360 Sundancer Advice

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Dani-Lu

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Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
RO Number
19601
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818
I currently own a 2000 310 sundancer with Inboards. I want to move up to the 2002 or newer 360 Dancer, due to the larger V berth with pocket door, and couch layout, versus my 310 dinnette setup. I would appreciate feedback on this 360 model. Any bad year models? Does AC cool off entire cabin? Any issues with boat? Any raving reviews. I really like my 310, but just want a bigger boat. Is V-Berth large enough for two adults. When couch is pulled out as bed, is it comfortable? Any bad year models?

Thanks,

Jeff
 
I also posted this on LICC.
We went from the 310 dancer (01-also inboards) to the 360 sundancer and absolutley love the boat. Ours is an 05. it had the 3 things we were looking for (Island Bed, Freezer and stall shower - love the "cone of silence" in the bathroom). The boat runs like a dream and can handle all we have thrown at it. the engine room is a little tight but nothing that can't be handled. Lots of extra room. We have had 5 sleeping overnight without any problem. Wife and I love the island bed. lots more room than the bed on the 01. The boat handles well in tight quarters.
 
Joe..... OK I'll ask.....What is the " cone of silence " ??
 
You must be too young to remember Get Smart. WHenever he wanted to talk to the chief, they lowered this plastic cover called the Cone of Silence. The shower stall on our boat is a clear wall which closes in around you. hence, the cone of silence.
 
Joe,

Appreciate the reply. I remember the Cone of silence and the shoe phone too. Your answer is exactly what we are looking for. You say the engine room is tight, but compared to the 310, the engine room is a lot roomier. The things I like about the 310, is the AC seems to cool off the cabin very well, even when 90 outside. And the Geni is very quiet, barely knowit is running. Do you find the 360 AC and geni to be as good? Also, the boat looked at had the blue hull. Real pretty, but I heard it is much more difficult to keep looking good, than a lighter color hull. What color hull do you have.
 
I find the AC works well. My cabin stays nice and cool. When I run the genny, it is barely noticable. I am sure it has to do with the insulation and placement. THe engine room is better than the 310 I agree. By comparison there is a lot more room. just hard to get to the back. Changing oil is very easy and batteries are very readily accessible. We have a white hull. I too hear that the blue is hard to keep clean. what year are you looking at?
 
Dani-Lu

I have a 2004 360, and it's a great boat. I like everything the above posts mentioned. I added a cockpit tv to make the area more hospital when spending time al-fresco.
I also added a fastback rear canvas to give added comfort. We moved up from a 320 and really liked the difference. I also have the 8.1's.

We run a lot out on lake Michigan and (IMHO) the 36's hull takes to the rough water much better than a 36 footer should.

The A/C works perfectly, cools and heats as it should, on hot days I leave the door open and add a fan to blow cooler air into the cockpit, its not as good as bridge air but it does provide some relief.

One thing you would like in the move up is the standard sound shield for the generator. If you don't have a shield around yours, wait until you fire up the 360's.

I do all of my own service and I find I can get to all of the service points in the engine room, and I am not a small guy. I was able to get to the rear to add the ballast for the DeepSea Lights, the transom lights and the additional cable hook up. The generator is accessable as are the filters on the engines.

I have the blue hull, no worries, keep your fenders clean and in a clean 'sock' and you are good to go, I make sure I get a real good coat of wax on in the spring and just wash and dry like I would any other hull. I've got a picture of mine underway if you would like to see it.

The dash makes it easy to get to all of the gauges and displays, if the one you buy is new enough you will get color radar/chart (open array), tri-data, auto pilot, and the smart craft. This will give you a great navigational set up. I've had the props scanned and tweaked, and she runs like a scared cat.

I hope this gives you what you need to make your decison.

Alas I must confess as much as we like the 360 it is time to move up, I've got a thing for a 42 with diesels, but as I told my dealer, if we are unable to come to terms I am perfectly happy with the 360. I'd expect you would have to pay somewhere between 160,00 and 200,00 depending upon years. Your 310 should be a desirable trade in.

You should be able to get a pretty good deal on a used 360. Buy one from a good dealer and its not a problem to transport it to your home port. You would just have to take down the radar scanner.
Heck I'd see what the dealer could do to get you mine.

PS we call it a 'Beam me up Scotty shower'.

Jim Conroy
2004 360 DA
 
Jim,

Appreciate the repy! It really helps to hear such positive comments about my "next" boat.
It would be great to see pictures and more detiails on your boat. Feel free to email me at jeffkilly**optonline.net.
 
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