Matching a deep vee Sea Ray 185 Sport 2012 against a semi displacement Sea Ray 390 Sundancer 2011 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 390 Sundancer 2011 measures 39,0 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 19,3 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2012 at 19,7 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 390 Sundancer 2011 tips the scales at 246 lbs — 220 lbs less than the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2012 at 26 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 425 hp, the Sea Ray 390 Sundancer 2011 has a 205-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2012's 220-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 390 Sundancer 2011 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Sea Ray 185 Sport 2012 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 390 Sundancer 2011 could be the deciding factor.