585 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge

Source: David Lockwood, Boatpoint Magazine

Sea Ray’s knockout 585 Sedan Bridge brings the luxuries of home onto the water, proving that the US builder has liveaboard motoryachts down to a sweet science. David Lockwood reports

Boats vary almost as widely as snowflakes, but there are trends. An emerging trend at the big end of town is that more and more boats are becoming, well, a lot less nautical.

This isn’t a bad thing if you’re among the growing ranks of shoppers in search of a floating (holiday) home instead of a fibro shack or, better still, a luxury boat in place of an old cruiser with narrow bunks, cramped heads and a ripe old bilge.

Which brings us to Sea Ray’s 585 Sedan Bridge. This spiffing cruiser is more than an on-water apartment; it’s a floating second home. The big-hearted boat can take the whole clan in the one go, and there’s even room in the cockpit for the pooch.

Yet with big-boat conveniences such as bow thruster, electronic gearboxes with slow-idle mode, a moulded stairwell to the bridge and good vision to all quarters, this is very much a boat that the retired couple can handle, decamp and berth on their own.

At rest, in port or on the anchor, owners will sleep well. The full-width master cabin amidships is pleasantly removed from the drum of water on the forward chines.

Offshore, meanwhile, the big Sea Ray feels like a well-mannered ship. As such, think beyond cruising in the inside lane to ocean passages, nearby ports and interstate marinas. Twin 800hp MAN V8 diesels deliver a competent cruise from a frugal 20kt to a fast 28kt depending on conditions.

In marginal seas, I also noted few shakes, rattles and rolls. It’s more steadfast than flighty – but having said that, the big girl does almost 33kt flat out.

But just mooching around Port Hacking at 6–8kt was a real joy. The bridge is very much an indoor/outdoor lifestyle center for entertaining when underway. Water views encircle the seats, which are flanked by handy amenities. I waltzed down the stairwell to wash my prawn-covered hands off the boarding platform and didn’t need so much as to grab a rail.

To these things you can add an open-plan living area that plays into the hands of the owner/entertainer. But above all it is the indoor fit out and finish that really breaks with tradition. The galley flaunts trendy brushed stainless-steel fittings, a separate drinking waterspout, stainless fridge drawers and, get this, an optional granite tiled floor. Oh, and a standard-issue coffeemaker to complement the home-like amenities.

Then there are the external lines. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Some words on the philosophy behind this boat are due. Rather than build and bet, Sea Ray is mindful of the market and designs its boats accordingly. The company uses customer feedback and returns serve with what the market wants.

CRUISING BEAUTY
I think Sea Ray has gained incentive from the rise of the Euro motoryacht. Though it flies the Star-Spangled Banner in its recent brochure, Sea Ray has edged away from its US styling to become more worldly.

The 585 Sedan Bridge has the airs and graces of those big Euro motoryachts. Externally, enormous saloon windows that are in fact wonderful picture windows give the boat its Euro-esque styling.

Here, the big Sea Ray can be considered a cruising beauty far removed from, say, a Riviera. Instead of pitching to the convertible market, this boat is all about pleasure.

However, unlike a Euro motoryacht, the flybridge is the only station on the boat. Accordingly, it has more permanency derived from a hardtop than those open-topped Euro motoryachts. In this way, the boat is more Australian than Mediterranean.

Whichever way you view it, the 585 Sedan Bridge is a key part of the Yacht Range from Sea Ray, which now extends to 70ft to cater for the expanding big-boat market.

Like most Sea Rays, the 585 is built to US standards from solid GRP. But unlike Sea Rays from about seven years ago, this new-breed boat exhibits top engineering, sweet mouldings (always a Sea Ray strength) and a very good production-boat finish. Panels, be they moulded or upholstered, butted up cleanly wherever I cared to look.

The hull carries 17º of deadrise, which is sharp for a boat of this length and weight. Despite flaunting an island double-berth in the bow, it actually has as sharp, raked stem that cuts the water impressively.

The boat was very dry at all quarters to the sea. There was no spray at all on the windscreen in the bridge, and no evidence of spray sucking back into the cockpit.

While the boat has no watertight aft bulkhead in the engine room and no separate lazarette – it’s not the kind of boat in which you’ll be backing up at sea – the subfloor combination engine room and engineering space reveals some serious big-boat systems, like 12V and 24V (bowthruster) DC wiring.

Access to the engine room is via a hatch in the teak cockpit floor and a short ladder. I noted twin 15amp shorepower leads with Cablemaster storage devices, a 17.5kVa Onan generator, Mastervolt battery chargers/converters, inputs for shore-cable TV and water, access to the power-steering fluid reservoir, and good access to the fuel filters.

Following the moulded chequerplate tread forward from the aft utility area, one finds room to stoop and shuffle along to the engines. The compact V8 MANs spin what appear to be 2.5in shafts in dripless shaft seals. Nearby, to aid maintaining them, are a freshwater tap, oil-change system and huge bronze sea strainers with long glass inspection tubes for at-a-glance inspections.

Fuel capacity of 2642lt is, for serious coastal cruising, light on. Once you reach the tropics, however, you might be inclined to cruise at 8kt and save fuel. Water capacity is 567lt, but I’m sure there’s room for a desalinator somewhere.

As it is, the boat will probably be used by most as a city-to-nearby-port weekender. The 257lt holding tank is bigger than many boats of this size, which is great for entertaining.

OUTDOOR LIVING
While not enormous, the cockpit will accept a table and chairs and, say, four to six for lunch. The moulded overhang casts shade.

Along the transom is an integral moulded lounge. Outboard is an aft locker for fenders, mooring lines and hoses. I also found two deep storage lockers across the transom and an icebox (listed as a livebait tank).

Sensibly, the dealer was talking about mounting a davit (a listed Sea Ray option) so you could swing a tender on the transom. The boarding platform certainly has the room for one.

Elsewhere I found a H/C handheld shower, stereo remote, good access to all the above-deck mooring cleats, and handy storage lockers. There were three warning plates above three separate hatches that read Fuel Shut Off, but only one of these plates actually hung above the shutoffs. Ah, well, whoever was in charge of putting the signs on in the Tennessee factory got through his or her quota.

Big moulded steps lead to wide non-skid sidedecks that turn into semi-bulwarks. Moulded toerails and a high bowrail with double lifelines contribute to making this a safe boat for crew to get around.

There’s a recess on the foredeck where you can unfurl a daybed, plus a spotlight, deck hose and giant anchor locker for the supplied ground tackle.

Even better access exists to the flybridge via a moulded staircase. Look mum, no hands – it’s that easy to climb or descend.

Close the hatch over the staircase and you shut out what little engine noise there is down below. The bridge has been designed for social intercourse – that much is clear.

The seating plan includes a big U-shaped lounge ahead of the console set around a lunch table that can seat four people at least. I did lunch up here – okay, if you need to know, prawns and oysters – and enjoyed the great views and fresh air (air-con is supplied) through the clears almost as much. There’s also an aft bench in the bridge that doubles as a half-reasonable daybed. But I could find no convertible double bed on the bridge.

Down the starboard side of the bridge is a moulded amenities centre with, you’re going to like this, icemaker and fridge (AC power only), sink and removable garbage bin for the empties – and oodles of storage space.

There are 12V and 240V outlets, a red night-driving light, courtesy and overhead lights, plenty of drinkholders, and a separate sound system with CD stacker for when the party moves upstairs. Headroom is also a high point.

The driving station is a darling, with a big moulded console that caters for captain and crew, and wonderful armchairs with every-which-way adjustment on pneumatic pedestal bases. A clever cut-out in the bridge moulding up front provides a window to the bow. Parking is easy as well, thanks to views of the transom.

Among the clever storage ideas is an excellent chart drawer ahead of the navigator in which to stow maps, binoculars, personals, manuals and so on. There are air-con outlets in the console, along with Raymarine electronics including a 10in combo screen, Sea Ray’s own branded PC chartplotter – which has many functions not available in Australia – and an autopilot.

I found controls for the windlass, searchlight, 24V Maxpower bowthruster, keyless ignition (keys in the control panel in the saloon), emergency start and more. The VHF radio has an intercom function. For whatever reason, the old intercom is hard to find these days.

Overhead, where one must crane his or her neck somewhat, are the analogue tachos for the MANs and their electronic controls with synchro and go-slow modes. The helm was very well done and hard to fault.

INDOOR LIVING
The saloon has been planned as an informal lounge room with lots of light and views through the obvious picture windows. The decor is timeless: caramel Ultaleather, faux cherrywood joinery, pull-down cream curtains, latte-coloured high ceiling liners and matching carpet.

To port is the handy control panel for AC/DC functions and the main circuit beakers. To starboard is the entertainment centre with Sharp LCD flatscreen, Sony DVD and Bose Lifestyle sound system. I also noted 12V and 24V outlets.

The saloon is flanked by port and starboard lounges, each big enough to seat four people. There were two foot stools but no coffee-table or sofa-bed option.

This way, the floor remained uncluttered and, as such, the saloon worked as a thoroughfare to the raised dining area behind the windscreen to port, conveniently opposite the galley.

A return before the dinette table contained grog drawers and a frosted servery. Mind that you don’t knock the crystal glass on the floor, as there were optional granite tiles. The burlwood table had a handy wine locker, plate storage and cutlery drawer. Oh, and great views.

When you spend time on big boats you soon learn that food is everything (which is why you need to take kayaks on the bow for exercise or at least take a tender for a big walk ashore). Caterers will like the abundant Granicoat bench space, but mind the fact there are no fiddles to stop the salad flying. As such, fitting this boat’s flat surfaces with that popular non-skid webbed rubber matting material is a priority.

I noted a big square sink with funky faucets and separate drinking waterspout, a small microwave oven, token under-sink garbage bin – there is space for a through-bench number – and a split-drawers fridge with separate crisper and fridge basket, plus a separate freezer with icemaker.

The boat had a two-burner Ceran stove with, yes, a surround stainless-steel potholder. As a liveaboard boat, galley storage space is modest. As a holiday boat, an entertainer, or a passage swanning by marina eateries, it was fine.

SHACKED UP DOWN BELOW
The highlight of the three-cabin, two-head accommodation plan is, as mentioned, the transverse amidships owner’s stateroom.

You step down into the cabin from the companionway and have at least 2.1m headroom at the foot of the athwartships queen bed with innerspring mattress and fitted bedding. There is about 1.50m along the mattress towards the bedhead, where there are (sealed) port lights.

There are his and hers maple-lined hanging lockers, bedside tables, drawers, reading lamps, a cupboard and a full-length mirror. And a separate flatscreen television.

The en suite, a step up, is massive. There is a you-beaut Vacuflush loo, groovy stainless-steel fittings and the biggest shower stall I’ve ever set foot in. While there is an extractor fan, there is no opening hatch. The combination of the two is ideal for venting wet areas.

Portside is the guest’s cabin with twin bunks mounted rather creatively at right angles. The lower bunk is accommodating of an adult. There is a television at the foot of the bed. It was a TV/VCR, the latter being confined to history before long. Why no TV/DVD player? The washer/dryer is in the companionway beside a token linen press.

The VIP guest’s cabin in the bow includes a queen-sized island bed, hanging locker and separate TV/VCR combo (specifications say TV/DVD). There is another hanging locker and drawers for personals, plus side lockers that promised a lot but revealed little storage space.

The en suite/dayhead was very accommodating. A split design, it put the head in a compartment with a tiled floor and sink to port and the shower to starboard. The latter has an opening port light for ventilation but no extractor fan this time. But I’m being harsh – upon testing the beds, I found the comforts homelike. No, better than where I live.

OCEAN CRUISING
I enjoyed taking this boat out of the pen, using the bowthruster to put the bowman within reach of the pegs to hang the mooring lines, using the slow-idle mode to edge out of the berth ever so gently.

The 585 Sedan Bridge is a big boat, but it’s not a handful. The mindful helm inspires confidence, and would-be buyers would do well to test the walkaround decks and moulded stairs to the bridge. At least I consider it an easy boat for crew or boating partners to get around.

Port Hacking proved a great test bed, with the best of inshore shallow channels and wonderful protected anchorages, and a fairly boisterous ocean beyond Bundeena. The big boat impressed me inside, gadding about the channels, and swinging on the anchor, as it did on the ocean during a mock passage.

The 800hp V8 MANs were smooth, smoke free and excellent performers. The hull planed at 11.2kt at 1250rpm and held a handy heavy-weather cruise of 17.8kt at about 1600rpm.

Long-range or delivery speed kicked in at 20kt at 1750rpm, and an ideal cruise was recorded at 25kt at 2000rpm. Maximum continuous speed was about 28.8kt at 2100rpm, and a 32.7kt top speed was clocked inshore. That’s fast.

Top to bottom, inside and out, Sea Ray’s 585 Sedan Bridge is a high-quality cruiser that can compete on the same stage as the Euro motoryachts with considerably higher pricetags. In fact, I can only see Sea Ray’s exciting Yacht range expanding in years to come. After all, the trend is to downsizing of homes and upsizing of boats.

HIGHS

• Performs like a steadfast little ship at sea, yet it’s sporty when you want it to be
• Smooth riding and dry
• A great liveaboard and entertaining boat
• Very user/driver friendly
• Improved finish and engineering, with big-boat systems such as 24V DC bowthruster

LOWS

• Granite galley floor won’t take kindly to glass
• No fiddle rails around countertops
• Small microwave oven, light-on pantry space
• TV/DVDs would be better than TV/VCRs
• Heads could do with more ventilation
• No bed in the bridge

Boat Specifications: 585 Sea Ray Sedan Bridge

SEA RAY 585 SEDAN BRIDGE

OPTIONS FITTED Granite galley floor, optional hull colour, upgraded generator, teak decks

GENERAL

Material: GRP hull with cored decks

Type: Monohull

Length overall: 17.85m w/ platform

Beam: 4.88m

Draft: About 1.30m

Deadrise: 17º

Weight: 23,360kg dry w/ std motors

CAPACITIES

Berths: Six

Fuel: 2649lt

Water: 567lt

ENGINE

Make/model: T-MAN 2848LE4

Type: V8 electronic turbocharged diesels

Rated hp: 800 @ 2300rpm max

Displacement: 14.6lt

Weight: 1400kg

Gearboxes (make/ratio): ZF 1.733:1

Props: Nibral four-blade bronze