1996-1998 330 dancer performance numbers

[camaro_z28]

Hello, my wife and I recently fell in love with a 1997 330 sundancer with 310hp v-drives. While that deal slipped on by, we are now pretty much set on that model. My question is what kind of fuel economy and speed do these models get? also any common things I should look for when I find my dream boat. Thanks!

 

[EricW]

That generation 330 DA is a great boat. It has a great cabin & cockpit layout that is still pretty much the same as the new ones. But, with big block V-drives, it will use a lot of fuel.

I believe cruise RPM will be 3300 to 3500, giving 26-28 mph, burning 30-35 GPH combined. So, fuel MPGs will be around 0.8 - 0.9. I think wide open a big block V-drive 330 runs in the mid 30s.

Small block/V-drive combo will be just a bit more efficient, but performance suffers.

Stern drive models are significantly more efficient with a pretty big jump in performance, but have their own drawbacks that have been discussed many times here.

In my opinion, big block V-drives are probably the best choice on a 330, despite the heavy fuel use.

 

[testlab]

I recently bought a 1996 model with the same engines and drive. I am currently benchmarking the performance for this particular boat. It is fitted with the 7.4L carby motors (600 hours each), Hurth 630 drives and the factory standard props (3 blade 17" x 17"). Water tank is near full and fuel tanks are around 2/3. Air temp is around 20C.

It doesn't have a dingy hanging off the back or any additional weight added through accessories. The runs I am doing have the front and side clears, bimini and camper cover top in place but not the aft or rear side covers. The bottom has just been cleaned and painted with Micron 66 and Propspeed applied. Compression is good (within spec) and to all intents and purposes the engines have no issues. It is fitted with oversized trim tabs.

At normal cruise of 23 kts I am burning around 20 USG/hr (76 l/hr or 0.9 nm/usg). At near full throttle speed is 30 kts and fuel burn is 130 l/hr (34usg/hr or 1.3 nm/usg). These are approx figures and I am going to fit a set of floscan fuel computers to do accurate performance measurements.

PS: Its going to be used as a family boat (5 people) and we picked it as the best compromise between layout, utility, size and performance. I am impressed with the build quality and the condition is excellent. It is also of a size where routine maintenance (bottom paint, etc) and storage fees (moorings, berths, hardstands) are reasonable. Cost of opwnership per metre rise exponentially here in AU and is a factor many people overlook.

 

[Creekwood]

My 330 has the OEM props. In MPH terms I cruise nicely at about 28 to 30mph running about 3400-3500rpm. Top end is about 38mph at about 4300 with a full load (might touch 40 near empty of fuel). I seldom find it slow they way I use it and where I boat. Fuel usage is not great as others have mentioned, and the 0.9 NM/USG sounds about right with my quick conversion, but none of these vessels are bought for fuel economy.

With the big blocks it gets on plane pretty quickly. With the stock tabs its a bit bow high for about 4 seconds, then comes down nicely. I don't know if others have noticed, but at slow speeds it throws quite a bit of wake. I periodically travel with the Jackie J V and his 560DB, and at his "no wake" speed, I am throwing a larger wake than him. That may be the lower deadrise on these earlier 330's.

Engine room space is really tight if you do any work yourself. I do some of my own routine stuff, but leave the circus contortionist performances to the marina.

 

[Plane 2 Sea]

I normally cruise at 3200/3300 rpm's, nets around 23.5/24 kts with 3/4 fuel, full H2O, 4 adults. Absolutely love this boat, third season. I would not want the smaller block engines on this boat, and the V Drives are the way to go for less seasonal mx. I/O's are easier to svc on this boat, but at greater expense.

 

[sr330daguy]

These were put up by Frank a few years ago.....Mine has sterndrives, so I can't comment on fuel consumption

 

[ippa2]

Hands down a great Sea Ray, both functionally and asethically. We bought ours last summer and it was the only boat I had my sights set on. Performance wise, its not a complete pig, but its not a lightweight either. We have 3 blade props 17's, 7.4 carbs, and I find at 3200 we're doing 22 knots and buring around 25-27 gph, which I think turns out to be .90 mpg or a tad better. Frankly I think any big block gas powered boat in the 30-35' range, if you can get 1 mpg or close to it you're doing pretty good. So enjoy the boat, run it 3100-34000 depending how much of a rush your in and keep us posted. Also being new the 330 I've found this forum to be an unbelivable resource for any questions you come across... like how do you support the pull out settee birth... Just do a search and chances are 90% of your questions have been answered on here.

Happy boating!

 

[dpmulvey]

Saint Max is for sale if you are interested.

Saint Max has 2007 6.2's. She is running slow this year due to bottom growth over the winter. The divers are coming tomorrow morning. With a clean bottom full fuel, full water, full weekend provisions and two pax, the fuel consumption is 1NMPG at 22 knots at 3400 - 3500 RPMs.

Extending the trim tabs enabled me to drop the cruise RPM from 3800 to 3400/3500 RPMs with no loss in speed.

The 330 needs a LOT of ER sound insulation that SR did not install.

HTH

 

[ippa2]

David how did you go about adding sound insulation to the engine room? Do you have any pics?

 

[dpmulvey]

I have not done mine as of yet. There are lots of spray on and glue on applications. If you google "boat engine room sound proofing" (no quotes) you will find tons of products. Obviously, all of these are easiest to do in a bare engine room.

Another killer is the vibration due to hard mounts or all running gear and propulsion. The cheapest and easiest mitigation is to make sure you have a clean bottom and your props and running gear are in balance. Beyond that, vibration isolation engine mounts thrust management systems do wonders. Unfortunately, they don't do wonders cheap.

I hope to pull Saint Max this winter and have her blocked beside my house. That way, I can piddle with her on a daily basis rather than having to drive 45 minutes to the marina to do so.