Hi everyone, new to the forum, and searching for my first Sea Ray. I grew up out west and owned a house in Lake Havasu for many years, out there its all power boats and deck boats. I now live in the Midwest (Columbus, OH) we have four kids 12 and under, and are looking at a home in Michigan (Charlevoix is first choice, Holland area second) long term, but wanting to boat in Northern Ohio in the near term (hoping real estate prices cool a bit). The 350 and 320 seem comparable in price and seating, but I am unclear on if the deeper V of the 320 is critical on Lake Michigan or Lake Erie? Obviously both boats are often for sale on both lakes, and neither has a closed bow, but curious what other owners recommend? Since we have a family of 6, sleeping overnight is not needed, so don't need the berths of the 320, just thought the deeper hull and raised bow may be beneficial?
350 SLX vs Sundancer 320 on Michigan/Erie...
- Thread starter MOD220
- Start date
Are you referring to the new(er) 320 DA and 350 SLX?
You can fit something like 18 people on a 350 SLX, and both have the same deadrise.
If you don't need the cabins it seems like the 350 is a better fit.
I did test out a new 290 SDX with twin OBs and liked it a lot but went a different direction.
You can fit something like 18 people on a 350 SLX, and both have the same deadrise.
If you don't need the cabins it seems like the 350 is a better fit.
I did test out a new 290 SDX with twin OBs and liked it a lot but went a different direction.
Welcome to the Midwest! There are a number of both models in and around Chicago and I've had the opportunity to spend some time on both. the 350slx is an unbeatable entertaining platform if you're not planning overnights. If it were me I'd be looking squarely at the 350slx. Not knocking the 320, but unless you want or need the cabin space, you gain a lot more seating up top with the SLX.
yobub
Well-Known Member
Do any of your kids need to nap?
Sorry, yes thinking the newer versions, thinking 2018 or newer to get the newest console. I need to look into the SDX more too, obviously quite a bit cheaper. I didn't realize they have the same deadrise, the 320 seems to sit so much taller up front.
We moved here from Chicago and plan to buy a condo there one day, even considering docking the boat there! As far as the platforms, I've never seen either boat in person, but they appear quite similar? I like the extra bow seating on the 350, but also the yacht type feel of the 320's bow. And maybe there will be times when only my wife and I travel up and want to spend the night, or if we don't have all the kids, etc. I wonder if all that space below on the 320 would be handy even without spending the night? I'm surprised the 350 weighs more too. I need to drill down and get a better understanding the engine options, performance, gas mileage (eek), etc. between the two boats.
Either way, sounds like either boat can handle the great lakes, for daily recreational use during reasonable weather?
Not anymore, ages 6-12, but would be great to have a cool shaded space for when they burn out!
Cheap Guy
Active Member
Here's my opinion on boating on the Great Lakes and up north in general.
First of all, apparently the trend it towards open bows and consoles. which I think aren't the best for the Lakes, unless all you plan on doing is fishing. A dedicated center or bow-rider is one sure way to limit your boating season by at least two months, and even many days during the summer. The typical express cruiser with a cabin and the ability to have a camper top will give you more versatility, especially during the cool spring and late fall months, if you want to get six months worth of boating in. In the summer, there's nothing more miserable than having the sun beat down on you while out on a long cruise with no top or shade. And frankly just running full throttle for an hour or two just gets boring after awhile as opposed to marina-hopping or overnight trips. When you return to the marina, you'll enjoy the closed cabin (with air/heat if you want) and the screened camper if you want to take a nap, get away from the bugs or maybe even spend a night. If you choose the right boat, you'll still have plenty of aft space to entertain and carry folks. This year due to the cost of fuel, many of us were "floaters not boaters" and spent a lot of time just relaxing on the boat in the slip and then there were the nights you may not want to take the long drive back home and stay until morning.
As far as the type of boat and dead rise - I've boated on Lake Michigan and one of the benefits was that the weather came from the west so you could kind of "see" it coming and head in before things got rough. Nevertheless, it's good to have a boat that can handle the "mini-oceans" that are the Great Lakes. Lake Erie can get ugly and the weather can sneak up on you at times and you'd still want a boat that can handle the water when it gets a bit choppy, especially if you take a trip to the Erie islands.
First of all, apparently the trend it towards open bows and consoles. which I think aren't the best for the Lakes, unless all you plan on doing is fishing. A dedicated center or bow-rider is one sure way to limit your boating season by at least two months, and even many days during the summer. The typical express cruiser with a cabin and the ability to have a camper top will give you more versatility, especially during the cool spring and late fall months, if you want to get six months worth of boating in. In the summer, there's nothing more miserable than having the sun beat down on you while out on a long cruise with no top or shade. And frankly just running full throttle for an hour or two just gets boring after awhile as opposed to marina-hopping or overnight trips. When you return to the marina, you'll enjoy the closed cabin (with air/heat if you want) and the screened camper if you want to take a nap, get away from the bugs or maybe even spend a night. If you choose the right boat, you'll still have plenty of aft space to entertain and carry folks. This year due to the cost of fuel, many of us were "floaters not boaters" and spent a lot of time just relaxing on the boat in the slip and then there were the nights you may not want to take the long drive back home and stay until morning.
As far as the type of boat and dead rise - I've boated on Lake Michigan and one of the benefits was that the weather came from the west so you could kind of "see" it coming and head in before things got rough. Nevertheless, it's good to have a boat that can handle the "mini-oceans" that are the Great Lakes. Lake Erie can get ugly and the weather can sneak up on you at times and you'd still want a boat that can handle the water when it gets a bit choppy, especially if you take a trip to the Erie islands.
