2002-2006 300 Sundancer

[gmclain]

I'm a newbie in search of a 2002-2006 300 Sundancer. My only question for now is what power to go with. Most 300's for those years have the 5.0's, is that enough power for such a heavy boat? I would like the 5.7's but they are a little harder to find. Does anyone have any input for me? I would like to know what your cruising speed is and a what RPM full of fuel and a few guests. I plan on loading my dingy and motor for trips so that will add weight as well. Thanks for any imput.

 

[Ididntdoit]

We Love ours and like you we carry a dinghy, full fuel, water etc and everything a family of 4 needs - The 5.0s are plenty - the boat hops right on plane every time (don't need tabs) and cruises at about 23-25mph at 3500rpm burning 20gph - a great boat - we are contemplating an upgrade now only to get a larger boat with inboards because we want to keep the boat in the water year round and be able to have friends/family stay overnight - other than that as I said the 300 does everything we need it to.

 

[Bridog]

Having the 5.7's in mine I would have to strongly reccommend them. The 300 loaded up with fuel, water, etc is probably around 14,000 lbs. Don't skimp on the engine's.

 

[Southpaw II]

Be careful here.....some of these boats were built with the base powerplant, which was the 5.0 w/ Bravo IIs. Big difference between the BII and the BIII. The BIII is going to perform much better as it has the counter-rotating props.

The earlier generation of this boat, till 2001, which was the 209DA, was offered with the Alpha drives.

Just as an aside, I have a friend that has a 1994 300DA that was built by Sea Ray as a prototype with twin 5.7s and BIII drives.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Be careful here.....some of these boats were built with the base powerplant, which was the 5.0 w/ Bravo IIs. Big difference between the BII and the BIII. The BIII is going to perform much better as it has the counter-rotating props.

The earlier generation of this boat, till 2001, which was the 209DA, was offered with the Alpha drives.

Just as an aside, I have a friend that has a 1994 300DA that was built by Sea Ray as a prototype with twin 5.7s and BIII drives.

+1 mine are 260HP with 2.20 ratio bravo IIIs

 

[gmclain]

Thanks for the info. guys. Bridog, what do you cruise at fully loaded? Does anyone know if it is poss. to have the drive ratio changed on the BIII's. Ididnotdoit says he pops right out of the water loaded, if you gave up a little hole shot, would you gain a couple MPH's on cruise without raising the R's past 3500. It's not about skimping on motors, it's tough to find the boat optioned out the way you want it when shopping used. (Layout, color, genny, electronics, motors etc.) Thanks again!

 

[Ididntdoit]

your info does not say where you are from but if you can't water test one of each that you are considering maybe someone on here could help you out with a run in theirs (you buy lunch)

 

[gmclain]

Just updated my info. i'm up in Northern MI. Not many for sale up here, mostly down state. I'm trying to get some sea trials in before they're all put away for winter. I would be open to buying lunch if there is anyone close willing to take a guy for a ride. Thanks for the idea Ididnotdoit.

 

[Stray Cat]

My sweet spot while cruising is 3650 rpm, my non GPS speed is 28 mph, and burn 21 gph with 4 to 6 people, full fuel, water, gear....et all. I average climbing out of the hole in slightly less than 5 seconds in 20 ft of water with little or no current....slightly less time in 6 ft of water.

I am very happy with the 350 Mags, however I'd like to ride in one with the 6.2's