300 Sundancer questions.

Dealer is lying - no 5.0 mercruisers were 300hp - in fact, its my understanding the 2002 EFI motors were something less than 260 (240 IIRC, but maybe you could get the MPIs too?) - get the serial numbers - did you pay for the survey or are you using theirs?

I realize your trying to trade in, but since your looking at a dealer boat and not someone else's in brokerage I dont mind saying my '05 is for sale on this site - asking 49k
 
Upgraded my speakers to Boss 200w Full RGB LED
 

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New forum member. Long time lurker, first time posting.
I have a 2002 300 Sundancer that I have owned for the past 4 years. I cruise locally in the middle Puget Sound, with annual trips to the San Juans. My ownership up to this point haven't been easy on the nerves or wallet but I see nothing but blue skies ahead.

The boat has the Weaterbeke 4.5 genny, CruiseAir A/C and heat. I also upgraded the original 5.7 TBIs w/260hp to Merc 383 MAG Strokers. Still running with Bravo IIIs with a 2.0 ratio. Originally 3x3 22p props, now 4x4 20p.

Anyways, looking forward to adding any additional info I can offer to this thread. You guys have been helpful.

Joe
 
New forum member. Long time lurker, first time posting.
I have a 2002 300 Sundancer that I have owned for the past 4 years. I cruise locally in the middle Puget Sound, with annual trips to the San Juans. My ownership up to this point haven't been easy on the nerves or wallet but I see nothing but blue skies ahead.

The boat has the Weaterbeke 4.5 genny, CruiseAir A/C and heat. I also upgraded the original 5.7 TBIs w/260hp to Merc 383 MAG Strokers. Still running with Bravo IIIs with a 2.0 ratio. Originally 3x3 22p props, now 4x4 20p.

Anyways, looking forward to adding any additional info I can offer to this thread. You guys have been helpful.

Joe

Hi Joe, welcome. I am shopping for a 300 DA and am considering repowering it with the 383/350 hp's also. According to SR these boats are rated for a max of 320 hp each side. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company getting them to cover it with engines that are slightly larger than what the boat is rated for ?

Also how do you like those engines ? Are they noticeably more powerful and able to get you on plane faster ? What MPG are you seeing at cruise and such ?

Lastly, I'd appreciate you or any 300 DA owner filling me in on how the boat rides, is it a pounder and at what speed can it take 2-3' seas head on.

Many thanks, Happy Holidays to all !
 
Hi Joe, welcome. I am shopping for a 300 DA and am considering repowering it with the 383/350 hp's also. According to SR these boats are rated for a max of 320 hp each side. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company getting them to cover it with engines that are slightly larger than what the boat is rated for ?

Also how do you like those engines ? Are they noticeably more powerful and able to get you on plane faster ? What MPG are you seeing at cruise and such ?

Lastly, I'd appreciate you or any 300 DA owner filling me in on how the boat rides, is it a pounder and at what speed can it take 2-3' seas head on.

Many thanks, Happy Holidays to all !

great boat - had one for 12 seasons - ran it everywhere from the bahamas to buzzards bay.....in well spaced swells up to 6' (6-8 seconds apart) the boat does great....in 3' short chop any boat of this size will be "sporty". Mine popped up on plane easily, even fully loaded with 5.0s. If this hull has a fault, it is that it doesnt like to go slow - i cruised at 30mph in benign conditions, and would lose efficiency (falling off plane) below 24mph - made for a challenge (and excessive fuel burn) in snotty conditions (short 3-5' and above). not sure if more power/4x4 props would remedy the situation as I never bothered trying. I can tell you dual B3 drives take A LOT of maintenence even when properly cared for - for me, the trade off was worth it.
 
Hi Joe, welcome. I am shopping for a 300 DA and am considering repowering it with the 383/350 hp's also. According to SR these boats are rated for a max of 320 hp each side. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company getting them to cover it with engines that are slightly larger than what the boat is rated for ?

Also how do you like those engines ? Are they noticeably more powerful and able to get you on plane faster ? What MPG are you seeing at cruise and such ?

Lastly, I'd appreciate you or any 300 DA owner filling me in on how the boat rides, is it a pounder and at what speed can it take 2-3' seas head on.

Many thanks, Happy Holidays to all !
I have a clean 2004 300DA that I have for sale right now. Let me know if you are interested and I will send you additional info.
 
Hi Joe, welcome. I am shopping for a 300 DA and am considering repowering it with the 383/350 hp's also. According to SR these boats are rated for a max of 320 hp each side. Did you have any trouble with your insurance company getting them to cover it with engines that are slightly larger than what the boat is rated for ?

Also how do you like those engines ? Are they noticeably more powerful and able to get you on plane faster ? What MPG are you seeing at cruise and such ?

Lastly, I'd appreciate you or any 300 DA owner filling me in on how the boat rides, is it a pounder and at what speed can it take 2-3' seas head on.

Many thanks, Happy Holidays to all !

Honestly, I never thought about a potential insurance issue. I'll cross under that bridge if/when I need to.

I love the new engines. Along with new 4x4 (20P) props, they are a good match. MPGs are 1.10 to 1.19 @ cruise, which has a wide range of 3250 - 3600.

As for the ride, my typical conditions are 1' +/- so the ride is right.

Good luck with your search. I love the 300. Suites my needs perfectly. Not saying I'm not looking forward to the next move up!
Screenshot_2019-11-22-11-34-54.jpg
Screenshot_2019-11-22-11-34-54.jpg
 
Hey guys... Just sold my 05 Sea ray 320... Want something a little more faster and go father.... Looking at the 300 Sundancer with the 6.2....Is the 5.7 under powered?? Can anyone tell me the cruise and how they ride???
 
Hey guys... Just sold my 05 Sea ray 320... Want something a little more faster and go father.... Looking at the 300 Sundancer with the 6.2....Is the 5.7 under powered?? Can anyone tell me the cruise and how they ride???

The 5.0s were fine for power in my boat - fully loaded in benign conditions it cruised at 30mph at 3800rpm. I always planned for 1mpg - I would imagine one with 5.7s or 6.2s would cruise at the same speed and a lower rpm for a similar fuel burn - so go for the bigger motors if you have a choice, but the boat is not underpowered with 5.0s....I generally planned stops after 100miles, but in the right conditions you could push as many as 150 miles - the boat carries 170 gallons. The boat handles very well, it does not like to go under 24mph though (thats with 5.0s and B3 w 20p 3 blades) I only ever used tabs compensate for uneaven loads - Perhaps drop fins, 4x4 props and/or more power will keep the boat on plane at lower speeds. My drives always needed to be trimmed fully in as they would otherwise cavitate. In short moderate chop (3-5) the hull will pound a bit. I can tell you its a BIG difference from a 320 with v-drives - I almost bought one but backed out when I ran one 40 miles fully loaded......
 
Honestly, I never thought about a potential insurance issue. I'll cross under that bridge if/when I need to.

I love the new engines. Along with new 4x4 (20P) props, they are a good match. MPGs are 1.10 to 1.19 @ cruise, which has a wide range of 3250 - 3600.

As for the ride, my typical conditions are 1' +/- so the ride is right.

Good luck with your search. I love the 300. Suites my needs perfectly. Not saying I'm not looking forward to the next move up!View attachment 77887 View attachment 77887

Great info thanks, what is your WOT speed with the 383's ?
 
Great info thanks, what is your WOT speed with the 383's ?
This is the confusing thing for me:
With the original 5.7s 260hp ea, 3x3 22P props, I was getting 42mph @ 4500rpm with a half tank of gas. Now, with the 383s with supposedly 350hp and 4x4 20P props, I'm hitting 42mph @ 5000. WOT range is 4800-5200.

I expected either the new engines should've pushed the boat faster with the new engines and 22P 3x3s or I should've had a higher top end with 20P props. Neither happened.
 
20200319_140326.jpg 20200320_134905.jpg 20200319_140311.jpg
Debadged
So I bought an eraser wheel and removed the old Sundancer with sunset and pinstripes last weekend. Took about 1.5-2hrs and the tool worked perfectly.
 
This is the confusing thing for me:
With the original 5.7s 260hp ea, 3x3 22P props, I was getting 42mph @ 4500rpm with a half tank of gas. Now, with the 383s with supposedly 350hp and 4x4 20P props, I'm hitting 42mph @ 5000. WOT range is 4800-5200.

I expected either the new engines should've pushed the boat faster with the new engines and 22P 3x3s or I should've had a higher top end with 20P props. Neither happened.

I know you have 4 blade props but perhaps the following recommended prop sizes from SRs prop chart for different sized engines might offer a clue.

2002 300DA T-5.0L MPI BR 3 ( T-260 PHP ) MCM STERN DR BRAVO 3 2.20:1 14.25"X 22" CUP BR3 RH 15.75"X 22" CUP BR3 LH

2002 300DA T-MX 6.2 MPI BR 3 (T-320 PHP) MCM STERN DR BRAVO 3 2.20:1 14"X 26" SS BR3 RH CUPPED 15.25"X 26" SS BR3 LH CUPPED

https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/propeller-charts-files/2002 Sport Boat Sport Cruiser Prop Chart.pdf
 
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A couple of other variables to add to the equation:
I have 2.00:1 outdrives.

For every 2 inches in pitch, RPMs either increase or decrease by 300-400. For example: I went from 22p to 20p and my RPMs increased by about 500 RPMs. That put me into the recommended WOT range of 48-5200 RPMs @ 5000.

If I went from 22p to the 26p that was on the chart, that increase of 4 inches of pitch would drop my RPMs by about approximately 800 RPMs. So from the original RPM of 4500 minus 800...well that puts my waay below the range.
 
This is the confusing thing for me:
With the original 5.7s 260hp ea, 3x3 22P props, I was getting 42mph @ 4500rpm with a half tank of gas. Now, with the 383s with supposedly 350hp and 4x4 20P props, I'm hitting 42mph @ 5000. WOT range is 4800-5200.

I expected either the new engines should've pushed the boat faster with the new engines and 22P 3x3s or I should've had a higher top end with 20P props. Neither happened.

As I understand it, irrespective of number of blades, you’ve gone down 2” in pitch so that’s like changing down to a slightly lower gear so that’s what I would expect. Are you getting much faster acceleration though?
 
As I understand it, irrespective of number of blades, you’ve gone down 2” in pitch so that’s like changing down to a slightly lower gear so that’s what I would expect. Are you getting much faster acceleration though?
Yeah, so acceleration or hole shot has improved. Less blow out for sure. Bow lift is better and engines do sound like they're working less hard.
 
Looks great. Good to hear as I’ll be attacking mine in the next two weeks.
It is easy with that eraser wheel. There are a couple of types out there. 3M and copy cats make a solid type. I bought one from ABN. You'll notice the gel coat will show the ghost graphics. I used Meguires correction compound, then Meguires polish and topped with Meguires Flagship wax. Ghosting is 90% gone.
ABN Rubber Eraser Wheel with Drill Adapter 1-Pack - Pinstripe, Double Sided Adhesive, Vinyl Decal, Graphics Removal Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZ4ABKS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_p-FFEb682HQ3K
 

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