Sea Ray 540 Sundancer Just Listed

This American thoroughbred yacht boasts both volume and comfort and is the perfect platform for family boating this coming Summer. Whilst being a 2013 model, it was delivered new in 2015 and is one of the only 540 Sundancers of this late vintage in the country.

Approaching this 540 Sea Ray from the dock you quickly appreciate her substantial beam and presence on the water however, it's her vast entertaining cockpit that really sets her apart from sports cruisers of a similar size. The traditional Sea Ray layout is designed to enjoy the outdoors with a great proportion of the boat dedicated to indoor/outdoor living and entertaining which perfectly suits the Australian boating lifestyle, hence Sea Ray's success in the Australian Market for decades.

Stepping aboard "El Patron" the light and airy feel becomes immediately apparent. This is thanks to the open cockpit configuration and abundance of glass throughout. From the Hydraulic swim platform, you access the cockpit through a stainless safety gate to starboard. The wrap-around seating and large dining table to port combined with the twin swivel helm seats forward create a space that could easily seat 12 adults in pure luxury. The rear lounge also converts out to create an aft sun pad with ample storage for lockers below. The upper wet bar to starboard of the cockpit is the perfect station for shaking up cocktails, grabbing a cold beer or prepping and serving some snacks, all without having to leave the party. This station is fitted with everything you need at your fingertips including a fridge, ice maker, electric grill, sink and bin compartment (not to mention a TV for the cricket).

The commanding raised helm position forward features captain and first mate helm chairs of super yacht proportions. The perspective from the helm gives you a true sense of this Sea Ray's stature without being daunting, thanks to not only the phenomenal visibility around the vessel, but the Cummins Joystick driving technology. This allows even single-handed manoeuvring of this beast a breeze and is certainly a feature modern boating families are choosing not to go without. It also allows those who are less experienced to be able to command a vessel of this size without being daunted by close quarter operation.

Furthermore, "El Patron" is fitted with the "skyhook" function allowing for anchorless positioning which means the boat can effortlessly maintain a GPS point without the Skipper being at the helm. Think about dropping lines or prepping fenders without drifting. Or drifting over a snapper hole and being able to remain there without anchoring. This is a truly unique feature and certainly highlights just one of the many exciting features a vessel of El Patron's calibre deserves.
The impressive Sea Ray 540 helm features twin Raymarine Hybrid Touch screens, autopilot, remote spotlight controls, and an array of operational switches and dual Cummins engine management displays, all within easy reach of the skipper. Alongside the helm position to starboard is an additional lounge seat to ensure the Mate gets some well-deserved R+R while underway, while still keeping the Skipper company.

The 540 Cockpit not only is impressive in its enclosed nature with a hardtop and wrap-around glass, but it is also easily transformed to the open Sports Cruiser you would expect. At the press of a button the skylight above retracts to open the sunroof bringing the sunshine and fresh air inside. Port and starboard electric windows can be opened to allow for perfect cross ventilation and an electric vent in the centre of the windscreen can open to allow the sea breeze to flow throughout. However, if the conditions don't allow, the breeze is non-existent, or you want to enjoy this coastal cruiser in all conditions, simply close her up and fire up the two A/C systems fitted to the cockpit, set and forget.

The 540 Sea Ray dominates the class in terms of its cockpit layout and entertaining capabilities and must be seen to be fully appreciated. However, this is just the beginning. Moving into the saloon area the modern, airy almost Hamptons feel of "El Patron" are continued throughout with light finishes, clever use of lighting and bright furnishings.

I'm yet to have seen a galley with this much storage on a vessel of this size. The port side mid-ships is dominated by domestic proportioned, extended benchtops with storage galore. Ask any chef, the key to a practical galley is storage, fridge space and bench space and "El Patron" brings these in abundance plus some. The saloon/galley area is flooded with natural light thanks to huge glass windows in the hull (with opening portholes) and a skylight above. This combines with the light cabinetry finish and white lounges to create a space you want to relax in. The water level vistas through the glass windows ensure you're reminded you're on a boat as you could mistake it for a Byron Beach House. The saloon lounges face forward to an additional TV and separate Bose sound system, perfect for movie nights or a kids' hangout while the parents enjoy some peace and quiet up top. The lounge also easily converts to another queen-size bed for when it's a full house although this might be a rarity given this 540 is an optioned 3 cabin layout.

Aft of the saloon, a sliding door grants access to the guest accommodation quarters. To port is a double cabin featuring its own entertainment system, storage space and a hidden washer/dryer combo. Centre is a twin bunk cabin with again its own entertainment system and privacy door and to starboard is the guest bathroom, head and separate shower stall fitted with luxury fixtures and 5-star finishes.

The separation of the master suite forward and the guests accomodation aft ensures maximum privacy while overnighting with guests or kids onboard. The Master Suite is accessed forward of the saloon and features a queen island bed centre, his and her wardrobes to port and starboard and full seclusion in the bow of the boat. The master also has its own en-suite bathroom featuring an oversized separate shower stall, large vanity, Vacuflush head and opening portholes. The master suite is reminiscent of a palatial hotel suite that the owners of "El Patron" deserve.

Once out and about put down the throttles and you will feel the grunt of the twin Cummins QSC 600HP diesel engines thump into action and propel this sports yacht at a great rate of knots. The 540 Sea Ray's sea-keeping abilities become apparent when in some chop or swell as the power and hull design ensures she slices through with ease keeping the windscreen dry and the champagne glass full. These modern engines coupled to the Cummins Zeus drives make for economic cruising and allow the required HP to get the performance to be reduced. "El Patron" will propel to a 24 knots cruise speed in no time or, if you're feeling the need for speed she'll reach 30knots at WOT. Holding 2200L of fuel means her range is phenomenal giving her the ability to get up north to the Whitsundays for Winter and coastal cruising all Summer.

The onboard 21.5KW generator powers the 240v side of the vessel including air-con throughout the entire yacht and other high current draw appliances. There's also a large bank of house batteries which ensures self-sufficiency and whisper-quiet boating when the generator is not required. The fresh water tanks are easily filled with the onboard watermaker/desal which is normally the main reason for returning to a marina, not fuel as people think (don't worry there's enough storage for beer and the ice maker for ice). So, if an uninterrupted week or more in a secluded bay sounds like what you need this watermaker feature is an absolute must. Or if long showers are your thing, there's no water conservation required, shower away!

Having had a full salt water service (Including aftercoolers) and annual engine, drive and generator servicing recently combined with annual warranty servicing until 2020 you can rest assured that absolutely everything is been up to date.

A truly special vessel that deserves a family that will continue to enjoy and love her like her owner before.

Brokers Comments
Having admired "El Patron" for many years it's an absolute pleasure to present her seriously for sale for the season ahead. Having sold the boat to it's current owner it's incredible to see the amount of love and attention has been injected into what was already a fanstic boat to bring her up to an as new or better condition. The 540 Sea Ray has always been the flagship in the Australian delivered models and they are a rarity on the Australian market. The quality craftmanship, joystick driving, impeccable service history and extensive features make "El Patron" pretty hard to beat in my books.