Looking at a 2006 320

[Alex F]

well i can't say I've had 3 couples and 5 kids out with 4' chops.
But probably 2 couples and 6 kids...maybe without the chops..
It picks up well and fast and gets on plane easily; maybe my rpms are up a bit. i probably saved 20k at the outset when I bought in 2007, compared to similar models with the hours. someday i'll trade but no immediate plans and probably not for years. would I have rather bought a larger package at the same price? Would it have been worth 20k? I don't know-- I looked around at all models and makes and found this one just waiting for me..

Sounds pretty good if you're happy with overall performance. Like I had mentioned, I would expect BIIIs compensate for the smaller engines with less HP. As with anything every boat owner has different needs and preferences. A lot is determined by type of waters the boat is used in. I'm pretty sure that you would realy have hard time selling 320 with 5.0/BIIIs in FL where salt water is all over. I would think that it's just safer to get a boat with most common configuration, b/c it'll cover most aspects like performance, maintenance and re-sale value.

BTW, can you tell us your normal cruising numbers and fuel consumption. Fro example, I cruise in a range of 3600-3700RPMs @25-26MPH, fuel .8-.9MPG.

I wander if the numbers are any different with 5.0/B3s.

 

[daddyox]

Somewhere around here I have the actual "test" numbers. Its a bit less consumption if I recall; but its negligible. .9 to 1.1 at 23-25 mph would be about right.

 

[Ziggy87]

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I will let everyone know how this progresses. If all goes well, we will be trading in our 2006 Chap Sig 276 for a larger, easier to overnight on boat. Now Regal has re-entered the picture. The 320 seems to have all we need for a night or 2 each weekend on the water/beach.

Thanks again!

 

[daddyox]

Good luck with your decision. I went from a 268 four winns vista to the 320-- oooh what a change. Much more debt; but with 3 kids we needed the space-- in fact we could use a 40 footer. But this works great!