Sea Ray 55Sundancer

40 Lakeland BOATING • June 2007

boattest.searay55.qxp 4/19/07 11:34 AM Page 40

T here’s an impressive combination of

creature comforts, innovative ideas

and high-tech features aboard the new

55 Sundancer. And the styling is eye-

catching as well, from exterior lines that feature

the distinctive Sea Ray arched sheerline to the

generous use of rich, high-gloss wood inside.

The moment you step onboard, you’ll notice a

large circular design just behind the helm in the

teak inlay cockpit deck. It’s a recessed track that

allows two quarter-circle sofas to rotate into any

position along its 360-degree range. Arrange a

dinner party for six adults by having the sofas

face each other across the dining table. Or create

a huge conversation area by spinning the seats

around so they face aft and the rest of the cock-

pit seating.

There are two individually controlled retrac-

table sunroof panels overhead. These, coupled

with sliding side windows and remote opening

sections in the windshield, bring in breezes. A

cockpit refrigerator and icemaker, along with a

sink and electric barbecue grill come standard.

High-tech is the operative word at the helm.

The boat can be equipped with an awesome

array of electronics, starting with the standard

Raymarine E-120 chartplotter system that

includes radar, digital fishfinder and autopilot.

You can upgrade to Northstar’s new 6100i dis-

play and similar peripherals, or go all the way

with the Sea Ray Navigator system. In addition

to link capability with the SkyMate satellite boat

monitoring and communication system, Navi-

gator can be interfaced with a laptop through a

USB port at the helm.

An easy-to-navigate, five-step wooden stair-

case leads to the salon. Sofa seating lines the

starboard side and part of the aft bulkhead. It

provides excellent sightlines to the retractable

32-inch LCD HDTV that rises from a section of

the galley’s granite countertop. The sofa also

converts to a bed.

The galley is U-shaped, with the majority of

counter space to port. There’s a side-by-side

refrigerator and freezer under the counter and a

three-burner electric stove on top. A microwave/

A luxury yachtthat’s got the“wow” factor.

BY TOM THOMPSON

June 2007 • www.lakelandboating.com 41

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convection oven and coffeemaker are included,

too. At the aft port corner of the salon, you’ll find

a set of stacked cabinet doors. The bottom holds

the standard combination washer/dryer unit.

The full-beam master suite is aft and full of

surprises. The first is a cozy nook to port, with

two plush seats and a table between. A large

window above it brings in a view of the outdoors.

A 26-inch flat-screen TV is mounted on the for-

ward bulkhead—perfect for viewing while in bed.

Speaking of the berth, here’s something you

probably have never seen on a boat: a vibrating

bed. And you don’t even need a handful of quar-

ters. Both the master suite and the forward state-

room sport private heads with stall showers, van-

ities with solid surface countertops, stainless

steel sinks and tile backsplashes.

The 55 Sundancer has high-tech in its veins, or

should we say electrical wiring. Touch-screen

panels throughout the cabin provide control for

lighting, air conditioning and electrical-system

monitoring. A master panel in the salon lets you

control everything onboard, making it easy to

shut systems down when you leave the boat, and

re-energize them when you return. Switching

from shorepower to generator is as simple as the

push of a button.

There’s a “wow” factor under the hood, too. Our

test boat was powered by a pair of MAN R6-800

CRM diesels rated at 800 hp each. At a 23-knot

cruising speed, the boat has a range of 320 nauti-

cal miles with a 10-percent reserve. It will do

31 knots at wide-open throttle. From the high-

tech of the helm to the brawn of the engine com-

partment, the Sea Ray 55 Sundancer just might

have you saying, “Wow, I want one!” �

SpecsLOA.........................................................60'Beam..................................................15'11"Draft.......................................................4'8"Weight.........................................53,600 lbs.Fuel capacity ...................................825 gals.Sleeps .........................................................6Base power.........................T/MAN R6-800

CRM diesels (800 hp)Base price...................................$1,363,235

searay.com

42 Lakeland BOATING • June 2007

boattest.searay55.qxp 4/19/07 11:35 AM Page 42