Sundancer: What sounds typically American at first glance is a thoroughly European product. With the exception of the hull, the boat was completely redeveloped in Europe. It is built in Poland and the new eight-cylinder diesel engine is made in Germany. This makes the Sea Ray 305 Sundancer a true European. When it was launched five years ago, customers had the choice between twin petrol engines and the Yanmar 6LPA-STZP2, a diesel soloist.
The petrol pair have remained, the six-cylinder engine from Yanmar has been replaced by a Mercury diesel with 195 kW (260 hp). The new eight-cylinder engine with 246 kW (335 hp) was only added this year. The price of the V-8 diesel, which Sea Ray combines with a Bravo Three XR twin propeller on the 305 Sundancer, is higher than the petrol versions equipped with two engines. The diesel has advantages in terms of maintenance costs and direct weight comparison.
We were able to test drive the attractive sports cruiser with the 4.2 V-8 TDI (as the former white giant from Salzgitter is now called) from Mercury. To our surprise, we reached a top speed of 34.1 knots with the nominally weaker diesel. With the powerful (2 x 220 hp) petrol engines, the top speed is 33.5 knots. However, they are just ahead when accelerating. The reason: gliding speed is reached here after just eight seconds, the diesel needs one second longer.
With already impeccable handling characteristics, the Sundancer also shows its best side in roundabouts. It follows every movement of the smooth steering in tight bends at a slight lean angle without hooking in. As we all know, power comes from fuel. In this respect, the consumption values are in the "green zone". However, the petrol station attendant will certainly be happier than the owner about the 2.17 l/sm measured at full load. At cruising speed of 22 knots, the V-8 TDI consumes exactly 1.73 l/sm. In addition to the open version we drove, there is also a hardtop version. The cockpit layout with convertible seating area and a wet bar with sink, cooker and fridge is identical.
Below deck, the seating area in the bow converts into a double berth for overnight stays; the bed under the cockpit, which is only 1.25 metres wide, is a little narrower. A wet room with shower and toilet and the galley offer appealing comfort. To summarise: The 305 Sundancer continues to impress (test in BOOTE 5/2010) with good workmanship and first-class handling characteristics and, with the eight-cylinder diesel, also has an engine option that will not only pay for itself when resold. Driving pleasure is never neglected.
