With its new 265 Sundancer designed with European tastes in mind, the Americans are plotting a course across the Atlantic, but can Sea Ray turn on the style?
America and the UK, as George Bernard Shaw once observed, are two countries divided by a common language. And, its seems, we have very different views about boating, too.
Over here, any new boat is without doubt a luxury, as revered and treasured as a new Bentley or a Rolex watch. In the States, it is merely a toy to have fun with; like a customised pickup truck or barbecue. Over there, it’s not what you’ve got, but what you do with it. The attitude, that the boat is just a means to an end, is reflected in the way they are built.
While the Americans are perfectly capable of creating luxury boats, their mainstream products tend to be centred more on functionality than luxury, which is why when Sea Ray wanted more global reach, especially into the European markets, it turned to its Netherlands-based business development manager, Marcel Rijnbeek, to design the new Sea Ray 265 Sundancer.
Price excludes VAT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtHdzIIuwaY&version=3&hl=en_GB
Pros
- Good use of space in and around the enginebay, brisk performance, lovely detailing and good visibility at the helm.
Cons
- Costs £20,000 more than the Regal 28 Express so it may have a fight on its hands to reclaim the starter-cruiser crown, it is susceptible to lateral trim, there is limited stowage and there are some legroom issues at the helm.
Price as reviewed:
£91,094.00
Verdict
Sea Ray has done a great job of Europeanising this small sportscruiser giving it the sea-keeping we require together with the quality of finish we crave. Sea Ray US certainly believe it’s a good boat. It is pinching the designs and creating its own version to be built in America for its home market.
Details
Displacement: 2520kg
Top Speed: 36 knots
Cabins: 2
Fuel Capacity: 57.5gal (261lt)
Beam: 8ft 6in (2.59m)
Cruising Speed: 28 knots
Water Capacity: 17.6gal (80lt)
Air Draught: 3ft 4in (1.02m)
RCD Category: C
Length Overall: 27ft 5in (8.39m)
Engines: MerCruiser 350 Magnum
Range: 101 miles
