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Sailfish 320 CC (2016-)
2 x Verado 350 XL
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Brief Summary
When an avid offshore fisherman hears the name “Sailfish,” the thought of a well-built center console comes to mind. Its Variable Deadrise Stepped (VDS) hull and strong construction methods have given the manufacturer a reputation for building boats that can handle hard offshore runs and still come back home. That ability coupled with her many fishing and cruising amenities make the 320CC a strong offshore fishing platform and a boat that a family will appreciate.
Key Features
- VDS hull design
- VSR battery charging system
- 3 freshwater showers at the transom, leaning post and head
- Forward helm cooler seat
- Leaning post with flip-up bolsters with 35 gal. livewell
- Transom 30 gal. blue livewell with LED lighting
- Twin insulated 260 quart fishboxes in bow and one 320 quart in-floor in cockpit
- Top-mounted recessed console tackle organizer
- 4-step boarding Ladder with grab handle
- T-top with LED spreader lights/LED overhead lights and rod holders
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
500 | 5 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 2.08 | 1.81 | 533 | 463 | 73 |
1000 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 2.41 | 2.1 | 616 | 536 | 74 |
1500 | 8.6 | 7.5 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 1.82 | 536 | 466 | 73 |
2000 | 11.8 | 10.3 | 7.3 | 1.62 | 1.41 | 413 | 359 | 74 |
2500 | 15 | 13 | 9.5 | 1.58 | 1.37 | 404 | 351 | 75 |
3000 | 22.3 | 19.3 | 12.8 | 1.74 | 1.51 | 444 | 386 | 77 |
3500 | 32 | 27.8 | 18.3 | 1.75 | 1.52 | 447 | 389 | 81 |
4000 | 36.4 | 31.7 | 22.3 | 1.63 | 1.42 | 417 | 363 | 83 |
4500 | 42.2 | 36.7 | 27.9 | 1.51 | 1.32 | 387 | 336 | 84 |
5000 | 47.1 | 40.9 | 47.3 | 0.99 | 0.86 | 254 | 221 | 87 |
5500 | 54.4 | 47.3 | 61.3 | 0.89 | 0.77 | 227 | 197 | 89 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 31' 6'' / 9.60 m |
---|---|
Beam |
10' 0'' 3.05 m |
Dry Weight |
10,500 lbs. 4,763 kg |
Tested Weight |
12,440 lbs. 5,643 kg |
Draft |
22'' 55.88 cm |
Deadrise/Transom | 22-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance |
8' 10'' 2.69 m (max) |
Fuel Capacity |
284 gal. 1,075 L |
Water Capacity |
21 gal. 79 L |
Total Weight |
12,440 lbs. 5,643 kg |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 3.9 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 6.6 sec. |
Ratio | 1.75:1 |
Props | Enertia Eco 16x19 |
Load | 2 persons, 142/284 fuel, no water, 50 lbs. of gear |
Climate | 65 deg., 65 humid., Wind: 10-15 mph, Seas: 1-2 |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
2 x Verado 350 XL |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
2 x 250-hp Yamaha F250UCA digital 2 x 300-hp Yamaha F300UCA digital 2 x 250-hp Mercury Verado 250XXL digital 2 x 300-hp Mercury Verado 300XXL digital 2 x 350-hp Mercury Verado 350XXL |
Captain's Report
Learn More
Watch Our Video
Mission Statement
Sailfish developed the 320CC to be the manufacturer’s flagship offshore center console and she is a good example of the manufacturer’s “fishing focused and family-friendly” design concept. She’s been updated with a dash for easier access and to accommodate the current generation of large-screen electronics. For cruising, she has updated cushions and bolsters, a large step-in head, forward-facing removable backrests forward and a bow table.
Distinguishing Features
VDS Hull Design. Sailfish utilizes its VDS (Variable Deadrise Stepped) bottom design on all of its offshore center consoles. In Sailfish’s case, the term “step” refers to the steps that the variable deadrise takes as the bottom moves out from the keel to the chines rather than the traditional idea of a running surface that is stepped as it runs fore to aft.
With the 320CC, the deadrise varies from about 22-degrees at the chines to 24-degrees at the keel. We had the opportunity to get a feel for the boat in a variety of conditions. During long idles through no-wake zones, the flatter deadrise at the chines kept the boat from rolling or tipping. Test day brought 15 to 20-knot winds and accompanying chop and the deep bow entry and 24-degree V at the transom sliced through it with condescension.
Long Cure Times. All hulls are kept in the mold for four full days to ensure a proper cure, according to the builder.
Carbon-fiber Reinforced Deck, Kevlar-reinforced Hull. This adds strength and durability. Kevlar is the material used in bulletproof vests, and it is used in the keel and in the corners of the transom to reduce flex. Carbon fiber is used in deck stiffening.
Choice of Color. Sailfish offers the 320CC in six standard color choices. This lets an owner personalize his boat. Four special order colors are available for an up-charge and Sailfish will even add a two-tone color scheme.
Deck Surface. Rather than have diamond shapes molded into the hull to create a non-skid surface, Sailfish uses raised dots. This makes for a surface that’s easier to clean.
Power and Performance
Sailfish offers the boat with twin outboards from Mercury or Yamaha up to 700-hp total. We tested with a pair of 350-hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke supercharged outboards turning Enertia ECO 16” x 19” (40.6 cm x 48.3 cm) stainless-steel three-blade propellers through 1.75:1 reductions.
Speed. Our test boat had an estimated test weight of 12,440 lbs. (5,643 kg) and in the aforementioned conditions, we hit a top speed of 54.4 mph at 5500 rpm. We found best cruise at 3500 rpm where the boat ran 32 mph and burned 18.2 gph (68.9 lph), giving our test boat a range of 447 miles (719 km) with 10% of the boat’s 297-gallon (1,124 L) fuel capacity in reserve.
In acceleration tests, we planed in 3.9 seconds and ran to 20 mph in 4.4 seconds and to 30 mph in 6.6 seconds.
Smooth Moves. In maneuverability testing, the 320CC handled well. We put her through tight circles and she carved through them holding a tight arc and with the added lift of the turned-down chines, she stayed on plane throughout. When we ran a zigzag course behind the photo boat, she transitioned cleanly through the wakes and worked from port to starboard smoothly.
Features Inspection
Fishing Features
Sailfish boats are all about fishing and once the fish are aboard they’ll reside in the two 260-quart (246 L) insulated, self-draining fishboxes at the bow. Fill these with ice before the trip and the catch will stay cold for the whole day. A 320-quart (303 L) in-deck fishbox is located just behind the helm seat. It drains and has a vacuum pump.
Rod and Tackle Storage. Tackle storage is in the enclosed under-gunwale compartments to port and starboard. These are hinged at the bottom and open from the top for easy access. In between there are holders for two downrigger weights. Depending on the design and owner’s choice, there can be tackle drawers on the sides of the leaning post.
Easy Bait Access. The 30-gallon (114 L) livewell is fed from a high-speed pickup under the hull and we like that the baitwell is located up high, in the starboard quarter. This makes it easy for an angler to reach in without having to put down his gear, so baiting can be done on the fly.
Below-Deck Access. There are two hatches in the stern that open to provide access to pumps and other mechanical items, but if the optional folding bench seat is on the boat, it has to be removed first. Also in the aft port corner, there is a hatch bearing a “Seacock access” label, but when we opened the compartment, we could see the seacock, but our 5’8” (1.7 m) tall test captain couldn’t reach the accessory. This needs to be improved.
Bait Prep. The back of the leaning post has a second livewell on the right side. On the left is a sink with hot and cold water, a pull-out sprayer and a hinged cutting board lid. Outboard of the sink are tool and hook holders. We’d like to see rails running along the seatbacks or across the back of the rigging station; it would allow this area to be used while in a seaway.
Laid Out to Fish. The 320CC has rod holders properly positioned in the side decks and four across the transom in good trolling positions. Padded bolsters wrap around the cockpit, allowing for comfortably working a fish from nearly any position, short of the starboard side door. Wide caprails are covered in non-skid, making for convenient boarding where desired.
Storage. When it comes to storage, the 320CC has plenty of it. An anchor locker is located fully forward and just aft is a large storage compartment under the bow casting deck. Farther back is in-deck storage. When the family is aboard the three fishboxes can easily swallow a load of gear. There’s additional storage in the head compartment. Storage that can be used for fishboxes have insulation on the hatches. Just ahead of the console, the seat has a standard Yeti cooler underneath and there’s storage under the footrest at the helm.
Family Features. While guys will flock to the 320CC for her fishing pedigree, it’s a rare man indeed who can own a boat and not include the family in the good times. His wife and kids will appreciate the amenities on board. It starts with the large step down head that will let passengers answer nature and serve as a changing room for getting into and out of swimsuits.
Enhanced Comfort. Families will also appreciate the new cushions and bolsters and the V-shaped lounge in the bow that has removable backrests. A side mount pedestal table turns the bow into an inviting snack and cocktail area. Filler cushions turn the bow into a sun pad. Aft at the stern, the flip-down bench seat provides space for three more people to sit.
Operational Features
The Helm. Sailfish designs the 320CC’s helm with what the manufacturer calls Intelligent Ergonomics and the approach is to provide the captain with clear sightlines of instruments and comfortable placement of the controls. For example, the binnacle shifts and throttles were on an angled pad that made them quite comfortable to use. Also, the trim tab switches were just ahead so the driver can reach them with the throttles advanced, meaning he’s always got one hand on the wheel.
The 320CC’s helm provides good visibility over the console. The new larger panel will accommodate today’s bigger flush mounted electronics. Digital engine gauges are positioned in the center of the panel. With Yamaha installations, the Command Link Plus color display is offered. With Mercury, opt for the 7” (17.78 cm) Vessel View panel.
A compass gets a recessed spot directly in front of the operator, a correct location. Accessory switches are in a row across the top of the dash protected by an extended eyebrow. An optional stereo would mount to the side of the switch panel and a separate remote can be installed at the stern.
Helm Storage. One welcome feature on Sailfish boats is the storage compartment on the top of the console. Beneath the hinged acrylic hatch there is compartmentalized storage that’s convenient for a multitude of accessories. This allows connectivity while delicate components remain protected from the elements. Even if water does manage to find this compartment, the edges are channeled to resist water intrusion.
In Control. Seating at the helm consists of a pair of individual seats with flip-up armrests and bolsters and flip-down footrests. The bolsters make the 320CC comfortable to operate from the seated or standing position. Supports for the T-top include lengthy grab rails to both sides of the console. The wheel is mounted to a tilt base and the engine controls are a comfortable reach to the right. There are two drink holders and a grab handle ahead of the starboard seat.
New T-top. Overhead, our test boat had a curved T-top. This is a full fiberglass version with mounts for the radar antennae, spots and outriggers. Available options for the hardtop include spreader lights, outriggers, docking lights, rod holders, and a misting system.
Systems Access. The deck is self-draining with four 2” (5.08 cm) diameter drains located at the rear of the cockpit, accessed from a pair of collector boxes. They channel water directly overboard and are covered with hinged grates for easy cleanout. To the rear of the cockpit deck, a hatch allows access to all the thru-hull fittings, a pair of 2,000-gph (7,570-lph) bilge pumps (a third 1,110-gph pump (4,164-lph) is forward), livewell pumps and other mechanical gear.
Smooth Surfaces. All stainless steel deck hardware is flush-mounted to eliminate snags. This includes the pull-up docking cleats, two fender cleats and recessed rails. Throughout the boat, we saw easy-to-use lift and lock latches, rather than the turn and lock types that no one ever turns the correct way to latch and then the hatches start flying open once the boat picks up speed.
Options to Consider
- • Built-in battery charger
- • Yamaha Command Link Plus or Mercury Vessel View 7” Command Center
- • AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth and satellite and four speakers
- • Transom remote for stereo
- • Freshwater marine head with holding tank, pump-out and overboard discharge
- • 58” (147 cm) aft folding seat
- • Bow cushion bottoms
- • Forward facing bow backrests
- • Captain’s chairs with 35-gallon (132 L) livewell, footrest and two storage drawers
- • Captain’s chairs with footrest and two built-in tackle stations
- • Captain’s chairs entertainment center with Corian countertop, ss drawers and refrigerator
- • Power assist steering (standard on Mercury outboard packages and on Yamaha 300s.)
- • Windlass with ss polished bow roller, ss scuff plate and polished anchor with chain and rode
- • Removable bow table
- • White or black powder coating
- • Deluxe hardtop with LED spreader light, LED overhead lights and rod holders
Observations
We think that the Sailfish 320CC provides virtually all the functionality that offshore anglers desire. She is also priced to offer good value for her size and weight.