Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 vs Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 vs Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 measures 53,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 36,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 at 17,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 tips the scales at 385 lbs — 364 lbs less than the Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 at 21 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 tops out at 765 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 carries 56 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 is rated for 16 passengers, while the Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 16 passengers and at 53,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 180 Sport 2005 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model180 Sport
Model52 Sundancer?
Model Year2005
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam70 in. (2.13 m)
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam - Meters1.78
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Inches7
Beam - Inches183
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise19℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail18 in. (45.7 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.46
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches18
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (88.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail50 in. (127 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.89
Draft [max] - Meters1.27
Draft [max] - Inches35
Draft [max] - Inches5
Weight - Detail2,100 lbs. (953 kg)
Weight - Detail38,500 lbs. (17,463 kg)
Weight - kg952.54
Weight - kg17463.29
Weight - lbs.21
Weight - lbs.385
Length - Meters5.33
Length - Meters16.26
Length - Feet17
Length - Feet53
Length - Inches6
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 6 in. (5.33 m)
Length overall - Detail53 ft. 4 in. (16.26 m)
Length overall - Meters5.33
Length overall - Meters16.26
Length overall - Inches21
Length overall - Inches64
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]54 ft. 9 in. (16.69 m)
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive (135 hp - 101 kw)
Engine/s standardT-VD-Cummins MerCruiser? QSM-11 T-660 hp (477 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail21 gal. (79.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail560 gal. (2,119.6 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters79.49
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2119.83
Fuel tank capacity - Gal21
Fuel tank capacity - Gal56
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeV-drive
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxT-765 hp (570 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity980 lbs. (444.5 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people7
Maximum peoplenot available
Headnot available
Head2, VacuFlush?
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity150 gal. (567.8 l)
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity20 gal. (75.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257.4 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters257.41
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal68
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass