Looking at a 2006 320

Z

Ziggy87

New Member
Feb 11, 2009
43
Eagan, MN
Boat Info
2006 Sea Ray 40 Sundancer
1999 Sea Ray 190BR
Engines
Cummins
This might be a silly question, but bear with me. I am looking pretty seriously at a 2006 320 with 150 hours. The boat is SHARP, black, genny,etc. The drawback, and it is not minor is it is outfitted with the 5.0L 260HP engines.

We boat in MN on a river with little current, mostly my family of four. Like to cruise a little before overnighting on the beach, mostly we are beached on the weekend. I know this engine will be a dog, but we would be doing pretty casual cruising 24-28 mph with little current, tides, etc. Just how bad will it be. I had someone tell me I would need to use the trim just to get on plane.

Right now I have a Signature 270 with an 8.1L Volvo that MOVES. I like the speed, but my wife likes slower cruising. Really like this boat and the price is nice (Due to being underpowered), but want to hear about some actual experience. BTW - the 5.0L is not uncommon up here.

Thanks!!
 
What drives are on this boat? Bravo III's?
 
My dad has a 290 Amberjack with that combination. It is decent. But - on a 320 may be slow. I have 350 Mag - V's it is no speed demon either. But that is the nature of V's.
 
THe best way to decide if it will work for you is to sea-trial the boat. The 320 isnt a big speed demon even with the 6.2's that ive got, but its not meant to be either. I cruise around 22knots which makes for a nice enjoyable ride. I would imagine that the twin 5.0's might make the boat fully loaded with gear and people slower to come up on plane, but how often will you be doing that? The 320 is a outstanding boat. And the one thing you'll have that i dont is space in the engine compartment! The v-drive setups make it difficult at best to get around the engine compartment. The Bravo 3 setups on the 320 make for a cavernous engine compartment! Take it for a ride with 2 or 3 adults on board and see what you think then. Good luck
 
Walk away. With a glut of 320's on the market there's no need to get involved with one that will be difficult to sell to any knowledgeable boater.
 
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I wouldn't be scared off just yet. Sea trial the boat and then decide. Usually the manufacturer will use a different ratio Bravo 3 and or different prop for varying engine packages that will result in similar performance. Your 5.0 package could be geared to run almost identical to a 5.7 package. The one difference is usually planning time.

Another thing to consider is, how much of a discount are you getting the boat at compared to say an identical one with 5.7's? The 5.7 motors are 'cheap'. You could basically buy shortblocks and everything else should bolt up from your 5.0 motor if down the road you became unhappy with the performance. Just something to think about.

Doug
 
You may enjoy a good deal now, but it when it comes to sell, you will feel the pain. That is an unusual setup and will turn off a lot of buyers. I would expect the performance to be fine when lightly loaded, and be marginal with full fuel, water, food, gear and 4 friends on board. You didn’t mention the price, so it would be hard to say if it make sense to buy it.
 
I am a horsepower and torque guy. Just because you have more than you normally need does not mean you have to use it. But when you need it and it is not there, well it is just not there. Your resale will be difficult. A 320 is a big heavy boat similar to my 340. The 340s with the 6.2s don’t sell as well as the ones with the 7.4s or 8.1s. Just my 2 cents.
 
I would make any purchase contingent on a Sea Trial. Boats perform so different with outdrives versus V's. But I would also run the boat with typical number of people and at least 1/2 fuel.
 
I know more power is better, better resale, etc. Right now this boat is $16,000 less than any other 2006 320 I have been able to find. Engine size being the reason. So while me resale will be less, my purchase is less.

I wanted to hear opinions of people who have driven this setup.

Thanks!
 
skolbe said:
I would make any purchase contingent on a Sea Trial. Boats perform so different with outdrives versus V's. But I would also run the boat with typical number of people and at least 1/2 fuel.
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Agreed. A lot of guys are forgetting this boat is a I/O setup and not a Vdrive. This package may perform fine for his needs.

Doug
 
There is an 04 with this same configuration at a Regal Dealer Up North. PM me and I will send you the link. It is only $110k
 
I guess another question is will the boat be used in fresh or salt water most of the time? How long will the boat be in the water? These questions will help you to determine if outdrives is you best option. If you're set firm on outdrives, then use adivice given by other folks in regards to proper sea trial. My guess is that when it's time to sell you not only risking to have it priced lower than other 320s but you'll be loosing 70-80% of the potential buyers. I would think that majority of buyers looking for 320 do have previouse experience and they know what to look for. I have 5.7l in mine and with v-drives it's fine. Granted that BIIIs would compansate loss of HP due outdrive performance. But I would be causious anyway.
 
skolbe said:
There is an 04 with this same configuration at a Regal Dealer Up North. PM me and I will send you the link. It is only $110k
Click to expand...

Yea - we have looked at the 04 at the Regal dealer. Nice clean boat. More hours, 2 years older. The 06 is a little more, MarineMax certified and comes with a year warranty from MM. Also, it's black and we love dark colored boats.
 
Ziggy-
We have a 05 320 w/ 6.2's Heated storage Milwaukee. we bought new in 06. White hull Forest Green boot stripe green canvas. Many many options and accesories. We are looking to move up this year to a 40. PM if you would be interested in list.
Mike
 
This is exactly the situation I was in when I bought my 2004 320. It didn't sell due to the 5.0 260's w/ bravo III's and I struggled with it. I asked some questions here if I recall correctly. I got a great price, sea trialed, and am happy with the power. I actually got the name of the prior owner and called him to discuss (he had traded to a 40' convertible) prior to the offer. Cruise at about 3500 rpm in the 23-25 knot range. No problems with pickup. 3 kids, wife, lots of "stuff". Power has never been an issue.

Yes you could have difficulty with resale. But your price will be right when you buy, and you can price lower when you sell. Good luck with your decision! Either way, except for water in my central vac I haven't been able to solve yet, I've been very happy with the boat.
 
daddyox said:
Cruise at about 3500 rpm in the 23-25 knot range. No problems with pickup. 3 kids, wife, lots of "stuff". Power has never been an issue.
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daddyox,
The bigger question is what performance is like when you have 3 couples and 5 kids with all the gear on board and lets add some sea chops like 3'-4'?

When I had my 240DA with 5.0 the power was also fine most of the time. I didn't feel a need to have more, but I did when we had extra load of friends and family (4-6 adults with kids). Boats like 240DA have plate with all limitations on the load, 320DA has yacht certification. I expect yacht to perform like yacht. If I add 3-4 people aboard I don't want my yacht to struggle. In fact, I was very pleased to see that my 320DA didn't feel a difference in performance when we had all together 6 adults and 4 kids (2 of the kids are teens). I think that any boat owner would feel upset if the boat of such size drops performance when you have few more guests on board.
 
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daddyox said:
This is exactly the situation I was in when I bought my 2004 320. It didn't sell due to the 5.0 260's w/ bravo III's and I struggled with it. I asked some questions here if I recall correctly. I got a great price, sea trialed, and am happy with the power. I actually got the name of the prior owner and called him to discuss (he had traded to a 40' convertible) prior to the offer. Cruise at about 3500 rpm in the 23-25 knot range. No problems with pickup. 3 kids, wife, lots of "stuff". Power has never been an issue.

Yes you could have difficulty with resale. But your price will be right when you buy, and you can price lower when you sell. Good luck with your decision! Either way, except for water in my central vac I haven't been able to solve yet, I've been very happy with the boat.
Click to expand...

Just following this thread - saw the Central Vac water problem - I had this once - I believe it came from head sink area - I had a broken drian hose - the water ran down into the bildge - fixed the hose - been dry ever since. i'd say it's something in that area including the window in the head.
....on the 260's - I like my 350 mags with v's very well - no experince on the smaller 260's - agree with the sea trial as the best solution - don't forget to make sure the fuel and H20, and head are at representative levels for the ride.
 
well i can't say I've had 3 couples and 5 kids out with 4' chops.
But probably 2 couples and 6 kids...maybe without the chops..
It picks up well and fast and gets on plane easily; maybe my rpms are up a bit. i probably saved 20k at the outset when I bought in 2007, compared to similar models with the hours. someday i'll trade but no immediate plans and probably not for years. would I have rather bought a larger package at the same price? Would it have been worth 20k? I don't know-- I looked around at all models and makes and found this one just waiting for me..:)

the water leak is somewhere around the window-- I've had the med cabinet apart to try to find it. I'll find it come new year...(may..)
 
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