Popularity Peak

Of the nearly 50 boats that Sea Ray makes, one of the most popular by far is the 340 Sundancer. And there's a good reason for it. The boat has practically everything a boater would want, in terms of size, accessories and performance. What's more, it's just a good-looking boat, inside and out.

The 340 Sundancer measures 36 feet 2.5 inches in overall length, including the standard swim platform. It has a beam of 11 feet 5 inches. That's more than ample room to hold all of the boating fun that most of us want. Inside that space is enough accommodation for everything this side of long-range cruising. From the exceptionally spacious cockpit to the open layout of the cabin area, you and your crew will have plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy.

For starters, the captain will appreciate a comfortable swivel bucket seat at the helm. The front edge flips up to convert the seat into a leaning bolster for stand-up driving. To port of the helm is a wide bench that will hold two co-pilots. There's full instrumentation and lots of space for electronics, including the standard Raytheon VHF radio and Lowrance digital depthfinder. All this is surrounded by a high, wrap-around windshield with a power operated vent, and topped with a Sunbrella Bimini that extends fore and aft from the electronics arch.

The aft cockpit will seat six people around a table, if you like, or you can drop the table supports and you've got one huge platform for rays. The table can be taken out and stowed under the aft bench turning the seating into a pair of sun pads. The aft bench can be removed to open the transom area and do a little fishing. To keep everyone refreshed, there's a wet bar that includes a cooler and ice maker, standard. You can opt for a refrigerator here in place of the ice maker.

Taking to the water is easy from the extended swim platform with its built-in, hide-away boarding ladder. The platform has room to stow a water toy and conveniently spaced tie-downs to hold it in place. There's a shower with hot and cold water to rinse off when you're through, too. A large stowage locker swallows everything from fenders and lines to gear and gadgets with ease. All these are standard items. At the opposite end, our test boat was equipped with an optional windlass and remote controlled spotlight at the bow.

Going below on the 340 Sundancer is like entering a private world of luxury and comfort. The deep-pile carpeting, rich gloss of the wood trim and soft tones of the fabrics and upholstery create a warmth that's probably one of the main reasons why Sea Ray boats are so appealing. It's a nice place to be. Fit and finish of the cabinetry is superb. Overhead hatches and portlights along the sides let in daylight, if you like, but can be closed off for privacy as well as to minimize heat entry. It was a hot day when we tested the 340 Sundancer, and the cool welcome of the air conditioning was quite a relief. A 12,000 BTU unit is available as an option, along with a generator to power it while underway.

The cabin layout of the 340 Sundancer is an open plan. There are no bulkheads to reduce the roomy feel. However the three living areas can be separated for privacy by curtains. Forward is the master berth; in the middle, the galley and dining area; aft, a space that can be used both for seating and sleeping. The seating/dining area converts to a berth, allowing the 340 to sleep up to six people.

The galley is situated along the port side of the main salon. It includes all of the comforts of home for food preparation: dual-voltage refrigerator, microwave, two-burner electric stove and deep-basin sink. There's an abundance of storage cabinets and drawers in the galley and some other nice touches, such as the covered trash can built in to the counter top and a host of inserts that hold dishes, glassware and cutlery in place.

A TV/VCR combo and AM/FM stereo unit sits in an entertainment center toward the forward end of the galley cabinetry, positioned for viewing from the seating on the opposite side of the cabin. Also in the galley is a stand-up head, with 6 feet of height, that's fully fiberglass lined for ease of cleaning. Standard is a VacuFlush toilet.

The forward stateroom has a pedestal queen size bed. A pair of hanging lockers with mirrored doors flanks it and there is another pair of stowage compartments underneath. One opens from the foot, the other is accessible by lifting the mattress. Cross ventilation in the forward part of the boat is excellent. There are two port lights to starboard, one to port and an overhead hatch. All are screened and shaded.

The aft cabin is a comfortable seating area located under the cockpit. With the addition of a filler cushion, it turns in to a king size berth. There's ample sit-down headroom in the space, and ventilation from an opening port light on either side. The focal point is a wood cabinet forward and to starboard that is ready for TV, power and phone connections.

Sea Ray recently upgraded the standard power plant on the 340 Sundancer to a pair of Mercury 7.4L mpi gas engines, rated at 310 horsepower each. Our test boat was so equipped, and they were coupled through V-drives to 17 by 16 three-bladed props. Power train configurations for the 340 Sundancer also include diesel and stern drive options. Even with the base available power, the boat ran with a quickness and responsiveness that belies its size and weight. It was nimble and tracked tightly in turns. Acceleration off the line was a respectable 7.5 seconds to plane without trim tabs applied and 6 seconds with them. The hull holds plane down to about 9 mph, turning 2,000 rpm. We topped out at 34.1 mph while the twin Merc's turned 4,300 rpm. The best fuel economy with our test boat's engine configuration is obtained at around 2,500 rpm. This nets approximately 22 gallon per hour burn while moving at a speed of about 15 mph, based on load and sea conditions. On a cruise, that will give you a range of just under 150 miles until empty.

The Sea Ray 340 Sundancer has a lot to offer any boater, and it puts it into a package that's just right in size and price. It will take you comfortably on an extended cruise, yet be right at home for day trips in your own backyard. There's room for all of your water toys and gear to be stowed out of the way when not needed, yet the deck space gives you plenty of room to work with them. It's truly a boat for all reasons. Just ask any one of the many owners who've bought one.

Boat Specifications

Engine Options (Twin Inboards or Stern drives)

Fuel Consumption

(Above figures using Mercury 7.4L Horizon engines.)