Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008
2008
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VS
Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005
2005
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Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 vs Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 vs Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 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 2008 measures 51,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 46,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 at 5,0 feet (2005). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 tips the scales at 3 425 lbs — 3 040 lbs more than the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 at 385 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 48 Sundancer 2008 carries a rated maximum of 517 hp. Engine data for the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 15 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 at 51,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 at 5,0 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
MakeSea Ray
Model48 Sundancer?
Model480 Motor Yacht
Model Year2008
Model Year2005
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam14 ft. 8 in. (4.47 m)
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam - Meters4.47
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Inches176
Beam - Inches183
Deadrise19℃
Deadrise15℃
Draft [max] - DetailInboards: 48 in. (121.9 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail47 in. (119.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Inches48
Draft [max] - Inches47
Weight - Detail34,250 lbs. (15,536 kg)
Weight - Detail38,500 lbs. (17,464 kg)
Weight - kg15535.53
Weight - kg17463.29
Weight - lbs.3425
Weight - lbs.385
Length - Meters15.5
Length - Meters15.24
Length - Feet51
Length - Feet5
Length overall - Detail51 ft. (15.5 m)
Length overall - Detail50 ft. 5 in. (15.24 m)
Length overall - Meters15.54
Length overall - Meters15.37
Length overall - Inches612
Length overall - Inches605
Length - Inchesnot available
Length - Inches5
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeSemi Displacement
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardT-VD-Cummins MerCruiser? QSC 8.3-540 - T-517 hp (405 kW)
Engine/s standardT-Cummins MerCruiser? QSM-11 Diesel Inboards (T-640 hp - 477 kw)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail400 gal. (1,514.1 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail500 gal. (1,892.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1514.16
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1892.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typenot available
Drive typeV-drive
Drive typeInboard
Engine maxT-517 hp (405 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Operational Info
Water capacity110 gal. (416.4 l)
Water capacity120 gal. (454.2 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227.1 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters227.12
Holding tank capacity - Liters227.12
Holding tank capacity - Gal6
Holding tank capacity - Gal6

Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 vs Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 or the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005?
The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 is the longer of the two at 51,0 feet overall. The Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 comes in at 5,0 feet, making it roughly 46,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 or the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005?
For trailering, the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 has the edge at 385 lbs dry weight versus 3 425 lbs for the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 has a documented max rating of 517 hp. Engine specifications for the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 is certified for 15. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 measures 183" wide, compared to 176" for the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 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.
How do the fuel tanks compare on the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 and Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 4 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.
Are the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 and Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Sea Ray 48 Sundancer 2008 and the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 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.