From the classifieds: Sea Ray 275 Sundancer

Endowed with a sporty profile – more on that a bit later – and correspondingly decent performance, the deep-vee Sea Ray 275 Sundancer was known for its smooth ride and great handling in a mix of conditions.

Part of the reason behind att that great handling and performance, though, was its narrow 2.59-metre beam, making the Sea Ray 275 Sundancer quite slim for a boat stretching to 8.5 metres, including the swim deck hanging off the transom.

The Targa-arched Sea Ray 275 Sundancer was a decent cruiser, too, with the standard 260hp MerCruiser 5.0 and its Bravo II stern drive providing good economy when the revs were sitting in the sweet spot, around 4000rpm.

Above decks, the Sea Ray featured a good-size cockpit and a walk-through design that made it easy to go from the swim platform right up to the bow.

Seating included a rear lounge with swing-up stainless steel legs to provide access to the engine room below.

Forward of the lounge was another aft-facing one, separated from the lounge by a removable table. The backrest on this lounge could fold flat to convert the space into a sun lounge.

The helm, behind a deep wrap-around windscreen, was fitted with dual seats, while another lounge converted the space into a social hub while underway.

A companionway led down to a clever little galley, although with tight headroom for taller users. It featured opening portholes, a 12/240-volt fridge and a microwave that, unless the boat was fitted with an optional generator, ran on shore power alone.

Storage was good, and the space even included a dinette that doubled as the forward accommodation once an infill cushion was inserted.

The main accommodation was located amidships, and here’s where that narrow beam comes into play. Access to the tranverse-laid double bed was via a very tight entrance that required a bit of flexibility.

The Sea Ray 275 Sundancer was equipped with a wet head, which meant it was fitted with a combined shower and toilet. Space was tight, and the showerhead was a handheld job – but it did the trick.

What’s also likeable about the Sea Ray 275 Sundancer is its pocket cruiser pedigree; it’s small enough for a mum and dad team to operate on their own.

Even today, Sea Ray remains part of the larger US-based Brunswick Group, and way back when the Sea Ray 275 Sundancer was in vogue that meant the boat was built to high US quality standards.

The evidence of this was in the fit and finish, and the quality of the fittings used around the boat. Mercury is also part of the same family, so the boat is built around the MerCruiser engine that powers it.

Of note, the boats came standard with a set of clears that enclosed the cockpit, making it more useable when conditions weren’t perhaps perfect for cruising. The other benefit of this was that it extended the amount of time owners could spend out on the water if they didn’t have to wait for a run of perfect weather.

Prices for a second-hand Sea Ray 275 Sundancer range from around $50,000 up to almost $80,000 for mid- to late-2000 era boats.

You’d be looking for a well-serviced boat in good condition, and ideally with the 350hp MerCruiser/Bravo III sterndrive upgrade that gave 30 knot-plus performance.

An added bonus is a bow thruster, which can be a great help if you plan on leaving the boat in the water and need to negotiate your way into a tight berth. However, these boats are compact enough to dry-stack if that’s a preferred option.

Of course, ensure you always have a second-hand boat professionally inspected before signing on the bottom line – it’s a simple thing that could save you a lot of money in the long run.