New 320; what are the "must haves?"

M

marqbloq

New Member
Feb 25, 2007
222
Portland Oregon
Boat Info
2007 320 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 5.7 Horizon VD's
Hello Club Sea Ray Members:

I would like to ask your considered opinions on what options do you feel are the “must haves†when ordering a new 2007 320 Sundancer?

What percentage discount do you feel is possible (have you seen) off of internet pricing for a new boat? (5, 10, 15, 20 even 25% or more?)

I have heard the 2007 320 is being discontinued this year and the 2008 replacement will be a 330 Sundancer and look very much like the new 310 Sundancer; thoughts? If true, do you feel the 320 is destined for huge discounting?

Also, are there any particulars about the 320 you feel are either especially positive or negative? Please explain your answers.

Finally, are there any competitive boats you feel are a better choice in this size category of express cruiser? (Formula, Regal, Cobalt, etc.)

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful advice regarding the 320 Sundancer.

Best Regards,

marqbloq

Profile: Use = 95% fresh water, 30% mountain lake, 65% Columbia River, 5% Puget Sound / Area = Pacific Northwest (lots of rain, little freezing, good summers and falls / People = family of 4 (2 boys 10&12), friends of 4-10 per outing / Ownership = 3-5 years then trade or sell / Drivers = timeless, low TCO, low maintenance schedule, low haul out, 20knt cruise, ~60-90 hours year, on hook >60%, fishing, snorkeling, diving, exploring, max miles per day = 150, min miles per day = 15, overnighting = 50+ days per year.
 
You will receive better and more specific advice from the members if you could indicate where and how the boat will be used.
 
Marq.....................good to have you back. :thumbsup:

So fill us in. Are you thinking about another Sea Ray rather than a Formula?

BTW.........We have missed your expertise on the 280DA. There have been a couple of recent threads about single engines versus twins that you might want to comment on. :grin:

I am sure our 320 Gurus will answer your questions.
 
Oh happy happy, joy joy...Marq is back to bug us again. :smt043

Where ya been buddy? Must have heard us talking about you last week. :smt014

What happened to the Formula? You change your mind? Are you taking a serious look at the 320 SR instead?.
:smt024
Great to have you back on the board. :thumbsup:
 
Since the 320DA hasn't changed much since 2002, have you considered looking for a used one?

That said, I can recommend the RayMarine 2Kw radar. We have a C70, which is as big as can be fit directly in front of the wheel. A C80 display will fit on port side helm. I'd go with the bigger display.

I *really* want to add an autopilot and engine syncro - hopefully I will get the latter installed before the end of this year.

You can't get it from Sea Ray, so budget for a custom camper canvas. It's well worth it.

Get the cockpit fridge, we use ours for all our drnks and keep food in the galley fridge.

Not sure what else to tell you. Are you thinking v-drives or outdrives?

-CJ
 
Hey Marq..........

Seems like we've been here before..........only with a 280DA wasn't it?

A lot of what you found out with the other boat is true with the 320DA as well. Sea Ray has become even more practiced at controlling the supply side of the equation, so don't expect there to be any fire sales on left over 320's when its replacement arrives. And, yes, based on the early reception of the new 31DA, I'd expect to see the 32 ft replacement to be its big brother.

Use a lot of caution in transferring some preconceived idea about discounts off suggested list price to the real world. The bigger the boat, the less things follow patterns or historical formulae. Whether or not you can get 25% or 35% off list depends almost wholly upon 1.) the dealer, 2.)his local market condition and 3.) the supply of the boat you want in that market area. I am afraid how good a price you are able to get depends upon the above 3 things, plus how good a negotiator you are.

As far as the boat is concerned, my personal opinion is that the current 320DA with v-drives is one of the best boats Sea Ray has ever offered in this size range. The replacement will have to go some to even be considered its equal. If I'm right, then demand will remain strong for the lame duck design and I just don't see huge leftover discounts for the 320DA.

Regal, Cobalt and Formula make great boats. In some areas they may even be superior to Sea Ray. Some features are better on one than the other, however, no one has a boat where the whole package works as well as the 320DA.

If this one is like your previous information gathering queries, then I'm sure we'll kick this one around a good bit. We are glad to have you back........I've missed your thought provoking questions and comments.
 
Hi Marq, Welcome back. If memory serves when you last posted you were looking at a Formula sportboat...33' or so?

Having owned an 02 320 DA with 300 MAG IBs, and put about 100 hours on the boat before getting dieselitis, I guess the only thing I will add to the discussion is that you really need to go run a 320 fully loaded, as you will use it, in conditions which approximate those you will typically run in. This is not a 26-28 knot cruiser with full fuel, water, gear, etc. More like 21 or 22 knots loaded for battle, in my experience. She likes some tabs coming on plane, and the 350s will cruise in the 3700-3800 RPM range. If this all seems OK, then press on. The 320 is a good boat. I wanted more speed, rough water comfort, and room. Thus the 420DA with Cummins power.
Guys running 320s with Bravo IIIs probably come out of the hole faster, achieve higher cruise speeds at the same RPM or less, and might use a it less fuel. I boat in salt/brackish/fresh water, and did not want the hassle of I/O maintenance.
One final note. I got stuck in a small craft advisory on the lower Potomac in the fall of 2005. The river was really, really rough--all of 5-6 feet waves (some taller) with 40 knots of wind on the bow. At 8-9 knots SOG, some of the wave action was violent enough to get the entire boat airborne. The 320 got my family and I home safely, with no muss or fuss.

regards
Skip
 
Hi All:

Great to see so many familiar names! Thank you so much for the warm reception, reminds me why I like this Sea Ray community so much! I have been well, as many of you know I built a new house and have been busy with all that.

Since Fall I have been looking for our next boat, looking at used and new mostly focused on Formula. I almost pulled the trigger on a new Formula but I just could not go all the way primarily because of price. It seems I just can’t find enough justifications to pay the higher price point for a Formula.

So here I am, back at the Sea Ray door once again. My wonderful local dealer Mike Trudeau has been working hard to get my business and based on my outstanding past experience with his fine dealership I have decided to consider a 320. I feel the 320 is the best choice for my needs though the 340 would be great too.

Again, thanks for the warm hello’s and I am looking forward to your suggestions regarding the 320.

Cheers,

Marq
 
Well Marq

We have a 2006 320 dancer and we Love it, I had Bravo threes on it with 350 mags, the only thing I'd change would be that I'd go to the Big blocks 496's. The work less and use the same fuel as the 350 mags. I seriuosly upgraded the stereo speakers and Amp'd it up as well. We put in all new KICKER marine speakers, they rock as well as JAM. We have the Raymarine C80 on the port side of the dash and have the smartcraft in the center of the dash. Jennie is a must for this boat, when it's hot outside it's cool beneath the cockpit in the salon. We didn't go with the large TV in the salon and we really don't miss that at all. Let me know if I can help with anything else Sir, welcome back to the board by the way, I am your Boltman.........See ya.
 
Marqbloq -

I just did the same evaluation and went with the 320. They are a good value right now. I wasn't crazy about the new 310. While it is nice. The 320 offered a whole lot more. I went with 350 mag's and v's.
 
Since you brought it up...

Last year I was looking at new 320s. I ended up waiting too long to get a new '06. I got into a very clean '05 340 for the same money they were asking for the incoming new '07 320s.


BTW, I also came from a 280. The 320 and 340 seem to be common upgrades for us former 280 owners.
 
Marq, it is great to see you back!

I take if from your post that you are going to tow, or have towed, the 320. This might affect your choice of drive type. Also whether you keep it moored or out of the water.

I remember on my checkout with the captain from Trudeaus's, he mentioned that some of the marinas in the area that used steel had some issues with corrosion. You might ask about that, could be a real problem with I/O's left in the water. It's also my personal opinion that there have been some 'issues' with the power grid in the Portland area that have in the past resulted in some flow of neutral current in the ground. Combine that with metal pilings at a marina and an always plugged in electrical service,... well, I think you see what I would be concerned about.

I bought a chartplotter at the Marine Electronics place on Marine Drive by the airport, forget its name. I spent several hours, a couple of visits actually, punching buttons and looking at areas I was very familiar with. Came away with the Garmin because the charts were more accurate for the area of the Columbia here around McNary dam.

You may not have issues with variable minimum water depth there, but I do here. Recently there have been times when the water is at least 2 feet, maybe 3 feet less than the published levels on the River Charts. I kow you are below the last dam and more used to fluctuating levels. There have been days in the last three months when I would not have been able to launch my boat, as the ramp did not extend deep enough into the Columbia.

I have been offline the last few weeks, need to check into the West Coast section to see if anything is inthe works. I missed going to the San Juans last year, want to make it back this year.
 
I'll second the thought of a slightly used 340 with 8.1's vs the 320. We searched long and hard, and the 340 allows the owner to get inside the engine room and do some regular maintenance. The 320 is just too tight to make that happen.

The 3 seats across the front of the cockpit are really nice on the 340. In the 320, the only way to see out is to sit at the helm or stand up.
 
The incentives are pretty strong this month. That is one of the reasons why it is not too bad to buy new right now. But if you can find a slightly used 340 - go for it. We were able to buy at a price that was very agressive - partly due to the incentives. Better than I expected. The 310 doesn't have any strong incentives right now, but the 320 and 340 do. At my local boat show St. Louis. They sold 4 - 320's and no 310's. They had them priced the same. The 310 is nice - just hard to compare to the 320 for similiar money.

Hampton - What did you mean in regards to only standing or sitting at the helm? The 320 has a flip up bolster as well. Granted we just bought ours - so everything is still a blur. Just curious. I do like the look of the 340 seats at the helm.

Marq - Since you don't have a boat you are in a pretty strong position in the used market. I have had a positive experience with slightly used. But went new this time.

Going back to your original topic. I feel like the factory electronics are not really must have's. I prefer to add that all aftermarket and chose the equipment I want. That is more fun than buying the boat. The generator is a must have. I like the new solid teak cockpit table. It is very nice.

Engines - I have surveyed numerous 320 owners with V's all seem happy with the 350 Mag's. I had a 260 Dancer before this with a Big Block. So, we will be a little slower than before. We also have the sun pad and the spotlight. We went with a white hull with Black Canvas. I do like the new Dark Blue Canvas as well. The one thing I do like on the 310 over the 320 - is the new windows. However I prefer to not have windows below the rub rail. But I like the look. I like the look of the 340 Swim Platform. But I prefer the functionality of the 320's swim platform.

Many people upgrade the Island Berth Mattress with some quality memory foam. I had done that on the 260 - So we just brought that with us from the old boat. The 320 is a smaller scale - 340. So, good luck in your search.
 
You all are bringing up some great information, thank you!

A couple new questions:

1) what do you think insurance will be on a 320 (my 280 was $432 yr.)

2) how is fuel burn on the 350 Vdrives?

Marq
 
My insurance is $940 a year. Almost double the 260. The fuel burn is just around .9 to 1.0 mpg. Have you read the 320 thread?
 
I think insurance will be based largely on where you boat and what risk there is in that area. Florida, for example ,would be on the higher end. I'm at 850.00 for a new 300DA. As far as options on the 320DA goes. I would not even consider one without a windlass and generator. Welcome back Marq. Kind regards, Brian
 
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