1995-1999 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Specs and Review [Video]

Sea Ray introduced its second-generation Sundancer 330 for the 1995 season. This popular mid-cabin cruiser was built on a 33-foot hull and enjoyed twin Volvo or MerCruiser engine packages rated at 400-600hp. This model was out of production from 2000 to 2008 but it made a comeback with a completely redesigned body and features.

In this post, we’ll review the second-generation Sundancer 330, which was marketed from 1995 through 1999.

• Class: Mid-cabin Cruiser
• Engines: MerCruiser V8 gasoline or diesel
• Propulsion: inboard V-drive or sterndrive
• HP: 400-600 hp
• LOA: 33’6”
• Beam: 11’ 5”
• Dry weight: 11,200 lb.
• Top speed: 35-37 mph
• Range: 180-190 miles

1995-1999 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Review

The History of the Sundancer 330 Line

Sea Ray introduced its Sundancer 330 line for the 1992 season, but it was actually a rebranded 1990- 1991 310 Express Cruiser.

This is why this first-generation model was often referred to as the “’90-‘94 Sundancer 310/330.”

(For some reason, the manufacturer changed the names on its entire fleet from ’89 to ’93. As you can imagine, this rebranding campaign caused a lot of confusion among buyers.)

This first-generation 330 was upgraded with its all-new successor in 1995, which remained in production until the Millenium.

After eight years of hiatus, the 330 made a comeback with an all-new body and features, also refreshed in 2015.

At the end of the 2017 season, the model was discontinued to make room for the more modern 350.

To sum it up, the four generations of the 330 were as follows:

• First: 1992-1994 (it was a rebranded 1990-1991 310 Express Cruiser)
• Second: 1995-1999
• Third: 2008-2014
• Fourth: 2015-2017

Let’s get to the nitty-gritty and talk about the second-generation 330 in detail!

Hull and Top Deck

The second-generation Sundancer 330 was built on a 33-foot, modified V, solid fiberglass hull.

To be more precise, its overall length was 33 feet 6 inches without the standard bow pulpit, and 35 feet 10 inches with it.

This shell was redesigned with more efficient fuel economy, during which its transom deadrise was decreased from 21 to 17 degrees. (As a rule of thumb, a deeper-V hull rides softer but has worse fuel economy.)

Due to its new design and extended dimensions, the boat picked up 1,200 pounds of weight.

To be more precise, its claimed weight was 11,200 pounds dry and 13,000 pounds with fuel and liquids. Sitting on a triple-axle trailer, the gross weight of the rig was close to 16,000 pounds.

Just like its hull, the top deck of the 330 was also completely redesigned with modern, smooth lines and a forward-facing radar arch.

It returned with a larger, entirely new cockpit layout featuring a large, adjustable helm bench seat, a port-side seat, and a spacious wrap-around U-shaped seat in the fabulous aft lounge area.

The latter came with many bells and whistles including a removable deck table, entertainment center with sink, cockpit lighting, side storage, speakers, and more.

Through the transom door, you could access the fairly narrow swim platform, which housed a folding reboarding ladder and grab handles. The transom locker was a great place to store some watersports equipment.

Just like any other mid-cabin Sea Ray, the deck of the 330 was also only available with a fixed, wrap-around windshield.

This was a huge drawback since reaching the foredeck through the narrow side deck required some athletic skills.

Another downside of this deck design was a very low forward-facing radar arch, which caused a claustrophobic feeling when standing at the helm.

(It’s good to know that the ‘95-‘97 models featured the same, uncomfortably low radar arch height, which was raised in ‘98-‘99.)

Without the need for completeness, the most important hull and deck features of the 330 were as follows:

• Arctic White gel coat
• Stainless steel bow and stern eyes
• Stainless steel bow rail
• Welded stainless steel stanchion
• Stainless steel transom rail
• PVC rub rail
• Fiberglass-molded deck toe rail
• Cleats
• Integrated bow pulpit
• Anchor
• Anchor storage
• Navigation lights
• Windlass
• Deck hatch (emergency exit)
• Sun pad (opt)
• Skylights
• Sliding cabin door
• Windshield w/wipers
• Bilge blower
• Transom storage
• Swim platform
• Reboarding ladder
• Fresh water tank
• Holding tank
• Generator (opt)
• Air conditioner

The main cockpit features:

• Adjustable helm seat w/Full aft facing seat w/storage
• Portside seat
• Aft wrap-around seat
• Cockpit entertainment center
• Wet bar
• Sink with pressure water
• Ice maker
• Cooler
• Waste bin
• Side panel storage
• Transom door
• Beverage holders
• Snap-in carpet
• 12V accessory outlet
• 120V outlet
• Self-bailing fiberglass cockpit liner
• Electrically operated engine hatch
• Indirect cockpit lighting
• Cockpit bolsters
• Painted aluminum sport spoiler
• Stainless steel handrails

The clean, simple helm was packed with a lot of advanced technologies, including:

• Instrument panel (Tachometers, Speedometer, Oil pressure, voltmeter, Fuel gauges, Water temp.)
• Switch panel
• Breaker panel
• Compass
• Windlass switch
• Throttle control
• Shift control
• System monitor panel (opt)
• Heater switch and vent (opt)
• Trimtab switch
• Stereo remote
• VHF radio
• Steering wheel
• Horn
• Depth finder

Cabin

Light and spacious, the cabin of the 330 was accessible through a solid sliding door.

It was designed with an open-plan layout, which became widely popular due to having plenty of free space.

Climbing down the stairs, you arrived at the galley, which featured a lot of counter space, a plethora of storage units, and quality hardware.

It was completed with a roomy dinette that seated four, but it could also be converted to a berth for two.

In the front, you could find a generous pedestal berth with storage units.

Located behind the salon, the versatile mid-cabin could either be used as a living or sleeping area.

Compared to the 340, this area was slightly smaller, but it still housed a reasonably-sized sofa that could be converted to berths for two.

Without the need for completeness, the most important features of the cabin were as follows:

• V-berth double bunk with storage
• V-berth hanging locker
• V-berth privacy curtains
• TV/VCR combo
• Lockers
• Galley sink
• Galley refrigerator 110v/12v
• 2 burner electric stove
• Built-in microwave oven
• Dinette with seating for four
• Telephone jack
• Storage cabinet
• AC/DC distribution panel
• Stereo cabinet
• Bathroom (w/ sink and toilet)
• Mid-berth privacy curtain
• Mid-stateroom conversation pit (converts to double berth)

Engines

The 1995-1999 Sundancer 330 was fitted with twin gasoline or diesel MerCruiser/Volvo engine packages. Many of them could be ordered with either inboard V-drive or sterndrive propulsion systems.

In the 1995 model year, the available engine options included:

Twin Gasoline Sterndrives:

• T-5.7L MerCruiser Alpha I (std.)
• T-5.7L MerCruiser Bravo III
• T-5.7L EFI MerCruiser Bravo I or III
• T-7.4L MerCruiser Bravo I or III

Twin Gasoline V-Drives:

• T-5.7L MerCruiser V-drive
• T-7.4L MerCruiser V-drive

Twin Diesel Sterndrive:

• T-D7.3L MerCruiser Bravo III
• T-D4.2L MerCruiser Bravo II
• T-KAD32DP VOLVO

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about their performance in detail.

Performance

Despite ample choices of power sources, most buyers ordered their 330s with gasoline V-drive engines, and with good reason.

Compared to their sterndrive counterpart, the V-drive system was much simpler, which ensured more reliability and easier maintenance.

Many boaters agree that this simpler propulsion was a must in a salt water environment since replacing the anodes was always a big headache.

In terms of displacement, there’s no question that the big-block 7.4L engine package was the perfect fit for this boat.

It delivered plenty of torque and moved the boat effortlessly, even fully loaded.

When it comes to performance numbers, the most comfortable cruising speed of the 330 with the 7.4L gasoline engine package was 28-30 mph (24-26 knots) at around 3500 RPM.

At this speed, the boat burned 31-32 gph, so its gas mileage averaged around .8-.9 mpg.

With a usable fuel capacity of 214 gallons, the cruising range was in the neighborhood of 180-190 miles.

Running at WOT (4250 RPM), the boat topped out at 36-37 mph (31-32 knots) while using 50 gph. This converted to a mileage of .75 mpg, which gave her a range of 160 miles.

Due to its moderate-V hull with a 17-degree transom deadrise, the 330 performed even worse on rough waters than the other Sundancers with deep-V hulls.

In contrast, it was smooth and comfortable on glass and a light chop.

Problems

Based on our research, the most common problems with the Sundancer 330 (first gen.) were as follows:

• Narrow swim platform
• Radar arch too low (especially in the ‘95-‘97 seasons)
• Small mid-cabin (compared to the 340)
• Narrow side deck
• Lack of walkthrough windshield
• Very tight engine room
• Poor rough water performance (over 3’)
• Non-responsive handling at idle speed

1995-1999 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve listed the main factory specs of the second-generation Sea Ray Sundancer 330 (1995-1999):

Dimensions

Overall Length	33’ 6”
Overall Length w/std. bow pulpit	35’ 10”
Beam	11’ 5”
Draft (Inboards)	33”
Draft (Stern Drive Down)	36”
Draft (Stern Drive Up)	25”
Dead Rise	17°
Keel to top off spoiler	13’ 1”
Waterline to top off spoiler	10’ 9”
Keel to top off windshield	11’ 9”
Waterline to top off windshield	9’ 7”

Weight and Capacities

Dry weight	11,200 lbs.
Fuel capacity	225 gal.
Usable fuel	214 gal.
Water capacity	40 gal.
Holding tank	28 gal.

Engine Specs (2006 model year)

Engine	T-5.7L (std.)	T-5.7L	T-5.7L EFI	T-7.4L	T-5.7L V-Drive	T-7.4L V-Drive	T-D7.3L	T-D4.2L	T-KAD32DP
Manufacturer	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	MerCruiser	Volvo
Gas/Diesel	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Diesel	Diesel	Diesel
No. of engines	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
HP	T-235	T-250	T-250	T-300	T-300	T-300	T-250	T-200	T-216
Displ. (L)	5.7L	5.7	5.7	7.4	5.7	7.4	7.3	4.2	na
Displ. (CID)	350	350	350	454	350	454	444	254	na
Cylinders	V8	V8	V8	V8	V8	V8	V8	I6	na
Propulsion	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Inboard	Inboard	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Sterndrive
Propulsion type	Alpha I	Bravo III	Bravo I or III	Bravo I or III	V-Drive	V-Drive	Bravo III	Bravo II	Volvo

These specifications are for informational purposes only. For further information, please refer to the operator’s manual.

Takeaways – Looking for a Sea Ray Sundancer 330 For Sale?

Many used boat buyers consider the pre-2010 Sundancers a good deal, and with good reason.

Compared to the latest models, these boats are much more affordable and many of them are still in good shape.

If you do your research, you can find many used Sea Ray Sundancer 330s for sale on eBay, Craigslist, or classified boat websites.

The asking price usually starts at $35,000 and goes up to $100,000, reflecting the age, condition, features, and engine package.

If you are considering buying one of these 33-footer mid-cabin cruisers, you may want to consider the big-block, 7.4L engine package with a V-drive propulsion system.

In most cases, these boats have a higher price tag, but they pay for themselves in the long run. They not only offer a better overall performance but are also much easier to sell.

On top of that, the V-drive system is cheaper and easier to maintain.

Besides the 330 and its revamped successor, you may want to take a close look at the 340 Sundancer (second gen: 1998-2002, third gen: 2003-2008).

The 330 and 340 are almost the same size so they have very similar asking prices and owning costs. Despite this, the latter is much roomier and has a larger salon and mid-cabin.

That’s why many buyers prefer the 340 over its smaller siblings.