Cost between 330 versus 320

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94ray

New Member
Jun 9, 2019
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Boat Info
94 searay 200 signatures
96 bayliner 2855 Ciera
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Boatless
Hello new to this thread not new to boating had searay 200 signature series & a bayliner 2855. Took a break for a couple years looking to come back and I'm wondering why these two boats that I'm considering.

Why do the 1999 sea ray 330 sundancer cost as much as a or with in $10,000 ish Close to the 2003 sea ray 320 sundancer?

Looking forward to hearing live or your opinions on what

Thank You
 
320 is a generation newer as far as styling goes......what power does each one have? maintenance records? salt vs fresh use? IIRC a 330 was available with big blocks and inboards, that would be the boat to get....
 
1999 was a transition year from the 330 to the 340. As to the costs, it's something I'll never understand. I think most boats are listed way over their real value. But I could be wrong since there is no way for us common folks to access sales data.
 
I have not picked one yet I like the 330 with the big block V-drive. Because I know that boat with that engine set up has a great reputation. Don't know much about the 320s. But I do know I want with a 6.2 L V-Drive also the main reason I like this boat is it is newer with newer technology but also newer technology can be scary. And the reason I want bigger engines on this go around with my next boat my other two boats were under powered the Bayliner was damn near impossible to get on plane.
 
320 will be lazy compared to the 330 with big blocks - also the 320 uses ecm's and keypads that sometimes fail.....part of the price for newer technology - based on your past experience, I would opt for big blocks in a boat of this size
 
If both boats are equal in condition I would go for the bigger boat with more power.
I’ve rarely heard a boater complain that their boat is too big or had too much power.
 
What JVM225 said. The bigger boat will ride better in a heavy chop, be more comfortable when you have several people on board, etc. I had two 330's and loved both of 'em.
 
I have a 97 330. That boat was made from 1995 to 1999. Mid 1999 they changed it to a 1999 340 and that model ran to 2002. The hull was exactly the same. What changed was the cockpit layout (higher arch, different seat layout) and the interior went to an in-line berth vs angled earlier. The front deck also changed from a bow pulpit to just an anchor roller. They are all great boats. The hull is a 17 degree vs 21 on later models. So it runs a bit faster for the same power, but maybe a bit rougher in heavy seas.

The 2003 320 is a similar sized boat, despite the implied 2 ft difference. It has a21 degree deadrise. So will be slower even with the outdrives vs vdrives in a big block 330.
 
If you're taller than 5'10 +/- you should walk through a 340. It'll be hard for you to go back to a 330 once you've seen how impactful that extra height can be.
 
Ohh and on price - good luck! :)

When I've done my shopping in the past I would go to boattrader and use a wide radius of listings to create an average list price. Generally you can throw out the top few listings as they don't really want to sell their boats and the bottom few listings as they are likely wet, not maintained, junk. Right there in the middle. That's can be a pretty good indicator of market value.

I'm not sure if this was mentioned above but also pay attention to salt water vs fresh water. It can have quite an impact on resale value as well...
 
Hi I would read the 320 thread and get the flavor of the boat ! That’s
what I did , this prompted me to go with the330/340 I have several
340,s and was never disappointed.
I read every post in that forum , Don’t buy a boat that you will be
saying I Wish that I should have? Sorry don’t mean to afend any one
I love my SEA RAY .
 
For me it came down to personal preference and usability. Buy what you like and fits your needs. I'm 6'x3" so the diagonal berth in the 330 was a deal killer. Preferred the newer styling also. Loved the 340 roominess and big blocks but the cockpit seating didn't fit my needs. The 320 has been a great boat for me. Perfectly happy. Touch and feel all the styles and vintages and a favorite will emerge. All are great choices. Many things factor into price. Good broker and surveyor will help with that. A boats worth what your willing to pay.
 
Based on what Creekwood taught me I started looking at the sea ray 340 2001-2002. I also like the big blocks I tend to like older boats less technology easier to work on and less to break at least that’s my thoughts.
 
94ray said:
Based on what Creekwood taught me I started looking at the sea ray 340 2001-2002. I also like the big blocks I tend to like older boats less technology easier to work on and less to break at least that’s my thoughts.
Click to expand...

340's started in 99. There's really no reason to exclude 99-2000 from your search. The only difference I'm aware of may be the change from 7.4's to 8.1's as the optional bigger motor.

With regards to less stuff to break....it's still going to be a 20 +/- year old boat! There will always be something needing your attention....
 
When I was shopping for a boat to replace our 94 330 last spring I was convinced I would get a 320DA in the same vintage you're discussing. When I got on them, they felt too much smaller for me. Given the hull dimensions, I was very surprised how much smaller it felt than our 330. I looked at the 99-02 340's and was hooked. We bought a 99 340DA with 7.4 horizon engines and couldn't be happier. Where we boat, this is about as big as I can go and still get in the specific marinas on the Lake Erie Islands I want to be in. It's usually just two of us and the boat fits us very well, yet provides a private area for guests. The island berth (nobody has to climb over someone else to use the head!), cherry cabinetry and higher arch were a big deal for me.
 
Jeff42899 said:
When I was shopping for a boat to replace our 94 330 last spring I was convinced I would get a 320DA in the same vintage you're discussing. When I got on them, they felt too much smaller for me. Given the hull dimensions, I was very surprised how much smaller it felt than our 330. I looked at the 99-02 340's and was hooked. We bought a 99 340DA with 7.4 horizon engines and couldn't be happier. Where we boat, this is about as big as I can go and still get in the specific marinas on the Lake Erie Islands I want to be in. It's usually just two of us and the boat fits us very well, yet provides a private area for guests. The island berth (nobody has to climb over someone else to use the head!), cherry cabinetry and higher arch were a big deal for me.
Click to expand...
I did not realize the 99 also had the cherry cabinets that is a big deal to me also.However Do the 8.1 L put out more horsepower and what is the reliability of those versus the 7.4 ?
 
Little Ducky said:
Are the boats in question on the internet somewhere.


I wouldn't mind seeing the difference between the two.
Click to expand...
No because I’m changing what boat’s I was considering at first because what (Creekwood) taught me. I am back to the drawing bored. Because I plan on this being the last boat that I buy so I want to make sure I get it right
 
94ray said:
I did not realize the 99 also had the cherry cabinets that is a big deal to me also.However Do the 8.1 L put out more horsepower and what is the reliability of those versus the 7.4 ?
Click to expand...

The 7.4 Horizons are rated at 380HP, the 8.1s are 370HP, HOWEVER, the 7.4s get their peak power high up in the RPM range and the 8.1s have a much better and higher torque band, cruise a little faster and "bite" better around the dock. I'm happy with the 7.4s I have but would prefer 8.1s. I've run this hull with 6.2s as well and I would advise you stay away from those. The 7.4s also had a water ingestion issue early on that was resolved with the 8.1s and a water lift muffler system.
 
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