Trailering a 30' + Sundancer

[JimG]

AWESOME!! What is the height of your radar arch? What about with the TV antenna/ GPS?

The GlowMax is just under 15'. I've pulled it down the interstate and through the outskirts of town with no clearance issues. The 360 light is the highest point and I just lay it down.

 

[stephenm27]

just a note about the cockpit grill option....I have friend that has (or had) this option....he never used it because the smoke would stay under the bimini top and stay in the cockpit and grease that popped off of the food while cooking would splatter on the deck and on the counter.....also when he installed camper canvas during cooler months he could not use the grill at all....he ended up removing the grill and covered the hole with the same type counter top as the cockpit galley....

I've had the opposite experience. I previously had a swim-platform mounted propane-powered grill and despised the thought of an "electric grill". After 2 years of use on the 310, I'll never have another boat w/o the smoke-less cockpit grill...

 

[stephenm27]

I saw that post the other day. I would kill to know who installed the hinged components on that. That is the exact setup I want!

Unfortunately, I've still not heard back from the broker requesting info from the original owner. Easy enough to reverse-engineer and order parts, much harder to find someone qualified to take on the project.

 

[Magic34]

As long as you know your roads, shouldn't be an issue. My last boat was trailed everywhere, Formula 370ss. Height was always my concern, I was 14' 2". If I unbolted the radar, I could get just under 14'.

Low power lines was always what made me the most nervous. Bridges are almost always clearly marked. I was just in Greenwich, CT, no way anything over 14' wouldn't take down lines, but out west I never had a problem.

 

[PremierPower]

You wouldn't be interested in selling it would you? LOL. Do you happen to have a parts list of what all is required?

Also, what is in this circled area? I have not had a chance yet to see one of these models in person yet and unsure why the mid cabin isn't full beam?

 

[El Capitan]

Ive towed large boats in the past, the thing to keep in mind is that the actual towing isnt the real challenge if you have proper tow rig, the issue for me was the actual launch and reload of such a large boat. It does take organization and a process.

 

[white glove boat]

I've been in the market for a trailerable cruiser. Sea-Ray has a lot of options but one of my struggles has been the constant model changes/ upgrades (one year a certain model will turn into a larger number) and redesigns of models. I believe my favorite now is the 2007-2009 310 Sundancer. Is anyone here trailering this model? I've seen some people have hinged their radar arches. I am also considering a Regal 32 Express, largely due to the power tower being able to lower. I'm not sure what the clearance will be on a 310 on the trailer, but I am hoping it is doable. Looking for other people's opinions on what they are towing. I made a post on the Sea-Ray Owners FB page and got a lot of "8'6" is the legal beam", blah blah blah. I am well aware of all the laws and have no problem getting permits. I drive a diesel Dually and would have a trailer with electric over hydraulic disk brakes. Between my 27' Regal, 38 Formula, 39 Nor-Tech, and 43 Donzi I have towed an estimated 25-30,000 miles. I know exactly what I am getting into with towing a large boat so I don't need to hear all the laws or form the person that says a 240 Sundancer is more than he wants to tow (someone actually posted that on my FB post). What I am looking for are real world people in the same "boat" as me (pun intended ha) that have large 30'+ sun dancers that they trailer to different lakes. Appreciate any feedback!

What I like about the 07-09 310 is that it's 10'5" beam which is more than manageable, 200 gallons of fuel, cockpit layout, grill option in cockpit, among many other things.

I have an older 310 Sundancer that I had a trailer built for .I have trailed thousands of miles with her in tow. My advice for this size boat would be definitely electric over hydraulic brakes and also have the trailer builder install the main bunks on the I beams themselves rather than on brackets on the cross members. This really helps stabilize the load as well as makes it easier to load your boat. The third item that really makes my trailering a dream is the addition of load distribution on your ball mount and trailer. The 1 ton dually is the only choice when it comes to boats of this size for countless reasons and although it's a great powerful beast ,the addition of load distribution makes highway expansion joints a dream to roll over and takes all the tugging out the the equation .As for legal height , if you stay under 14 feet you will be fine . I have a radome that I take down just in case but my ground to arch height is 13 '6" so I can go anywhere with just an oversize load permit for width. A newer dancer may be similar in height but would depend on the torsion axle setting and bunk placement but with some careful planning , height is usually not a problem. The biggest issue when considering a load of this size is tongue loading. Now my dancer will weigh out at about 14500 wet and I have set the bunks and load to actually place 1400 # on my ball mount and distribution system . This one detail makes handling and breaking very trouble free. The only thing you will need to get used to is the width which will look a bit different from your performance boats .I hope some of this helps . Towing is a breeze when your gear is correct .

 

[white glove boat]

I've been in the market for a trailerable cruiser. Sea-Ray has a lot of options but one of my struggles has been the constant model changes/ upgrades (one year a certain model will turn into a larger number) and redesigns of models. I believe my favorite now is the 2007-2009 310 Sundancer. Is anyone here trailering this model? I've seen some people have hinged their radar arches. I am also considering a Regal 32 Express, largely due to the power tower being able to lower. I'm not sure what the clearance will be on a 310 on the trailer, but I am hoping it is doable. Looking for other people's opinions on what they are towing. I made a post on the Sea-Ray Owners FB page and got a lot of "8'6" is the legal beam", blah blah blah. I am well aware of all the laws and have no problem getting permits. I drive a diesel Dually and would have a trailer with electric over hydraulic disk brakes. Between my 27' Regal, 38 Formula, 39 Nor-Tech, and 43 Donzi I have towed an estimated 25-30,000 miles. I know exactly what I am getting into with towing a large boat so I don't need to hear all the laws or form the person that says a 240 Sundancer is more than he wants to tow (someone actually posted that on my FB post). What I am looking for are real world people in the same "boat" as me (pun intended ha) that have large 30'+ sun dancers that they trailer to different lakes. Appreciate any feedback!

What I like about the 07-09 310 is that it's 10'5" beam which is more than manageable, 200 gallons of fuel, cockpit layout, grill option in cockpit, among many other things.

I have an older 310 Sundancer that I had a trailer built for .I have trailed thousands of miles with her in tow. My advice for this size boat would be definitely electric over hydraulic brakes and also have the trailer builder install the main bunks on the I beams themselves rather than on brackets on the cross members. This really helps stabilize the load as well as makes it easier to load your boat. The third item that really makes my trailering a dream is the addition of load distribution on your ball mount and trailer. The 1 ton dually is the only choice when it comes to boats of this size for countless reasons and although it's a great powerful beast ,the addition of load distribution makes highway expansion joints a dream to roll over and takes all the tugging out the the equation .As for legal height , if you stay under 14 feet you will be fine . I have a radome that I take down just in case but my ground to arch height is 13 '6" so I can go anywhere with just an oversize load permit for width. A newer dancer may be similar in height but would depend on the torsion axle setting and bunk placement but with some careful planning , height is usually not a problem. The biggest issue when considering a load of this size is tongue loading. Now my dancer will weigh out at about 14500 wet and I have set the bunks and load to actually place 1400 # on my ball mount and distribution system . This one detail makes handling and breaking very trouble free. The only thing you will need to get used to is the width which will look a bit different from your performance boats .I hope some of this helps . Towing is a breeze when your gear is correct .

 

[stephenm27]

You wouldn't be interested in selling it would you? LOL. Do you happen to have a parts list of what all is required?

Also, what is in this circled area? I have not had a chance yet to see one of these models in person yet and unsure why the mid cabin isn't full beam?

After all I've done (and spent) to get this one to "how I want it", I think they'll have to bury me in it :grin:.

The arch is really just 2 hydraulic trim tab pumps (each w/ integrated reservoir), 2 long reach actuators, a 3-position (up-off-down) rocker switch and the presumably custom fabricated hinges/hinge plates. The port-side actuator is mounted in the gunwale behind the bar sink while the starboard side actuator is mounted in the gunwale beside the rear-facing bench seat. From everything I have examined about the install, this doesn't appear to be the first time whoever did this installation did this project. It's just too well laid out without apparent first-timer mistakes/reworks. If I could only get in touch w/ the PO, I could get a name/number for you.

As for what's in that area, on the sterndrive model, it's port-side fuel tank. The fuel tanks are asymmetric in location (the starboard side is similarly outboard, but starts at the forward bulkhead and runs aft about 4 feet). Aft of the port side fuel tank is the water heater followed by the vacuflush tanks which run nearly all the way to the transom. Note, fuel tank positioning differs on the v-drive models. I can post pics this weekend of these areas, if it helps visualize...just let me know.

 

[stephenm27]

It does take organization and a process.

And a willing teenage son helps out a lot (when he listens) :smt014.

 

[stephenm27]

definitely electric over hydraulic brakes

+1 !!!

trailer builder install the main bunks on the I beams themselves rather than on brackets on the cross members.

Excellent point. An alternative: for maximum overall height reduction, I had my bunks designed to sit directly on the v-bend axles (the bunk brackets only provide lateral support), with only the rearmost bunk bracket resting on a non-axle cross member. This places the CG as low as possible and ensures the maximum load is transferred directly to the strongest part of the trailer.

..addition of load distribution on your ball mount and trailer...The biggest issue when considering a load of this size is tongue loading.

+1 I've used several different WD setups and I can recommend the Blue Ox WD system. No greasy stabilizer bars, 20K lb capacity. No affiliation, just a happy customer.

This one detail makes handling and breaking very trouble free...Towing is a breeze when your gear is correct .

Truer words could not be spoken. Sufficient tongue weight (and thus boat positioning) is critical.

 

[garmett]

Premier Power,
I have a 2006 320 DA, I have owned it for 4 seasons. It was picked up at Lake Barkley, and had delivered to Dale Hollow Lake. It was pulled easily with a Dually. Should you decide on this as a possible model you are looking for. It is listed on EliteBoatSales.com.
Good Luck!

 

[KD4JAZ]

Looking for trailer suggestions for a 310 Sundancer........I live in Orlando, Fl please email kd4jaz@gmail.com

 

[Jus Cruisin]

Looking for trailer suggestions for a 310 Sundancer........I live in Orlando, Fl please email kd4jaz@gmail.com

Plenty of trailer manufacturers in Florida. Just call them. Myco, All American, Continental, Load master.....

 

[keokie]

Owens and Sons is another good one. What year 310 are your looking for?

 

[KD4JAZ]

Owens and Sons is another good one. What year 310 are your looking for?

Looking at a 2010 in Daytona...........friend of my brother in law. Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[1hot87gt]

Bought a 2004 300 DA in September of 2022. Boat was already sitting on a Real X triple axle EOH brake bunk trailer which we ended up working into a package deal. Boat had a Raymarine Radar dome on a hinged mount. When it was tilted down, previous owner stated the height from ground was 13’4”. He towed it with a Ford F250 Super Duty with a Power Stroke diesel. Not a dually but he had no problem moving it to the water for the sea trial. When I had it transported to Long Island from Jersey I hired a transporter who did have a diesel dually. Either way, it’s way bigger than what I can handle with my Ram 1500 Hemi. So I’ll be paying someone to move it to the water, and back from the water once a year. Next truck will be a 2500 so I will be self sufficient.