I have been thinking of cruising this summer on the left coast. I have a 41' Sea Ray Sundancer with diesels. Is it reasonable to think I could cruise the inland passage to Alaska from Seattle? What are your experiences with cruising these non-passage maker sport yachts?
Sundancers as cruising yachts, what do you think?
- Thread starter jholtco
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think you are asking 2 questions.
1. can you cruise with a dancer? heck yes. just watch the number of people you take, escpecially on an extended cruise, but the boat is great. i have used in all over the great lakes...great crusing boat.
2. a dancer on the NW passage? from what i read, deadheads are the problem and these floating logs and debris could ruin your trip and running at 24k could be a real problem.
1. can you cruise with a dancer? heck yes. just watch the number of people you take, escpecially on an extended cruise, but the boat is great. i have used in all over the great lakes...great crusing boat.
2. a dancer on the NW passage? from what i read, deadheads are the problem and these floating logs and debris could ruin your trip and running at 24k could be a real problem.
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good point about the deadheads...
talk to people on the west coast about their experience with running such boats, first up the coast from san Francisco to the PNW and then up in the PNW.
from what i understand the trip up the coast isn't an easy cruise like what we are used to on the east coast...
talk to people on the west coast about their experience with running such boats, first up the coast from san Francisco to the PNW and then up in the PNW.
from what i understand the trip up the coast isn't an easy cruise like what we are used to on the east coast...
I would not. Don't get me wrong. The Dancer is a great boat. I own a 330. However, An enjoyable cruise as you describe should be viewed from a bridge....Preferably a climate controlled bridge. Take your time.....Enjoy the scenery.
I am jealous.
I am jealous.
I spent 8 weeks on a 340DA with my girlfriend in and around the Bahamas earlier this year. While it was a little cramped, we got along fine (so fine I asked her to marry me when we returned). I am not sure what kind of cruising range you need, but you have seperate showers, and that's a big plus. Just make a good plan, and be ready to change it. We cruised when the weather allowed, and enjoyed where we were at when it didn't. Good Luck.
briman
briman
I am from Seattle (Ballard)
I have taken my 34' flybridge to AK 2 times
this year. You will need to stay in the in-let areas.
Sorry to say your boat will not last to long in the open water after BC area. What I did is took 2 50-gal tanks + my 200, the reason is I did not want to report into Canada, if you do you have to log in and all that ****, but if you go straight through without stopping you dont have to report in or show that your a US person. You have a great boat and should do better in fuel then me but the open wateR? your crazy.
The best boaters and the best fishermen in the world stay in the in-lets until the get to AK area.
well good luck and take the trip, Its worth the time!!!!!! The sights are breath taking
I have taken my 34' flybridge to AK 2 times
this year. You will need to stay in the in-let areas.
Sorry to say your boat will not last to long in the open water after BC area. What I did is took 2 50-gal tanks + my 200, the reason is I did not want to report into Canada, if you do you have to log in and all that ****, but if you go straight through without stopping you dont have to report in or show that your a US person. You have a great boat and should do better in fuel then me but the open wateR? your crazy.
The best boaters and the best fishermen in the world stay in the in-lets until the get to AK area.
well good luck and take the trip, Its worth the time!!!!!! The sights are breath taking
I think the 89 30ft Sundancer is ideal for short cruises with kids your ages. We did great with it when mine were that age. Parents in the forward berth, 1 kid in aft cabin for privacy and one the converted dinette berth. Later it became parents in aft with curtain closed, kids and in the forward with tv and video games till bedtime. Sometimes one will want to sleep at the helm on the bench seat. The booth style dinette with facing seats and large table works better for family of 4 meals, card games etc than the settee table found more often on newer boats. The big flat foredeck is good for lounging. The 30' is roomy (don't confuse it with the late 89 "30" which is like a 28 and different hull. The 85 to 89 are the same hull. A couple of suggestions if getting this boat. Extend the canvas aft so there will be some shade. The original forward canvas slants down to the windshield. Get it raised so air flows and you can stand with the canvas up looking over the windshield. Shade and breeze keeps wives and kids happy. I also put in two pontoon boat style bench seats in the cockpit. Seats 4 and very comfortable and can be arranged L shape style. Plus storage in them. For fishing, just slide them against the helm seat for standing room in the stern. Over a tank of gas which includes the mix of no wake zones, idling,cruising at 2800 rpm (23 kts) I consistently average 10 to 12 gal per hour - very good for a boat this size. Central vac, microwave, deep sink are appreciated. Add a grill and you are set. Go for it.