By: Scott Way
Sea Ray has announced new 'design language' for the already iconic brand. The styling utilizes forward-thinking design concepts and based on initial response will undoubtedly push the brand higher. The first rendering for the new design was unveiled with the all-new Sundancer 370, which carries a multitude of significant stylistic changes made possible through a collaboration with Designworks, a BMW Group company.
According to Sea Ray design director Charlie Foss, “Our goal was to define the foundation for bold and pure design expression. Working together with Designworks, we were able to produce a fresh set of design principles that pay homage to our brand’s past while indicating the future, resulting in a look that is undeniably Sea Ray.”
“[O]ur goal working together was to further strengthen that design DNA by bringing forward the most iconic features through a modern design execution," said Johannes Lampela, Director of Industrial Design at Designworks. "What emerged is a modern yet classic aesthetic that is being used to inspire the next generation of Sea Ray boats.”
The Sundancer launched in 1975 and has been an icon in American recreational boating for its lifetime. While it has gone through its share of changes over the years, as all boats do, the foundation of the design has always stayed unapologetically Sea Ray. The new iteration keeps much of the same iconography, albeit with a sleek interpretation on the future of boat design.
For Foss and team, “This new model defines the future of Sea Ray and its new design language,” Foss told the Robb Report. “We really started looking back at what made Sea Ray successful—the Sundancer made Sea Ray famous—and took the unique features of the classic Sundancer and made them modern.”
In a company statement, Foss also added “The boat’s S-sheer line establishes an elongated profile, the Center Crease produces speed while reducing mass, the Jaw Line gives presence power and direction, and the Integrated Emblem elegantly anchors the Sea Ray brand to the design." In lay terms, the new Sundancer 370 carries the same long bow signature of the brand while encouraging a 'low and sleek' perspective aided by window placement and layout, as well as a swooping downward stern gunwale.
Other standout features include a smartly executed cockpit with U-lounge that seats up to 5. The lounge also hosts a wet bar, Kenyon grill, optional refrigerator, teak tables, and an optional opening glass hardtop with a panoramic sunroof. The helm itself carries dual 16-inch Raymarine displays and joystick docking with optional NSO evo3s 16-inch Simrad touchscreen displays and Mercury VesselView Mobile. Other available features include CZone digital switching and the Simrad Command interface with full lighting control, RGB-W accent lighting, and thru-hull underwater lighting. Also available is a premier Fusion audio system with Apollo RA770 touchscreen display, Bluetooth, and Apple AirPlay 2. The intuitive helm is intertwined with classic Sea Ray teak wood accents.
Power comes from triple Mercury Verado 300 outboard engines with joystick piloting for outboards with optional Active Trim and Dynamic Running Surface. While there has been no clear indication yet, it is likely the 370 will also be available with Mercury's latest high output V12 Verado outboard beginning in 2022.
You can enjoy a full walkthrough of the all-new 370 in the video below:
