SEA RAY 320 SUNDANCER
With its swift, smooth delivery, intelligent outdoor design and copious sunbathing opportunities, this craft is designed with life on deck in mind
With the XO Cruiser occupying the hardcore sportsboat end of the spectrum and the Linssen offering an antithesis at the other, it falls to the Sea Ray Sundancer 320 to claim the middle ground. This is the mainstream option that strikes a pleasant balance between performance and comfort and is an ideal platform for families to expand their cruising horizons without obliterating the budget.
There has rarely been a time when there is so much choice for those on the hunt for a 30ft sportscruiser and such a variety of designs. Sealine, Jeanneau and Bavaria’s 30-footers alone have countless variations with a mix of body styles, deck arrangements and engine options, so there truly is something out there for everyone. But Sea Ray has gone its own way with the 320 and targeted those who want to prioritise living on deck. It’s an enormously clever design that pushes the boundaries of what you can do with the deck spaces of a boat that is 10.31m (33ft 10in) long. Key to this is the integration of the foredeck and its connection to the cockpit. A teak-laid passageway leads down the port side, past the helm and forward to the squared-off bow furnished with three luxurious recliners fitted with arm rests, cupholders and adjustable head rests. In the sunshine it’s a glorious area, devoid of shadow and open to the cooling breeze, perfect for a post-lunch snooze. A small cocktail table stows in a dedicated cupboard and can be installed forward of the sunloungers to take care of drinks and nibbles.
If a little more shelter is required for dining or indeed sunbathing, then the cockpit offers this alongside impressive versatility. The
double sunpad at the transom disguises a pair of easily accessed storage bins, perfect for lines and fenders, and its swivelling backrest means that you can extend the available sunbathing space in an instant. If that’s still not enough, then the dinette table drops down to support a pair of cushions that effectively transform the cockpit seating into yet another sunbathing spot. The forward raked hardtop leaves the aft section of the cockpit free of shade but an optional canopy provides some protection if needed during meals. The sliding sunroof set within the hardtop is also an option but it’s one that is well worth having if you want to be able to open the helm up to the sun on warm days. The hardtop is set a little low for those over 6ft tall, who will have to mind their head as they make their way forward. The spaces either side of the wet bar have been cleverly designed too. With no room adjacent to the helm for any seats, Sea Ray has worked in a cosy double bench that backs on to the helm seat to add even more seating around the table and a great spot to head for on passage, allowing guests to gaze out and watch the wake stream off into the distance. Aft of the wet bar there are integrated teak-topped steps that lead up to a broad bulwark, ideal for accessing the cockpit from a quayside.
The twin helm is tucked below a deep windscreen, which offers excellent protection when seated. Apart from the twin helm seat, there isn’t a natural spot for passengers to stand near the helm. One idea might be to add a handhold to the back of the helm seat so a crew member can stand there securely with a good view forward. Both seats bolster though, so you can stand with a clear view over the screen in rough conditions – like the ones we experienced during the test, which were spiky enough to put even
the most talented of hulls through the ringer.
The XO would have been in its element but the 320’s style is more restrained, a matter of nursing it through the waves with carefully judged throttle and precise steering to avoid the worst lumps. It’s a broad, reasonably heavy boat for its size so when you do flop into a trough it lands solidly, dashing spray away from the hull, but it isn’t a ‘grit your teeth, bury the throttles and let the hull do the work’ type of boat that the XO is.
The pair of 300hp Mercruiser 6.2 petrols aren’t lacking in the power stakes and they let out a glorious throaty warble when you open the taps but, at times, the torque of the twin 260hp diesels would have been useful to heave the boat up the back of steeper waves and out of troughs. However, the instant response of the naturally aspirated petrols is something to cherish and their smooth delivery is great for watersports.
Twin sterndrives are the only option whether you choose petrols or diesels, and the handling is typically taut and entertaining. The Axius joystick is also an option, helping to take the sting out of tricky berthing manoeuvres but in truth, the boat behaves perfectly well at slow speeds with the twin legs and bow thruster.
If there is a compromise compared to its mainstream 30ft rivals, the 320’s accommodation is it. The interior is totally open plan, except for the bathroom, and the forward double needs to be converted to transition from dinette to double bed. Amidships, the two single berths are a decent length and can easily be joined to make a double, but they feel narrow as single berths. Headroom is restricted too, and there is a lack of storage for any stays longer than a weekend.
The Sundancer is also found wanting in the galley where a fridge, microwave and some basic storage can’t compete with the more comprehensive efforts of the likes of the Sealine C330 and Jeanneau Leader 33.
In a category of such choice, the Sundancer makes the decision easier. It doesn’t offer a host of deck designs or layout options and, quite simply, if you want a boat that prioritises its deck spaces over the cabin arrangement, then it’s the clear choice. Of our trio, it is the most rounded, offering space to sleep, a decent turn of pace and a logical step from dayboat to weekend cruiser that young families are usually looking for. Contact Marina Marbella. Tel: +44 (0)1202 714970. Web: www.searay.com