2003 SeaRay 500 Sundancer
 

I wanna see one in the flesh.
Determined the 460 was too small (available since 1999) and the 510 was a little ugly in the stern and not as usable back there.

The new 500 looks like the ticket but the interior appears less open than the 510 in the one view I've seen (Powerboat review).

I'm sure they will have one in Miami.
Wish I was going...

wrong board?

There's a few guys on the board that are running in the low 40's and nobody gives THEM a hassle!

This booger runs low 40's and has no trouble offshore at all!

Very familiar with the 540. Interior not laid out to suit me. I like a more open layout.

I guess I'd just be happy if somebody shot some pix of one at Miami and sent them to me (if it ain't too much trouble)...

Thanx Cat.
Let me know what I can do/send/post for you.
(not that I like you or nuthin either ;) )

Daughter's birthday is the 18th. Missed it two out of the last 4 years due to Miami show (but of course had a separate party for her when I got back - she wasn't unhappy about it either time but I promised I'd never miss 2 in a row)...

check your PM

Power and Motor Yacht
 

Has an add in the back for a 630 Sundancer with Cat 3412's and Arneson drives that will run 50+ MPH for $695,000. If you are serious about a 500, this 630 will beat it in price and speed. I am not sure Searay is using Cat (big mistake) right now and I know they are not offering the 500 with Arneson drives.

For the performance oriented individual that wants the luxury of a yacht......This 630 Sundancer is hard to beat.

Been on and in a 630 Super Sun Sport (it's not technically a 'Dancer). The 630/Arneson is a great boat for big water, but sucks as a lake boat. Swim platform makes the boat almost 70' long (way way over my size restrictions), the props are too close to swimming children at anchor. Fuel consumption is unGODly huge, and it takes 30 knots to even get it on plane - idle or haul ass... The 630 is also a "holdover" boat (they will still make you one today but you gotta order it). Dated fiberglass without European-spec toe rails and such on the nose (unsafe for kids up there). That hull/engine combo is also loud at idle (can't sneak into the marina late at night without bothering neighbors).

I do agree with you though. $700k will buy somebody a great boat for the Gulf and Atlantic coastal areas (just not good ole Old Hickory Lake in TN...).

Re: Power and Motor Yacht
 

one word, and i'll even spell it right: SUNSEEKER.

mcollinstn......Sounds like you know your stuff and know what you want. I also thought it was a Super Sun Sport but the add said Sundancer. Keep us posted on the search.


Having experience with both Cat and the Arneson drive (while Borg Warner owned it) I am a bit partial to the set up;)


Just took a closer look at your post.....Am I to understand you are going to use this on Lake Hickory in Nashville ? If that is the case sorry for the post. This boat would not work on that river.

AHHHH Nashville....Been there, done that, want to go back.

Yep. Old Hickory Lake. Mostly the 25 miles from the dam to where it narrows back to a river-ish width. Most of the lake is plenty wide.

Fun lake and plenty easy to get to Barkley lake, KY lake (200 miles), or take the TN-Tombigbee to Alabama.

Thanks for the info, though. Somebody will end up with it..

As far as Arnesons, I have always liked em. Just not going to be my first choice for my lake cruiser (although we do run thru some shallow areas where they'd be dang helpful).

mcollins,
Where you at?
I'm in Franklin. Just wondering if we ever met or know same people.
mike

goob -

H'ville.
Old Hickory Lake.
Might know some of the same folk.

I don't know a lot of people who live in Franklin: Brent Mason used to (my brother in law), Dave Polk does (he works for me - he's been a girls soccer coach out there for a number of years), Jimmy Olander (but he moved south recently)...

I'm sure if we spew names out we'll find some common ground.


Jesse -

which boat? The 52 mph 630 SSS runs 1100 horse CAT 3412E's.
The 40mph 500 Sundancer runs 660 horse Cummins QSM-11's.
They are both Beeg Honkin Deeesuls.

M

A friend of mine used to keep his boat in Drakes Creek. Optical Illusion, a 311 Formula. He since bought a Black Thunder and keeps it on Lake Cumberland. I used to have a Sport 280 Baja. On long weekends always went to Cumberland. Hung out a Priest mostly and Old Hickory some.
mike

goob.... Are you talking about Joe Murray ? We met Joe on Cumberland. Great guy. Funny thing was we met him on Cumberland and he lived not two miles from us and his daughter and son-in-law lived in the same subdivision as us (Forrest Crossing) while we were in Nashville. Living in Franklin I am sure you know where that is.

mcollinstn....By the way.......you can take the Cat 3412's way past 1100hp. I know a marine application, 60 foot Magnum, where they were putting out 1400hp. And yes they were hooked up to Arneson drives. That boat would do 60+ Knots:eek:

MCOLLINSTN - I'm with you I love performance boats and I have one, but the one thing I noticed at LOTO, you can sure fit a hell of a lot more hot chicks on a 50 ft Searay than you can a 50' performance boat. I like both types of boats and I don't think your post was out of line. Searay 50 on!!!! Bada$$ boat. Eric

Goob & h2o -
Sure, I know Joe Murray. I emailed him on his birthday this year. Stopped by several times to see the progress on his Black Thunder when it was getting the #6's at Boyd's shop. His old 311 was an 89 if I'm not mistaken. I rode in his with my Dad before we bought the 311 I've still got (a '91). I remember his 311 when it had the Merlin heads, and the blower. Never ran like I thought it should. The Black Thunder is a whole different story. What a boat! Last time I was at Boyd's, one of Joe's motors (572s I believe) was in more pieces than it should have been... Hope it's back together and running.

H2O - yeah, the 3412's are big ole motors. Sea Ray has always been "big" on making you pay WAY more for the top horsepower ratings on a particular CAT. In my Sundancer, they wouldn't even LET me order it in the top rating even though it was only another 40 horses or so. I had to wait till I had it a year and turn them up myself..

BigE - thanks. I like ALL kinds of boats too. From lice (jetskis) to ships.

mcollinstn....What is the model of the Sea Ray you currently own ? I am also curious what Cat you've got infront of the transom ?

mcollins
Joe's boat is in Fla. He traded the blower motors for some n/a motors should be ready soon. His son in law is also a friend of mine. We work together. I know what you mean about his 311. It was missing something. It ran really good just not great.
mike

H20 - 370 Sundancer, extended swim platform, 40'4" Overall (if it was a Fountain it would be a 42' Sundancer!). 3116 Cats, 308 hp each (turned up to 340hp rating), 400 cubic inches, 36 pounds of boost. 38-40 mph topend depending on bottom condition. 32 mph cruise. 1.4 mpg average over life of boat (yeah, I'm one of those guys who keeps records - hours, gallons, trip log). 1.6 mpg at 32 mph cruise.

Goob - glad to hear that he has gotten rid of Boyd's motors. It sounded like they weren't running for long periods of time between trouble. If you see him before me, tell him hello.