Sea Ray 390 Motoryacht Review (2003 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

Welcome aboard this 2003 Sea Ray 390 motor yacht. She’s an aft cabin boat, which is great for liveaboard possibilities, and this one’s pretty exciting. Starting aft, the swim platform works as a practical entry point. It’s fixed where she’s docked now, but in normal conditions it gives easy access to the water with a proper swim ladder tucked beneath a neat little cover. Shore power, cable connection, and a freshwater inlet are all right here, alongside a transom shower and even a barbecue mounted on the port side.

The raised cockpit is reached via a staircase, and it feels spacious for a boat of this style. There’s a clever little compartment built into the aft bulkhead that makes a handy spot for stowing dock lines. Just above sits a large window serving the owner’s cabin below. The cockpit itself is enclosed with air-conditioned space and fitted with mesh sunshades all around. It may not sound like much, but this upgrade makes a world of difference in sunny climates like Florida, keeping the area cool and showing that the boat has been thoughtfully cared for.

Heading forward along the side decks, the walkways are wide and comfortable, with a side boarding option that makes stepping on and off at different docks straightforward. The profile shows off the sleek lines typical of Sea Ray, giving the 390 a surprisingly sporty look for an aft cabin yacht. A full set of mesh covers protect the windshields, and the gelcoat gleams with a recent polish.

At the bow, the gear is all business. A searchlight is mounted forward, with a windlass, chain stopper, and anchor in place, plus a washdown hose and plenty of room for stowing fenders and lines in the lockers. Foot switches for the windlass are set into the deck for easy use. High rails run the length of the foredeck, making it safe to move around even when underway, though as with many sub-24m boats the rail height is designed more around practical clearance at hip level than the full regulations applied to larger yachts.

Stepping down into the salon, the first impression is how well kept everything feels for a 2003 boat. The layout is practical but also has some really fun touches. There’s a large settee with little poufs, and the seating can actually convert. Slide the cushions out and suddenly there’s a lounger big enough for an extra sleep spot or a proper movie-night setup with the TV right across. It feels cozy, cool with the AC, and still looks surprisingly modern - very timeless, not dated at all.

Under the staircase there’s a surprise central vacuum system, which is the sort of feature you don’t expect but immediately appreciate. The windows are nicely tinted with blinds that can either flood the salon with light or shut it off completely for privacy. Even small things like the orange fan are there to circulate air and keep everything fresh - and the whole interior does smell clean and fresh, which is not always the case on older yachts.

The galley is compact but cleverly done - a solid one-person working space. There’s a Norcold fridge, which carries a bit of nostalgia for anyone who’s lived with one before, a microwave, plenty of deep storage with garage-style doors, and even a trash slide built right into the counter. The sink looks like a double at first, but actually works with the trash chute alongside, and there’s a two-burner cooktop that can be covered to give extra counter space. It’s not sprawling, but for a couple living aboard, it’s perfectly workable and has more storage than expected.

Everywhere you open a door or lift a cushion there’s another cavity or locker. It feels like Sea Ray tried to use every possible space for storage, which makes a big difference for liveaboard use. The styling itself still holds up - warm woods, practical layout, and a space that feels welcoming rather than dated.

Owner Cabin

The owner’s stateroom is classic aft cabin style, which means good privacy and nice headroom coming in, and it feels open once you’re down inside. One of the first surprises is the multifunction door. It’s actually one door that does the job of two - most of the time it just stays open, but if privacy is needed, it folds over and closes off the space. Pretty clever and it works really well.

There’s loads of storage here. Some lockers go really deep - deep enough for long dresses - and the drawers and compartments keep on going. It goes all the way in there. Under the staircase there’s even a washer-dryer combo and access to the battery chargers, which is a pretty great use of what would normally be lost space.

Natural light comes in from the window seen earlier at the swim platform, which also doubles as the emergency exit. Add in openable portholes and you’ve got the option of fresh air if you don’t want to run the air conditioning at night. The bed is a proper queen, and around it there’s more storage - hanging lockers, drawers, and little cabinets tucked into the corners.

The cabin has its own sink and vanity area right in the room, so one person can get ready while the other uses the ensuite. The ensuite itself is nicely done with a vacuum flush toilet, a separate shower with a bench, and an opening porthole in exactly the right place.  

This is a very usable owner’s cabin for liveaboard life - comfortable, lots of storage, and with some fun surprises that make it feel bigger and smarter than expected.

Guest Accommodation

Forward is the guest cabin, which works as more than just a place to sleep. The layout almost feels like it doubles as a little lounge or even a home office. The berth is set up so there’s still plenty of space to move around - someone could sit at a table, get dressed comfortably, and so on. Overhead there’s a hatch for ventilation along with a small side window, so even though it’s forward, it doesn’t feel shut in.

There are lockers along the sides, a proper hanging locker, and even more room hidden under the berth. The carpet from the cockpit is stowed here at the moment, but underneath is still good, usable space. There’s even a little TV, making it feel like its own self-contained cabin.

The ensuite is a pleasant surprise as instead of the usual compromise setup, this cabin gets a sink, a vacuum flush toilet, and a completely separate walk-in shower. Headroom and elbow room are both good, and an opening porthole in the shower itself makes it feel practical and airy. For a forward cabin, it’s actually very comfortable - a space that could work as a guest room, an office or even overflow storage for the owner’s wardrobe.

The engine room sits right under the salon table, and opening it up feels a bit like dropping a dungeon. It’s tight, but everything is laid out well. Power comes from a pair of Cummins 6CTA 8.3 M4 diesels, each at 480 horsepower. That gives this 2003 Sea Ray 390 a top speed of 28 knots and a comfortable cruise around 23 knots, which is pretty quick for an aft cabin motor yacht of this size.

Against the aft bulkhead sit the primary fuel filters with the fire suppression system just forward, and the sump pump box and bilge pumps are easy to spot. Sea strainers for both the main engines and the generator are right where they should be. Over to port is the Onan generator, alongside a bank of house batteries, while to starboard there’s another set of batteries likely dedicated to engine starting. The vacuum flush generators, fuel filters, and a neat selector valve for fuel management are also located here, along with a spot for oils and coolant storage.

Forward on the bulkhead, the main DC breaker panel is neatly arranged with all the battery switches and solenoids. Even the holding tank sits within view, making the whole space more practical to maintain. The draft is 0.92m (3ft), and bridge clearance comes in at 4.16m (13ft 8in), so while she isn’t set up for ocean crossings, she’s plenty capable of fast coastal runs and cruising between harbors.

For a 2003 boat, this Sea Ray 390 is remarkably well preserved, and it even smells fresh, which is always a great sign. On the resale front, pre-owned listings hover between €130,000 and €246,000, with an average asking price of around €190,000 and around 410 days on the market so just a modest 1.8% average price drop from the original listing according to YachBuyer Market Watch. That steady turnover shows this model still holds value nicely.

Running costs are surprisingly manageable. The Cummins diesels are easy to service thanks to their popularity, and you get plenty of speed at a reasonable cruise - pushing the throttles up to the sweet spot of 23 knots keeps fuel use sensible without losing that zip. The Onan generator is a proven performer too, great for longer stops aboard without draining power reserves.

Layout-wise, the two-cabin, two-head plan is a winner for both liveaboard couples and guest comfort. The aft owner's cabin adds privacy and the forward guest cabin doubles as a clever office or overflow space. Features like a washer-dryer under the stairs, central vacuum, and tons of hidden storage keep daily life clutter-free.

Berthing and haul outs are something to factor in as well. Some marinas may charge based on total length/beam and include all overhangs. This boat measures about 12 m (41 ft) in overall length, but more importantly, its beam spans approximately 4.34 m (14 ft 3 in). That width gives it a stable and spacious platform which is great for the comfort onboard, but something to keep in mind when looking for berths, where beam surcharges may apply.

Stepping off the Sea Ray 390, what really sticks is how surprisingly comfortable and homely she feels. For a 2003 boat she’s in great shape, smells fresh, and gives off that cared-for vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer. The salon headroom might feel snug if you’re very tall, the engine room has that dungeon vibe when you open it up, and no one should mistake her for an ocean-crosser. The aft cabin setup works so well for liveaboard life, and the way the layout flows feels natural, like someone really thought about how people would actually use the space. Add in the fact she’s got speed when you want it, and you can see why this model still gets people excited. It’s just a genuinely good boat to spend time on.