Who runs a 320 or smaller Dancer in open water?

scooper321

scooper321

Well-Known Member
Jul 4, 2015
1,857
Baltimore, MD
Boat Info
2003 Sea Ray 400DB
Engines
Twin Cummins 6CTA-8.3
Who runs (or has run) their 320 in open water (the ocean)? How does it do? I’d love to take a trip from Baltimore to NYC or down to the Outer Banks. But I’m not sure if the 320 is enough (or the right kind of) boat for the Atlantic. Granted, I’d stay close in. Anyone have experience to share?
 
Heading to Bimini next week, and yes, been offshore before - preparation of boat and crew are necessary - Baltimore to NYC or OBX could be done mostly inside anyway....
 
True. But once you hit Cape May, you run off shore up the NJ coast. Or, at least I would. I’m just curious about the sea conditions. I would take necessary precautions as far as filling up fuel and water, checking weather and having the necessary emergency gear.
 
I took my 320 across the Gulf of Mexico. Not the same as Atlantic, but open water nonetheless. Went from appalachicola to cedar key, and through a non name storm which started to swirl in the gulf, August 2016.
No issues. Also took it from Egmont key to st pete this Sunday from 6 to 8. Seas were 3-5 feet, pelting rain, felt like the ride was never going to end, that was rough and I don’t want to do that again!
 
I take my 2012 310 out most weekends. It's seen a few white caps and rough sea. Handled ok in rough sea, better on calm days tho. We head out of brick nj.
 
Zim said:
I take my 2012 310 out most weekends. It's seen a few white caps and rough sea. Handled ok in rough sea, better on calm days tho. We head out of brick nj.
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That's the water I'm thinking of - on the way to NYC. Nice to hear the boats can handle it. I mean, go to the beach and you see jet skis out there so a 320 ought to be able to handle it! Lol. But sure, good conditions would be necessary I suppose.
 
I think first time I took her out there was about maybe 2ft swells and she was rocking... but I wasn't worried of flipping over lol. But in the end it's about being smart and staying safe and know the limits.
 
You can go anywhere with any boat! All depends on conditions. Your 320 is capable, but there are conditions that you'd have to stay at the dock that, say, a 450DA would have no issues with. When you are traveling the ocean, you have to factor in an extra day or so for weather that prevents you from going out there.
 
rondds said:
You can go anywhere with any boat! All depends on conditions. Your 320 is capable, but there are conditions that you'd have to stay at the dock that, say, a 450DA would have no issues with. When you are traveling the ocean, you have to factor in an extra day or so for weather that prevents you from going out there.
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This! I took my last boat (22' Wellcraft Sportsman) out to Old Scantum in 4' swells.
Not fun, but no problems.
 
I run my 320 from Crystal River to the Keys, then on the Bahamas every year..as stated above the key is knowing the weather and having a mechanically sound boat. 3’ seas is the most I will go offshore in the 320. I do the same trip also in my 420, 4’ is the most I wil take it offshore. Both boats will handle more, but I don’t like to beat the boat to death. I have also ran boats as small as 21’ to the Bahamas. No big deal, just know your weather and you must be flexible with your travel dates.
 
You have gotten a lot of good advice.
I ran a 320DA with V drives up and down the NJ coast for years. The boat handles 2 to 3's well, and 4's are possible, but keep in mind that a short wave period can be difficult.
Steep short period waves will force you to slow down. You may have to work the throttles to stay on plane. If you can't maintain plane you will not be a happy camper. Think submarine.
Like most quality boats, the boat is more capable than most operators.
Remember to have fun.
 
scooper321 said:
Who runs (or has run) their 320 in open water (the ocean)? How does it do? I’d love to take a trip from Baltimore to NYC or down to the Outer Banks. But I’m not sure if the 320 is enough (or the right kind of) boat for the Atlantic. Granted, I’d stay close in. Anyone have experience to share?
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I have a 33 sundancer second season with it. Took her from BUzzards Bay in Cape Cod to The Upper Hudson River and doing the same trip this Saturday. Boat handles well in rough water. Ive been in 3-4 footers which isnt a problem but not fun. My 1 lever on my throttles does not work which would make it easier when trying to handle rough seas. Good luck.
 
I know that on my 340DA, the boat can handle a lot more than "she who must be obeyed" is comfortable with... We've had some sloppy rides in 3-4 foot stuff coming back to Buzzards Bay from Martha's Vineyard, Boston, Block Island, Nantucket, etc. ... but we've also had some days that we extended a trip and didn't slog through it because it just was not worth travelling through the conditions. I don't usually need a lot of convincing to spend another night on the boat.

I've also noticed that whenever we have to make a run home through 3-4' seas, it's always interesting when we go down below upon arrival... because we find out all the things that weren't secured as well as they should be... on the floor. Someone always forgets to push in a button latch when they close a cabinet, or a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos was put on the shelf above the sink without a chip clip... nothing like that orange Dorito dust all over the cabin. We mourn the tragic loss of orange food as we get out the vacuum. Thank god for the emergency box of Cheez-Its next to the spare case of Corona.
 
We’ve taken our 280 up to Portland and furthure points North several times, about 90-100 nm a number of times. On good days it’s a breeze, in the wrong conditions it just sucks. Biggest issue has been fog that even with radar means slow going.

We also go down to Boston a couple times a year, but that’s mostly in sight of shore and actually more challenging as the wind wave action creates swells with a shorter frequency.

Henry
 
Great info, thanks to all! I want to get the most I can out of my ride. Not that I’m bored with the Ches Bay by any means!
 
We took our 320 last year, Sandy Hook,NJ though the city and up the Long Island sound to the north fork of long island (Green Port). This year we are gonna run the Ocean, (Next week) Sandy Hook NJ to Shinnecock Canal. Cross over the Atlantic and then run the shore line of long Island. Prob max I would think is 2 to 3 ft.
 
3-4' seas make for an uncomfortable ride on a 320. Off the Carolina coasts it’s hard to find a window with less than that. Two years ago we ran Georgetown to Charleston on the outside. Forcast was 2-3’. Turned out the wind kicked up and it was 4-5’. Not fun. There was sawdust from the millwork grinding in several places down below. You have to be ready for those conditions as the forecast is just a prediction.
 
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I just had the sawdust in my Cabin after a rough trip home in a storm. We were stumped but assumed something to what you explained above.
Also, the microwave and refrigerator flew open, and all contents were in the floor. It was bad. My wife was miserable, and not happy. But the following day was gorgeous, and she felt much better.
 
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Sear Ray did not design the cabinet latches on sport cruisers for blue water pounding. Mine will sometimes open during a rough day on the lake.
 
Watch the marine forecast and pick your day and time of day and you'll be fine. I went in the Ocean with my old 300 Sundancer often with no problems. I was just smart about picking the right sea conditions to do it.
 
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