for a crewman aft. The WC is under the bed, sink at right.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer (2011-) is 41.2 mph (66.3 kph), burning 111.0 gallons per hour (gph) or 420.14 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray 610 Sundancer (2011-) is 28.4 mph (45.7 kph), and the boat gets 0.46 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.2 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 371 miles (597.07 kilometers).


• Tested power is 2 x 1,051-hp MAN 1100 CRM diesel.