Need help with which boat i should get

you're wrong - multiple 340s of that era LISTED in the 40s (including right at 40k) on yachtworld and boattrader and they all look seaworthy/in good condition for their age - its still a buyers market for sea rays and express cruisers in general (especially gas powered ones) also, does it really make a difference buying a 34' boat over a 40' boat as far as experience is concerned.....is the 34 going to be that much easier to handle?

Okay. I did just sell a 99 340 two months ago and spent a fair amount of time comparing listings within 1000 miles of my area. I think most CSR members would be deeply, deeply disappointed with the condition of a 340 of this vintage selling at that price. Either that or it’s a unicorn deal. I did a bit of of research when selling mine. Goood condition 340s are not selling in the 40’s, maybe salt water boats in the 50’s.
 
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Hey Guys,

I will be on the market for a new to me boat next year and i am really struggling with what size boat i should go with. I want to be able to spend the weekend on it with my wife and 2 kids plus a dog. We will be cruising around the thousand islands (Alex Bay NY) area. i do want to be comfortable and not cramped. im looking to spend $40k and would like to stay on this side of the year 2000.

Thanks for your help

Kids...slip...spend a weekend on it.

40k is a solid down payment on the boat you're desiring.
 
If both are gassers? I'd say yes. The 34 would be lot easier. The 40 is a lot of boat to maneuver with gassers. If the 40 is a diesel, I'd still say yes but in the other direction. In that case, the 40 would be much easier.

Am I mistaken?

Around the docks I really don't notice that much of a difference in handling between the 340 and 400 gasser. It's more when the boat is on the move. My 400 doesn't love to steer at much less than 6-6.5kts. When in traffic it can be hard to maintain that kind of speed. As such the low speed handling (lack thereof) becomes a bit more apparent. It makes me want some air horns :)
 
How far away will your boat be from the house?

If it's close you can store unwanted items at the house to free up more cabin space for more weekend type items.

Might mean you can look for a smaller boat to fit your needs.
 
My 320 is barely enough for me and my girlfriend. And that's without the dogs. Yes, our stuff fits, and there's plenty of sleeping space, but there's literally no place to move around if we're both trying to get dressed at the same time. So I'm going to be contrary to what most everyone else is saying and say that even a 340 won't be big enough for a family of four. By day it will be fine. But the minute all four of you are in the cabin, it will be way too small. You're constrained by your budget, which is probably the one thing out of your three requirements that is least adjustable. I agree with what others said about looking for an older boat. And I also agree with the post above that said a 40 foot is what you want. If you get a 340, you'll be buying a new boat in 2 years, maybe less. Of course, if your family falls in love with the water, you might be buying a new boat in 2 years anyway! Good luck!
I’ll provide a counter example, my family has spent the night multiple times on our 07 320, with the dog. 2 daughters, 18 and 22, and a 65 1b boxer. One kid in the back, one on the pullout, and the wife and I in the v-berth. The dog sleeps at the end of the pullout (normally). It’s a bit crowded, but we love it. I usually get up first in the morning, get ready, then get the hell out of there so they can get ready! My best advice, get on one and see how you like it. That being said, we are not big people, I’m somewhat tall, but skinny, the girls are petite/small. If you are 6’2”, 200, you might need a bigger boat.
 
Friends of ours were thinking about buying a boat and asked us if they could stay on our boat (the 330) at the marina for a weekend. They didn't want to drive around in it, just stay on it to see how the space worked out. So we let them stay, and came down to take them out for a day, then back to the marina and let them stay a second nightThey did not end up buying a boat.

Getting to my point though, maybe someone you know with a boat the size you are considering will let you spend the night on their boat?
 
So its looking like the 340 may be the answer. My kids are 10 and 7 so they could share a bed for a couple of years. Do they come with outdrives or inboards?
Both but they are hard to find with outdrives. While we were shopping we only found 1 with Bravo 3s and it was under contract. We were hoping the sale would fall through but no such luck. We found our 310 and fell in love with the layout. The big difference in the 2 is the v-berths and the slightly larger fridge in the 340. Other than that they are very similar. Both have lots of floor space for dogs.(2 80lb labs are a constant on ours) Good luck with your search!
 
So its looking like the 340 may be the answer. My kids are 10 and 7 so they could share a bed for a couple of years. Do they come with outdrives or inboards?
I’ve got two kids that are three years apart too. They’re 21 & 18 now.
When they were 10 & 7 they shared the V berth on our old 300 and my wife and I used the aft bunk but that ended for good when they were 12 & 9. My daughter made it clear that she would no longer share a bunk with her younger brother so it ended overnights as a family on that boat.
That boat had the drop down dinette that converted to a bunk but it was too short for them by the time they were that age.
I recommend that whatever boat you get you make sure there is a place for you and your wife to use and two separate sleeping spaces, one for each kid, that is big enough to accommodate them when they are fully grown.
They may be little people now, but at 10 & 7 they will be full sized before you know it.
 
I have a '97 330 DA. My family of 5 has survived on it thus far (although shes dry docked for this summer due to sports commitments). My kids were 9, 12 & 13 last summer. The 13 year old is 6' tall. We dropped the dinette for him & although his feet hang off slightly, he sleeps well there. I shared one bunk with my 12 year old son & my wife shared the other with my 9 year old daughter. We did weekends & one 9 day trip around long island last year but, it is definitely getting tight. Plus, I'm not sure how much longer the oldest will want to come out with us as everything seems to be about his friends & girls this year!
Good luck on the search!
 
This is why this is the best boating forum out there. You guys have given so much more to think about and it is all very much appreciated. The boat will be 2.5 hours away from our house. I will look at 330's and even the 310 as well. i was always afraid of the 2 foot-itis which made me think of the 340. I will see if i know anyone who has a 330/340 that will let us stay on it one night to get it a test run. As far as operating a larger boat, right out of college i ran a lobster boat on long island so i do have experience but im sure it will take a little time to come back to me.
 
The boat will be 2.5 hours away from our house.

I'm the same distance from my boat. This year I decided to rent a deck box to keep covers, hoses and cleaning stuff in so I'm not taking up valuable storage space on the 290. I'm surprised how much crap can be stored in one box. Factor in a box or two for your less needed items.
 
Hey Guys,

I will be on the market for a new to me boat next year and i am really struggling with what size boat i should go with. I want to be able to spend the weekend on it with my wife and 2 kids plus a dog. We will be cruising around the thousand islands (Alex Bay NY) area. i do want to be comfortable and not cramped. im looking to spend $40k and would like to stay on this side of the year 2000.

Thanks for your help
Unfortunately $40K won't buy you much. I would recommend at least a 340 DA, but even an older model is going to come with a lot of maintenance issues and costs in that price range. Best bet would be to use the $40K as a down payment Maybe get a loan and finance a newer more reliable model. Or, join a boat membership club to have access to boats when you want.

Good luck.
 
This is why this is the best boating forum out there. You guys have given so much more to think about and it is all very much appreciated. The boat will be 2.5 hours away from our house. I will look at 330's and even the 310 as well. i was always afraid of the 2 foot-itis which made me think of the 340. I will see if i know anyone who has a 330/340 that will let us stay on it one night to get it a test run. As far as operating a larger boat, right out of college i ran a lobster boat on long island so i do have experience but im sure it will take a little time to come back to me.
If you can handle a single engine lobsta’ boat around the dock you will have no trouble with a dual engine cruiser. Good luck with the search. Good time of the year to be shopping.
 
Unfortunately $40K won't buy you much. I would recommend at least a 340 DA, but even an older model is going to come with a lot of maintenance issues and costs in that price range. Best bet would be to use the $40K as a down payment Maybe get a loan and finance a newer more reliable model. Or, join a boat membership club to have access to boats when you want.

Good luck.

What is a boat membership club?
 
What is a boat membership club?
The club owns boats that you can reserve for the day. Typically, just day boats, but I have seen one or 2 clubs with 1 Cruiser. You pay monthly fixed price regardless of how often you use the boats (if I recall). I’m sure there is a limit to the number of days you can boat so that everyone has access/chance to take boat out.
 

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