New 320; what are the "must haves?"

The best deal I have so far is with Traveler's at $1028 per year with $1M liability and $1M environmental.
 
Burn rate for TVD350's is 26GPH according to BT.com / Do you owners concur?

3500 RPM / 24.8 MPH / 26.2 GPH / 0.95 MPG
 
marqbloq said:
Burn rate for TVD350's is 26GPH according to BT.com / Do you owners concur?

3500 RPM / 24.8 MPH / 26.2 GPH / 0.95 MPG
Click to expand...

That's a bit faster than I see at that RPM, but I'm usually running full fuel / water and a bunch of gear. If I bump up to 3800 rpm I run somewhere around 19-21 knots (~ 22-24 mph) depending on conditions.

The gph sounds about right for that rpm, but that's just a ballpark guess as I didn't have Smartcraft last year. I'll have better numbers this year.

-CJ
 
Just about every 320DA I've been on has had the 6.2's. I really think this boat needs those engines. Even with the 6.2's you still need, in my opinion, too many rpm's to maintain an average cruise speed of say 25-27mph. My 300DA with t5.0MPI and Bravo 3's ran 27mph @ 3400 with full fuel and gear, whereas my friends 320 had to turn 4000rpm to achieve the same speed. Maybe it's the smaller prop area or the gearing in the v-drives, but that seems like a big difference to me, and he had the larger 6.2 engines. You can see CJ's numbers are lower than that.
 
I've seriously considered swapping my three blade props to four bladed ones. I had my existing props scanned this off season and we will see if that makes a difference.

Again, this boat with v-drives is no speed demon. She is comfortable, predictable and for us right now, the perfect size. Will my next boat be an oil burner? Most likely. I blame Skip. :wink:

-CJ
 
CJ:

If you were to sell your boat today, what do you feel is a real world selling price that you actually could get within six months?
 
Hmmm...well our 320 is pretty clean and well optioned. Radar/C70/full camper canvas (and I've replaced the front three panels with stratoglass) on top of professional maintenance.

I do check out the local market to see what 320's are listing for but I have no way of know what they actually sell for. Going solely off of that, I'd probably list her in the mid-130K range. However, for a boat this size I would think long and hard about listing her with a broker, and following his/her advice.

Why do you ask?

-CJ
 
Trying to figure out the market. Just in the past two months the web price of the same 320 has risen over $14K. Makes the used market even more compelling but prices seem to be all over the board from a low of $125 to a high of $230K.
 
I would think in the used market - most 320's would be in the 125k to 170k - anybody over 170k - is wishing.

I did some homework this is what I think some fair prices might be and some actual sale prices. I did a lot of homework. These would be more minimums and nicer one's would obviously command more.

People feel free to adjust the numbers. This would be a start to the discussion.

02 - $125k
03 - $135K
04 - $142k
05 - $152k
06 - $157k
07 - $165k

This is my guess on average market prices. Nice boats would probably command a 10% premium.
 
Hey Marq. We still have our '04 280 w 5.0s and are looking to getting it out from under the cold wrap. While I'm planning to keep it for a while longer, I've been looking at the next logical step up since even before getting the boat (always fun to ponder options). For what it's worth, my next step would be a 1 year old 340, NOT the 320. I just can see enough of a difference in space an lay out betwen the 280 and 320. Granted, the 320 has the rear salon which is a requirement for our next boat, but I never got the sense of spaciousness as I do when going into the 340. The 340 also has more room in the bilge - a problem on the 280 for sure.
1 year old works for me as I can get a great price given the depreciation hit, but still get most of the warranty should there be any problems.

Gerry
 
marqbloq said:
Trying to figure out the market. Just in the past two months the web price of the same 320 has risen over $14K. Makes the used market even more compelling but prices seem to be all over the board from a low of $125 to a high of $230K.
Click to expand...

I think prices tend to rise in the spring as folks start getting serious about buying and sellers are trying to make back some of their winter storage costs. The 320DA is a good size for a gas boat - not too big, not too small.

There has been very little change from 2002 to 2007 on the 320DA. The TV changed from the 13" TV/VCR to a 15" TV/DVD in 2004. Smartcraft instrumentation was available in 2004 (and maybe in 2003, not sure - also note the 2002 engines are Smartcraft). After that I'm not sure what else changes.

For example, we have the 4.5Kw Westerbeke genset which is somewhat quieter than the later 5Kw Kohler. We have a cockpit fridge and full camper canvas.

I guess my point is that it will come down to options and how clean / well maintained the boat is. We got lucky with our boat, as the previous owner :wink: took good care of her and documented everything.

Good luck and keep us posted!

-CJ
 
Marq - welcome back! I am going to by dying to hear about your looking into boats, availability, and pricing as I think our market (WA, OR, ID) is super challenging with Sea Rays and the lack of area dealer competition.

And, I think its way too early to tell if the market is "soft" for this year as people haven't woken up to boating yet in my area!! BUt I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Good luck and keep us posted!!

Kathy
 
Hi Kathy!

It is great to be back and the excitement is building! I have been without boat for over a year now and it is beginning to wear on me. I am working with Mike to negotiate a new 320DA. There seems to be a lack of supply for the 320 and even more so for the 340. I have heard this is the last year the 320 will be produced, possibly being replaced by a 330 model for 2008.

I read an article on The Motley Fool saying the market is soft too but I think on the West coast there is plenty of demand. Of course I am not worried as Mike has always treated me very well over the years and I know he’ll make me a fine deal. Hope you are doing well Kathy and still enjoying the 300DA.

Best Regards,

Marqus
 
We have missed your posts so glad you are back! A year without a boat -- boy, you had such a active boating life that you must have really noticed the difference. It will be great to find out how you do shopping.

We had a marvelous last year with the 300DA. She was trustworthy and problem free so what more can we ask? We moved the boat to a slip closer to home in Dec 05 so we really spent lots of time on the boat, cruising the Lake and also just hanging out at the marina. We plan to do the same this year and its my time to do research for a possible upgrade next year. We have our July reservations for Roche so it should be a great year!

I think there is lots of demand in our area -- our expensive marina is full with a waiting list, the boat show in Seattle was PACKED, the used market right now is light, the housing market is hanging in there -- it doesn't look like the market will soften but my boat finance guy said things can change super fast in the NW.

Good luck with the shopping - how fun!!

Kathy
 
I went for it today and I am thrilled! We can't wait to get her on the water, it has been a long time indeed.

marq
 
You went for what to day? Pizza???? :smt043


What!!! :huh: You think your really going to get away with that drivel.....spill the beans Marq...cough up the details! :thumbsup:
 
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