In Marbella, Spain, the world´s biggest producer of pleasure motorboats, Sea Ray International / Saltwater Group, has presented to the European journalists a new sport yacht 515 Sundancer that encapsulates the essence of American-made style. Although Sea Ray´s assortment includes even smallish runabouts of 18 feet (5,33 metres), boaters mainly consider boats from 10 metres and more to be true Sea Ray. 515 Sundancer belongs to the prestigious Sport Yacht group of boats that, regarding their appearance, belong rather to classical than to avant-garde. Naturally, each season, these boats gradually modernise and improve, but original character of basic silhouettes remains in the assigned frame. Sea Ray does not engage in unnecessary experimenting, but rather approaches design process in evolutionary way to avoid shocking its tradition-oriented clients who prefer timeless classical appearance to ultra-modern that lasts only for a season or two. Such flirting with own style is by no means endless recycling of already existing, but rather ensures that Sea Ray´s boats are always and everywhere identifiable for what they are. However, attentive scrutinising will quickly reveal all novelties, including changes of a last-year´s hull. This one boasts, today very "in", large vertical saloon windows on the topsides and, compared to model 515, which production ended in 2003, has completely closed air-conditioned helm station.
The large, private cabin of the 515 Sundancer is well appointed, with new fabric and color choices, solid-surface countertops, and handcrafted hardwood cabinets and trim with cherry-wood finishes. The luxurious salon has everything for entertaining, a 23” LCD flatscreen TV and DVD player, along with a Clarion XMD3 Sirius satellite-ready stereo, CD changer, and amplifier/speaker system, all included in the entertainment center with etched glass and stainless-steel accents. The galley is equiped with a two-burner stove, microwave/convection oven, upright refrigerator/ freezer, coffeemaker, and much more. The forward stateroom offers the comfort of a full-size bed with innerspring mattress, and coordinated sheets and spread. A 17” LCD flatscreen TV/DVD combo unit is also included. Separate head and shower both feature privacy doors accessible from the forward stateroom. The V drive has enabled the move the engine compartment aft, so there is enough space for the sufficient wide midship stateroom with twin beds and slide system to convert to a queen-sized bed. Guests will also enjoy their own private midship head and shower with seat.
On the main deck the cockpit has been opened up and designed for entertaining and inclusion. The bridge cockpit is semi-enclosed via integrated windshield and fiberglass hardtop with two large opening sunroof hatches, while functionality centers around a new, pivoting double helm seat, a L-shaped bench and backrest, and a control station so ergonomically designed that both master and navigator have complete access to all helm features. The 515 Sundancer has every control needed for unquestionably smooth sailing, including custom Sea Ray SmartCraft System View and diagnostics, Raymarine RayNav 300 GPS with interface for system maintenance records, VHF radio, digital LCD all systems monitor panel surrounded by a Linear Flux and Gray Burl instrumentation panel in a Nickel gel-coated dash. The aft, open cockpit area has large U-shaped seating and wet bar with Corian countertop.
Sampling her performances (even though the sea was relatively calm, the 515 has fairly hard entered in the waves), powered with TVD-QSC 540 Cummins (T-517 PHP) diesel engines that feature the new Quantum Fuel System for peerless propulsion and durability, the 515 Sundancer has reach the top speed of 34 knots by 2600 rpm.
Published: 2005
Photo: NauCat (TINC)
| Technical details | |
| Producer: | SEA RAY (USA) |
| LOA: | 51'00 ft |
| LOA: | 15,5 m |
| Beam: | 4,47 m |
| Draught: | 1,22 m |
| Weight: | 15241 kg |
| Deadrise: | 19 ° |
| Fuel tank: | 1515 l |
| Water tank: | 417 l |
| Septic water tank: | 227 l |
| Berths: | 4+2 |
| Cabins: | 2 |
Related articles
Sealine C330v
After Sealine’s successful debut of an outboard-powered boat last year, the S330v, it has followed up with the agile Sealine C330v
