340 SUNDANCER THREAD

OK, guys, its come down to this for me - I've decided that I'm either going to buy an 07 SR 340 w/ 8.1 Merc's or an 07 FW V358 w/ the Crusader 6.0's.

I need your input. The engine set-up on the 340 is tested and proven, HOWEVER, I just learned that Merc has decided to discontinue that platform. The V358 that I'm looking at has the Crusader platform - same horsepower, BUT, at a higher RPM = ?more engine wear?:huh:

Anyone have experience with the Crusader? What do you think about Merc discontinuing the 8.1's.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
 
I think you have done alot of homework about this boat purchase. Both of those boats are in my "would love to own" list. The new Four Winns are very nice. The 358 Vista is the same as the older 348 Vista..(I think) and you know from an earlier post that I think the 340DA w/8.1 Merc's is one of SR's finest. From what I have read on other sites (try www.Boatus.com) the Crusaders 6.0's are also highly rated. Good luck with either one. Of course you won't have the great support of CSR if you go ahead with the Four Winns :)
 
If Merc discontinues that platform, it has to be due to a very similar one coming out. I can't imagine going without a big block in their line-up, unless the diesel/zeus solution is imminent. I have the 340 w/ 8.1's, and it's a very comfortable combo with the V-drives. There is ample room to work on them, they have plenty of power for planing and cruising with the 340. The boat is truly awesome. I have no complaints.

If the replacement is diesel/zeus, that's awesome. My next boat will likely be a 40 - 42 with diesel and zeus, used. So, they better put it out now, get the bugs out, mass produce them, then allow a couple of years for depreciation to put it in my range. I can't wait! - Yes I can. My only real want with the 340 is diesel and a cockpit A/C.
 
WHen you say the 8.1S is being discontinued, please explain?? Sea Ray tried once to replace a big block with a small block ... the 454/7.4 low HP versions with the 6.2 and that flopped ...to the tune that they reintroduced the 8.1 in those applications where the 6.2 just wasn't enough (260DA).
Crusaders are in my opinion the best engineered and highest quality gas power packages you can find. Crusaders also has a very good customer service reputation. The 6.0 is a GM LS1 style truck engine.
 
I have Crusader 8.1's and you will not be disappointed. Great engines.
 
Whatever boat you decide to get, I'd always get a jenny, We have a 320 dancer wth 6.2's and Merc Bravo 3's, we Love it, We trailer it and we have a jenny. A jenny amkes the Boat, without it you go nowhere, because you cannot run anything without being atttaced to a very long cord................ Dude Get the Jenny.
 
boltman said:
Whatever boat you decide to get, I'd always get a jenny, We have a 320 dancer wth 6.2's and Merc Bravo 3's, we Love it, We trailer it and we have a jenny. A jenny amkes the Boat, without it you go nowhere, because you cannot run anything without being atttaced to a very long cord................ Dude Get the Jenny.
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A Jenny??? Dude, what are you doing with a donkey on your boat!! :lol::lol:
 
Marvin Gardens said:
I need your input. The engine set-up on the 340 is tested and proven, HOWEVER, I just learned that Merc has decided to discontinue that platform. The V358 that I'm looking at has the Crusader platform - same horsepower, BUT, at a higher RPM = ?more engine wear?:huh:
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No more engine wear results from the higher HP. While it is true the 8.1s make the higher HP at the upper RPMs, you don't need to run them at that speed to enjoy outstanding performance. The perfomance curves are the same for the 8.1 and the 8.1HO up to 3500-3600 or beyond. The standard Crusader 8.1 is rated at 385HP which is plenty for the 340. I push a 20,000 pound boat with a pair of them and it feels like a sports car. The 340 is much lighter and should fly.
 
sbw1 said:
No more engine wear results from the higher HP. While it is true the 8.1s make the higher HP at the upper RPMs, you don't need to run them at that speed to enjoy outstanding performance. The perfomance curves are the same for the 8.1 and the 8.1HO up to 3500-3600 or beyond. The standard Crusader 8.1 is rated at 385HP which is plenty for the 340. I push a 20,000 pound boat with a pair of them and it feels like a sports car. The 340 is much lighter and should fly.
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The one thing that makes the older 340DAs feel different is that they came with three blade props and the prop slip is noticeable. The new 340 has four blade props and feels much stronger, albeit not being it. Put a set of four bladers from a new 340DA on your old style 340 and WOW sicne the old style 340DA hull is more efficient ...!!!
 
Alex D said:
The one thing that makes the older 340DAs feel different is that they came with three blade props and the prop slip is noticeable. The new 340 has four blade props and feels much stronger, albeit not being it. Put a set of four bladers from a new 340DA on your old style 340 and WOW sicne the old style 340DA hull is more efficient ...!!!
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Have you done this? I have a 2000 340 with the 7.4's, three bladed props and would love to find a way to increase efficiency.
 
Alex D, gs65jgs,

A 4-blade prop sounds like an interesting and possibly beneficial upgrade. I sent an email to Sea Ray to find out if they had any recommendation. Here is their response:

Mr. Jenkinson, Your specific 2002 Sea Ray 340DA dry weight was approx. 13000 lbs and when the 2003 340SDA new model was introduced it weighed approx. 14600 lbs and did use the 4 blade prop that it continues to use. There was a slight tunnel change on the hull and intergraded swim platform done on the 03 model also. Sea Ray uses a 18 x 22 prop on the 03 and up models but never spec'd out any other model boat with a 4 blade prop since the Mid 90's and the Ski Ray model sport boats. You will need to get with a propeller shop and determine on what prop you have and what you want to do with a 4 blade and let them custom build a set of props for you .

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions for a good prop-shop?
 
I am still looking for props, but they are impossible to find used. Teh new 4-blade 340 props should fit since they have one inch less in diameter.
 
aprilfools63 said:
Alex D, gs65jgs,

A 4-blade prop sounds like an interesting and possibly beneficial upgrade. I sent an email to Sea Ray to find out if they had any recommendation. Here is their response:

Mr. Jenkinson, Your specific 2002 Sea Ray 340DA dry weight was approx. 13000 lbs and when the 2003 340SDA new model was introduced it weighed approx. 14600 lbs and did use the 4 blade prop that it continues to use. There was a slight tunnel change on the hull and intergraded swim platform done on the 03 model also. Sea Ray uses a 18 x 22 prop on the 03 and up models but never spec'd out any other model boat with a 4 blade prop since the Mid 90's and the Ski Ray model sport boats. You will need to get with a propeller shop and determine on what prop you have and what you want to do with a 4 blade and let them custom build a set of props for you .

Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions for a good prop-shop?
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http://www.murphyspropellers.com/
 
340 SUNDANCER - 6.2's or 7.4's

We are looking to move into a 340 - seems to be the right size for us right now. Have been looking at used ones and some have the 6.2's and others have the 7.4's - at least in the model years we've looked at (2000-2001). My "gut" is to go with the 7.4's (FWC at must), but just wondering about others' experiences with power options.
 
Windjammer.....we have 6.2s V Drives, raw water cooling & are very happy with preformance plus it saved us $20K over the 8.1s We're on an inland lake & rarely travel more than 10 miles in either direction from our marina & usually at econo cruise, 1600 rpm, 8 mph @ 5 gph. When needed we can run 28+ mph @ 4000 rpm burning 32 gph. I gather from others that the 8.1s with the four bladed props have more torque, good for manuvering at idle.
 
Windjammer - We have a 2000 340 with 7.4s and v-drive, fresh water cooling. We make frequent 1 1/2 hour runs, usually in the 3200-3400 rpm range (around 20 - 23 knots). Average fuel burn is 25 gph.
 
Bounty said:
No question that you need and want the generator. All the comments in this thread to that effect are right on the money.
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I see you are located in Huntington; I'm right down the street in NB. Can you tell me about the Corsair YC in Catalina? I am not familar with it. Thanks.
 
I used to be in NB and am now just up the coast in MDR. I go to Catalina all the time and am not familiar with the Corsair YC either. I know several yacht clubs have leases on the moorings in certain coves. Newport Harbor Yacht Club has this with Moonstone. To my knowledge the only yacht club on the island is in Avalon and is the Catalina Island Yacht Club.
 
Can someone tell me the canvas options on a 2000 340da? We are upgrading and want the bimini to extend all the way over the aft seat and have the back and side curtains as well. The boat we have has the back canvas that angles down.

Can you share cost of the above setup and where I can find it?
 
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