370 Sundancer V drives question

Spivak63

New Member
May 3, 2018
4
Wellington, Florida
Boat Info
2013 370 sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.2 Vee Drive
I have just sold my 30 ft cruiser, and a dealer I know offered me a 2013 Sundancer with V drives. Since I never owened one that was not a stern, I would like input. Yes, no ? Issues? Plus ? Due to size, if I buy it, it will be kept in wet slip. I can always pick up a 33 I/O.

Thanks
 
Do a quick search and I think you'll find a 90% hate ratio for all things I/O within the cruiser crowd.

I suspect right around the 370 size I/O's stop even being an option? If you're looking to move up I would I read up on, and embrace the beauty of, inboards. Once you go inboard you may never go back...
 
You don't say where you boat. Salt or fresh water? Rules of thumb is if in salt go with inboards.
 
You say the boat will be kept in a "wet Slip". In my opinion, that is Inboard territory. People do keep outdrives in the water, but from a maintenance perspective, V-drive inboards are what you want. Especially in salt water. If the boat is coming out on a trailer, and living dry when not in use, Inboard/Outboard are probably the best choice.
You will find the V-Drives have better manners around the dock, and they are designed to be in the water full time.
 
You don't say where you boat. Salt or fresh water? Rules of thumb is if in salt go with inboards.
I am in South Florida, Lake Worth Inlet. Stricktly Salt Water. I moved from 18 to 30, which just sold. So my options are 33 i/o or 37 Vee Drives.
You don't say where you boat. Salt or fresh water? Rules of thumb is if in salt go with inboards.
 
I am glad everyone poll in favor. I am closing on a 370DA 2013 sundancer. 530 hrs. Does not have Joystick but has bow thruster. People in the Marina were telling me how hard it is to get in and out and I will always need extra hands beside my wife. But the idea of a huge mini Yacht and shore power and ofcourse the 24/7 access entice me. My local Mercruiser mechanic also just told me Vee all the way
 
I am glad everyone poll in favor. I am closing on a 370DA 2013 sundancer. 530 hrs. Does not have Joystick but has bow thruster. People in the Marina were telling me how hard it is to get in and out and I will always need extra hands beside my wife. But the idea of a huge mini Yacht and shore power and ofcourse the 24/7 access entice me. My local Mercruiser mechanic also just told me Vee all the way

Most of us with vdrives would say it is much easier to handle than I/O's because the props are farther apart and are positioned ahead of the transom, allowing an easier pivot. With a bow thruster and vdrives you would be able to put it into just about anywhere.
 
I am glad everyone poll in favor. I am closing on a 370DA 2013 sundancer. 530 hrs. Does not have Joystick but has bow thruster. People in the Marina were telling me how hard it is to get in and out and I will always need extra hands beside my wife. But the idea of a huge mini Yacht and shore power and ofcourse the 24/7 access entice me. My local Mercruiser mechanic also just told me Vee all the way

I think the challenges in docking have less to do with the drives, more the size of the boat. On anything other than a calm day you have to plan for wind/current a bit more the bigger the boat gets. That's where the extra set of hands come in. I'd say the 370 will be a lot easier to get into the dock than the 330 I/O but you may notice wind/current a tad more than the 330.
 
My very first boat with inboards was a 1996 370 Dancer. It took a day or two of getting used to initially, but I found it MUCH easier to handle than the twin I/O's. Then I was moved to a different slip in my harbor and had to deal with docking into a beam current that was about 6-7mph coming off our power dam. Once again with a couple of practice runs, it became less of a challenge. The 370 handles nicely, and in my case, without a bow thruster you can still put it anywhere with a little practice.
Moved up to a 460 last year without a bow thruster (again), and it handles even better than the 370! With such a wide beam and high torque props, it spins on a dime and slides right into any slip we go to.
Have fun with your new toy!!
 
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My last boat was a 300 Sundancer with I/O’s.
Hands down, my 410 with V drives, although substantially bigger, is way easier to move around the docks.
My previous boat (300 with I/O’s) was wet slipped in saltwater 6 months a year, very common around here, and I never had a problem. Never had any corrosion.
They do require more off season inspection and maintenance. IMHO: In addition to tougher dock handling there are a few more drawbacks to I/O’s. On a yearly basis it means painting the drives and transom assembly, more zincs, and inspecting bellows. When bellows need replacing, (every 6 or 7 years maybe?) it becomes more expensive and involved.
IMHO: The upside to I/O’s is performance, ability to lift the drives in skinny water (important around here), and much cheaper props if you ever need them.
Overall, go fo the boat that is in the best shape and best suits your circumstances.
 
I am glad everyone poll in favor. I am closing on a 370DA 2013 sundancer. 530 hrs. Does not have Joystick but has bow thruster. People in the Marina were telling me how hard it is to get in and out and I will always need extra hands beside my wife. But the idea of a huge mini Yacht and shore power and ofcourse the 24/7 access entice me. My local Mercruiser mechanic also just told me Vee all the way
I believe the 370 Sundancer from 2013 is very similar to my 340 Sundancer. You should have no problem maneuvering with the V drives. I have bow thruste r also and barely use it. You will love the V drives.

-Kevin
 
We have a 12' model 370 that didn't come with a sun pad filler cushion that goes in place of the table. Does your's have this? and do you have any pictures of how it goes? I do have the part# 2076938 for the cushion it's self however if i buy the cushion does it simply set on the teak table with the short post under it? or is there another part i need to purchase? Please help! Thank You!!
 
I have a 1990 Sundancer with V-drives. I agree with all the comments. HOWEVER, V-drives can be a real problem when it's time to repack the stuffing boxes. There is generally no room. My boat is in the yard now for some work including the re-pack on the boxes. The yard had to pull the prop shafts back for access. Nigel Calder's boat maintenance book addresses this question. Otherwise I love the boat.
 

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