Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a modified vee Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 against a semi displacement Sea Ray 540 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 540 Sundancer 2011 measures 54,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 31,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 at 23,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 tips the scales at 4 244 lbs — 4 239 lbs more than the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2011 at 5 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 540 Sundancer 2011 tops out at 715 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 6 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
The Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 is rated for up to 10 people. Passenger data for the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2011 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2011 at 54,8 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Sea Ray 230 Select Fission 2008 at 23,0 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 Select Fission
Model540 Sundancer?
Model Year2008
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches183
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise21℃
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: 50 in. (127 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.97
Draft [max] - Meters1.27
Draft [max] - Inches38
Draft [max] - Inches5
Weight - Detail4,244 lbs. (1,925 kg)
Weight - Detail50,000 lbs. (22,679 kg)
Weight - kg1925.04
Weight - kg22679.6
Weight - lbs.4244
Weight - lbs.5
Length - Meters7
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet23
Length - Feet54.75
Length overall - Detail23 ft. (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]54 ft. 9 in. (16.7 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard350 Magnum MPI DTS Bravo? III - 300 hp (224 kW)
Engine/s standardT-Zeus® Cummins® MerCruiser? QSC 8.3 600 DTS with Skyhook?
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189.3 l), Usable fuel: 45 gal. (170 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail600 gal. (2,271 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters2271.25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal6
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Horsepowernot available
HorsepowerTwin 576 php (428 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine maxTwin 715 hp (526 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 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