Official 320 Dancer Thread

I've always said the trim tabs on the 320 were too small.. Can you tell me about what and how? Did you do it yourself or have it done for you? What brand, how much etc... I really want to do it to my 320 too!

Thanks

Barry
 
320Bob said:
I had 6.2s on my old 320 but according to your info you have a smaller boat so why are you asking for that info here on the 320 thread?
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I thought the 320 thread would be the best place to ask a question about 320 performance .. sorry. According to your info you don't even have a searay at the moment so I'm not sure why you feel the need to question whether or not I should be asking something.

Anyway - I asked because I am considering two different 320s as an upgrade, one equipped with 350s and another with 6.2s.
 
Half Fast said:
I thought the 320 thread would be the best place to ask a question about 320 performance .. sorry. According to your info you don't even have a searay at the moment so I'm not sure why you feel the need to question whether or not I should be asking something.

Anyway - I asked because I am considering two different 320s as an upgrade, one equipped with 350s and another with 6.2s.
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Sorry about not inferring from your original post that you were looking at potentially buying a 320. Yes, I no longer own mine but I did have 6.2s so I still have some knowledge that might be helpful. If the price and condition is about the same between the 350s and the 6.2s the extra 40 HP is definitely a plus. But as I mentioned before my 6.2s did not get quite as good gas mileage so there is a slight tradeoff.

The other question you asked was if the original factory configuration got the 6.2s up to the desirable WOT. In my case the factory 3 blades did not. My maximum rpm was in the mid 4600s where the max design the 6.2 MPI was 5000. I ran aground and tore up those props and replaced them, with the insurance company paying, with 4 blade prop that had 1" less pitch. With these I ran at the mid 4800s which is where I wanted to be. My advice if you decide to buy a 320 with 6.2s, or even 350s, run the boat to WOT to see how close it is to the 5000 rpm max. If not, you can do what I did with my current boat, which was overpropped from the factory, and have prop shop adjust the pitch and/or cup to give you more rpm. It should run $300 to $500 to do this if the props are not damaged. This could also be a bargaining chip if on your test cruise you can not approach the design rpm with a clean bottom.

BTW, I traded the 320 in on my current boat not because I was dissatisfied with it, rather it too big in my mind for the 2,800 acre lake I am boating on in AZ.
 
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320Bob said:
The other question you asked was if the original factory configuration got the 6.2s up to the desirable WOT. In my case the factory 3 blades did not. My maximum rpm was in the mid 4600s where the max design the 6.2 MPI was 5000. I ran aground and tore up those props and replaced them, with the insurance company paying, with 4 blade prop that had 1" less pitch. With these I ran at the mid 4800s which is where I wanted to be. My advice if you decide to buy a 320 with 6.2s, or even 350s, run the boat to WOT to see how close it is to the 5000 rpm max. If not, you can do what I did with my current boat, which was overpropped from the factory, and have prop shop adjust the pitch and/or cup to give you more rpm. It should run $300 to $500 to do this if the props are not damaged. This could also be a bargaining chip if on your test cruise you can not approach the design rpm with a clean bottom.
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Bob,

If you are going to run aground at least slow down first. :grin:
 
I have a 05' 320 with 350 Mag and V-Drives. My bottom is clean and with 200gals of fuel, wife and dog I run at 3700-3800 at about 22-23mph burning 29 gals per hour. Mileage gets better when I get to 100gals of fuel or the wind behind me but not by much, 26-27gal per hr.
 
Scottvr26 said:
I have a 05' 320 with 350 Mag and V-Drives. My bottom is clean and with 200gals of fuel, wife and dog I run at 3700-3800 at about 22-23mph burning 29 gals per hour. Mileage gets better when I get to 100gals of fuel or the wind behind me but not by much, 26-27gal per hr.
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That's about what I get same set-up, but at 3800 RPM runs about 26 MPH, and burns about 31GPH in fairly calm seas.

Putting the Mercruiser gateway on my engines Friday so I'll finally be able to get all the engine data from the Smartcraft system on my Garmin 5208 Chartplotter thru NMEA 2000.

Then heading to Bimini a week from tomorrow and should be able to track info much better!!
 
I get the same fuel economy at the same speed. It runs great when its light on fuel, but it squats with a full tank and I need to really push it hard to get the bow to drop down. If I push it to 3900rpm, the bow will stay down with very little tab. The hull performs well at 24+ mph, any slower and I'm plowing through the water with my tabs burried. I do not have the smartcraft gauges but I own a Rinda scanner and it gives me my fuel burn. Its not something I like to watch but its interesting to watch my GPH decrease with the rpms a little bit higher, bow down and tabs up. I am going to 4 blades or a better 3 blade next season. Also has anyone put a larger tab? And where do I buy???
 
Hi guys...glad I found this thread. Just came back from a sea trial on a 2002 320. It has the 350 MAG with V drives. A little about the boat - all soft goods, stereo system, chart plotter and gauges are new in February 2012. Boat surveyed out in Feb 2012 as Excellent. Stuff was replaced due to them being trashed by a former jealous girlfriend and were done before survey.

it is no speed demon, but not looking to fly down the lake. So what can you tell me good/bad about the model. It is in amazing shape inside and out and both my wife and I really liked it. We will be using it to spend weekends on, with a 6 year old and twin 4 year olds. Thanks in advance.
 
I installed a set of 22" x 15" tabs a couple of weeks ago. Had a local sheetmetal shop fab 12ga stainless to the tabs shape I wanted, then welded thethem to the bottom of the existing tabs. Helps a great deal.
 
On the advice of Tabman, I replaced the existing tabs with dropfin tabs...these are the same size, but have 3" downward facing fins on each side. They helped a lot...until I added a dinghy/motor on the swim platform. The next step will be adding 12x12 tabs over each prop tunnel - Tabman has assured me the existing pump can drive the additional tabs.

With enough tab, the boat doesn't plow at cruise. A properly trimmed boat runs more efficiently, and that is pretty easy to test.

-CJ
 
Well the boat surveyed out as "excellent". Now just waiting for the paperwork to be done and she will be ours. Very excited. Looking forward to learning from you all.
 
It is a great boat enjoy it. Post pictures!
 
I just purchased an '05 320 DA with the 6.2 V-drives. Does anyone with the same setup have any fuel consumption info at various rpm's or know of any sites that have test data on this boat and motors?? Thanks!
 
Has anyone replaced the norcold de0051 in the cabin? I am just handy enough to break stuff....so I am wondering what model you used and any modiications you did. I really don't want to cut anything. Also, does the current norcold plug in for AC?
 
Hey guys...looking for some advice. Stereo worked fine last night and today, nothing. Switch on the power panel is on, amp is showing power, and all fuses I can find related to the stereo seem fine. Help. Much appreciated.
 
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