Upgrading from a 260 Sundancer to 320

[Scuma]

I'm looking to make the jump and upgrade from my 2007 260 Sundancer to a 2004-2006 320 (Let me know if you have any friends interested in a 260). Anyone have any advice about the 320s? Options that are great to have and I should look out for? Positive comments? Negative? I want inboards on the 320 and was wondering if the boat crawls with the standard 300Hp engines and should I be looking to find a boat with the larger ones or is it ok with the 300hp? Not sure how big of a difference 40hp is but worth asking so I know what to look for and what I'm getting into. Outside of the Inboards, Gene is a must (esp after having one on my 260). Any and all advice much appreciated!

 

[Ididntdoit]

Extensively water test a 320 BEFORE buying one - and make sure it is loaded how you intend to use it. You can't get big blocks in a v-drive 320 and the boat is considered underpowered by many. the 6.2s really dont make that much of a difference. Everyone told me to go with the 340 if you can swing the extra $$ - the fuel burn is really not much greater - there is even a member or two here that went from a 320 to a 340. The 320 works for many on this board, but I don't think anyone would tell you the boat was a strong performer. In the end, a 340 was outside my budget so I opted for the 300 and retained outdrives. True, I have more maintenance but I also have the performance and economy that was important to me. Did I mention extensively water test the boat fully loaded before you make a decision........

 

[Alex F]

.......You can't get big blocks in a v-drive 320 and the boat is considered underpowered by many..........

I strongly disagree. I made the switch from 240DA to 320V-drives with 350MAGs. She ran like a champ and she was loaded quite often. It takes some time to get used to her wen jumping from lighter and faster boats. But, that's an adjustment to any larger vessel. I've had mine for 4 years and loved the boat. The only negative side is the engine room access to some components. But, comparing to number of other models it's still reasonable and not so much worst.

Do a quick search for 320 thread, it's a great thread with TONs of info.

Good luck.

 

[Scuma]

That's more or less what I was afraid some people were going to say. Right now I have free dock space but only 35ft. 32' would be pushing it but I could get a away with it...the 340 might be too much. The other reason I chose the 320 is the wrap around seating. It's basically my 260 now but larger. I really like how everyone can sitdown together, everyone can be involved and part of the party. Can't tell you how many people have complimented on my layout opposed to other boats when I was rafted up (ex Vs the 280). The 340 though the back seating is the same, the port side front seat is facing frontward opposed to the seat running along the side on the 320 which I like. Would that be a game changer for me? No...being that the wrap around is in the back but I'd have to think about more $ and the dock space I have available. Thanks

 

[Scuma]

I strongly disagree. I made the switch from 240DA to 320V-drives with 350MAGs. She ran like a champ and she was loaded quite often. It takes some time to get used to her wen jumping from lighter and faster boats. But, that's an adjustment to any larger vessel. I've had mine for 4 years and loved the boat. The only negative side is the engine room access to some components. But, comparing to number of other models it's still reasonable and not so much worst.

Do a quick search for 320 thread, it's a great thread with TONs of info.

Good luck.

That's great to hear. And I can tell ya one thing.... I'm sure the lighter faster boats doesn't apply to me driving a 260 with a Gene haha. That jump will be more of a side step if not a step foward

 

[C6 Doberman]

I bought my 04' 320 last year and do not regret it one bit. I have V drives with 350 mags and it runs great for me. I'm usually loaded with full fuel and water. The boat will consistently run 34 mph. I've had 6-8 people on board without any issues. Rarely have to work the trim tabs unless there are strong cross winds. Very well balance boat. Engine room is quite cramped as others have said. Only real hard job is to change the impellers on the engines. Spark plugs are not too tough to reach. You have to be able to work without seeing what you are doing.

The port side lounge is the reason I chose the 320 over the 340. The Admiral wouldn't budge on it. It actually is a nice feature that I don't think I could live without now! I liked the extended platform on the 320 as well. I like to sit on the back of the boat and be in the water. The 340 is much higher in the back. Although, it is nice at the dock withnthe higher platform.

I'm totally happy with my 320 and plan on keeping her for many years until I step up to a 44 DA!

 

[Scuma]

I bought my 04' 320 last year and do not regret it one bit. I have V drives with 350 mags and it runs great for me. I'm usually loaded with full fuel and water. The boat will consistently run 34 mph. I've had 6-8 people on board without any issues. Rarely have to work the trim tabs unless there are strong cross winds. Very well balance boat. Engine room is quite cramped as others have said. Only real hard job is to change the impellers on the engines. Spark plugs are not too tough to reach. You have to be able to work without seeing what you are doing.

The port side lounge is the reason I chose the 320 over the 340. The Admiral wouldn't budge on it. It actually is a nice feature that I don't think I could live without now! I liked the extended platform on the 320 as well. I like to sit on the back of the boat and be in the water. The 340 is much higher in the back. Although, it is nice at the dock withnthe higher platform.

I'm totally happy with my 320 and plan on keeping her for many years until I step up to a 44 DA!

Wow that fast? Man my 260 is a slug haha. As I mentioned earlier also...I like the port side lounge as well. Actually was very useful when I got stuck on it through the night Memorial Day weekend when I had 5 ppl in my cabin. But that's what you get when your up the latest partying it up.I've heard the engine compartment is an issue but I guess nothing will be perfect and have its tradeoffs. I'm looking to put myself in a good boat where I'm ok for many years as well...until I can afford...well let's say a 44 or BIGGER! haha

 

[Alex F]

Scuma,

Also do a search on 340 vs. 320, we had great discussions in few threads on this topic. There's some great info out there that will help you to make the final decision. Even thought the boats are very similar, there are some differences if you look closer and analyze them in details.

 

[MAKC]

I have the 6.2's on my 320 with v-drives and it is certainly not underpowered. I've had it loaded with fuel, water, gear, the family and a few friends, and a rib on the swim platform and she gets easily on plane every time. I like the setup on the 320 better than the 340 for a few reasons; the port side lounger versus single seat facing forward, the extended swim platform that easily lets you put a dinghy on the back (the 340 is way too high off the water to use the Nautley davits i have), and price (for basically the same boat, you will save some considerable cash on the 320.). Both are fantastic boats and handle very well. The 320 with inboards makes docking easy. The livability from the 260 to the 320 is a different world. At 3600 rpm, she runs at about 24-26 mph and burns about 26-28 gph. As previously mentioned, check the 320DA thread. There's a ton of info there.

 

[Ididntdoit]

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/25002-2005-320-DA-performance?highlight=320+underpowered Check this thread - opinions obviously vary - thats why its important to test the boat yourself as you intend to use it

 

[Alex F]

Mike,

I think the percentage of people who thinks that 320DA is underpowered is very small, just like the percentage of people who would switch from 320DA to 340DA. I'm sorry but it's just beyond my logic. If you have money to pees away, why not get something at least a bit larger like 360/370/380? If one purchased a 320 and found it being a mistake, I still don’t see how 340 fixes it as the boats are very similar in many ways.

As with anything, everything with boats is a personal preference. The market is full of any boat you like, so one has to take his time to understand exactly how the new boat will be used and analyze different models in great detail before pulling the trigger. Otherwise, the mistake is VERY expensive.

 

[Ididntdoit]

I agree - the wrong boat is an expensive mistake - That said, its really hard to "figure out" if a boat is right for you and your family during the buying process. I know thats why I made the initial "small" jump I did - the 300 suits us fine now until we are able to really upgrade.

 

[Alex F]

...That said, its really hard to "figure out" if a boat is right for you and your family during the buying process....

You're right in a way. Despite of all the analyses and prior experience every upgrade is sort of a guestimate. However, I think that in today's boating industry and all the tools (including the web, think CSR....LOL) it's easier than ever. We have access to a huge selection of boats via boat shows or local dealers. We can spend as much time as needed to feel the boats and picture our families being on one. We have option to do demo rides (most of the time provided by larger dealers like MM). This is actually a great way to see how she handles. BTW, years back we took demo ride at MM on a 320 with other people on board. I remember that we felt like being on a small ship. Anyway, my point is that as long as you take your time and do your homework properly, having all available options and tools makes the margine of error very small. Having previous boating experience is exremelly helpful.

 

[Vince_nj1]

Being the current owner of a 320 I can speak from experience. Overall I am very pleased with the boat. There are some things I don't like about the 320, (tight engine compartment and small aft cabin) but underpowered is not one of them. I owned a 1979 26 sundancer with merc 260 (5.7l) /stern drive and that boat was underpowered. I also spent years driving a 30 sundancer with with twin 260's (5.7l) sterndrives and I fount that boat to be adequately powered, but sometimes struggled to get on plane when it was fully loaded. My 320 with inboards jumps on plane no matter how heavy it is. Top speed won't match the same boat with sterndrives, but it definitely gets on plane quicker.

When I was shopping for my boat I did take a 320 for a test drive and it struggled to get on plane and vibrated. There clearly was something wrong with the boat. (although the dealer tried to tell me it was fine). If you test drive a 320 your numbers should be pretty close to this:

 

[CJ Martin]

You can't get big blocks in a v-drive 320 and the boat is considered underpowered by many.

I completely disagree with this statement - many? More like a couple of people. In fact the opposite seems to be true - the majority seem to agree the 320DA is NOT underpowered.

We're in our sixth season with our 320DA. We've been out in 6+ foot seas on the Chesapeake - uncomfortable for the crew, but the boat handled it just fine. We typically run full fuel and half water. I do think the boat is a bit under-tabbed from the factory, this is only noticable if when a number on people are sitting all the way aft in the cockpit. I swapped to dropfin tabs at the beginning of this year on the advice of tabman, and it has made a noticable difference.

It's a great boat for a small family or a single couple that likes to entertain. The cockpit layout is superb. Visability from the helm is very good when the proper running attitude is maintained. The boat is a joy around the dock. Forward berth requires memory foam or some other pad to be really comfortable. Lots of storage in the cabin and cockpit. Engine access is challenging for the most part, although checking fluids is pretty easy.

We moved up from a 260DA after one year. We don't regret it for a second. There are some fantastic deals out there for 320s right now.

Be sure to get a survey. Ensure the forward deck is checked for moisture around all fittings. Buy a boat with a complete maintenance history.

-CJ

 

[Scuma]

We moved up from a 260DA after one year. We don't regret it for a second. There are some fantastic deals out there for 320s right now.

Be sure to get a survey. Ensure the forward deck is checked for moisture around all fittings. Buy a boat with a complete maintenance history.

-CJ

So just like me because I got my 07 260 last year. Yeah def some good deals out there but finding the deal with everything you want is the tricky part

 

[Scuma]

Appreciate all the color back on this guys I'm not a family man yet and still single but I am always "entertaining" haha. Much rather put myself in a boat now that I can comfortably have a good amount of ppl on as well as a boat that I know I can keep for the next 5+ yrs without growing out of like I did on the 260. I love the 260 but it's just too narrow of a boat for me. Rates are down, not married, no kids (that I know of)...might as well do it while I can! hahaSo seems to me that the majority of people are pretty happy with the boat and power (even with the 300hp Vdrives) which is really good to hear. Sametime, working in the engine compartment is very difficult which is something I heard before in the past. I really like the layout of the 320 and if thats the only downside, makes sense for me to go with that I think...esp being I can still use the free docking im lucky enough to have.What would you say a good price on an 06 320 would be right now? And how much do you think a bow thruster should add to that? See a few out there with those....I think it would be great to have but isn't a deal breaker for me if the boat had everything else I wanted.

 

[jason78]

Well now that Ididntdoit took the brunt of the opposition, I guess I will throw out my opinion. I think the choice between the 320 and the 340 is kind of like the choice between the 260 and 280. By that, I mean that with the small difference in spread of used boat cost; why not just get the bigger boat with the Big Blocks unless there is an underlying reason not to? I mean, how much are 320s going for now? A friend of mine just bought an 04 340DA this week for 100K. This was not a distressed boat and was in good shape. It had been on the market for a while at 120K. I have seen other 340s in the low 100s+ in to crazy high numbers and the 320s seem to usually be priced pretty close to the 340s from what I have observed. Not sure what 320s are actually selling for though. I guess there could always be other contributing factors to why someone would want a 320.

I have a 320 at my dock and I really like it. I have actually considered upgrading to one several times. There are some good points made by all about the differences in the two. Personally, I don’t like the Port lounger and that is probably the biggest thing that would keep me away from a 320. On my 280, I am not crazy about whoever is sitting in the port lounger being forced to look sideways. It is not that big of a deal because you don’t really have a choice anyway since the 260 has the port lounger while the 300 and 310 do not have a Port seat at all so it is not like to can go one model in either direction to change that. My wife does like it but I prefer the Double Helm and companion seat on the 340 and in my opinion it works better for my passengers. Someone did make a good point about the swim platform on the 320. That is a nice advantage to have.

I cannot lend a personal opinion on the powering of the 320 because I have never been out on one. I do know that whenever someone asks about the 6.2 engines on the 340, the general consensus seems to be it is underpowered but the difference in listed dry weight between the 2 boats is only 800lbs. We all know the dry weight is not real accurate but I am sure they are still not thousand*s* apart.

Both boats are great in my opinion. As I am sure you are already aware, no matter what model you look at there are going to be some pros and cons. Just add up the pros and you have found your boat! I have spent a lot of time on a 340 so I guess I am a little biased.

Good Luck!

Also, one thing I would like to hear from the 320 owners on is if there is any truth to the “rumor” I have heard that the V-Drive 320 tends to like to ride bow high? Not intended as a hijack but I think it pertains to the spirit of this thread. I have heard this around but did not know if there was any truth to it.

 

[CJ Martin]

A 320DA can ride bow high depending on load. The trim tabs do an ok job but as I said with a bunch of folks aft you will run out of tab. I believe they are undersized. You can get dropfin tabs that are a simple swapout of the existing tabs, and in my opinion they are a worthwhile improvement.

I tend to run a bit of tab most of the time as I usually have nearly full fuel tanks. When I've run lighter I've noticed I need less tab. When I was still learning the feel of the boat i would adjust the tabs in very short bursts and watch the GPS speed over ground. This makes it pretty easy to find the sweet spot.

I also drop a bit of tab before coming up on plane - the bow goes over faster, I use less fuel, and visability is better (although I always stand when coming on plane).

-CJ

 

[barryg]

I've had my 2005 320 for 3 years now (bought it used in 2007). Had a 25' Doral with a single I/O, and I wanted a boat that had more room in the cabin, a generator, and two engines. Originally I was looking at a 300, but found a really good deal with the 320 and went for it.. I have made 4 trips over to Bimini in the Bahamas with family and friends and have loved every trip and every moment on the boat. The bow does ride higher than my 25' and it took me a while to get used to it, but thats just the way it runs and I have no problems with it...However, when I was deciding on the 320, I was offered a 340 but didn't want to go the extra $25,000.00...If money were not an issue, I probably would have gone with the 340 for the slightly wider beam and the closed cooled 8.1 engines.. I don't think you can go wrong either way!! Good luck and congratulations on whatever you choose!