Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 against a semi displacement Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 measures 54,8 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 35,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 at 19,7 feet (2011). At 26 lbs and 5 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 715 hp, the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 has a 495-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011's 220-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 carries 26 gallons versus 6 gallons in the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 is rated for up to 8 people. Passenger data for the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 at 54,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Sea Ray 185 Sport 2011 at 19,7 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
Model185 Sport
Model540 Sundancer?
Model Year2011
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam7 ft. 3 in. (2.21 m)
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam - Meters2.21
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Inches87
Beam - Inches183
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise21℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail17 in. (43 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 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail50 in. (127 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.86
Draft [max] - Meters1.27
Draft [max] - Inches34
Draft [max] - Inches5
Weight - Detail2,600 lbs. (1,179 kg)
Weight - Detail50,000 lbs. (22,679 kg)
Weight - kg1179.34
Weight - kg22679.6
Weight - lbs.26
Weight - lbs.5
Length - Feet19.67
Length - Feet54.75
Length overall - Detail19 ft. 8 in. (5.99 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters5.99
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches236
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]54 ft. 9 in. (16.7 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMerCruiser®
Engine makeCummins® MerCruiser®
Engine/s standard3.0L MPI ECT Alpha® I Sterndrive
Engine/s standardT-Zeus® QSC 8.3 600 DTS with Skyhook?
Fuel tank capacity - Detail26 gal. (98 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail600 gal. (2,271 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters98.42
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2271.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal26
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typePod Drive
Horsepower135 hp (101 kW)
HorsepowerTwin 576 php (428 kW)
Engine max220 hp (164 kW)
Engine maxTwin 715 hp (526 kW)
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 capacity150 gal. (568 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters257.41
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal68