Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 vs Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 vs Sea Ray 38 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 38 Sundancer 2007 measures 39,0 feet overall (2007), giving it roughly 20,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 at 19,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 tips the scales at 194 lbs — 170 lbs less than the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 at 24 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 420 hp, the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 has a 230-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006's 190-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 26 gal and 25 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2007 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 39,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model185 Sport
Model38 Sundancer?
Model Year2006
Model Year2007
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Beam12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters3.81
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches15
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43.1 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches37
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs. (1,089 kg)
Weight - Detail19,400 lbs. (8,800 kg)
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - kg8799.68
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.194
Length - Meters5.99
Length - Meters11.89
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet39
Length - Inches8
Length - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Detail39 ft. 0 in. (11.89 m)
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Meters11.89
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches468
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive with Turn-Key Start - 135 hp (101 kW)
Engine/s standardT-VD-8.1 S Horizon MerCruiser? T-370 hp (276 kW)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeV-drive
Engine max190 hp
Engine maxT-420 hp (313 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544.3 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8
Maximum peoplenot available
Headnot available
HeadVacuFlush?
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity55 gal. (208.2 l)
Water heater capacitynot available
Water heater capacity6 gal. (22.7 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters132.49
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal35
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass