Sea Ray 310 Sundancer Sport Cruiser

See Ray Dance

We were heading for the AquaPalooza. You haven't heard of it? Tut-tut. It's giant American boatbuilder Sea Ray's latest excuse for getting afloat. One huge global on-water party, the biggest boating bash in the world, held simultaneously in 12 countries and more than 120 locations, attracting some 10,000 Sea Ray boats and 30,000 revellers, says the flier.

Destination for the 30-odd Sea Ray boats totting about 150 owners and their (kid-heavy) crews was - you guessed it - Sea Ray Island. Haven't heard of it, either? It's smack bang in the middle of Iron Cove, west of Sydney Harbour Bridge, at other times known as Rodd Island. And what a party there was ashore.

First class transport was provided to reach the AquaPalooza by way of Sea Ray's latest 2007-model 310 Sundancer, a snazzy and savvy mid-sized sportscruiser that impressed this writer and his crew. Built for global markets, the 310 Sundancer isn't overtly American but, moreover, it's been designed by someone or more likely a collaboration of minds including customers who know how to party. AquaPalooza here we come...

SEA RAY RISING
We cast the lines at Sea Ray's new Sydney headquarters, Ferguson's Boatshed on Sydney Harbour, which will soon be joined by a second harbourside office at Birkenhead Point Marina. The latter premises will be the fourth outlet and third on-water Sydney venue for local Sea Ray dealer, Andrew Short Marine, which has won dealer of the year three years running.

For Andrew Short and his loyal following, it's clearly a case of strength in numbers and, with more marina offices and berths, he's set to sell many more boats like this 310 Sundancer into Sydney. The approved dry stack in Rozelle Bay will be an especially big boon for the sportscruiser class.

As our across-town harbour run was in wintry conditions, it proved a fitting test of this fashionable big-city boat. The run to Sea Ray Island was followed by much merriment ashore – a neat venue well worth the visit - and the run back home to The Spit, from whence we set off, reaffirmed our high opinion of this boat.

The 310 Sundancer has groovy new deck lines, with a raked sheerline flowing back from its especially high and deep bow designed to cleave the waves and cast the spray aside. But while this is an especially high-volume 31 footer (33ft overall), vision isn't compromised thanks to a touch of reverse sheer in the foredeck and careful CAD design. Driving this boat seated in the twin helm seats with flip-up bolsters for your feet is reassuring on a busy waterway like Sydney Harbour.

CRUSING BEAUTY
There are numerous engine options for the 310 Sundancer, petrol and diesel, but our demo boat was hard to beat with twin 320hp big-block 6.2lt MerCruiser MX MPI petrol inboards with V-drives and shafts. While not as sporty as the same boat with sterndrives, the inboards make for a more serious cruising proposition and a lower-maintenance boat when moored.

The local agents made doubly sure of its cruising ability by bundling the 310 Sundancer with optional 4kW Kohler petrol generator for away-from-dock AC power, air conditioning, an air compressor for inflating the party toys, underwater lights, and a bowthruster to assist with your departure and return to the marina pen.

At rest, there's a lot else to embrace on the 310 Sundancer, not least being the fact Sea Ray has ditched the sidedeck walkarounds that you find on, say, its 300 Sundancer, and instead created a bigger walkthrough dash and opening windscreen. This leads to a cockpit and cabin that's 30cm wider than would otherwise be possible and, well, who teeters around sidedecks on sportscruisers anyway?

Indoors, the new deep saloon windows usher in a new era of Euro styling and worldly décor, with a lot more light and openness below decks. Once you step aboard and ferret about you will find a remarkably complete boat. Everything is in place to spend nights away from the dock, while being totally self-sufficient and, of course, mollycoddled. The 132lt of water will do for at least a long weekend, but it's the only restriction for a family of four.

By day, the 310 Sundancer is a great stage on which to party with family and friends. The outdoor living areas are especially generous, with some real surprises and genuine innovation, plus there's an amenities centre that goes further as in being bigger than the norm.

ENGINEERING SCIENCE
Construction is handlaid GRP, with moulded decks and full liners, stainless skin fittings, double hose-clipped lines below the waterline, in a hull backed by a five-year transferable warranty. Well established here, Sea Ray's do appear to have stood the test of time, and handle the saltwater work and harsh summer sun just fine.

The engine room is easily accessed via a push-button electric strut that raises the cockpit floor. Even Blind Freddy will be able to find the sea strainers, the coolant bottles, access the batteries and dip the oil. The generator is back aft but serviceable, fitted with a wet exhaust and, upon testing, there was just a faint purr heard and felt aboard.

Along with the generator start button and water gauge, the AC/DC panel and all the systems on the Sea Ray really are a snap to operate. What's more, the upgraded MerCruiser inboard motors come with Smartcraft diagnostics, three-year and 300-hour servicing intervals, and a patented underwater exhaust system to help make life agreeable when you are sports cruising.

DECKED OUT
We came aboard via the big boarding platform where you can work on your tan, sit, lunch, dive in, and enjoy a post-swim hot deck shower or just hangout. But for idle pleasure, the pullout seat in the transom is the bomb; with drinkholders, a rodholder and/or a mounting point for the optional umbrella so you can do sundowners or fish in the shade. There's even a stereo remote nearby. Just be careful (dis)assembling the umbrella in strong winds. There's the usual handy hatch with Shorepower and dockside connections, and a neat GRP hardtop overhead with additional aft awning. It casts shade over the boat's U-shaped cockpit seating, which can accommodate five for lunch alongside a brilliant moulded amenities centre.

The lunch station features a sink with cold water, traced by a grabrail, with a drinkholder - many more drinkholders nearby for cocktail hour - so you can flip the steaks or shrimps on the stainless steel electric barbie between sips. And with the optional generator you don't have to worry about gas. There's also a fridge for carrying the salads, prawns and refreshments, a concealed garbage bin and storage for the barbie tools, too. As touched on, the twin helm seats with bolsters let couples cruise together, which is exactly what we did with six-month-old Summer in our arms. A touch of trim tab and the views were perfect while seated.

There's an adjustable Momo wheel, auto-style non-glare dash, Smartcraft engine display, Northstar GPS Plotter, VHF, and controls for the spotlight, windlass, bowthruster, upgraded sound system, as well as switch panels for things like the wipers and storage for personal effects.

There's also great access up the moulded non-skid steps adjoining the dash, and backed by a stainless steel handrail through the opening windscreen to the foredeck. The windscreen can be opened with one hand thanks to a mechanism that operates both catches at once. Bravo!

Moulded toerails, a supportive bowrail and stainless steel grabrails on deck make this a useable area, which is just as well as the 310 Sundancer was bundled with an optional foredeck sunpad boasting neat built-in headrests. So it's another place to work on your tan or send the recalcitrant teenagers.

FAMILY ROOM
Thanks to the oversized portlights, which open for fresh air, there's a cheery atmosphere below decks where we retreated from the cold for a while after dropping anchor off Sea Ray Island. Headroom is a highpoint, while the finish is a timeless one with neutral-coloured upholstery, earthy zones and faux cherrywood joinery.

The open-plan layout is well suited to a young family of four or an adult couple. The double bed in the bow is a beauty, while the U-shaped mid-cabin seating converts to a second double bed using infills. Privacy curtains can be drawn across both ‘cabins' and there are heaps of lockers including the hanging type for swinging your Sunday best.

The saloon dinette can seat two and, with reverse-cycle air con, makes a cosy dinner setting in winter where you can look out the portholes and see the anchorage beyond. The flatscreen TV is in view and the AV system has an iPod jack and video inputs.

Gourmands should embrace the galley with two-burner 240V/alcohol stove, extractor fan, a second fridge, small round sink and microwave oven that's also on the small side. But in the context of a weekender it's all here and doubtless the barbie up top will get the most use. There are also carpet runners to help cope with interior traffic.

A freshwater odour-free Vacuflush head, handheld hot/cold shower, extractor fan and hatch, full-length mirror and vanity are features of the head. Put it all together and the 310 Sundancer as tested is a great package and hard to fault. Some Weaver snap davits, a tender on the tail, and some inflatable toys (compressor supplied remember) and you're set.

SPORTS CRUISING
As per a lot of American boats, the 310 Sundancer had separate gearshifts and throttles that might take getting used to. But with the bowthruster this was anything but a handful to slot into its marina pen and put back to bed after the AquaPalooza was done.

Underway, the boat ran like a Sea Ray, which means it was smoother riding than many other high-volume sportscruisers featuring flatter hulls. As ever, the big boatbuilder uses a true deep-vee design, with 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom, reverse chines and prominent strakes.

Low cruise was clocked at 3000rpm and 14kts with the trim tabs down, 3200rpm gave a granny cruise of about 18kts, but at 3500rpm, with the boat running free, it clocked a very pleasant 21 to 22kts. Optimum cruise was between 4000 and 4200rpm and 24 to 27kts, which is how we reeled in the bumpy harbour and reached Sea Ray Island.

Top speed on the day was 30.3kts at 4800rpm, so it's not the fastest sportscruiser around. Also, with V-drives and shafts, it's not so snappy in the turns, banking like, well, a shaftdriven boat. But that's a small price to pay for the low maintenance compared with legs and, without wanting to sound like I'm on happy pills, this struck me as one of the best 30-something sportscruisers I've set foot aboard. All you need, really.

As for the AquaPalooza...it was one big picnic with likeminded boat owners, and plenty of family entertainment. Which is the exact same program Sea Ray expects for its 310 Sundancer. No wonder new owners are clambering to get on. Yet more Sea Ray converts for the next big on-water bash. Stay tuned.

HIGHS

LOWS