Cruising the Caribbean best boat for our needs

B

barley998877

New Member
May 6, 2015
21
Okanagan Valley
Boat Info
Sea Ray 2005 Sundeck 270, tower, extended bimini, black, led's, inverter, margarita machine, bbq, Ro
Engines
6.2 Mercruiser. BravoIII
Hello all

My wife and I have recently sold our home ( and pretty well everything else) and are planning on moving to the Caribbean. We love doing 3-5 day excursions and are trying to find the right fit for us. I have been looking at 320 SD between 04-07. We haven't decided where we may settle but in the meantime getting the boat plan together would help be one of the steps. We are starting in Dominican Republic in May, one of several of our research trips already. It would be only 2 of us but room, size and safety on open water is the most important factor. My thoughts are with only a 3'7" max draft it would be a good boat for our personal needs, snorkelling, diving etc... Price range 70-80k for a clean one. Leaving Miami and making our way through Bahamas and south would be the original plan. Any thoughts, ideas on what may be a great boat for us would be appreciated. Thanks
 
Assuming you mean a 320 Sundancer when you say 320 SD I would caution that it it not designed as an open water ocean boat. You can certainly do some overnight excursions and cruising when you have a clear weather window but a 320 DA is not meant for the continuous heavy seas you will encounter in the ocean when you into foul weather.
 
I agree. I've been in some really crappy stuff crossing the Gulf Stream and even with 45' and 30,000 lbs under me I wanted a bigger boat.

Buy a trawler and have the time of your life.




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A trawler is also the way I'd go. Why live in a cave on a boat not designed for the weather when you could enjoy the view on one that is?
 
320 fine for abaco - eluthra, exuma and nassau if your really adveturous.......not sure it has the range (or hull) for safe crossings to turks, pr, dominica or the caymans.....if you dont want a trawler and dont sail, try a powercat (like an Aquilla) two small diesels, great manuverability, shoal draft....on the other hand, oly parker has taken several small outbaard powered boats from michigan! to grand cayman.......and he did it prior to gps!
 
I don't think you said it would be a live-aboard, correct? I assume you'll have land based accommodations and do 3-5 day boat trips? On a 320DA that would be fun. If living aboard it then there's no way I'd go that direction. For a live-aboard I'd go trawler and enjoy the view, sea worthiness and fuel economy.
 
We used to go to the Caribbean on all inclusive week holidays for 10 years when we were working. The waves are big. One storm came in and took out all the palm trees on the beach and pushed sand drifts 3 feet high. I would not run my 38 footer there. We know people with a 52 foot Viking it did well in the Caribbean. Fuel will be a problem for you as you will need a good range. The day fishing boats seem to be 32 footer or so but they run out and back to the same island. Look at trawler forums and see what they say.
Would be nice place to boat in calm weather. You can rent boats there. You may want to rent a few to see what you like. AC is a must so you will need a good generator and AC system. Our gas generator burns 1 GPH. Friends with diesel boats burn less with their generators. We have friends who rent sail boats there and they sleep on their deck some nights to get cool.
 
Not only is it too small, in a 32 DA you won't have nearly enough range. I'm not an expert on the subject, but I'm pretty sure you have at least one 200+ mile leg, maybe more, between fuel stops. Between the Bahams and Turks & Caicos I believe is one.
 
As mentioned is this for live aboard or to put in a Marina where you settle in a land based house/condo?

Even land based a small Sea Ray is probably not the best boat for the "carribean". As mentioned, long ways between some islands with big open exposed passages.
 
I have a 320 with inboards, 200 total gallons, and I can only get 160 miles max (might have an issue with fuel consumption, getting maintenance done in April, will have mechanic check it out, but I think this is typical). Sterndrives will get 200 miles, probably. I would only probably try to go 120 miles just to be extra safe, although, going at just above idle, I get 1.2 mpg.
Eventually, I want a 300+ mile range, and a trawler/power cat/sail cat, is extremely enticing.


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive
 
Hello All
Thanks for your replies, wrote a long extensive one but disappeared int cyber space. We don't want a trawler and as mentioned 3-5 day adventures. The crossing from Turks to DR is 65NM from what I see. Making our way down, then taking the jump on best weather day would be our only thought. Once there we would be land based in the DR and boat would be for short excursions. Has anyone here made the pass as 65nm doesn't spook me just questioning the waters. Best time of year for passage, morning best as have seen but please share all info. Cheers
Brad
 
Hey Tod that sounds reasonable. Nice looking boat you have. I don't sail, no interest, powerboat all the way. Yeah my understanding was the 320 has a 200nm range but..... yeah put all the variables in and I would go half 100 so 65 is easy. I have seen the quick weather changes flying out of Panama inner larger helicopter and respect the weather. A combination of nasty seas and bad weather would have us on youtube with a coastguard rescue in no time. Planning is key and I think that if the swells are less than 6ft these boats would be fine for a crossing. Anyone please spike up with some advice.
B
 
Bump
There has to be something out there :smt038
 
copb8tx said:
I don't think you said it would be a live-aboard, correct? I assume you'll have land based accommodations and do 3-5 day boat trips? On a 320DA that would be fun. If living aboard it then there's no way I'd go that direction. For a live-aboard I'd go trawler and enjoy the view, sea worthiness and fuel economy.
Click to expand...
Not living aboard, no way just excursions. We have settling plans on shore, just want a reliable baby to go when we are ready, Starting to think powercat but damn they are pricey!!
 
BTW this 270 Sundeck is for sale, beautiful boat, crazy RF stereo W subs, all led lit ,factory tower,loaded amazing boat . 120hrs only
 
Ididntdoit said:
320 fine for abaco - eluthra, exuma and nassau if your really adveturous.......not sure it has the range (or hull) for safe crossings to turks, pr, dominica or the caymans.....if you dont want a trawler and dont sail, try a powercat (like an Aquilla) two small diesels, great manuverability, shoal draft....on the other hand, oly parker has taken several small outbaard powered boats from michigan! to grand cayman.......and he did it prior to gps!
Click to expand...

Yeah the Aquilla looks great but very pricey!! I would welcome something older in a power cat but haven't seen anything for us , You??
 
kiloil said:
The OP brings up a good subject. What boat outside a trawler would work for his needs?
Click to expand...

He needs something like a Silverton with Diesels for what hes explaining. 38 ft range and has some speed. No sleeping in the basement..I don't think he'll find a nice one in his range though.( example)
silverton.jpg
 
I used to own a 340 and did a run from southern Maine to New Hampshire. 6 foot seas with a long interval and that was hard. Can it be done...yes. I would be looking into something a little heavier or have it shipped over.


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We make the crossing from central Florida about 6 times a year. From here it's right at 130 miles to West End Great Abaco and about 86 miles from West Palm. From the Miami area to Bimini is 46 miles.
Crossing a smaller boat over is planning and timing only. Best to go with others with single engine boats. Also best to go with others for a first time over.
As far as island hopping between Exuma/Eleuthera up through the Abaco I wouldn't hesitate even with a center console 26 footer. The jump from Hole In The Wall to North Eleuthera is 35 miles however.
Knowledge, preparation, and reliable hardware is key to these waters.
 
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