Calling all 360 DA owners

[farrbar]

Thanks for the link. Really hoping for a white hull. I've seen a lot of blue hull 340s and 380s in Chicago. They are starting to chalk/fade. While I take good care of my boat (excellent on the mechanicals) I'm not the type that is constantly washing/waxing/buffing. White hides so many sins.

Much like Model Ts should be black - boats should be white!

(I should add that I still need to physically see a 360 to make sure I like the size/layout/ergonomics!)

[scottyjacks]

Can someone confirm where the 2004 360DA was built - I think I saw someone suggest it was Merritt Island where the bigger boats are built? Does this play into the overall "quality" of the build?

[my3sons]

Correct, they're built in Merrit Island. The factory location comes into play on the larger boats when people are wondering if they have a cored hull. The sport yachts with cored hulls are built at the palm coast facility, the solid bottom boats are built at Merrit.
No matter where they are built, we like to believe,(and I do believe) we are getting the best quality and craftsmanship for the dollar spent in boating.
Take care

[farrbar]

I printed out all the brochures from Sea Ray for the 02-06 360s. Not much changed other than some electronics. SmartCraft standard in 2003 being the biggest change. Is this system worth looking for an 03+ and paying a bit more?

I also noticed a bow thruster (which I don't need) was optional in 03 and in 05 there were optional gas engines - 8.1S HOs (which I might be interested in). The HOs bump up from the standard engine's 370 hp / 276 kw to 420 hp / 313 kw. Anybody have these upgraded engines? Is there a prop change also? Realizing I'm looking for a needle in haystack just trying to find a 360 I'm probably not going to have the choice between the standard vs. optional engines. I'd really love diesels too.....

I'd like auto-pilot - which is optional. Would most dealers have ordered it with that option or is that a rare one?

[my3sons]

I have mixed feelings about smartcraft. It's a nice feature, but along with all the electronics and sensors and connections that come with it also comes some grief in the way of false warnings and alarms, usually caused by bad connections. I have learned to unplug the connections and clean contacts and have had no problems for last couple of years. Some of the '02 owners had smartcraft compatable boats and opted to add it, so they feel it is worth it. On the whole, I like the smartcraft.
Auto pilot is optional, and I would say most of the 360's have it, unless it was ordered for inland lakes, then probably not. I use auto pilot all the time, and would not own another boat without it.
Take care

[archangel73]

Has anyone replaced the old Clarion helm remote? I just purchased a newer helm remote that will work with the Clarion CMD6 head unit and enlarged the hole on the dash. The issue is running the cable down to the stereo unit. Sea Ray did an excellent job ensuring everything is very secure, and I can't see an easy way in routing the new cable without drilling a new hole on the starboard side behind the driver's speaker to get the cable down to head unit.

Anyone have suggestions or pictures they can share how they did this?

[Georgia SeaDawg]

Hopefully I will be a new member of the 360 club. I made an offer for a 360 and am having her surveyed tomorrow. If all goes well she should be mine in a week or so.

[my3sons]

Good luck Chris.
If all goes well, looking forward to seeing some pics.

[Bottom Line]

Hopefully I will be a new member of the 360 club. I made an offer for a 360 and am having her surveyed tomorrow. If all goes well she should be mine in a week or so.

Good luck..hope all goes well. Is the 360DA local to you?

[Georgia SeaDawg]

Thanks. Yes, the boat is local. The survey went well. Just some minor cosmetic issues. Hopefully, we should close in the next 10 days. I am still amazed at how much room there is on this boat.