Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 vs Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 vs Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005 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 300 Sundancer 2005 measures 33,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 14,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 at 19,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005 tips the scales at 12 500 lbs - 9 900 lbs less than the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 at 2 600 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 185 Sport 2008 carries a rated maximum of 4 hp. Engine data for the Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005 wasn't available in our records - check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005 carries 170 gallons versus 26 gallons in the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008. 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 300 Sundancer 2005 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 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 300 Sundancer 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 300 Sundancer 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 10 passengers and at 33,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2008 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
Model300 Sundancer?
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Beam10 ft. 5 in. (3.18 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters3.18
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches125
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43.1 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (60.96 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.43
Draft [drive up] meters0.61
Draft [drive up] inches17
Draft [drive up] inches24
Draft [max] - Detail34 in. (86.3 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail40 in. (101.6 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.02
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches40
Weight - Detail2,600 lbs. (1,179 kg)
Weight - Detail12,500 lbs. (5,670 kg)
Weight - kg1179.34
Weight - kg5669.9
Weight - lbs.2600
Weight - lbs.12500
Length - Meters5.99
Length - Meters10.16
Length - Feet19
Length - Feet33
Length - Inches8
Length - Inches4
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Detail33 ft. 4 in. (10.16 m)
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Meters10.16
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inches400
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard3.0L Alpha I MCM Stern Drive with Turn-Key Start - 135 hp (101 kW)
Engine/s standardT-5.0L MPI Bravo? II MCM Stern Drives (T-260 hp - 194 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98.4 l), Usable fuel: 23 gal. (87 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail170 gal. (643.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters643.52
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal170
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Engine max4.3L MPI Alpha I Stern Drive - 220 hp (164 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,200 lbs. (544 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8 @ 1,100 lbs. (499 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity35 gal. (132.5 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal28
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailSingle-axle, painted
Trailer - Detailnot available