2008-2014 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Specs and Review [Video]

After eight years of hiatus, Sea Ray reintroduced its Sundancer 330 for the 2008 model year. This 33-foot mid-cabin cruiser returned with a refreshed design and more bells and whistles. Ir remained in production until late 2014 when it was phased out by its more advanced successor.

In this post, we’ll review the third-generation Sundancer 330, which was marketed from 2008 through 2014.

Fast Facts:

• Class: Midcabin Cruiser
• Engines: MerCruiser V8 gasoline
• Propulsion: inboard V-drive or sterndrive
• HP: 640-750hp
• LOA: 33’6”
• Beam: 11’5”
• Dry weight: 15,400 lb.
• Top speed: 40 mph
• Range: 200 miles

2008-2014 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Review

Hull and Top Deck

The Sundancer 330 went through four different generations from the early 1990s to the late 2010s, which were as follows:

• First: 1992-1994 (rebranded ’90-’91 Express Cruiser)
• Second: 1995-1999
• Third: 2008-2014
• Fourth: 2015-2017

From 2000 through 2008 this model wasn’t marketed in order to make room for the 320.  

In late 2007, Sea Ray re-introduced the thoroughly redesigned 330, which replaced its smaller sibling.

Compared to its predecessors, this all-new 2008-2014 Sundancer 330 was a far more modern boat.

Its hull was completely revamped and improved with a deep-V design. This means that the moderate, 17-degree transom deadrise of the previous hull was increased to 21 degrees.

What’s more, its 11,200 pounds of dry weight was increased to 15,400 pounds with the standard engine package.

Filled up with fuel and water, the gross weight of the boat exceeded 17,000 pounds alone and 20,000 pounds on a triple-axle trailer.

Its overall length was 35.5 feet while its beam was 11.5 feet.

Capacities remained unchanged, the aluminum fuel tank, the plastic freshwater tank, and the plastic holding tank were rated at 225, 40, and 28 gallons, respectively.

One of the most noticeable changes on the beat was arguably its entirely new top deck style.

Designed from scratch, this all-new deck enjoyed modern, curved lines and stylish new portholes.

It also lacked the outdated bow pulpit and to the greatest delight of many fans, it now enjoyed a walkthrough windshield. As an addition, the sliding cabin door had molded steps, which made it much easier to access the foredeck.

It is safe to say that this upgraded design was one of the most important innovations of the new layout.

Other upgrades included a higher radar arch, which finally made it possible for taller people to drive standing up.

(Its predecessors featured fixed windshields, so the foredecks were only accessible through very narrow side decks.)

Other innovative features included a foldable transom rumble seat and an extended cockpit wet bar. The latter could be opted for with a built-in stainless steel grill and a sink with pressure water.

In return, the port-side companion seat was eliminated to make room for the larger wet bar.

The basic helm beach was also replaced with adjustable dual flip-up bolster seats.

In the aft section of the cockpit, the lounge area utilized a cozy, U-shaped sofa with a removable deck table.

In a nutshell, the most important hull and deck features of the boat were as follows:

• Spotlight (opt)
• Stainless steel bow and stern eyes
• Stainless steel bow rail
• PVC rub rail
• Cleats
• Integrated bow pulpit
• Anchor
• Anchor storage
• Navigation lights
• Windlass
• Deck hatch (emergency exit)
• Sun pad
• Skylights
• Sliding cabin door w/molded steps
• Walk-through windshield w/wipers
• Bilge blower
• Transom storage
• Aluminum fuel tank (225 gal.)
• Fresh water tank (40 gal.)
• Holding tank (28 gal.)
• Generator (opt)
• Air conditioner
• Swim platform w/pull out swim ladder
• Bow thruster

The main cockpit features included:

• Sliding helm and companion bench seat
• Aft seating lounge
• Cockpit entertainment center
• Wet bar
• Electric grill (opt)
• Sink with pressure water
• Cooler/Fridge (opt)
• Side panel storage
• Cockpit TV (opt)
• 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
• Stainless steel handrails

The clean and simple helm was packed with many advanced technologies, including:

• Gauge panel (Tachometers, Speedometer, Oil pressure, Voltmeter, Fuel gauge, Water temp.)
• Smartcraft system view (opt)
• Ignition switch panel
• Switch panels
• Throttle control levers
• Shift control levers
• Autopilot
• Helm storage
• WHF radio
• Spotlight control
• Stereo remote
• Navigation electronics
• Compass

Cabin

Compared to the 340, the cabin of the 330 was slightly smaller and offered less headroom.

In return, it was designed with a plethora of high-quality finishes and innovative features and luxury finishes like cherry wood cabinet doors, and high-quality upholstery.

One of the most exciting was arguably the adjustable, power-actuated master V-berth with steps on each side.

This island queen berth could be transformed into a lounge with the press of a button to maximize free space in the salon.

It was completed with lights, storage lockers, and an optional flip-down TV.

The salon was designed with a fairly narrow table and a comfortably wide salon sofa that housed a storage unit and converted into a single berth.

Stylish and practical, the well-appointed galley was equipped with cherry cabinets, a recessed two-burner stove, a refrigerator, a separate freezer drawer, a sink, and a 12V CD receptacle.

Coffee enthusiasts appreciated the unique stainless steel microwave/coffee maker combo, which came standard.

Unfortunately, the boat lacked a large mid-cabin but had a smaller mid-stateroom housing L-shaped seating. This unit had not only ample sitting headroom but could be converted into a berth for two.

The head was scaled reasonably and utilized a vanity with a solid-surface top, shower, shelves, porthole, and a toilet with a pull-down seat.

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

• Power actuate V-berth
• V-berth hanging lockers
• V-berth privacy curtains
• Flip-down TV
• Lockers
• Galley sink
• Galley refrigerator
• Freezer drawer
• Stove
• Integrated microwave oven/coffee maker combo
• Storage cabinets
• Head (w/ vanity, shower, toilet)
• Salon sofa (converts to a single berth)
• Salon table
• Mid-stateroom seating (converts to double berth)
• Mid-berth privacy curtain
• MDP panel

Engines

The 2008-2014 Sundancer 330 was available with twin gasoline or diesel engine packages, many of them could be opted for with either inboard V-drive or sterndrive propulsion systems.

In the 2008 model year, the available engine options were as follows:

Twin Gasoline Sterndrives:

• T-MX6.2 MPI Bravo III DTS (T-320 hp) –
• T-MX6.2 MPI SeaCore Bravo III DTS (T-320 hp)
• T-496 Magnum® MPI Bravo III DTS (T-375 hp)
• T-496 Magnum® SeaCore Bravo III DTS (T-375 hp)

Twin Gasoline V-Drives:

• T-VD 8.1 S Horizon DTS (T-370 hp)

Twin Diesel Sterndrives:

• T-Yanmar 6LPA-STZP (T-301 hp)

There’s no question that the big-block 8.1L (496 CID) engines were much more popular than the others.

Due to its simplicity and easier maintenance the V-drive propulsion system was also more preferred than its complex sterndrive counterpart.

Sure, the V-drives burned slightly more fuel and left significantly less free space around the engines.

The latter was a huge drawback since the engine room of the Sundancer 330 was very small and tight.

As one might expect, working on the engines and drives in this overcrowded compartment was very hard and uncomfortable.

The situation became even worse with the presence of a generator, which was also stuffed into the engine bay.

These 3.5, 4, or 5 kW gas or diesel Kohler generators came as an option.

Performance

With the most popular twin MerCruiser 8.1S Horizon (T-375 hp) V-drive engine package, the Sundancer 330 topped out at around 40 mph.

These power mills offered great overall performance and plenty of torque, but they made the hull slightly stern heavy at lower speeds.

Besides, they used slightly more fuel than their small-block relatives, especially at WOT.

Even though the boat maintained plane at as slow as 14-15 mph, its most comfortable cruise speed was in the neighborhood of 30-35 mph at 3000 RPM.

At this speed, the twin 8.1L MerCrusiers with V-drives burned about 30-32 gph. This converted into a mileage of about 1 mpg, which gave her a fuel range of 200-220 mpg.

Running at WOT, the same engines used shy of 80 gph while getting .5 mpg. The fuel range at this speed was only 100 miles.

Compared to its predecessors, the new 330 had a much better rough water performance.

This is no surprise since it was not only far heavier, but its hull also utilized a deeper, 21-degree transom deadrise.

Problems

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

• Stern-heavy weight distribution with the 8.1L engines
• Small mid-cabin (compared to the 340)
• Narrow saloon table
• Very tight engine room (especially with V-drives and generator)

2008-2014 Sea Ray Sundancer 330 Specs Charts

For your convenience, we’ve listed the main factory specs of the second-generation Sea Ray Sundancer 330 (2008 model year):

Dimensions

Overall Length w/std. swim platform	35’ 6”
Beam	11’ 6”
Draft (Inboards)	41”
Draft (Stern Drive Down)	40”
Draft (Stern Drive Up)	31”
Dead Rise	21°
Keel to top off mast light	15’ 10 1/4”
Waterline to top off mast light	13’ 5 3/4”
Waterline to top off the arch	10’ 4 1/4”
Waterline to top off windshield	7’ 8”

Weight and Capacities

Dry weight	15,400 lbs.
Fuel capacity	225 gal.
Usable fuel	203 gal.
Water capacity	40 gal.
Holding tank	28 gal.

Engine Specs

Engine	T-MX6.2 MPI	T-MX6.2 MPI	T-496 Magnum MPI	T-496 Magnum	T-VD 8.1 S Horizon DTS	T-Yanmar 6LPA-STZP
Std/opt	Std.	Opt.	Opt.	Opt.	Opt.	Opt.
HP	T-320 hp	T-320 hp	T-375 hp	T-375 hp	T-370 hp	T-301 hp
kW	T-239 kW	T-239 kW	T-280 kW	T-280 kW	T-276 kW	T-222 kW
Displ. (L)	6.2L	6.2L	8.1L	8.1L	8.1L	4.164L
Displ. (CID)	377	377	496	496	496	254
Cylinders	V8	V8	V8	V8	V8	I6
Propulsion	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Sterndrive	Inboard	Sterndrive
Propulsion type	Bravo III DTS	SeaCore Bravo III DTS	Bravo III DTS	SeaCore Bravo III DTS	V-drive	na

 

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

Takeaways

Sea Ray Sundancers have always been among the most popular cruisers, and the 330 was no exception.

This is why this model went through four generations from the early 1990s to the late 2010s.

The manufacturer marketed the third-generation 330 from 2008 through late 2014.

Compared to its ‘95-‘99 predecessor, the model returned with many new features, the most important of which were as follows:

• Redesigned hull with a 21-degree deadrise
• All-new top deck with curved lines
• Walkthrough windshield
• Foldable rumble seat
• Extended cockpit entertainment center with grill
• Built-in microwave/coffee maker
• And more

Thanks to their durability, you can still find many of these iconic boats appearing on the water and the used market as well.

As a rule of thumb, their asking prices average between $80,000 and $190,000. In contrast, its second generation (‘95-‘99) predecessor is typically offered for $35,000-$100,000.

The most expensive model in this breed is their fourth-generation brother, which is typically advertised in a price range of $200,000-$230,000.

Sure, these boats are manufactured from 2015-2017, so they are significantly younger than their forerunners.

If you want to stick to a third generation, make sure to choose one with a twin 8.1L V-drive engine package. Even though these boats have higher asking prices, they are very worth the price.

Their extra power, higher durability, and lower maintenance costs pay for themselves in the long run. On top of that, they are much easier to sell.

But if you are considering buying other Sea Ray cruisers in this size range, you may want to take a look at the Sundancer 340 (second-gen: 1999-2002, third-gen: 2003-2008).

The 330 and 340 have a lot in common, but the latter is noticeably roomier and has a larger mid-cabin.