Looking at 2003 - 2006 Sea Ray 320s - opinions

M

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I am in the market for my next boat. My last boat was a 2006 Monterey 302. I liked it a lot, it was just a little tight in the cabin. I kept it stored in a boatel. It had twin raw water cooled, 5.0 260HP MPIs with Bravo 3 outdrives. I boated on the upper Potomac River. I'm a DIY type and try to do as much of the maintenance I can, though at 6'3" that can be a challenge.

The marina called me to state they had a 2006 Sea Ray 320 they were getting ready to list. I looked at it yesterday. Blue Hull, twin 5.7 MPI V-Drives. Overall it showed as average in my opinion. It stays in a slip so it was dirty, a little weathered and tired looking if you will. I've owned V-Drive boats before and swore I never would again mainly because there is no room in the engine compartment. Access to the thru hull fittings is not bad, but will be a pain in the 320. The forward berth seems odd to me. My feet hang over the end. The starboard salon is nice, that style is my preference, I do not like the layout, like in the older 310s, where it's a dining room table between two benches facing each other. IMHO this takes up too much beam space.

For those who own this boat, especially if you are taller, how do you like it? How to the V-drives perform? I'd prefer the Bravo 3s for performance and engine compartment access.

Another boat on my short list is the Cruisers Yachts 320, a 2005. I love the beam and I love the coach in the aft cabin, it has a very open feel.


Thanks
 
I'm 6'4" and don't have problem with the berth. I just sleep with my head a little higher.
I don't spend every weekend on it though. I will be upgrading my mattress this year though. That's more of an issue for me than size. I'm just the opposite. I will never own another outdrive for a boat that is kept in the water. I do a lot of my own stuff but not the really hard stuff anymore. Routine maintenance is not to bad. Strainers and such. We chose the 320 over the 340 for the port lounger. The helm seats also don't have the bolsters in the center which allows to sit long ways with legs stretched. Spend more time lounging than running facing forward. Swim platform is also closer to the water for pets and you can sit on the rear ledge with feet on the platform. I find the small block v drives to power the boat adequately. Rides a bit bow high but easily managed with tabs. Easy to manage around the dock. In wind may require a bit extra throttle. Much less fuel efficient than a stern drive. Plenty of storage and good size head for my family of 3. I find it to be the right blend for our use. Would recommend without hesitation.
 
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Thanks Craig, that was helpful. I'm 6'3", where does the Mrs sleep? I'm ok with outdrives since I plan to keep it stored in the boatel. Having vdrives is nice though in case I decide to slip it.
 
We both fit. Daughter sleeps in the back.
 
mrsrobinson said:
I am in the market for my next boat. My last boat was a 2006 Monterey 302. I liked it a lot, it was just a little tight in the cabin. I kept it stored in a boatel. It had twin raw water cooled, 5.0 260HP MPIs with Bravo 3 outdrives. I boated on the upper Potomac River. I'm a DIY type and try to do as much of the maintenance I can, though at 6'3" that can be a challenge.

The marina called me to state they had a 2006 Sea Ray 320 they were getting ready to list. I looked at it yesterday. Blue Hull, twin 5.7 MPI V-Drives. Overall it showed as average in my opinion. It stays in a slip so it was dirty, a little weathered and tired looking if you will. I've owned V-Drive boats before and swore I never would again mainly because there is no room in the engine compartment. Access to the thru hull fittings is not bad, but will be a pain in the 320. The forward berth seems odd to me. My feet hang over the end. The starboard salon is nice, that style is my preference, I do not like the layout, like in the older 310s, where it's a dining room table between two benches facing each other. IMHO this takes up too much beam space.

For those who own this boat, especially if you are taller, how do you like it? How to the V-drives perform? I'd prefer the Bravo 3s for performance and engine compartment access.

Another boat on my short list is the Cruisers Yachts 320, a 2005. I love the beam and I love the coach in the aft cabin, it has a very open feel.


Thanks
Click to expand...
I agree with the Craig post. Only thing I would add is as the owner of a blue hull boat I wound never have a blue hull again. The additional maintenance on the blue hull is ridiculous compared to a light colored hull.
 
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Larry Sturm said:
I agree with the Craig post. Only thing I would add is as the owner of a blue hull boat I wound never have a blue hull again. The additional maintenance on the bull hull is ridiculous compared to a light colored hull.
Click to expand...
I always say you should buy at least one colored hull boat. Mine was Citrus, a bright yellow 26 SR Express. A friend of mine who was much older and an avid boater shared his opinion. "There is only one color for a boat......white." It has been white for me ever since.
 
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