2023 SeaRay 320

Chr9s

New Member
Jul 4, 2022
2
Boat Info
SeaRay 320
Engines
Mercruiser 350HP 6.2L
Hi everyone,

I’m considering a brand new 320 SeaRay Sundancer and have a couple of questions. I have about 20 years of boating experience with CC’s and outboards. This will be my first cruiser.
I’m in the process of selecting options and I’m having a hard time deciding on the cockpit cut out. I like the idea of having the sun roof but I’m concern that during rainy days water would come in to the cockpit. SeaRay offers the cockpit cut out in many of their models. It is basically a sunbrella fabric the closes and opens manually. Any thoughts experience good/bad with this feature?
Also, this would be my first boat with a stern drive. I’ve been reading about stern drives and there is a lot of negative press about them. The boat will have the Mercruiser 350hp 6.2L w the bravo 3 drive. Most if my boating will be in fresh water but at some point the boat will be used in salt water. Im including the sea core option. Any thoughts on Stern drives? OB’s are an option on this model but I like the swim platform you get with the stern drive. Any thoughts?
I appreciate any feedback you can provide.
Thank you in advance.
Capt. Chris.
 
Welcome to CSR.

When you say the boat will be used in saltwater will be it temporarily or in for the long haul? Will it be in or out of the water when stored? I think those questions will help guide you on your power decisions. I assume these motors are freshwater cooled with a heat exchanger? I know a lot of folks run IO's in salt and other than risers and manifolds every 5 or so years have no issues.

What area will you be boating? If its shallow like SW Florida then the outboards can really help you get into areas that are sketchy with the IO's.

I do hear you on the swim platform thing. The IO boats kill the OB boats for easy of access to the water.
 
Thanks for the reply. I recently moved to GA from FL. The boat will be in lake Lanier but I may go back to South FL in 3-4 years. The sales rep for marine max recommended the sea core feature on the engines when and if I go back to saltwater.
 
Will the boat be kept in the water or on a lift in GA? Personally, I wouldn't recommend an IO boat that 100% water kept.
 
Would not even consider a stern drive in this day & age if I was ordering a new boat that could have OB option. The platform is a negative but to many positives out weigh it. Just my opinion.
Couldn't agree more. I am new to cruisers but not boats and outboards just make SO much sense. If I was buying new it is the only way I'd go, but yeah swim platform is nice.
 
No stern drive for me this is my first real OB boat and I Love it. Trim the motor up and I’m in 2’ of water step off the boat. Sold a bowrider with a I/O and glad it’s gone. I flush the motor at the end of every trip with ease no gas fumes to worry about there’s a lot of positive things about an OB take your time and choose wisely
It may also help resale later on.
 
Leaving an IO boat in freshwater is fine. Us northerners see 40 year old IO boats still floating just fine. Need to pay attention to bellows etc, but easy enough. Now saltwater, given the advancements in OB motors, I just can’t see buying a new sterndrive if you know it will end up salty during your ownership. I guess if it is lift kept it could be ok, but in SW florida very few folks will buy that thing used with IO motors, and no northerner will touch a salty IO boat.
But I hear you on the swim platform. When I ordered my current boat, I struggled with IO vs OB. In the end, OB won and I doubt I will ever go back to an IO.
 

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