Mid 2000's Sea Ray 320 Ride

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Boaterdan278michigan

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Looking into purchasing a used 320 Sea Ray DA. I like the layout and we've found one in good condition. This particular boat is a V drive, as most are. I'm trying to get opinions on ride quality. I watched a few videos and it looks like they ride with the stern very high. Two videos the operator could not see over the bow. I don't know speed or tab position. I've gotten good advice from this group, hopefully someone will share an opinion. TIA
 
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mr 88

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Pretty sure with the V drive , all your weight( engines ) is in the stern . A straight inboard will have engines more midship . So in your case the boat will be stern heavy and bow light . Trim tabs , which are on that boat , will trim the bow down . So we don't know in the video you watched how the tabs were adjusted . Ride quality is subjective, all 32' boats generally ride the rough stuff , up to a point , with no problems.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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I've driven a 26 and a 34 and been on several others. My experience prior was max 21 runabout so to me yes the bow rode high (you said stern hoping typo) but after I bought a diff brand 34 and spent more time on other boats in that class yes but very doable and since it sucks gas no matter what the trim tabs keeping the bow down more than normal while you get used to it is fine.
 
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Boaterdan278michigan

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redneck joe said:
I've driven a 26 and a 34 and been on several others. My experience prior was max 21 runabout so to me yes the bow rode high (you said stern hoping typo) but after I bought a diff brand 34 and spent more time on other boats in that class yes but very doable and since it sucks gas no matter what the trim tabs keeping the bow down more than normal while you get used to it is fine.
redneck joe said:
I've driven a 26 and a 34 and been on several others. My experience prior was max 21 runabout so to me yes the bow rode high (you said stern hoping typo) but after I bought a diff brand 34 and spent more time on other boats in that class yes but very doable and since it sucks gas no matter what the trim tabs keeping the bow down more than normal while you get used to it is fine.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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Boaterdan278michigan

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Well darn, I did mistype, and no edit feature. Thank you for understanding and commenting. Interesting point on tabs, apparently full tabs doesn't dramatically affect fuel consumption. I've had same boat with outdrives for 25 years. I could trim the drive up a bit and then apply tabs to level boat and ride smoothly. If seas were bad I could tuck my drives under and apply full tabs. This would smooth ride but really suck down fuel.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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Ah if you've had same boat you'll be fine.

Edit is only available for an hour. If truly critical a mod can change otherwise we all do it, me more than most.
 
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mr 88

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Boaterdan278michigan said:
Well darn, I did mistype, and no edit feature. Thank you for understanding and commenting. Interesting point on tabs, apparently full tabs doesn't dramatically affect fuel consumption. I've had same boat with outdrives for 25 years. I could trim the drive up a bit and then apply tabs to level boat and ride smoothly. If seas were bad I could tuck my drives under and apply full tabs. This would smooth ride but really suck down fuel.
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Your in the 1 mpg club ,not to be confused with the mile high club , regardless of tab position. Stuffing the bow in rough water may actually improve your "fuel milage ", by fractions on the dollar at the pump . It's something you don't dwell on when you're in the " club " .
 
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Donald0039

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mr 88 said:
Your in the 1 mpg club ,not to be confused with the mile high club , regardless of tab position. Stuffing the bow in rough water may actually improve your "fuel milage ", by fractions on the dollar at the pump . It's something you don't dwell on when you're in the " club " .
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It's all relative for fuel mileage. I think the Queen Mary got 16 feet to the gallon. There are a lot of feet between NY and London. Gas gauge was in "tons". The question was we are in port for nn hours. How big a hose to we need to transfer all the required fuel in nn hours?
 
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Boaterdan278michigan

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One of the 348 Four Winns sold and the other is very rough. I am only going to buy a fresh water boat, so that limits the choices. I'm still considering different boats and if I found a clean 348 Vista, in my price range, I'd buy it.
I suppose my posts seem all over the map, but that's kinda what buying a used boat is all about.
 
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