Sea-Ray boats are seen by us more from the point of view of sporty boats. But there are also those where - as with our test boat - living comfort takes centre stage. Sea Ray yachts at least start at 40 feet in length.
However, the appearance of the 400 SD is less that of a yacht and more that of a large day cruiser with an all-round enclosed hardtop.
The cockpit is on one level with the saloon including the driving position, separated by a multi-part sliding glass door that can be opened variably. As a result, the cockpit and saloon form a single unit, which can still be shaded on the outside if the sun is too strong thanks to the electrically retractable and extendable bimini.
Below deck, two cabins with five berths and two bathrooms with toilets offer the necessary comfort to make even longer holiday trips pleasant, and depending on the version, the 400 Sundancer can be equipped with a larger bathing platform like our test boat.
It can be lowered hydraulically, either to make it easier to lower the dinghy parked on it into the water or to use it as a bathing island.
The integrated and automatically folding swim ladder makes it possible. Thanks to the large platform, travelling aft is also safer overall, and not just when the grill in the rear galley is in operation.
The saloon houses the helm station to starboard, behind it a seating area with an electrically height-adjustable table and opposite a two-seater bench seat with a well-equipped galley. There is a step up to the driving position. The seating looks like two single seats, but is a bench seat that can be adjusted lengthways.
The driving position is clearly laid out, well equipped and ergonomically designed - everything in view and within easy reach. The skipper's all-round visibility is perfect, apart from a few parts reflected in the windows; if necessary, large wipers on the outside and defroster nozzles on the inside ensure a clear view.
A joystick, which operates both drive lines and the bow thruster, helps to manoeuvre the boat in almost all directions and simplifies mooring and casting off. The 400 SD is equipped with an automatic trim tab system as standard, which starts working at around 1200 rpm (just under 8 knots of speed).
It regulates the longitudinal and transverse trim of the boat across the entire sailing range.
This means that visibility is always maintained when starting off.
Only when cornering over the port side are you flying blind, the saloon roof swings into the field of vision due to the V-hull and blocks the view to the side. Unless you open the sunroof, switch off the automatic trim so that the Sea Ray lies more on its side, and stand down.
If the automatic transmission remains switched off during the journey, the seat position should be slightly higher for better foresight, as in this case the test boat lifts a little more out of the water and trims slightly in the longitudinal axis.
You can then see that the lateral water break line on the hull slides a little more aft and feel how the 400 SD begins to dance over the waves in the sun - and thus lives up to its name. Just under seven turns of the steering wheel from one side to the other at full turn prevent extreme manoeuvres.
This means that 180° turns or rudder twists as well as cornering are very safe. On the slalom course, the test boat only oscillates slightly over the longitudinal axis if you turn the crank fast enough.
The Mediterranean Sea off La Napoule in the south of France presents itself from its calm side on the test day. Choppy water and a few waves up to about one metre high pose no challenge for the hull.
The test boat is equipped with the standard engine, two MerCruiser-Cummins diesels, each delivering 480 hp to the V-gear and shaft systems.
In the harbour, you either alternate between the two engines so as not to go too fast at 600 rpm, or you use the joystick system. You can travel at around 3.5 knots with one drive train and 1 knot more with both. During the slow passages in the harbour exit, we don't let the engines turn higher than 1000 rpm and keep the speed at just under 7 knots so that the waves generated by the boat don't disturb us.
From a speed of 11 knots, a smooth break in the water at the stern signals that our test boat is beginning to planing. We recorded a maximum speed of 32 knots.
After analysing our measurements, we can see that the 400 SD is permanently operating in the economic range from the start of the glide. However, the theoretical ranges we determined are ± 170 nm plus 15 % reserve, which is below what we require. If you have to make distance, the displacement is just under 1000 nm at 6 kn, plus reserve.
If you need to service the technology or engines, you can open the large cockpit floor hatch and access almost everything from above. However, it would not be a mistake if the mechanic for one or other corner of the engine compartment was of slender build.
All you have to do to check is open a floor flap in the saloon. In terms of safety, the fuel pre-filters are fitted with water alarm sensors and the fuel flow is regulated using solenoid valves. The main switch and some of the fuses are easily accessible behind the upholstery of the port bench seat in the saloon.
What we don't like is the fact that you are travelling on narrow side decks on the way forwards and have to hold on tight to avoid taking an involuntary dip. The standard equipment is impressive, but there is still room for improvement.
