Calling all 360 DA owners

see ray said:
Hi, I’m looking to buy a 02 360 dancer with 8.1L motors. I’ve been on a 340 new body and old body340 and I’ve been on a 380 old body. I’m just wondering how does this boat come up on plane, the running attitude once on plane and the handling compared to the other two boats. do you need to use the Trim Tabs to get the boat up out of the water and on plane, is the running attitude bow high, those are my biggest concerns. thanks
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I don't have experience on the 340 or 380 but in my opinion the boat comes up on plane pretty well but using tabs help which I would adjust once up to speed anyway. Relatively speaking I would say it does run somewhat bow high. I like the wider beam vs the 340 and she is comfortable running through 3 to 4 footers in the ocean as well as the constant chop in the bay.
 
IMG_3444.jpeg
techmitch said:
I thought you were looking at a 320 with 6.2s?
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I was supposed to go look at the 320 this weekend, but when I got on the forum on the very first page I saw that people were dissatisfied, this 360 just came up today. It was more what I was looking for, at 340 or 380, but the 360 boat fits the bill with ours condition and upgrades. reading this forum , I’ve read nothing but positive comments, and I’m willing to spend the difference in money instead of being aggravated with the operation of the boat

The 320 is a very nice boat ! Don’t get me wrong, but I was ready to settle because I couldn’t find anything.
This is a pic of the 360
 
see ray said:
View attachment 145997
I was supposed to go look at the 320 this weekend, but when I got on the forum on the very first page I saw that people were dissatisfied, this 360 just came up today. It was more what I was looking for, at 340 or 380, but the 360 boat fits the bill with ours condition and upgrades. reading this forum , I’ve read nothing but positive comments, and I’m willing to spend the difference in money instead of being aggravated with the operation of the boat

The 320 is a very nice boat ! Don’t get me wrong, but I was ready to settle because I couldn’t find anything.
This is a pic of the 360
Click to expand...
When I was looking at the end of 2019 I was looking at 340's and just before I was about to travel down to MD/VA to look at 2 that interested me, the boat I bought came up for sale 15 minutes away from my marina. It was the first boat that I took my wife to see that she immediately said we need to buy the 360. Almost 4 years later and still happy with the decision. The only thing I wish it had is a separate shower but the "Star Trek" shower is better than the wet head on the 340 IMHO.
 
see ray said:
Hi, I’m looking to buy a 02 360 dancer with 8.1L motors. I’ve been on a 340 new body and old body340 and I’ve been on a 380 old body. I’m just wondering how does this boat come up on plane, the running attitude once on plane and the handling compared to the other two boats. do you need to use the Trim Tabs to get the boat up out of the water and on plane, is the running attitude bow high, those are my biggest concerns. thanks
Click to expand...
Hey there- we have an 02 360 DA. Love it. Started looking at mid to high 20 something towables, then onto several 320 DAs - then onward to 340, 370, 380 and up a few. I came back down to reality and stayed with my 360 search.

The 360 was hard to find with 8.1s - a must for me as I can’t put up with modest or underpowered machines - want it when I need it. That’s not to say the standard engines underperform. Plenty of folks I spoke with love their sixes.

I was advised to be patient and waited, a fellow Club member here sent me a 02 listing as I was originally looking for an 03. This is our 5th season now of ownership. Vessel jumps right up on plane without issue, trim tabs used when needed depending on crew size, and the water. 360 handles high seas without issue - most aggressive I’ve pushed through so far are 6-8 footers on the big water with 6 of us adults onboard. She manages just fine and the 12.6 foot beam makes the ride all the better.

We love the layout and quality of the 360 as it was built at the same Florida facility with the other big boy Sea Ray yachts - hardware, furnishings and options match those of much larger vessels. Stay the course - you will be happy. Good luck!
 
see ray said:
Hi, I’m looking to buy a 02 360 dancer with 8.1L motors. I’ve been on a 340 new body and old body340 and I’ve been on a 380 old body. I’m just wondering how does this boat come up on plane, the running attitude once on plane and the handling compared to the other two boats. do you need to use the Trim Tabs to get the boat up out of the water and on plane, is the running attitude bow high, those are my biggest concerns. thanks
Click to expand...
You will not go wrong with the 360. Going on our 8th season, and we love it. Perfect for the two of us, and still plenty of room when the kids show up. 8.1s are a must! Plenty of power, and a decent cruising range. A survey is a must as well. Go thru the maintenance records, check for moisture on the deck (windshield, hatch, skylights, etc). Good luck!
 
jsed said:
You will not go wrong with the 360. Going on our 8th season, and we love it. Perfect for the two of us, and still plenty of room when the kids show up. 8.1s are a must! Plenty of power, and a decent cruising range. A survey is a must as well. Go thru the maintenance records, check for moisture on the deck (windshield, hatch, skylights, etc). Good luck!
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13 years here and love it as my hobby! This week just replaced the center window actuator and the holding tank "empty sensor". Great feeling when projects get completed!
 
DB360 said:
Amazon,
"Supco BPV31D Bullet Piercing Valve",
good luck!
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That piercing valve came in handy this past weekend as I was getting the boat ready for a boat club week to Fisherman's Village. Fired up the frig & freezer and the freezer wouldn't drop in temperature. Removed it from the under the counter and checked out the feon pressure. It was too low. Put a very small amount in so the pressure read 8.5 PSI and the temperature dropped to 17 degrees F where it shut off and turns back on at 20 degrees F. These are very fussy units to get to operate correctly. But part of the hobby!

Cheers,
D
 
With the excessive heat we are having in Florida, a great luxury to have the 2 refrigerators and freezer operating correctly during our resent Fishermans Village trip. Along with the AC unit that was working great!
 
Interesting reading many of the comments about others who have been looking at the 340 and by accident, found the 360. I'm kind of in the same boat (pun intended!!)

I've looked at the 330 and 320 and than - due to a boat broker's listing - at a 340. Instantly fell in love with the 340!!! I've been making offers on several 340s and finding more and more of them coming on-line for sale, weekly. All seem to be happy owners, it's just that time for them.

Then... as I continue my search for more 340 out of my immediate area... I see this 360 Sundancer (I believe it was a 2003. WOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!! Instant love... ... ... ... again. DAMN!!! Am I soooooooooo fickly!!!!

In doing some research, it appears that the 360 ran from about 2002 to 2006. Then, I guess, the 380 took over that position. My intent is NOT to succumb to "two-foot-itus." But I'm loving what SR did with about 2' of length and 6" in the beam.

But I have several questions for you owners:
1. I totally understand that the 8.1s are... the engine of choice. But did it come with a diesel option? Good option or not? I'll be doing only ocean cruising.
2. Did the different/advancing production years have any major upgrades worth having? Waiting for a 2006 rather than and earlier year.
3. For those of you in the warmer climates like NV or AZ, etc. with current temps in the 100+ area, is the A/C unit in these boats sufficient to cool you down to about 75 degrees? Or do you need additional cooling units (portable)?
4. In looking at some pictures, it appears that the shower - while not separate from the commode - has a movable and wrap-around glass/plastic enclosure. Am I correct?
5. Interesting that the 360 (Waterline to top of Spoiler 9' 5") sits lower than the 340 (Waterline to top of Spoiler 10' 4")

I'd appreciate any additional and positive suggestions and or directions. But, NO, I don't want to go anything larger!!!

Thanks.
 
Searageous said:
Im late to this conversation but I couldn't disagree more about the fluid test. I bought my 360 several years ago and it was in great shape, above and below deck. The surveyor found only minor issues as they always do but I decided to press on and send engine oil samples to the lab, I'm glad I did. The starboard engine had elevated levels of water in it that were beyond normal condensation (boat was in fresh water upstate so there was no sodium reading).

Turns out the manifolds, elbows and gaskets needed to be done, raw water was leaking into the engine. It wasn't a cheap job but the previous owner agreed to pay after test results. There really is no good reason not to do a $60 test in my opinion. Good luck!
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Where did you get your oil tested?
 
Timeflys said:
I’ll answer #1 with yes, Yanmar and Volvo…with ocean cruising, probably a good choice.
#4. Also yes.
Here’s a link to the spec sheet.

http://rnr-marine.com/images/Sea-Ray_360-Sundancer_2002_Spec-Sheet.PDF

Good luck.
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Thanks for the reply and spec sheet. I've pulled the Owner's Manual for both the 340 and 360 off of the SR website.

But even with those, it's difficult to understand if there are much in the way of "upgrades/enhancement/differences" from 2002 to 2006 (2005?).
 
Just For Fun said:
Thanks for the reply and spec sheet. I've pulled the Owner's Manual for both the 340 and 360 off of the SR website.

But even with those, it's difficult to understand if there are much in the way of "upgrades/enhancement/differences" from 2002 to 2006 (2005?).
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I can’t comment on the differences over the years since my 2006 is the only one I’ve been on. While the 360 does not have a separate shower, the “Beam Me Up Scotty” enclosure is a good compromise. Doing my research (probably on this site) I learned that the 360 was the smallest Sport Yacht built at the Merritt Island factory and it shares the upgraded electrical, plumbing and stainless as the larger boats built there.
The boat has served us well for the past 3 and 1/2 seasons!
 
Tripsdad said:
I can’t comment on the differences over the years since my 2006 is the only one I’ve been on. While the 360 does not have a separate shower, the “Beam Me Up Scotty” enclosure is a good compromise. Doing my research (probably on this site) I learned that the 360 was the smallest Sport Yacht built at the Merritt Island factory and it shares the upgraded electrical, plumbing and stainless as the larger boats built there.
The boat has served us well for the past 3 and 1/2 seasons!
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Tripsdad:

Interesting to know that the 360 was build with... the BIG BOY SPORT YACHATS!!! Do you know if all that model's production was: 2002 through 2006? That could be some important differences right there!

Thanks
 
Just For Fun said:
Tripsdad:

Interesting to know that the 360 was build with... the BIG BOY SPORT YACHATS!!! Do you know if all that model's production was: 2002 through 2006? That could be some important differences right there!

Thanks
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Tripsdad:

I forgot to ask: do you have an electronic version of the 2006 360? Sea Ray does not include that year in their on-line access to their archives.

Thanks
 
I believe the 360 was only built in Merritt Island but if the HIN starts with SERF it was built in Merritt Island.

I don’t have an electronic version of the 2006 360 but I think it would be identical to the 2005.
 
Tripsdad said:
I believe the 360 was only built in Merritt Island but if the HIN starts with SERF it was built in Merritt Island.

I don’t have an electronic version of the 2006 360 but I think it would be identical to the 2005.
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"HIN" Is like a serial number found on the stern of the boat?
 
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