Calling all 360 DA owners

They work well for our use. We had a 7-day trip from the FL west coast, thru the Okeechobee waterway & home. They were fine. About .9 or .8 miles/gallon on average. We also do lots of short trips. We enjoy it all.
 
Wow! Great info. Although I’m new here...and from what I’ve seen so far, this is why this forum is a great resource, to get this level of detail and honesty from real world experience. Thanks!

What do you all think of the 8.1s for this model...size of boat and overall design...including for all types of uses...short cruises and weekend overnighters to longer range trips etc. I’ve read and heard that the 8.1s for the 340DA are considered ideal by most. Obviously, this boat is bigger and heavier, so...?

People also say that these motors in a 380 are ideal as well, I have no actual experience in a 380, but I imagine they would push it OK. As far as my boat, the 8.1s seem just fine. No worries around the dock (and my dock has tidal currents that parallel the slips but are 180 degrees on the fairway, very tricky.), and it can push thru some big surf in a inlet that I go to sometimes. I cruise it at 3100 rpm which is just past on a plane with the tabs down @ 22ish mph.
 
The 360 is significantly heavier than the 340. My 8.1s still provide great speed, maneuverability and fuel economy considering the weight:HP ratio. We have taken several longer trips in our 360 and found it to be the perfect size boat. Plenty of moving around room and still under the 40 LOA limit for a transient slips. We looked at 320s, 340s and 360s when we bought ours. While ours was a project boat as it had not been well cared for, a few years later with a lot of work, time and cash it now is a great boat again. You will NOT regret the 360
 
I appreciate the use cases for sure...certainly seems to be some good value for the boat purchase price delta (360DA vs 340DA w/same power package, year and similar options).
 
Be sure to have the exhaust manifolds checked during survey. Pull plugs & stick camera probe in the cylinders to check for indications of water.
 
Anyone know of differences between an ‘02 and ‘04 360DA, if any? They first launched it in 2002, correct? Thanks!
 
I think the only difference is the 2002 is a smart craft engine but doesn’t have the smart craft gauges. They were added in 2003
 
Sorry...I meant differences in these respective years...2002, 2003 and 2004. Thanks. Good to know about smart craft.
 
Bad day. Wind and current took me into a concrete piling at the gas dock. Any ideas for repair or should I replace it? The anchor and chute are both bent. Might be worth asking about the size of anchor is ideal for a 360 Sundancer
 

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I would try and have the chute repaired first. A good tool shop should be able to repair that with no problem. As for the anchor, I have the same one as shown in your photo. I would not trade that for the world. It holds every time we drop, and holds fast. Stainless is obviously prettier, but a lot more $$ as well.
 
Does anyone have experience with a 310 RIB dinghy (Zodiac or similar) with Hurley davits on a 360’s swim platform? Is the dinghy difficult to load? Can it be done by one person? Looking for advice before I flip the switch on one.
 
I added the Hurley H3 last summer to my 360. It is a one person solution. I have a 10’ Fiberglass bottom Mercury dinghy with a 9.9hp Mercury outboard. It is easy to load. I recommend the extensions to give you room to walk between the lazerette and the dinghy. I ordered the hand crank version of the H3. The Paul on it is not the greatest but is acceptable.
 
Thanks for the response. I assume the length of the dinghy is just as long as the platform. Any issues with side wash catching the tubes or motor under heavy seas?
I'm looking at the H2's from Hurley. I like the idea of pulling up along side, and then lift and pivot. Not sure both the ease of that tho with 310RIB and a 15hp outboard. Took delivery of the new Zodiac Saturday, so its a matter now of figuring out the davit system.
 
Never any trouble with side wash. I did have a problem with heavy following seas once lifting the dinghy off the Davit. That was before I added Hurley’s 3 strap tie down. Since then zero trouble. I always tip my motor up when loading. The Hurley tie down comes with an engine strap. My dinghy is 10’ with a 4 stroke 9.9hp
 
Thanks for the feedback. Mines 10'2" with a 15hp. I agree with the tie down straps - a must have.
 
I am away from my boat for the next two weeks and am trying to figure out what V Drive transmissions i have. I want to order a spare filter but can't find the part number for the filter or transmission. 2002 360 Sundancer W/496S horizons.
 

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