Help can’t choose 300da vs 310da

LIbayrat

Member
Sep 1, 2018
55
Massapequa
Boat Info
2003 420 Sundancer
12” raymarine with quantum radar
Engines
Cummins 450 6cta
this will be my first sea ray. I am currently trying to choose between an 03 300 with raw water 5.0 mpi and bravo 3 drives, or an 02 310 5.7 horizon and v-drive. I’m in salt water here in NY. Cost about same, both cherry interior. 300 has 400hrs and 310 has factory replaced 5.7 horizons with 65hrs. Love both. Comments???
 
v drives in salt, unless it’s dry stacked you don’t want the corrosion headache and maintenance of the b3 in that environment. The horizons should be closed cooling as well. The 310 is a great boat
 
i have an '05 300 and love it.....but, the 310 is the size of an '03 and up 320 so its a bigger boat and v drives will be FAR less maintenance - the 310 will cruise at slower speeds, take longer to get on plane and burn quite a bit more fuel.....on the other hand, it will be far more efficient at hull speed than the I/O boat.......one "quirk" the 300 has is it does not like to plane at less than 24mph - the sweet spot is 3800rpm at 30mph so efficincy really takes a dump if you have to slow down into the teens for fowl weather. ive thought about the hill marine 4x4 props or drop fins on the tabs to attempt to correct this - fact is, I guess it doesnt bother me that much as ive hat the boat everywhere from buzzards bay to crossing the gulf stream to the bahamas....bottom line, if you can stand the slower cruise speed and greater fuel burn consider the 310 - I would not trade my '05 300 for an '05 320 though. It comes down to whats important to YOU.
 
The 310 is a much larger boat and you get much more room down below. The 320DA replaced the 310. The only downside and it is a small one is the 310DA never had a cockpit fridge. The boat sold well in it’s day so parts are available. As everyone has stated inboards in salt are a must.
 
I wouldn't even think about that one - 310. When I bought my 290da, I also looked at the 310, wife liked the way the mid cabin on the 290 was closed off vs just the curtain and thought we would use the V-birth table vs the fixed bed more. My gut told be to get the 310 with vdrives - I didn't. I liked the 290 (which became the 300) it had BIII's and was smooth quiet and fast - however the outdrives were a lot of maintenance, I had the early BIII's and they were replaced under warranty due to corrosion. I also spent my life on that boat setting up the v-birth and taking it down! We enjoyed the 290 and I really liked the performance, but always regretted not buying the 310.

Now, if the budget allows, the 340 of that era is (I think) one of the best boats SeaRay made.
 
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I wouldn't even think about that one - 310. When I bought my 290da, I also looked at the 310, wife liked the way the mid cabin on the 290 was closed off vs just the curtain and thought we would use the V-birth table vs the fixed bed more. My gut told be to get the 310 with vdrives - I didn't. I liked the 290 (which became the 300) it had BIII's and was smooth quiet and fast - however the outdrives were a lot of maintenance, I had the early BIII's and they were replaced under warranty due to corrosion. I also spent my life on that boat setting up the v-birth and taking it down! We enjoyed the 290 and I really liked the performance, but always regretted not buying the 310.

Now, if the budget allows, the 340 of that era is (I think) one of the best boats SeaRay made.

The 340 is a very nice step up if it is in your budget now as it will be only a short time before you really want it. Buy the next boat now if you can.

MM
 
My wife and I both wasn't crazy about the cabin layout in the 300 Da. with the cabin steps on the side making galley harder to use.Plus our 2000 310 mid cabin is open to the rest of the cabin and not closed off. Plus when we looked at a 300 Da. I got that wrinkled up nose look from my wife so that was the end of the 300.The extra foot in width make a big difference.
 
I own a 320 and used to be dock neighbors with a 300. The size difference is significant. The 300 is a bit more modern on the design. Both are great looking boats. I assume the 310 had the exhaust modification done on it. Search on it and I am sure you will find info on it. To me V drives are just a better boating experience for a number of reasons. If you have a thick wallet and like speed then outdrives are a great choice.
 
310 with inboards all the way.
Less Maintenance and Fresh water cooling.
4th season with mine and very happy with it.
Sure its slower than I/O's but it handles like a dream around the docks.
As stated above Sea Ray went to the water lift exhaust on the 2000-2002 310's so you're fine with that.
 
The 310 is a much larger boat and you get much more room down below. The 320DA replaced the 310. The only downside and it is a small one is the 310DA never had a cockpit fridge. The boat sold well in it’s day so parts are available. As everyone has stated inboards in salt are a must.
My 07 has a cockpit fridge.
 
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Agree with avoiding I/Os. They are expensive to maintain. Having said that, be sure to do thorough research into water intrusion through the exhaust system on the other boat. If it does not have water lift mufflers, be particularly alert to the issue. Any susceptibility to intrusion would be a deal breaker if it were me doing the shopping.
 
Did you happen to look at the year boat he was looking at LOL btw my dealer advertised your boat as a 310/330...
I did in fact. I was just stating that my 310 did in fact have a cockpit fridge.
My boat is 33' loa, so that may be why they advertised it like that.
 
I've looked at both and they're two very different boats. My call is the 310 for all the above reasons. I know an owner with the 310 Vee drive boat who upgraded to four blade props and it improved speed and economy significantly. Good luck either way they're both great boats!
 

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