Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 vs Sea Ray SLX 260 2023: Same Brand, Different Boat
The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 vs Sea Ray SLX 260 2023 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story: intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 measures 51,0 feet overall (2005), giving it roughly 25,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray SLX 260 2023 at 25,5 feet (2023). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 tips the scales at 28 000 lbs - 21 932 lbs more than the Sea Ray SLX 260 2023 at 6 068 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 SLX 260 2023 tops out at 350 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 carries 400 gallons versus 75 gallons in the Sea Ray SLX 260 2023. 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 48 Sundancer 2005 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Sea Ray SLX 260 2023 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2005 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 15 passengers and at 51,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Sea Ray SLX 260 2023 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeSea Ray
Makenot available
Model48 Sundancer?
Modelnot available
Model Year2005
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam14 ft. 8 in. (4.47 m)
Beam8.60 ft
Beam - Meters4.47
Beam - Meters2.62
Beam - Inches176
Beam - Inches103
Deadrise19℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail48 in. (122 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail4.10 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Meters1.25
Draft [max] - Inches48
Draft [max] - Inches49
Weight - Detail28,000 lbs. (12,701 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg12700.58
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.28000
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters15.65
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet51
Length - Feet25.5
Length - Inches4
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail51 ft. 4 in. (15.65 m)
Length overall - Detail25.50 ft
Length overall - Meters15.65
Length overall - Meters7.77
Length overall - Inches616
Length overall - Inches306
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min2.40 ft
Displacementnot available
Displacement6068.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardTwin Cummins 490 QSC V-Drive (T-469 php)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail400 gal. (1,514 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16
Fuel tank capacity - Liters283.91
Fuel tank capacity - Gal400
Fuel tank capacity - Gal75
Drive typeInboard
Drive typenot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercruiser
Engine modelnot available
Engine model6.2L MPI ECT Bravo Three
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower350 hp
Operational Info
Water capacity100 gal. (378.5 l)
Water capacitynot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227.1 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters227.12
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal60
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower