[Todd320]

My dog enjoying a trip on the boat on the day after New Year's.

Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

 

[spikedaddy99]

If you don't plan to remove the front panels often, get strataglass. I'm on year 8 with them, and still perfectly clear. I did replace the rear panel in Eisenglass again to roll it up. After 7 years, it is shot and needs replaced to look nice, but who really looks through that panel?

I currently do not have any canvas except the soft top and a cover for storage, waiting for a quote any day. I kept the front isinglass for the trip down, but threw it out since it was only good to keep the rain off, you could not see through it. I have not noticed any issues with rain coming through the top.


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

 

[Todd320]

I just don't know how we are going to use the canvas. I would prefer it stay up all year, but then I worry we will be cutting off a main source of breeze during the summer. On the other hand, I want it up during the summer so when the 15 minute thunderstorm pops up, no big deal. No scrambling around trying to get isinglass put up. The windshield is pretty curved, so I am not certain I can put roll up isinglass on each of the panels between the windshield and the arch. Does anyone else have roll up isinglass on a 320 (the u-shaped cutouts)?


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

 

[JoeTPM]

On my 320, I have the fixed soft top option instead of the bimini option. Ever since we moved to Wisconsin, and removed the top for transport, I have small leaks during rain. It used to be dry as a bone even during strong rain. I don't feel like I'm getting the top fixed to the rail as tightly as it used to be. Todd (Todd 320) it looks like we have the same boat! Mine is painted. Started out pewter...but that's another story. Any tips from anyone with the fixed option to get that top tight and stop the leaks (usually where top and side windows fit together)
Mike

Spikedaddy99 - Does your Soft Top attach to a canvas/awning track, then snap shut? If so, you may have to reseal or replace the track since they can wear over time. If not, they make a huge difference with not letting water in. If you mean where canvas meets canvas, it could be the stitching (zippers or whatever fastener you're using) as they'll also wear over time. Restitching is a cheap fix that any boat canvas shop can do. I always try to keep my enclosure seems taut, but leave a little bit of play to account for weather/temp changes to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric and stitching.

 

[scooper321]

Woody wax works great on the deck.

Not a fan of Woody Wax. Despite what the bottle says, it left my deck super slippery and dangerous to walk on. Al lost my first mate overboard early last season after we used it!


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[NotHerDecision]

Not a fan of Woody Wax. Despite what the bottle says, it left my deck super slippery and dangerous to walk on. Al lost my first mate overboard early last season after we used it!


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Scooper:

I felt the same way until I read and used the bottle exactly like it says. You have to put this on wet and it is VERY slick. Then let it dry and wipe the deck. After that it's not slippery and is amazing at repealing stains and marks. I will admit that is a bit of a pain because you have to wait for the boat to dry before wiping down the deck but the stuff is amazing.




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[spikedaddy99]

Joe, My problem seems to be getting the top tight against the metal tubing that compromises the hard-top. The top fits into a track on the arch, then a long string like a shoe lace gets weaved through eyelets around the tubing. I can't seem to get that tight enough. Make sense?

Spikedaddy99 - Does your Soft Top attach to a canvas/awning track, then snap shut? If so, you may have to reseal or replace the track since they can wear over time. If not, they make a huge difference with not letting water in. If you mean where canvas meets canvas, it could be the stitching (zippers or whatever fastener you're using) as they'll also wear over time. Restitching is a cheap fix that any boat canvas shop can do. I always try to keep my enclosure seems taut, but leave a little bit of play to account for weather/temp changes to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric and stitching.

 

[ericliebman]

Hi all

Trying to decide between 2006 320 and 340. Both with around 450 hours and the same kit on each. Both maintained by fanatics and both surveyed. The 320 is our fave, but the 340 seems to have a pretty good following so I thought I'd check in case anyone else has gone through this and made a decision.

Also, I can't help but notice how close the engines (8.1 Horizons) are together in the 320s... does that create maintenance issues when being serviced by the dealer? I am not a DIY for boats (yet), so don't want additional cost for smaller repairs due to having to dismantle the engines !

Any advice for a soon-to-be Searay owner would be much appreciated!

 

[Korkie]

ericliebman, The admiral and I went through making the same decision last year. We ended up with the 340. The 320 would have been sufficient, but the extra 6 inches in the beam and the few extra feet in the length influenced our decision. That and the fact that the 320s and 340s we were looking at were priced pretty equally, considering the differences. Then there was V drives or I/Os, went with the I/Os - we keep the boat at home on a lift which helps to save the drives considerably. Also, a ton of room in the bilge to do maintenance. I work on my brother in laws 320 with V Drives - it is a nightmare compared to mine. Try them all - don't be rushed. You will know which one is right for you. Happy hunting.

 

[Irie308]

I love our 320 but I'd probably have to think long and hard between the 2 if we had it to do all over again. For us in salt water v drives were a must. The admiral loved the port side lounger over the forward facing seat in the 340. Personally I like the lower swim platform on the 320. All that being said it would still be a tough call between the 2.

 

[scooper321]

I just don't know how we are going to use the canvas. I would prefer it stay up all year, but then I worry we will be cutting off a main source of breeze during the summer. On the other hand, I want it up during the summer so when the 15 minute thunderstorm pops up, no big deal. No scrambling around trying to get isinglass put up. The windshield is pretty curved, so I am not certain I can put roll up isinglass on each of the panels between the windshield and the arch. Does anyone else have roll up isinglass on a 320 (the u-shaped cutouts)?


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

I can't imagine leaving canvas on if I lived in Florida. Just on the chance that you get a t-storm to crop up? No way. Around here (Chesapeake Bay), as soon as it warms up enough, ALL of the canvas and glass come off every time out. You sacrifice too much breeze if you leave it up. And trust me. You and the first mate will get really skilled at putting it up quickly after a while.

I just got new canvas last year. The one I replaced DID have the U-zipperin the front glass and even on the side windows. And yes. they can be rolled up easily. But... I hated it. For every U-zipper you have, you have a seam that is about 2-3" wide. So that's about 4-6" in every window that blocks your vision (only 2-3" total if you roll them up). When I got new canvas this year, I opted for no U-zippers (figuring if I wanted them, I could always get the added later). Best decision I made. It's like going from walking around in a SCUBA mask to walking around without one on. I didn't realize how many blind spots and sight blockage the U-zippers added until I didn't have them any more. So that's my recommendation: DON'T get them. Like I said, you can always get a local shop to add them later, if you decide you truly do want them.

 

[ericliebman]

ericliebman, The admiral and I went through making the same decision last year. We ended up with the 340. The 320 would have been sufficient, but the extra 6 inches in the beam and the few extra feet in the length influenced our decision. That and the fact that the 320s and 340s we were looking at were priced pretty equally, considering the differences. Then there was V drives or I/Os, went with the I/Os - we keep the boat at home on a lift which helps to save the drives considerably. Also, a ton of room in the bilge to do maintenance. I work on my brother in laws 320 with V Drives - it is a nightmare compared to mine. Try them all - don't be rushed. You will know which one is right for you. Happy hunting.

thanks for the replies! Going to show my wife the 340 and let her decide. Both gorgeous boats and I'm sure neither is a "wrong" decision.., only issue is the '06 340 we are looking at has over 800 hours and 4 owners vs the '06 320 which has 1 owner and just over 450 hours.. should that matter??

 

[HeyBigb]

HeyBigb,
I'd recommend getting some fender covers if you are going to be along that finger pier as your final destination. When I got my green hulled 300, it had some fairly significant fender rash that needed a heavy compounding to get out, and that chafing doesn't take much to start showing up with a dark hull. My boat was on Lake George and either was tied tightly to the floating finger pier & fenders or was in a position where the wind pushed it up tight against the dock & fenders without a line to hold it away. Some fender covers would have done the trick. I have black nylon knit ones from WM for when I tie up to old splintered fixed pilings, and some with polar fleece for raft ups and floating dock visits.

Hull / Boat looks great BTW!

James

Thanks for the advise I will certainly male sure I purchase them I boat in Lake Erie

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[skolbe]

I like my 320 a lot. I have owned it for 10 years. A 1 owner boat with 450 hours is a little more predictable on how it was maintained and used. That being said the 340 is a nice boat. But pretty much each one that is larger is always better. Right... You always know when you found the right boat.

 

[garmett]

Just sold my 320,
I enjoyed it the entire time we owned it.
Good luck!

 

[skolbe]

Congratulation on the sale Garmett. So what is next?

Curious on how long it took to sell it?

 

[Todd320]

I can't imagine leaving canvas on if I lived in Florida. Just on the chance that you get a t-storm to crop up? No way. Around here (Chesapeake Bay), as soon as it warms up enough, ALL of the canvas and glass come off every time out. You sacrifice too much breeze if you leave it up. And trust me. You and the first mate will get really skilled at putting it up quickly after a while.

I just got new canvas last year. The one I replaced DID have the U-zipperin the front glass and even on the side windows. And yes. they can be rolled up easily. But... I hated it. For every U-zipper you have, you have a seam that is about 2-3" wide. So that's about 4-6" in every window that blocks your vision (only 2-3" total if you roll them up). When I got new canvas this year, I opted for no U-zippers (figuring if I wanted them, I could always get the added later). Best decision I made. It's like going from walking around in a SCUBA mask to walking around without one on. I didn't realize how many blind spots and sight blockage the U-zippers added until I didn't have them any more. So that's my recommendation: DON'T get them. Like I said, you can always get a local shop to add them later, if you decide you truly do want them.

I am going to follow this advice. Put glass up front only in winter, or rainy days, leave shade up year round, no u zippers on front. Now I just need to get my port engine working again!! Low block PSI fault #3... when RPMs go above 1k. I have the cockpit cover, I will use that if storing for > week to keep soot out of the cockpit. How many pieces do you have in between windshield and Bimini, 5 like the mfg, or something less with a custom cut?


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

 

[Todd320]

Hi all

Trying to decide between 2006 320 and 340. Both with around 450 hours and the same kit on each. Both maintained by fanatics and both surveyed. The 320 is our fave, but the 340 seems to have a pretty good following so I thought I'd check in case anyone else has gone through this and made a decision.

Also, I can't help but notice how close the engines (8.1 Horizons) are together in the 320s... does that create maintenance issues when being serviced by the dealer? I am not a DIY for boats (yet), so don't want additional cost for smaller repairs due to having to dismantle the engines !

Any advice for a soon-to-be Searay owner would be much appreciated!

I looked at quite a few 340s as well. I am new to cruisers (14 years owned a 23' deck boat, 200 Yamaha), and was pretty intimidated by the size of the 340, and my wife was not thrilled with the fact we would have to keep in water (with our 320, we at least have the option between dry stack/wet slip). Most of the 340s were more expensive in my search, so that swayed me. Wife definitely liked the 320 layout better than the 340. I wanted the option of wet storage, so chose the v-drives, fuel expense is a bit higher, but maintenance should be lower. I am trying to do some maintenance on my own, but getting to the non engine items I want to service is damn near impossible. Rudder needs to be adjusted, need to get the seacocks working again, these are all extremely hard to reach on my boat.

Now, I am fine with the 320 I chose, but would be happier with a 42-45, diesel, plus a bow thruster or pod drives. Talked to someone this weekend, they said the larger boats (42-60) are going away from pod drives back to v-drives. Anyone else heard of this? I am shooting for 5 years, I will have enough experience/maintenance then, plus the newer boats will a bit older, a bit cheaper, and we will be in full empty nest mode, minus a couple of years of college...


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

 

[St.SomewhereII]

We looked at both but went with 2006 320. Primary reason, of the boats available, 320 was in primo condition, low hours, mainly fresh water and option we wanted. Color, V-Drive, heat exchange and flush out for manifolds and risers. Couldn't tell that much different in over space for the difference in price. Really love our 320. Great boat to have in the Low Country of South Carolina.

 

[scooper321]

I am going to follow this advice. Put glass up front only in winter, or rainy days, leave shade up year round, no u zippers on front. Now I just need to get my port engine working again!! Low block PSI fault #3... when RPMs go above 1k. I have the cockpit cover, I will use that if storing for > week to keep soot out of the cockpit. How many pieces do you have in between windshield and Bimini, 5 like the mfg, or something less with a custom cut?


Brown Eyed Girl - 2007 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer, 350 MAG MPI V-drive

Three front windshield pieces, two side panels of glass and the standard aft 3 pc curtain. I don't have a camper canvas. Wanted the sunlight. Btw, Those three aft pieces always come off.


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