2006 32 Sundancer with T 5.7 merc vdrives, enough power?
- Thread starter rmandes
- Start date
- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,155
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Definitely.........a great handling boat, plenty quick enough and reasonably efficient....much more so that big blocks.
JimFromMD
Well-Known Member
- Aug 9, 2010
- 1,777
- Boat Info
- 2005 300DA, Garmin 740s w/Vision Charts and GMR18HD RADAR
- Engines
- 5.0MPI w/BIIs, Kohler 5E Generator.
A friend of mine just sold his 2005 320DA with the 6.1L horizons and v-drives. Overall he was happy with the boat but felt it could have had more power. He could cruise around 18kts at 3500rpm, but most of the time ran up around 3800rpms and 21kts which also burned significantly more fuel.
With smaller engines, I'm not sure where things would be. He is by no means speed freak, so a sea trial would be the best thing to determine if you think it performs adequately for your needs.
CV-23
Active Member
- Jun 25, 2010
- 1,891
- Boat Info
- 1990 270 Sundancer, 2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited
- Engines
- 454 merCruiser w/Bravo 1
I have to agree, Mike.
- Aug 25, 2008
- 1,819
- Boat Info
- 2006 320 V-Drives 6.2s, Bow Thruster, Generator, Raymarine C80, Radar, Fish Finder
- Engines
- 6.2 Horizons 320HP
Boat is not underpowered, but does like to ride a little nose high at lower rpm's without tabs. This should help:
Really, based on what? I own a 06 320 with twin 350 Horizon V-Drives and I get plenty of performance out of her. With over 600 hundred hours of cruising up and down the Chesapeake Bay as well as an ocean trip from Baltimore to New York and back I can tell you the boat performs great with this setup.
Now if you are looking to do 50 MPH all day long, then yes this is not the boat for that. On the other hand if you are looking for a comfortable 20 to 25 knots, while burning 15 gallons per hour or less on each engine, then this setup will be just fine.
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
This has become like the portable gennie issue.....To some the boat is a dog - to others its adequately powered - no one thinks there's power to spare. a 340 with big blocks is a MUCH better boat. the chart above is pie in the sky as no one runs with 1/4 fuel, no water, and no gear/provisions. get a little mid season slime on it and things get even worse....My advice - a thourough sea trial loaded as you will use it - and see if YOU can live with it
JimFromMD
Well-Known Member
- Aug 9, 2010
- 1,777
- Boat Info
- 2005 300DA, Garmin 740s w/Vision Charts and GMR18HD RADAR
- Engines
- 5.0MPI w/BIIs, Kohler 5E Generator.
Just reporting what I understood to be my friends impression of his boat, and recommending that the best bet is to get a first-hand experience of the boat through a sea trial. I am very confident that my friend would agree with you in that the boat is a solid performer, very stable under way and in the slip, and handled the chesapeake bay chop very well. He put over 300 hours on it in the time he had it, and thoroughly enjoyed it before moving up to a 08 380DA a few weeks ago.
Who said anything about running empty? It is kind of difficult to make trips on the bay without any fuel or overnight provisions. Now I will empty my water tank if I am running from one marina to other, just for a fuel economy issue, as there is no need to being carry extra weight.
The OP asked a question about a “2006 32 ft. Sundance”, so a response was give about a 320 dancer.
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
I never felt underpowered with my 320. Even with full fuel and 5 good sized adults I had no problems jumping on plane. The boat was super easy to handle and the only reason we sold it was the Admiral said we needed a bigger boat. Who am I to argue?
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I wish I had your admiral!
I have been ready to go to the bridge boat for two years now, just can’t get the OK from money bags! I’m getting close though, at least I had her talking about one at St Michaels last weekend.
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
Take her for a nice long ride in rough seas and see what she says. That and spend 2-weeks on the boat, worked for me!
- Aug 25, 2008
- 1,819
- Boat Info
- 2006 320 V-Drives 6.2s, Bow Thruster, Generator, Raymarine C80, Radar, Fish Finder
- Engines
- 6.2 Horizons 320HP
Speaking from someone that OWNS a 320. The chart above is VERY close to my real world experience. I keep my props tuned and my bottom clean. I have 6.2's and I have no complaints about it's power. I jump on to plane with 10 people on board without a sweat. I used to have 26 sundancer with a single 5.7 and that boat was way under powered, my 320 has power to spare.
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
I wan't talking about your response - I was talking about the boattest info chart another member posted - I dont think you posted a chart - that one clearly lists the conditions and as you said they are un-realistic - that was my only point
That’s what I need to do.
She will beat me over the head every time I get the boat caught in someone’s wash and the boat goes sideways! Last month on a long ride down the bay I asked her to take the helm while I used the head. Well she paid me back by hitting every wake she could find! I hollowed up and asked her if she was looking for them! She replied with a “Yes”, so I replied back and told her “that’s OK, I left the seat down”. Pay backs!
CV-23
Active Member
- Jun 25, 2010
- 1,891
- Boat Info
- 1990 270 Sundancer, 2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited
- Engines
- 454 merCruiser w/Bravo 1
I was agreeing to the sea trial and observations. I like to run 25-30mph and my single 454 needs to turn 3600-4000rpms to do that. I would prefer lower rpm numbers with twins. I'd be happy with 350 mags in a 300 or 310 sterndrive boat with a narrower beam. No V-drives where we boat, Mike.
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
xxx
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Vince, you might want to play this hand, I'm going to fold!
I believe the OP's question concerns 5.7's, not 6.2's.
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