1990 350 sundancer with 350’s

Steve Leach

Steve Leach

New Member
May 29, 2022
28
Windsor Ontario
Boat Info
1996 370 Sundancer
Engines
454 mercruisers
Hello everyone. New to the forum. I am looking at a 1990 350 aka 37 dancer with 350’s instead of 454’s. I didn’t realize sea ray put the 350 in a boat this size. It also has 1800 hrs. I found this gem up north older couple in there 70’s owned it. Boat is amazing condition every square inch. Problem for me is the motor s being 350’s and the high hours. I really want purchase the boat but don’t know what to do. This is the nicest boat of this era I have found in my search s that will fit my family. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
If you like it and the hull is sound repower it with larger engines. With 1800 hours the current tired propulsion shouldn’t hardly figure into the offer.
 
blaster said:
If you like it and the hull is sound repower it with larger engines. With 1800 hours the current tired propulsion shouldn’t hardly figure into the offer.
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Thanks for the feedback. That’s true what you said but I would think that rebuilding the current motors would make the most economical sense. I’m not against the 350’s just hoping they are powerful enough to move the boat. I’m not looking to race the thing just get on plane with ease with a group of people on the boat.
 
The vessel is definitely underpowered with 350’s and it will be noticeable.
Plan on repowering with 454, 8.1 or 8.2 otherwise the vessel will be a trawler..
 
Wanderer 290 said:
The vessel is definitely underpowered with 350’s and it will be noticeable.
Plan on repowering with 454, 8.1 or 8.2 otherwise the vessel will be a trawler..
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Is your boat "definitely underpowered" as well? The OP is looking at a 1990 350 that weighs in 3,000 pounds heavier than your 290. Though that weight will be further forward than yours since it's v-drive. I'd expect you are somewhat dissatisfied with your boats performance to offer up this feedback on the 350?

That 1990 350 weighs 10,000lbs less than my 400 which is powered by 7.4's. Common internet fact is that anything over 370 can barely exit a slip under it's own power unless it's got a pair of diesel mains. But if you actually get on a gas powered 400 you'd find the power perfectly adequate, a pleasure to operate.

If you like the boat sea trial it. 350's pushing 13k of boat doesn't sound outrageous to me...but I've never been on one :)
 
I think that boat is at our marina. I don't know it or the owner. Like others are saying, it will be very underpowered with 350s. A buddy of mine had a 1991 310 with 350's and it was a slug. That 350DA is much much bigger. If you want a slow cocktail cruiser, it might work. But, hey, the best way to find out is to test drive it.

The ask price seems high to me too. Last year boats were selling for stupid prices. Not sure they will get that kind of price now with post-COVID travel opening up and gas prices so high. You are looking at about 0.8 mpg cruise with that boat as a guess.
 
Creekwood said:
I think that boat is at our marina. I don't know it or the owner. Like others are saying, it will be very underpowered with 350s. A buddy of mine had a 1991 310 with 350's and it was a slug. That 350DA is much much bigger. If you want a slow cocktail cruiser, it might work. But, hey, the best way to find out is to test drive it.

The ask price seems high to me too. Last year boats were selling for stupid prices. Not sure they will get that kind of price now with post-COVID travel opening up and gas prices so high. You are looking at about 0.8 mpg cruise with that boat as a guess.
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Thank you
 
Stee6043 said:
Is your boat "definitely underpowered" as well? The OP is looking at a 1990 350 that weighs in 3,000 pounds heavier than your 290. Though that weight will be further forward than yours since it's v-drive. I'd expect you are somewhat dissatisfied with your boats performance to offer up this feedback on the 350?

That 1990 350 weighs 10,000lbs less than my 400 which is powered by 7.4's. Common internet fact is that anything over 370 can barely exit a slip under it's own power unless it's got a pair of diesel mains. But if you actually get on a gas powered 400 you'd find the power perfectly adequate, a pleasure to operate.

If you like the boat sea trial it. 350's pushing 13k of boat doesn't sound outrageous to me...but I've never been on one :)
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Thank you so much for the feedback. I really like the boat as it has been meticulously taken care of and don’t want to pass it up based on the 350’s. The other thing is it obviously was good enough for the current owners for the last 10 years and to have that many hours on it must have done the job. I also wonder if the transmission is slightly different than the 454’s or the prop pitch to make up for the weight.
 
Getting on plane with ease with a group of people on board was probably not how the op used the boat. Sea trial the boat and bring some friends.
 
Stee6043 said:
Is your boat "definitely underpowered" as well? The OP is looking at a 1990 350 that weighs in 3,000 pounds heavier than your 290. Though that weight will be further forward than yours since it's v-drive. I'd expect you are somewhat dissatisfied with your boats performance to offer up this feedback on the 350?

That 1990 350 weighs 10,000lbs less than my 400 which is powered by 7.4's. Common internet fact is that anything over 370 can barely exit a slip under it's own power unless it's got a pair of diesel mains. But if you actually get on a gas powered 400 you'd find the power perfectly adequate, a pleasure to operate.

If you like the boat sea trial it. 350's pushing 13k of boat doesn't sound outrageous to me...but I've never been on one :)
Click to expand...
My 290 is powered well. Top speed is 45ish and it planes quickly without using the trim tabs with Bravo 3’s. I didn’t compare weights.
However, I also have a 1990 Regal 360 Commodore with 454’s and that combo is lacking power in my opinion.
 
Wanderer 290 said:
My 290 is powered well. Top speed is 45ish and it planes quickly without using the trim tabs with Bravo 3’s. I didn’t compare weights.
However, I also have a 1990 Regal 360 Commodore with 454’s and that combo is lacking power in my opinion.
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I’m not looking for 45 mph. I’m looking for 20. I’m guessing sea ray wouldn’t have put a motor in a boat that won’t put the boat on plane.
 
Don’t kid yourself. My first 268 came with a 350, sure fine with wife and me, load up with kids, 4 adults a zodiac and motor, coolers, it was a fight to keep on plane. 2nd 268 with 454, what a difference.
Yes, ALL boat manufacturers will offer a base engine that will get you into a model cheaper but don’t expect much out of it.
My current boat has a 454, not for speed. It’s for when family comes into town and I want to take out 6 adults with gear at 23mph, it can get up and go.
 
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Pirate Lady said:
PS. I have no experience with a 37 and those engines, just making a comment about SR putting in under power engines. Ya they do.
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Good to know. It’s just the best shape one I have found and I have looked at a lot. It checks all boxes minus the motors:(
 
Steve, if it’s nice and you not blasting far with a heavy load, what the hell go for it. Only you know what fits your boating style.
That first 268 I had, I compensated by having trim tabs from a 30 put on which helped a lot to keep the ass out the water. There are work arounds.
 
Pirate Lady said:
Steve, if it’s nice and you not blasting far with a heavy load, what the hell go for it. Only you know what fits your boating style.
That first 268 I had, I compensated by having trim tabs from a 30 put on which helped a lot to keep the ass out the water. There are work arounds.
Click to expand...
Thanks I do appreciate the info. I am so close to backing out of the deal as I cannot have a boat that will not go on plane.
 
Problem is I made a deal. I offered 10000 less with no conditions and no sea trial. I was told by the mechanic that all is ok.
 
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