Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 is the longer of the two at 54,8 feet overall. The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 25,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 is rated to a maximum of 715 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many passengers can the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 carry?

The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 measures 183" wide, compared to 116" for the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012?

The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 are built by Sea Ray. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012

Sea Ray

Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008

2008

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Sea Ray

Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 715 hp, the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 has a 395-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008's 320-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 300 Select EX 2008 carries 13 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 300 Select EX 2008 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 300 Select EX 2008 at 29,0 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

MakeSea Ray

Model300 Select EX

Model540 Sundancer?

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 8 in. (2.95 m)

Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)

Beam - Meters2.95

Beam - Meters4.65

Beam - Inches116

Beam - Inches183

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail23 in. (58.4 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. (96.5 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail50 in. (127 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters0.97

Draft [max] - Meters1.27

Draft [max] - Inches38

Draft [max] - Inches5

Length - Meters8.99

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet29

Length - Feet54.75

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]32 ft. 2 in. (9.80 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]54 ft. 9 in. (16.7 m)

Length overall - Detail29 ft. 6 in. (8.99 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters8.99

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches354

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail50,000 lbs. (22,679 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg22679.6

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.5

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeSemi Displacement

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standard496 Magnum? Bravo? III MCM DTS - 375 hp (280 kW)

Engine/s standardT-Zeus® QSC 8.3 600 DTS with Skyhook?

Fuel tank capacity - Detail130 gal. (492.1 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail600 gal. (2,271 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters492.1

Fuel tank capacity - Liters2271.25

Fuel tank capacity - Gal13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal6

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeDiesel

Drive typeI/O

Drive typePod Drive

Engine maxTwin 320 hp (239 kW)

Engine maxTwin 715 hp (526 kW)

Engine makenot available

Engine makeCummins® MerCruiser®

Horsepowernot available

HorsepowerTwin 576 php (428 kW)

Operational Info

Holding tank capacity - Detail20 gal. (75.7 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters75.71

Holding tank capacity - Liters257.41

Holding tank capacity - Gal2

Holding tank capacity - Gal68

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity150 gal. (568 l)

Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 vs Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 is the longer of the two at 54,8 feet overall. The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 comes in at 29,0 feet, making it roughly 25,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 is rated to a maximum of 715 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 tops out at 320 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many passengers can the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 carry?

The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 has an official capacity rating of 8 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 measures 183" wide, compared to 116" for the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 or the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012?

The Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 has the bigger tank at 13 gallons, versus 6 gallons on the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012. That 7-gallon difference translates to roughly 21–35 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 and the Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 are built by Sea Ray. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Sea Ray 300 Select EX 2008 full specs ← Sea Ray 540 Sundancer 2012 full specs