Official 320 Dancer Thread

The 320 is v-drives. I personally prefer reliability over efficiency and I am in fresh water.
 
Brand new to the forum and brand new Sea Ray owner!
I have always wanted a Sea Ray cabin cruiser and finally got one!

2007 Sea Ray 320 DA with twin i/o 496 Mags....and 139 hours on the motors!
Slipped with a hoist.

Loving it!!

Mike
 
Congrats on the new 320! I have 375 hours on mine. We enjoy and have had since it was new.
 
So who can comment on the hull construction of a 2002 320da? Is it solid fiberglass? Cored? With what? Late 90s they did balsa coring in the hulls on larger boats. But I can't find info about this year 320da. Can anyone help educate me?


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2005 320DA RPMs too high?

RPM question: I have a 2005 w/ v-drive 350 MPIs (300hp each I believe). Just got back from Block Island day trip, it is 40nm each way for me. On return trip, we are at 4100 RPMs and GPS speed was 25MPH. Almost no current or wind, this is typical for my boat. This is my second season by the way, but first really using it every weekend. I've read some thread history, seems others with similar boat can run down to 3100 RPMs, and everyone is faster then me with lower RPMs. So seems I'm the outlier. My boat will fall off plane around 3400 RPMs. I played with trim tabs, but not an expert. I just hold one of the bow buttons down and that side of the bow seems to drop. I flatten things out, but also press the stern buttons since I think if I only ever used the bow ones I'd max out the tabs. Anyway, seems I may need some prop reconditioning? I think I can max out RPMs around 4800, never really tried, but they can get to 4600 pretty quick, and seems like they would go above 5000 if I let them and it was calm.

As far as I know, these are factory props, I'm not looking to mess with SeaRay engineering, but I'm guessing props are the issue. Engines run fantastic, cool, powerful, idle nice, etc. Also as you can imagine, running 4100-4500 on a few hour trip really burns the fuel! I've not fueled up yet after my 80nm trip but the low fuel indicator went off as I pulled into my home harbor, probably 20gal per side left now, so that means 160gal used for 4hrs at cruise, 0.5hrs at slow in no wake zones.

Thoughts?
 
Stern buttons? I have the same boat and make the trip to block from northport ny. A few weeks ago I ran from My home to new harbor in block, 4 hours 20 min just over 85 miles. refueled when I got there's and took on 140 gallons. I never run that trip above 3700 rpms. Max speed prob between 17 and 23 mph. Sea conditions whether flat or choppy and state of the tides are a huge factor. The li sound has a pretty swift current that can put a dent in your consumption if you are running against it. Also the water temp can play with your top speed, warmer water can cut your speeds significantly. I can see a top end speed change of +\- 5mph from early spring to the end of the summer.
I use the smartcraft gauges to keep track of my burn rate and it is very accurate. Do you have the smartcraft gauges?


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stern buttons - I meant there are a group of 4 buttons that control the trim tabs. I think there are pics of the bow & stern on them with arrows. But I may not recollect exactly but should have just said trim tabs down (pushes bow down) or trim tabs up (allows bow to rise).

Your 140 gal for 4hrs 20min is very similar to my rate. But you are at 3700 RPMs whereas I was at 4100 and even higher on the way there for a while.

And yes, current can be swift in LI sound. I crossed through the race both times, and it gets crazy there, 8kts or a bit more even. So I can factor this out by just claiming I run for 4hrs at 4100 RPMs and burn 150 gal of fuel (I'm going to guess that 10 gal burned for that 1/2hr no wake time).

I'm thinking my props don't have the bite they should have, I'm turning them too fast to make speed, and fall off of plane below 3400.

A friend told me to try pushing the trim tabs down considerably and see how low I can drop RPMs and still keep plane. He thinks I may not be using the tabs correctly and I should be more aggressive and push them down. I would have thought that this creates more drag as it takes energy to flatten out the boat but his point is that this should allow better planing and drop RPMs to save fuel while keeping speed reasonable. Not looking to be as fast as possible, just making sure I'm reasonably efficient.

Yes, I have smart craft gauges. I honestly don't use the features they provide, I should. I'll read up this week on them, I have all manuals on the boat. Will be interesting to pull fuel consumption rates from them and compare to my written logs. I also recall reading they will indicate trim tab position too.
 
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With the boat fully loaded (i.e. full fuel/water/dinghy on swim platform plus food/drinks/clothing) during our recent vacation, our boat would run ~23 MPH at 3850 rpms. I don't generally run above 3900 for long periods of time. As load decreases, the boat gets faster (obviously) for the same rpm. Bottom was cleaned by a diver just prior to our trip. Trim tabs are your friend on the 320DA. Even more so if you carry a dinghy on your platform as these boats tend to be stern heavy. Also consider the effects of wind/tide.
 
Sea++ said:
stern buttons - I meant there are a group of 4 buttons that control the trim tabs. I think there are pics of the bow & stern on them with arrows. But I may not recollect exactly but should have just said trim tabs down (pushes bow down) or trim tabs up (allows bow to rise).

Your 140 gal for 4hrs 20min is very similar to my rate. But you are at 3700 RPMs whereas I was at 4100 and even higher on the way there for a while.

And yes, current can be swift in LI sound. I crossed through the race both times, and it gets crazy there, 8kts or a bit more even. So I can factor this out by just claiming I run for 4hrs at 4100 RPMs and burn 150 gal of fuel (I'm going to guess that 10 gal burned for that 1/2hr no wake time).

I'm thinking my props don't have the bite they should have, I'm turning them too fast to make speed, and fall off of plane below 3400.

A friend told me to try pushing the trim tabs down considerably and see how low I can drop RPMs and still keep plane. He thinks I may not be using the tabs correctly and I should be more aggressive and push them down. I would have thought that this creates more drag as it takes energy to flatten out the boat but his point is that this should allow better planing and drop RPMs to save fuel while keeping speed reasonable. Not looking to be as fast as possible, just making sure I'm reasonably efficient.
Click to expand...

When was the last time you had the bottom cleaned - in my case because I am in salt all the time, two months of hot summer weather growth drops my efficiency drastically. Clam growth on the props will really screw with their efficiency as well as the boat bottom growth.

I am running stern drives but I use the trim tabs only and use them to get up onto plane, once on plane I pull my trim tabs back in fully and can drop down to 3000 rpm and stay there (when I have a clean bottom) with two adults and full tanks. My most efficient plane speed is about 3600 rpm and I am running between 28-30 mph and burning about 0.9 gallons per mile.

Again - mins is a stern drive but those numbers above change drastically with a cruddy bottom, number of adults and uncooperative weather or current.
 
My understanding of the tabs is it will bring the bow up or down , port side /stbdside. The get thing I do when I accelerate of 3k is run my bow down as much as possible. The smart craft gauge , at least on my boat , is very accurate and usually spot on when I fill up completely. The only thing is that I don't think it tracks the fuel pulled for the generator. Couldn't hurt to have your props tuned at the end of the season. Good luck. I am running back to block Thursday , hoping for better consumption rates after new plugs wires and cap, we shall see. Good luck



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SeaAyeOwe said:
When was the last time you had the bottom cleaned - in my case because I am in salt all the time, two months of hot summer weather growth drops my efficiency drastically. Clam growth on the props will really screw with their efficiency as well as the boat bottom growth.

I am running stern drives but I use the trim tabs only and use them to get up onto plane, once on plane I pull my trim tabs back in fully and can drop down to 3000 rpm and stay there (when I have a clean bottom) with two adults and full tanks. My most efficient plane speed is about 3600 rpm and I am running between 28-30 mph and burning about 0.9 gallons per mile.

Again - mins is a stern drive but those numbers above change drastically with a cruddy bottom, number of adults and uncooperative weather or current.[/QUOTE

I went with the V drives but i must say all the stern drive talk has me kicking myself in certain areas... Still love the docking but 28-30 at 0.9GPM sounds awesome!

I'm running 6.2's and had to get my Props tweaked went from no cup to a #6 cup and dropped around 200 rpms Im probably going to be looking to drop another 200 next season. I cruse between 21-23 at about 3900 rmp... but if I go wide open I still run right up to 5k... I'm hoping I can pick up a few additional knots Id like to cruse at 24-26 which if I'm not mistaken is where I should be with the 6.2's anyone else out there with the 6.2 v-drives have any input on this?
Click to expand...
 
Can anyone point me to a thread about installing a plat screen TV on the Bulk head under the helm of the 320's? I was looking on how to remove that bulk head panel and it just looks way to involved... perhaps there is a better way to approach this....

Also would be interested in hearing what other have done with the new found space when you remove the original boat anchor I mean TV... was thinking a boos cabinet or clothing storage...

CSR Helps always appreciated, thanks!
 
P
KSalibs said:
Can anyone point me to a thread about installing a plat screen TV on the Bulk head under the helm of the 320's? I was looking on how to remove that bulk head panel and it just looks way to involved... perhaps there is a better way to approach this....

Also would be interested in hearing what other have done with the new found space when you remove the original boat anchor I mean TV... was thinking a boos cabinet or clothing storage...

CSR Helps always appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
I have to say I read your question a few times and I am still not sure I understand what you are asking for. If you want to upgrade Te TV on the bulkhead under the helm then read the threads below, if you search the site you will find a lot more. It is actually a really easy removal of the muff and TV.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/26613-26-inch-LED-TV-install
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/20238-Television-removal?highlight=Muff
http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/14060-320DA-Bulkhead-TV-Removal/page2?highlight=Muff


The comment about a Booz cabinets, I guess you meant the tv on the port side near the galley and front berth - agin search and you will find afroject threads on that particular TV.
 
kvduff said:
My understanding of the tabs is it will bring the bow up or down , port side /stbdside. The get thing I do when I accelerate of 3k is run my bow down as much as possible. The smart craft gauge , at least on my boat , is very accurate and usually spot on when I fill up completely. The only thing is that I don't think it tracks the fuel pulled for the generator. Couldn't hurt to have your props tuned at the end of the season. Good luck. I am running back to block Thursday , hoping for better consumption rates after new plugs wires and cap, we shall see. Good luck
Click to expand...

Quick update: Using the trim tabs better now. I'm able to back off down to ~3500 RPMs, bow down more, smoother ride in rough chop. Fuel consumption on the smart craft reads 15.0gph at 4100 RPMs. That makes perfect sense given ~5hrs runtime and 80gal filled up from previous run, where RPMs were higher than 4100 for some of the trip. At 4100, I believe my wife noted we were 23kts via GPS speed measure, minimal current, with 5kt wind. So I'm feeling better now that using the trip tabs can keep me on plane with lower RPMs. I did a comfortable cruise back from Greenport at 3800RPMs in heavy chop, no problems. But will have props tuned when season is over.
 
I press the down switches and bring the bow down. As we pick up speed, adjust the trim accordingly.

Prodigal Summer LQ.jpg
 
Engine Temperature Differential

Hi all,

2005 5.7L motors and my port engine has just started running about 15-20 degrees warmer. Pumping lots of water so do not think it is the impeller which is 2 years old. She is at 175-180 and starboard is at 165 or less. Change out the thermostat or should I clean the engine with barnacle buster? Thanks for any ideas or guidance.
:huh:
 
So I ran my 2003 320da today. Nice run for 90 mins to her new slip. Got there, tied up, set about doing some maintenance. Light bulbs and such. Went to start her later and the bilge blowers wouldn't turn on. Shore power off. All the breakers were on. The gen was on. Flipped the switch and the bilge blower light came on in the panel and on the bridge. But the blowers didn't blow. Never could get the blowers going tonight so no ride. What did I forget to do? I had good 12v and 110v readings on the meters.


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Doesn't sound like you did anything wrong, sounds like the blowers may have failed or more likely you pulled a wire out while you were doing maintenance. Retrace the work you did - navigating around the engine compartment of a 320 takes some practice to learn where to step / not step.
 
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