03 320 Sundancer V drive vs i/o

SeaNile

SeaNile

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2010
1,522
Chadds Ford, PA
Boat Info
2003 50 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSM11
Never knew the 320 was offered with i/o.
We keep the boat in fresh water in a slip, so enjoy anchoring in shallow water and do not go in the ocean, etc.

Any thoughts on the 2003 Sundancer with I/o? It would either be twin 6.2 or 496.
Thanks.
 
Love I/O's for just that reason. Get the right anodes for your drives and you'll be good
 
We have a 310 with IO and frequently anchor in shallow water with the drives up. I would have preferred inboards for maintenance reasons but having the ability to raise your gear is a distinct advantage. Especially when you goof and stray into the rocks.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I just wonder if the 320 is "too big" for i/o's especially when docking, etc. I bet being able to trim up the drives will help ever so slightly with efficiency but probably not significantly.

The one with 496s has 505hrs and the one with 6.2l has 285 hrs. The way I drive (slow) either engine package will be OK with me. Would be cool to have twin 496s...
 
It will be much easier to work in the engine room with the IO. However, there is more maintenance on the IO. If you have a bow thruster, I would do either, no thruster, I might opt for the vDrive. I have V, and the generator maintenance is awfully hard, and engines are hard to access pretty much everything...
 
Not too big for OD version. You’ll be faster and more fuel efficient than v drives.L and have more room in the engine space. But a bit less maneuverable around the dock and ride not as good in heavy swells. Plus the aforementioned maintenance of the OD units.
 
SeaNile said:
Thanks for the feedback. I just wonder if the 320 is "too big" for i/o's especially when docking, etc. I bet being able to trim up the drives will help ever so slightly with efficiency but probably not significantly.

The one with 496s has 505hrs and the one with 6.2l has 285 hrs. The way I drive (slow) either engine package will be OK with me. Would be cool to have twin 496s...
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I would think you get closed cooling with the 496’s and raw water cooled 6.2’s.
 
I’ll ask about the difference in cooling, wasn’t aware of the possible difference.

Both I/o versions do not have a bow thruster listed. I thought the same, 32’ with I/o is a big boat to maneuver. Then again don’t most of the Formula boats have I/O’s?

I had a 32 Rinker with twin I/o’s and maneuvering was OK but I am sure inboards would be better.

Bow thruster would be cheating! That would be awesome.
 
You wont regret buying I/Os, especially in fresh water. I love my 310 with b3s. Pricey to overhaul but should be a 10-15 year item if properly taken care of. Nothing hard about maneuvering in tight quarters once you figure out the pivot point of your boat. My buddy has an 03 320 with 6.2 b3s. It's a performer and pretty easy to handle. Only thing he's not crazy about is the split controls for transmissions and throttles
 
Wow, the broker i talked to really, really discouraged the i/o option on the 320 even with the boat being in fresh water. Said the boat is made for V drives, handles better, less maintenance, etc. Also discounted the efficiency (if any) difference in performance and GPH used.
 
SeaNile said:
Wow, the broker i talked to really, really discouraged the i/o option on the 320 even with the boat being in fresh water. Said the boat is made for V drives, handles better, less maintenance, etc. Also discounted the efficiency (if any) difference in performance and GPH used.
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possibly easier to sell too. I am looking at several boats in that range. The ones with v-drives sell. The ones with IOs tend to sit a while. V-drives are more like a "yacht." But the bottom line is find the boat you're comfortable with and enjoy it.
 
SeaNile said:
Wow, the broker i talked to really, really discouraged the i/o option on the 320 even with the boat being in fresh water. Said the boat is made for V drives, handles better, less maintenance, etc. Also discounted the efficiency (if any) difference in performance and GPH used.
Click to expand...
Some reading. Sea Rays, to boot.
290 Amberjack comparison
https://www.boatingmag.com/boats/to-v-or-not-to-v/

310 Sundancer comparison
https://www.boatingmag.com/drive-train-boogie/

https://www.boatingmag.com/advantages-v-drive/

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/v-drive-vs-io.25941/
 
Love Vdrives compared to a lifetime of io’s. There is some individual advantages of IO’s but the sum of the parts, imo, is Vdrives are they way to go
 
We have a 2006 340 with 496s and outdrives and it is really fast. WOT will give us 42-44 mph depending on load. We cruise a lot with a few other SR friends with v drives. They cruise at 23 -25 mph and run 3800 -3900 rpms. With our set up we cruise at 3500 rpms and run at 32 - 33 mph. We use less fuel and get there quicker. We normally run at 3300 and that gives us around 28 mph. Any slower and she is hard to keep on plane with out running a lot of trim tab. Trimming the outdrive really isn't an issue as we trim very little if at all at the lower speeds. At the higher speeds we can trim a bit more, but really doesn't help a lot. So far as engine room space, there is a BIG difference. When we go on week long trips and weekends, the extra space for storing things down there is wonderful. We just got back from a trip up the Chesapeake from the Potomac and stored a collapsible wagon, extra beach umbrella, small cooler with charcoal, box of spare parts, fluids, and other misc items down there. Yes - the outdrive service is an extra expense, but I look at it as a trade off by getting the added fuel economy and being able to tolerate doing my own PM work easier along with the added room. Access to the genny is very good. Changing out sea water pumps, fuel filters, etc are much easier. It takes me 45 minutes to change out an impeller on our i/o, it takes 2+ hours to do one on my brother in laws 320 v drive. The other big decision maker for us is we live on a creek (salt water) and moor our boat at home on a lift in a cover slip. The creek can get shallow and the drives allow us to motor out in shallower water. Get what is best for you and your situation. Either way the 320 needs twins to maneuver. A single 496 IMO would be a disappointment, do they even come with a single? Twin 496s would be a rocket.
 
I slipped and serviced a B3 in brackish water for over 15 years. Much care is needed to prevent corrosion. Held up ok mechanically. Bravoitis and steering pin issues are a given so make sure they have been addressed at survey.. I prefer the v drives. Just makes life less stressful. A opinion from one who has had both.
 
Korkie said:
We have a 2006 340 with 496s and outdrives and it is really fast. WOT will give us 42-44 mph depending on load. We cruise a lot with a few other SR friends with v drives. They cruise at 23 -25 mph and run 3800 -3900 rpms. With our set up we cruise at 3500 rpms and run at 32 - 33 mph. We use less fuel and get there quicker. We normally run at 3300 and that gives us around 28 mph. Any slower and she is hard to keep on plane with out running a lot of trim tab. Trimming the outdrive really isn't an issue as we trim very little if at all at the lower speeds. At the higher speeds we can trim a bit more, but really doesn't help a lot. So far as engine room space, there is a BIG difference. When we go on week long trips and weekends, the extra space for storing things down there is wonderful. We just got back from a trip up the Chesapeake from the Potomac and stored a collapsible wagon, extra beach umbrella, small cooler with charcoal, box of spare parts, fluids, and other misc items down there. Yes - the outdrive service is an extra expense, but I look at it as a trade off by getting the added fuel economy and being able to tolerate doing my own PM work easier along with the added room. Access to the genny is very good. Changing out sea water pumps, fuel filters, etc are much easier. It takes me 45 minutes to change out an impeller on our i/o, it takes 2+ hours to do one on my brother in laws 320 v drive. The other big decision maker for us is we live on a creek (salt water) and moor our boat at home on a lift in a cover slip. The creek can get shallow and the drives allow us to motor out in shallower water. Get what is best for you and your situation. Either way the 320 needs twins to maneuver. A single 496 IMO would be a disappointment, do they even come with a single? Twin 496s would be a rocket.
Click to expand...

No single engine option for SR above a 290. I had a 290 (2006) with a single..It was "ok" but was a lot to carry on a single. It was so rare it wasn't even listed in an NADA book.
I think it was an early factory "test" boat as it was sold as new but had 16 hours on it when I bought it.
 
Even with less maintenance with a v-Drive, you still need to get to the water pump to change the impellers. Shoehorn in a generator behind the motors and its tighter then a string on a fiddle.

Honestly, the work will be MUCH more to stay on top of a Bravo III, change anodes, paint touch-up, transom seal kits, but all of those items are reasonably easy DIY.

Accessing the necessary maintenance items in a 320 Sundancer with v-drives and a generator will require you to get your body into positions that would make a Olympic gymnast cringe.

I see someone above has a 380 Sundancer. That comparatively larger engine compartment makes all the difference in the world.

My advice, go for BIII’s or a different, bigger boat if you want V-drives.
 
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If I were in fresh water I personally would do B3. I do all my maintenance also though. Salt water v-drives. I have v-drives with 496”s. I cruise at 3450 at 28.5 mph all day long and it’s a 340. I think anything above 3550 is pushing it. You can hear the difference and see the difference in fuel for sure. As many said. Out drive gets better fuel, faster speed and harder docking. V-drive is worse fuel , less cost in maintenance and easiest docking.another thing someone mentioned. A 320 with v-drive is real tight. My friend has 350”s I can’t imagine how tight 496”s are! Yea I’d go out drives or move up to a 340 with v drives.
 
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mnm99 said:
If I were in fresh water I personally would do B3. I do all my maintenance also though. Salt water v-drives. I have v-drives with 496”s. I cruise at 3450 at 28.5 mph all day long and it’s a 340. I think anything above 3550 is pushing it. You can hear the difference and see the difference in fuel for sure. As many said. Out drive gets better fuel, faster speed and harder docking. V-drive is worse fuel , less cost in maintenance and easiest docking.
Click to expand...

the pluses and minuses your stated are accurate imo.
 
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