Sea Ray 300 Sundancer

[Her Diamond 2]

I looking at a 2004 Sea Ray Sundancer with twin 5.0 Mercuiser Engines with Brave 3 Drives. They made this boat from at least 2002-2006. The boat came with three gas engine options, 5.0 (260 hp), 5.7 (300 hp) and 5.7 (320 hp). Can anyone comment on the performance of this boat with the 5.0 engine. I'm a little concerned about power. What RPM and speed are you cruising at with a fully loaded boat? Any other comments good and bad are welcome.

I've tested the 280 with twin 4.3L with Bravo 2's and it seemed ok but I'm sure the B3's would make a hugh difference. The weight of the 300 is significantly heavier (approx 8000 lbs vs 12000 lbs). What I don't want in the 300 is a boat that cruises higher than 3,500 RPM as thats when the fuel burn increases dramatically. I'm not looking for a fast boat since I rarely run above the cruising speed but I need the power to get it up and going fully loaded and running without the (for lack of a better word) 4 barrels being open at cruise speed. The boat will be used in Southern Georgian Bay (Part of the Great Lakes)

 

[comsnark]

This will generate some controversy.

If you do a search, and see some of the threads about the 280DA, single vs twin and T4.3 vs T5.0. . . you will understand.

My view is that taking the weakest power plant offered by a boat maker will not result in a boat with a low cruise RPM and certainly won't be fast! I also have never seen any with I/O drives say "My boat has too much power!".

That said.. . are you buying for cabin space or are you buying for speed? All boat designes have compromises.

 

[mwph]

I think Comsnark pretty much sums it up. The only thing to add might be ... What body of water will you be on?