Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005
2005
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VS
Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 boat specs
Sea Ray
Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996
1996
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Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 vs Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996: Same Brand, Different Boat

The Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 vs Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 at 50,0 ft versus Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 at 50,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 tips the scales at 38 500 lbs - 4 000 lbs more than the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 at 34 500 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 Sundancer 500 1996 tops out at 735 hp. Engine specs for the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 500 gal and 500 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 480 Motor Yacht 2005 and Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeSea Ray
Makenot available
Model480 Motor Yacht
Modelnot available
Model Year2005
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam15 ft. 3 in. (4.65 m)
Beam15.00 ft
Beam - Meters4.65
Beam - Meters4.57
Beam - Inches183
Beam - Inches180
Deadrise15℃
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail47 in. (119.4 cm)
Draft [max] - Detail4.00 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.19
Draft [max] - Meters1.22
Draft [max] - Inches47
Draft [max] - Inches48
Weight - Detail38,500 lbs. (17,464 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg17463.29
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.38500
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters15.24
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet50
Length - Feet50
Length - Inches5
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail50 ft. 5 in. (15.24 m)
Length overall - Detail50.00 ft
Length overall - Meters15.37
Length overall - Meters15.24
Length overall - Inches605
Length overall - Inches600
Displacementnot available
Displacement34500.00 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardT-Cummins MerCruiser? QSM-11 Diesel Inboards (T-640 hp - 477 kw)
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail500 gal. (1,892.5 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1892.71
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1892.71
Fuel tank capacity - Gal500
Fuel tank capacity - Gal500
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeinboard
Engine makenot available
Engine makeDetroit Diesel
Engine modelnot available
Engine model8V92
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower735 hp
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeDetroit Diesel
Engine 2 Engine Modelnot available
Engine 2 Engine Model8V92
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower735 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Operational Info
Water capacity120 gal. (454.2 l)
Water capacity150
Holding tank capacity - Detail60 gal. (227.1 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters227.12
Holding tank capacity - Liters249.84
Holding tank capacity - Gal60
Holding tank capacity - Gal66
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity5
Headnot available
Head2
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower

Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 vs Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 or the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996?
The Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 is the longer of the two at 50,0 feet overall. The Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 comes in at 50,0 feet, making it roughly 0,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer - the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 or the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996?
For trailering, the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 has the edge at 34 500 lbs dry weight versus 38 500 lbs for the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005. 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 Sundancer 500 1996 has a documented max rating of 735 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 480 Motor Yacht 2005 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 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 180" for the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996. 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 480 Motor Yacht 2005 and Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996?
Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 500 gallons and 500 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 480 Motor Yacht 2005 and Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 from the same manufacturer?
Yes - both the Sea Ray 480 Motor Yacht 2005 and the Sea Ray Sundancer 500 1996 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.