Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 vs Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 against a semi displacement Sea Ray 580 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 230 Fission 2009 measures 23,0 feet overall (2009), giving it roughly 17,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 at 6,0 feet (2011). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 tips the scales at 4 244 lbs — 3 709 lbs more than the Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 at 535 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 1 051 hp, the Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 has a 751-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009's 300-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 580 Sundancer 2011 carries 825 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 is rated for up to 10 people. Passenger data for the Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Sea Ray 230 Fission 2009 at 23,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Sea Ray 580 Sundancer 2011 at 6,0 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
Model230 Fission
Model580 Sundancer?
Model Year2009
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam15 ft. 11 in. (4.85 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters4.85
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches191
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise17℃
Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.42 cm)
Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available
Draft [drive up] meters0.58
Draft [drive up] metersnot available
Draft [drive up] inches23
Draft [drive up] inchesnot available
Draft [max] - Detail38 in. (96.52 cm)
Draft [max] - DetailInboards: 54 in. (137 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters1.37
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches54
Weight - Detail4,244 lbs. (1,925 kg)
Weight - Detail53,500 lbs. (24,267 kg)
Weight - kg1925.04
Weight - kg24267.17
Weight - lbs.4244
Weight - lbs.535
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet6
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7 m)
Length overall - Detailnot available
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Metersnot available
Length overall - Inches276
Length overall - Inchesnot available
Length [over all with swim platform]not available
Length [over all with swim platform]60 ft. 0 in. (18.29 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine modelMerCruiser®
Engine modelnot available
Engine/s standard350 Magnum? MPI Bravo? III DTS sterndrive (Digital Throttle & Shift replaces standard throttle and shift)
Engine/s standardT-VD MAN 800 CRM
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail825 gal. (3,123 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters3122.96
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal825
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeV-drive
Horsepower300 hp (224 kW)
HorsepowerTwin 765 hp (588 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxTwin 1,051 hp (785 kW)
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,600 lbs. (726 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people10 @ 1,400 lbs. (635 kg)
Maximum peoplenot available
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity200 gal. (757 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters264.98
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal7