Official 320 Dancer Thread

Just wrapping up my 6th season with the 320. I have been very happy with the boat. Once I mastered the different systems it is fairly straightforward to winterize. I am happy with the performance of the boat. My wife and I stay quite comfortably on the boat. Sleep better on the boat then I do at home. The boat has ironically 320 plus hours on it as of yesterday. Always like bigger boats, but I think the 320 is a nice compromise between a 260 and 400. You have the ability to cruise and can stay on it comfortably. My only complaint with the boat is a Mercruiser issue, I wish the impeller was more serviceable with easier access.

Reflecting on my 6th year of ownership going into winter...
 
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I just finished my first season with a 2004 320 on Lake George NY. I cruise at 22-24 with the engines turning around 3800 RPM. We do a little tubing on the boat and it takes a while to plane with full load of people, fuel and water but for normal cruising its not a big deal. We looked at I/O's for the lake but in the end the V drives have the same draft as the I/O's up. My only real issue with the V drives is the engine space is pretty crowded with the generator but not a deal breaker. We have a family of five and love the boat.
 
I am buying new dock lines for our new (to us) 320 SD - does everyone use 1/2" or do some use 5/8". I find the Megabraid from New England Ropes feels luxurious - it is available 5/8" pre-spliced. I am concerned however that 5/8" may not fit well on cleats - any advice?
Thanks and Happy New Year!
 
I use 1/2" lines, that being said I am in a covered dock with many places to tie up the boat with no tide changes. I have 5 lines on my boat.
 
skolbe said:
I use 1/2" lines, that being said I am in a covered dock with many places to tie up the boat with no tide changes. I have 5 lines on my boat.
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Thanks for the quick reply!
Do you think 5/8" would be Ok on the boat's cleats? I don't have access to the boat right now. - Thanks!
 
bajturner said:
Hello 320DA owners!

I am looking to upgrade and the leading contender on the list is a 2002 to 2004 320DA. I am thinking I would like V-drives for the reduction in maintenance, but I have a good opportunity on a 2003 with the base engine package, twin 260HP 5.0L MPIs with BIII outdrives.

Aside from the fact that I would like to get away from outdrives, my concern is this is not a lot of power for this boat. Can anyone offer any experiences?

Also, does anyone know what the base price of these boats were new and how much the engine upgrades were? I am trying to determine what the right price deltas between different boats with different engines should be.

Thanks!
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Bajturner,

Did you ever pull the trigger? The reason I ask is that I have a 2005 that I may be selling soon. 350s with vdrives and genny.

Scott
 
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sb in gp said:
Did you ever pull the trigger? The reason I ask is that I have a 2005 that I may be selling soon. 350s with vdrives and genny.
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Hi Scott,
I haven't yet, but I am still looking and have mine listed for sale. There are a couple tire-kickers at present but not many boats sell up here this time of year. The 18" of snow last week have me thinking more about snowblower upgrades than the boat! Your boat is exacty what I am looking for if all the numbers come together. Do you know the history of your boat...has it always been in the Great Lakes? My current 280 came from Chicago so I am not adverse to bringing a boat up from the US.
 
ANCHOR SIZE
Hi guys. Does anyone else feel that the OEM 22lb. anchor is a little small for the boat. Many anchor suppliers recommend a 33-35lb. anchor for a boat the size/weight of the 320DA. I a considering upgrading to a Rocna, Manson o Ultra 15kg (33lb) on my 2004 320DA. Has anyone tried to fit a 15kg. on the stock Bow roller? I am concerned that the tip might contact the fibreglass bow.

Any opinions appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul
 
I have to say that I do feel that SR under sized the anchor for my 420DB, but I never had an issue with OEM anchor on my 320DA (about 25' of chain and 150' of line).
 
My 320 has never been easier since to go on hook since I lost my factory anchor. I went with all chain and a new factory anchor. Best move I've made in 20 ears of boating. All chain from now on for me. Factory anchor plus all chain is simply amazing.
 
Any difference in bow rise and running angle with the all chain set up?
 
I seem to get up on plane almost effortlessly now and my tabs are not needed nearly as much. That extra couple hundred pounds up front really does make the difference for me at least. I would never own another boat that is not all chain....
 
strange weather said:
the lights over my solon seat-there are 2-can be adjusted/directed- nickel finish- one light bulb has gone out-how does the cover remove to replace bulb-I don't want to damage the vinyl- no set screw that I can see-maybe just pries off-any ideas?
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I know it's been a while since this question was posted - on how to remove the light fixture in the salon... and I'm hoping someone can share how to removed it :)
 
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here is a picture of the light fixture in case it helps....View attachment 29044

If it needs to be twisted off, is there a special tool to use?
 

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No special tool required, just twisted the outside ring. It will take a little effort, but it will twist off.
 
I have two like that on 05 320da above my cabin pull out sofa/salon lounger. On mine they did not twist, they have two spring type retainer clips, used a butter knife and a piece of cloth around it to protect vinyl. I gently pried one side then the other loose, it dangled from the wire and is then replaceable. I used led lights for mine. All the other round light kits have a notch, you twist the ring to the notch and pops loose. Not the case with the lights you pictured, unless in my case. It was a two min job for me on both lights. Good luck.
 
StevenA said:
I have two like that on 05 320da above my cabin pull out sofa/salon lounger. On mine they did not twist, they have two spring type retainer clips, used a butter knife and a piece of cloth around it to protect vinyl. I gently pried one side then the other loose, it dangled from the wire and is then replaceable. I used led lights for mine. All the other round light kits have a notch, you twist the ring to the notch and pops loose. Not the case with the lights you pictured, unless in my case. It was a two min job for me on both lights. Good luck.
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Perfect! Yes, like yours, these 2 light fixtures are above the pull out sofa. The other salon lights (larger) twist to remove the cover, but I could never get these 2 to work that way. I'll give your approach a try. thanks so much.
 
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