Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 vs Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 against a semi displacement Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 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 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 measures 57,1 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 18,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 at 39,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 tips the scales at 40 267 lbs — 40 073 lbs less than the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 at 194 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 765 hp, the Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 has a 345-hp advantage over the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008's 420-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 38 Sundancer 2008 carries 25 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 520 Sedan Bridge 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 57,1 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray 38 Sundancer 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
Model38 Sundancer?
Model520 Sedan Bridge
Model Year2008
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam12 ft. 6 in. (3.81 m)
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam - Meters3.81
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Inches15
Beam - Inches183
Deadrise21℃
Deadrise15℃
Draft [max] - DetailInboards: 37 in. (94 cm)
Draft [max] - DetailInboards: 51 in. (130 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters0.94
Draft [max] - Meters1.3
Draft [max] - Inches37
Draft [max] - Inches51
Weight - Detail19,400 lbs. (8,800 kg)
Weight - Detail40,267 lbs. (18,265 kg)
Weight - kg8799.68
Weight - kg18264.79
Weight - lbs.194
Weight - lbs.40267
Length - Meters11.89
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet39
Length - Feet57.08
Length overall - Detail39 ft. (11.89 m)
Length overall - Detail57 ft. 1 in. (17.4 m)
Length overall - Meters11.89
Length overall - Meters17.4
Length overall - Inches468
Length overall - Inches685
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardT-VD-8.1 S Horizon MerCruiser? - T-370 hp (276 kW)
Engine/s standardT-Cummins MerCruiser? QSM-11 with ETS
Fuel tank capacity - Detail250 gal. (946.2 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail500 gal. (1,892 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters946.35
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1892.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal25
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel typeGas or Diesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeV-drive
Drive typeInboard - Twin
Engine maxT-420 hp (313 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Horsepowernot available
HorsepowerTwin 765 hp (570 kW)
Operational Info
Water capacity55 gal. (208.2 l)
Water capacity140 gal. (530 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail35 gal. (132.5 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail68 gal. (257 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters132.49
Holding tank capacity - Liters257.41
Holding tank capacity - Gal35
Holding tank capacity - Gal68