Sea Ray 250 Sundancer: A New Pocket Express Cruiser for Sea Ray’s 50th Year

Sea Ray, celebrating 50 years of boatbuilding, has added a new pocket express cruiser to its lineup: the 250 Sundancer. Built in Knoxville, Tennessee, this 25-foot model represents a fresh design direction for the company, emphasizing stability, usable cockpit space and a light, airy cabin layout.

Dan Robinson, program manager for new product development, led the project from concept to production. According to Robinson, the 250 Sundancer is an entirely new model for Sea Ray, and its most notable improvements start with the hull. The hull was reshaped specifically to handle the additional weight that express cruisers typically carry—weight that is often located higher on the boat because of onboard amenities. To counteract the tendency of many express cruisers to feel tender or prone to rocking, Sea Ray increased the hull area to create a broader, more stable platform. The result is a ride that Robinson describes as “rock-solid.”

Design and Exterior Features

The 250 Sundancer maintains the reverse sheer characteristic of the Sundancer family, lending the boat a classic, sleek profile. An available molded fiberglass radar arch, referred to as a “spoiler,” is forward-raked and enhances the silhouette. A Bimini top is standard equipment, and the spoiler with a canvas soft top is offered as an option. Practical touches include an integral extended swim platform with transom storage and a starboard-side walkthrough that provides easy cockpit access.

Versatile Cockpit with Deployable Furniture

Sea Ray focused on versatility in the cockpit by incorporating what the company calls “deployable furniture.” The double-wide helm seat can swivel to face aft when the boat is at rest, making socializing and entertaining easier. The port-side L-shaped lounge is highly configurable: it has a flip-up backrest, a removable center section and the option of a solid teak cockpit table with filler cushions. With the table in place, the cockpit becomes a comfortable dining area for three to four people, allowing owners to customize the layout for cruising, dining or lounging.

Helm, Windshield and Electronics

The helm station features a wood-grain finish and is equipped with MerCruiser SmartCraft instrumentation. The dash provides space for flush-mounted optional electronics, keeping the helm clean and modern. A curved glass windshield includes a center walkthrough to the foredeck, and cabin access is arranged along the port side for convenient entry below.

Bright, Comfortable Cabin

Below deck, Sea Ray emphasized natural light and openness. Skylights were introduced into the cabin to increase overhead daylight and create a feeling of extra roominess—an important advantage for a 25-foot express cruiser. The interior layout includes a forward convertible V-berth that functions as a lounge and dinette, a galley to port, an enclosed head to starboard and a midcabin stateroom aft.

To open up space under seating areas, Sea Ray used an aluminum frame to support the seating configuration instead of a molded fiberglass base. This approach frees up storage and creates a lighter cabin feel. The design also includes dedicated storage for the solid wood V-berth table and filler cushions. Rather than a conventional hanging locker, the boat provides a dedicated area sized for a hanging garment bag—helpful for owners who want to travel directly from home to boat without unpacking.

Galley and Amenities

The galley, located on the port side, includes a microwave, molded fiberglass sink, stainless steel drawer-style refrigerator, upper and lower cabinetry, and a storage locker with a dedicated trash receptacle. A single-burner stove is available as an option, giving owners flexibility depending on how they intend to use the boat.

Model Range and Options

Alongside the 250 Sundancer, Sea Ray introduced the 230 and 540 Sundancer models for the same model year, expanding the Sundancer family to offer a range of sizes and features. The 250 is designed to provide the amenities and comfort of a larger express cruiser in a more compact, trailerable package.

Specifications

LOA: 26 feet, 7 inches
Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 3 feet, 5 inches (drive down)
Displacement: 6,950 pounds
Hull Type: Modified Vee
Transom Deadrise: 19 degrees
Tankage: 75 gallons fuel, 20 gallons water, 18 gallons waste
Power: Single gas or diesel sterndrive, up to 320 hp
Performance: Top speed approximately 38–40 mph; cruise speed approximately 28–30 mph (with MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI Bravo III)
Price: $103,770 (with MerCruiser 350 Magnum MPI Bravo III SeaCore)

Contact

Sea Ray Boats, Knoxville, Tennessee
Phone: (865) 522-4181
Website: www.searay.com

This article originally appeared in the May 2009 issue.