330 Sundancer, how does it perform in rough waters?

[BahamasBlair]

I have a 340DA here in Freeport. I run back and forth to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale a few time per year. The 330 should handle about the same. I don't like to go out with anything over 20Kts or 4 foot waves. The boat can handle it but the passengers get nervous and sick. Have crossed the Gulf Stream when I shouldn't have and it wasn't any fun at all. Basically always check the weather and plan in advance.
If you plan on being offshore a lot, get a good EPIRB and maybe even a sat phone. You never know when you might need help.
Enjoy!

 

[Gofirstclass]

I had a '96 330 and had it in rough waters a few times. Once while crossing from the San Juan Islands to Victoria BC we were running on plane in 4'-5' waves. The boat did much better than the 2 wives on board so we settled back down to displacement speed. It was fun on plane...spray going everywhere, the boat bouncing around a bit (actually a bit more than the women wanted).

The other time I got caught in a storm that blew through here and brought 60mph winds with gusts close to 70. I was on the Snake River in 5'+ waves and had no problems at all. I was only at displacement speed but the boat handled well and handled the waves well.

 

[tbirdvet]

The 2010 330 is the old 310 so perhaps someone that has a 310 can provide some info.. My 330 handles pretty well but it has a wider beam than the 2010 330.

 

[dpmulvey]

It's fine. As in any vessel, you are a slave to mother nature. I have stuffed the bow on more than one occasion in 4-5 footers at a very slow speed. Other than a salt water bath, the pax and the boat were none the worse for wear.

 

[Alegria]

I have the 97 330 model. Second season with her. We run entirely in the Chesapeake Bay. I find that wave period plays a large part in the comfort of the ride. Also find that riding bow high gives a better ride, less/no pound. After painting the bottom this season I know why. If you trim the bow down there are two flat shelves on either side of the hull. The bow will come down and slam on that point, you feel it. But as you progress further down the hull you notice that it's a shallow V and offers a bit softer landing.. So I usually favor slow and bow high in any chop 1-2' for comfort. I've been in 3' with the bow high and had a comfortable ride down to around 15K, with the tabs adjusted to keep on plane.

Overall she has been a great riding boat so far in any conditions we have had her in.

 

[JV II]

I just completed 300 miles in the last 10 days in my 330 and it handled admirably. Conditions included 3-4 foot swells topped with 2 foot chop in following seas. Throw some boat wakes in there and you get the idea. I did have to throttle back to 25 mph for a leg. Going faster than that had me cresting the swells and pounding the next one too frequently. Heading into the wind with 3 foot chop was fine, but I lost some efficiency by trimming the drives all the way down and putting the tabs down a bit. The boat is heavy enough to feel in control. I can keep it on plane at 15-18 mph and smooth out the worst of what can be thrown at you in the summer here.

 

[robvs]

Thanks Guys for your feedback !!

You've put me at ease with the decision on a 330 sundancer. The key word here is WIFE ! (she is kinda afraid of deep waters, I tell her "hence, the boat"). If she's not happy boating on rough waters its only the icw with her ... but then the seas are with the pals!! jajaja life is tough.

Again thank you. :thumbsup:

Robert

 

[JV II]

Thanks Guys for your feedback !!

You've put me at ease with the decision on a 330 sundancer. The key word here is WIFE ! (she is kinda afraid of deep waters, I tell her "hence, the boat"). If she's not happy boating on rough waters its only the icw with her ... but then the seas are with the pals!! jajaja life is tough.

Again thank you. :thumbsup:

Robert

The boat weighs over 17,000 pounds with full fuel and water. Add provisions and people and you've got a wave crusher with 21 degrees of dead rise.