Considering a newer 340 Sundancer

340DA

Member
Jul 21, 2008
365
LI Sound
Boat Info
2000 Sundancer Sport Cruiser
Engines
454 Mercruiser w/Bravo III Drives
I’d like some guidance from my fellow club members.

I currently have a 2000 340 Sundancer,which we absolutely love, but the boat is getting old, it’s beginning to cost me money in terms of replacing parts and upkeep.
So I am considering trading up to a newer Sundancer, maybe a 2007 or 2008? Why am I looking at those years? Because they’re more in my budget.

Does anyone have any suggestions or guidance or advice about those years for 340 Sundancer’s? I’m not opposed to other years but those two seem to be within my price range.

Thanks for any help.
 
03.5 thru 08 are the best ones in my opinion.
Slightly larger than yours. Great looks and performance.
 
Love our 340, but yeah ..what Carter said. We will eventually move up from the 340 for those very reasons. But other than that, it's a great boat and perfect for our little family.
 
They say 2004 are not the best nor are the last, late 07/08 that is the guidance my surveyor gave me. But everyone knows the definition of an opinion.... just saying.
 
We love our 340sda. There's not much difference between the 2003.5 and 2008. We have a 2004 and in 2005 Merc switched to the new CoolFuel3 that had a lot of problems. Not sure what year but they also switched over from duel controls to the DTS setup.

There was only a few major decisions. 1) v-drives vs dual bravo 3s and 2) standard cockpit layout vs the sport fish layout that had dual entries and a bait stations.

All in all they are a great boat and with 12ft beam not hard to find docking for. It also has a very sporty feel.

Drawbacks are not having and enclosed stateroom (only the curtains) and a shower head combo. If your good with those it's just about perfect.

-Kevin
 
That's a lot of cabbage to invest in a marginally larger/newer boat. You'll end up with a similar layout, though a bit more roomy, and overall similar features to your 2000.

I don't know what your budget is but if you're in love with this size range perhaps start looking at 2008/2009 350's. At least you could step into a hardtop with the 350. This would be a huge improvement (in my opinion). I think they also have a separate shower stall. Same size hull as the 340 (I believe) but a slightly different set of features. Just a thought.

I'd also caution you on thinking moving to a mid/late-2000's boat will reduce your maintenance expense. It could turn out to be just the opposite. The newer engine/drive packages may have more bells and whistles, more sensors, fly-by-wire, etc. and so on.
 
That's a lot of cabbage to invest in a marginally larger/newer boat. You'll end up with a similar layout, though a bit more roomy, and overall similar features to your 2000.

I don't know what your budget is but if you're in love with this size range perhaps start looking at 2008/2009 350's. At least you could step into a hardtop with the 350. This would be a huge improvement (in my opinion). I think they also have a separate shower stall. Same size hull as the 340 (I believe) but a slightly different set of features. Just a thought.

I'd also caution you on thinking moving to a mid/late-2000's boat will reduce your maintenance expense. It could turn out to be just the opposite. The newer engine/drive packages may have more bells and whistles, more sensors, fly-by-wire, etc. and so on.

In those years the 350 would more or less a sideways step the 370 would give a little more room as it closer matches the 2003.5-2008 340 hull dimensions and layout. While I have not tried them I have heard complaints about the split shower/head layouts on these smaller boats saying the shower space is too cramped.

Like you also mentioned some of the newer models are also going to increase the cost of ownership. Take for instance the costs related to manifold and risers for the new models with catalytic converters built in.

-Kevin
 
Look for a 380DA if it’s in your budget. Stateroom door, 2 heads and a real shower. More room in the ER as well.

The shower and stateroom door are fantastic editions. Even more valuable to me than I thought they would be when I was boat shopping for my current boat.
I’ve got a second head, and while it’s nice it isn’t really necessary for the way we use our boat.
But the full shower in the master head is fantastic!
 
In those years the 350 would more or less a sideways step the 370 would give a little more room as it closer matches the 2003.5-2008 340 hull dimensions and layout. While I have not tried them I have heard complaints about the split shower/head layouts on these smaller boats saying the shower space is too cramped.

Like you also mentioned some of the newer models are also going to increase the cost of ownership. Take for instance the costs related to manifold and risers for the new models with catalytic converters built in.

-Kevin

Agreed. It's why I said "if you're in love with this size range" :). If the OP suggested he wanted more room I'd jump on my "go straight to the 400/410" soapbox.

And on showers....based on my prior experience with a 99 340 any kind of separate shower stall would be better than dealing with the throne whilst using the shower. The only thing I miss from that shower is how clean my toilet always was. ha.
 
I’d like some guidance from my fellow club members.

I currently have a 2000 340 Sundancer,which we absolutely love, but the boat is getting old, it’s beginning to cost me money in terms of replacing parts and upkeep.
So I am considering trading up to a newer Sundancer, maybe a 2007 or 2008? Why am I looking at those years? Because they’re more in my budget.

Does anyone have any suggestions or guidance or advice about those years for 340 Sundancer’s? I’m not opposed to other years but those two seem to be within my price range.

Thanks for any help.
 
I’d like some guidance from my fellow club members.

I currently have a 2000 340 Sundancer,which we absolutely love, but the boat is getting old, it’s beginning to cost me money in terms of replacing parts and upkeep.
So I am considering trading up to a newer Sundancer, maybe a 2007 or 2008? Why am I looking at those years? Because they’re more in my budget.

Does anyone have any suggestions or guidance or advice about those years for 340 Sundancer’s? I’m not opposed to other years but those two seem to be within my price range.

Thanks for any help.


To ALL who responded.... THANK YOU!!!!!
 
THANKS Everyone.....

I like the size and feel of the 340. As I get older, I think it will be be an easier boat to handle versus a larger sized boat. I am already accustomed to the size and feel of the 340.
I may not be considering the fact that there are new options available on newer boats that makes piloting these larger boats even easier than mine.
However, my thinking is that these larger boats are probably beyond my budget so, I am back to a little later model than my current.....
I also understand KevinC's point, that the cost of ownership of a newer (older) model may be even more expensive than my current 2000.....
 
THANKS Everyone.....

I like the size and feel of the 340. As I get older, I think it will be be an easier boat to handle versus a larger sized boat. I am already accustomed to the size and feel of the 340.
I may not be considering the fact that there are new options available on newer boats that makes piloting these larger boats even easier than mine.
However, my thinking is that these larger boats are probably beyond my budget so, I am back to a little later model than my current.....
I also understand KevinC's point, that the cost of ownership of a newer (older) model may be even more expensive than my current 2000.....

Shoot...I moved from a '99 to a '97 last year in spite of initially insisting I would get something newer. You can make an older boat feel much "newer" with focused upgrades. Let's say you get your 2000 340 a professional detail, replace all of the upholstery with some fancy two-tone stuff, install new cockpit carpet, new runners in the cabin and upgrade all of the electronics. With a $25k +/- (guess) investment I bet your boat would "feel" newer than most 2006-2008 340's. You wouldn't have the sexier hull shape of the newer 340 but maybe that's not what you care most about?

If you're happy with the size of your boat, stick with that size. I just personally wouldn't spend a "whole bunch more" to stay within a size range and not add some nice features....like the hard top...or shower...or....

Last thought...you can likely move to a late 90's 380/400 for the same purchase price as a mid-2000's 340. Storage and dockage would be about the only thing you'd need to consider in terms of added cost. Maintenance and running expenses on the bigger boats is no different than your 340 assuming you stay with gas engines....
 
You have been given some great input here. I concur with the 380DA suggestion. Not much different in operation and a big move up in the cabin.

MM
 
Lots of great advice.

I am partial to the 340 DA during that timeframe - used to own one. IMO one of the best boats that SR built.

The discussion of 340 vs 380 is very valid. Question would be budget, would you be buying a boat in better condition with the 340?
 

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