Add or second Smaller boat or just trade my 340 in?

J

Johnnydee

New Member
Aug 17, 2015
14
new jersey
Boat Info
2004 sundancer 340
Raymarine c80
Engines
twin 8.2 merc inboards
Hello everyone I know this is a personal question but I’m driving myself crazy. I have a 2004 sundancer 340. This will be my 6th season with it. When purchased it we used it on weekends and slept on it at marina for the first 4 years. We moved on the water last year in NJ, still have the boat which by the way we love it. The problem is we don’t sleep on it anymore we keep saying we will do a trip and haven’t yet, also to be honest we like sleeping at home and just day boating. Everyone says we don’t need a big boat like this. The Barnegat bay is always choppy especially on the weekends with all the boat traffic. We love the fact we never get knocked around we love we don’t care how rough the water is as this boat just barrels thought it. We also love the fact when we get to our boating destination we have the big boat and the big cabin, my daughter does use it she’s 14 and When she’s hot goes on her iPad etc. My wife likes the boat, she likes the big kitchen which she is always using. We toyed with the idea of like a big crossover bow rider or even something like the new sundancer 320 with the bow seating. The Whole idea is I feel like I’m lugging this big boat around wit this big bow and not sleeping in it. The thing I’m looking for is something faster and more maneuverable where I can go for a quick ride some days or nights, but with this the options out there aren’t great, you know with boats anything that’s compared in Size to this and has a bow rider crossover and goes fast most likely outboard (although I hate the way they look) is super expensive probably like 300-500k. So the question here is how about a 21-24 foot center console like a sea hunt etc. or maybe a jet boat but people here in my area don’t love the jet boats due to the fact they need to be lifted, also like I stated earlier it gets choppy around here. If I went this way I’d keep the sea ray 340. At least this way I’m spending like maybe 50-70k as opposed to 300k after I sell my dancer. The downside.. double maintenance also the sea ray has 500 hours and will I ever use it?? Again just to be clear let’s say I get even 90 k for my boat I feel like I can’t come close to replace it. Looking for some input on anyone who made the downsize or added 2nd boat. Thanks for listening.
 
We love our 320 and only spend a few nights on it each season but I would not trade the room and amenities for anything. Go and get you a go fast boat. You can find a fresh water 23’ that will do close to 60 MPH for under 20K. The older dancers are keepers, like you said to replace it for anything new is 300K...
 
Other than a short nap or two, we don't spend many nights on the boat, because we've got a lake house nearby...but have room to store stuff, HVAC, a place to get out of the weather, and with the wife and daughter, the head is a must have. Not getting bounced around is also a big plus..I'd hang on to the 340.
 
Unless your budget allows for a half million dollar boat I would suggest a 30ish footer SLX or the like and keep the 340 until you do not use it. You may find after the new of the house wears off you want to travel a bit
 
Johnnydee said:
Hello everyone I know this is a personal question but I’m driving myself crazy. I have a 2004 sundancer 340. This will be my 6th season with it. When purchased it we used it on weekends and slept on it at marina for the first 4 years. We moved on the water last year in NJ, still have the boat which by the way we love it. The problem is we don’t sleep on it anymore we keep saying we will do a trip and haven’t yet, also to be honest we like sleeping at home and just day boating. Everyone says we don’t need a big boat like this. The Barnegat bay is always choppy especially on the weekends with all the boat traffic. We love the fact we never get knocked around we love we don’t care how rough the water is as this boat just barrels thought it. We also love the fact when we get to our boating destination we have the big boat and the big cabin, my daughter does use it she’s 14 and When she’s hot goes on her iPad etc. My wife likes the boat, she likes the big kitchen which she is always using. We toyed with the idea of like a big crossover bow rider or even something like the new sundancer 320 with the bow seating. The Whole idea is I feel like I’m lugging this big boat around wit this big bow and not sleeping in it. The thing I’m looking for is something faster and more maneuverable where I can go for a quick ride some days or nights, but with this the options out there aren’t great, you know with boats anything that’s compared in Size to this and has a bow rider crossover and goes fast most likely outboard (although I hate the way they look) is super expensive probably like 300-500k. So the question here is how about a 21-24 foot center console like a sea hunt etc. or maybe a jet boat but people here in my area don’t love the jet boats due to the fact they need to be lifted, also like I stated earlier it gets choppy around here. If I went this way I’d keep the sea ray 340. At least this way I’m spending like maybe 50-70k as opposed to 300k after I sell my dancer. The downside.. double maintenance also the sea ray has 500 hours and will I ever use it?? Again just to be clear let’s say I get even 90 k for my boat I feel like I can’t come close to replace it. Looking for some input on anyone who made the downsize or added 2nd boat. Thanks for listening.
Click to expand...

Keep the big boat and get a second boat. Most of the cruiser owners I know either have or want a second boat like a center console or bow rider. They are different boats for different reasons. We went out the other night with some friends on their center console and had a great time. I also keep a 19' center console around for daytime fun.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
Keep the big boat and get a second boat. Most of the cruiser owners I know either have or want a second boat like a center console or bow rider. They are different boats for different reasons. We went out the other night with some friends on their center console and had a great time. I also keep a 19' center console around for daytime fun.

-Kevin
Click to expand...
Thank you Kevin makes sense.
 
wayne0 said:
I vote for a second boat. My marina mate has a 36' Trojan and a 22' Pursuit for day trips. Oh, and a dingy too.
Click to expand...

thank you so much for the reply. I feel like this is the way to go I guess I’m looking for reassurance.
 
Windjammer said:
Other than a short nap or two, we don't spend many nights on the boat, because we've got a lake house nearby...but have room to store stuff, HVAC, a place to get out of the weather, and with the wife and daughter, the head is a must have. Not getting bounced around is also a big plus..I'd hang on to the 340.
Click to expand...
When I read this it’s a no brained. Thank you!!
 
From what you said, you're still using 90% of the boat. Just not sleeping on it. Thus, I would keep it. And get the center counsel for running around. Best of both worlds.
 
I would keep dancer, cruiser is the most practical for all around use. I would buy and older repowered Baja 23-24' for some watersports or just riding around and keep cruiser for most days.
I saw couple in my area im $20k range with new 502 merc.
 
As long as you live on the water and have room at your dock for a second boat, I would consider adding a 21 or 22 foot center console with an outboard. That would be a great boat for quick rides, not too bad for maintenance, and your 14 year old daughter may get some good use out of it too in a few years.
 
In your area, until you take a few overnight trips to some of the fun and interesting places you guys have within a few hours cruising range, you don't have enough information to make a sell or keep decision on a 340DA.

I'm sort of in the same spot you are.......we have a 450DA that we mostly use as a day boat these days. Some days I just don't want to take a big boat out for a shop or sunset run but I keep 1-2 project boats around all the time. My most favorite was a Boston Whaler 15' Dauntless powered by a 75 Mercury outboard. Lots of fun, very maneuverable, fast and draws almost nothing....she has since been passed on to a friend of mine who we met here on CSR. Some things I learned is that smaller shallow draft boats are not good rough water boats because they will beat you to death in a chop or a wake filled area; there isn't a lot of storage space; forget hauling a paddle board around with you; there is no head. The Whaler became a solo boat for me when my wife had something else she wanted to do. I had a Ski-Nautique I was ready to drop motor in, winter was approaching, I was out of space, so it was time to let something go.
 
Add a second smaller boat then make a decision after having both for some time....you might discover that you use the dancer even less or that a smaller boat just doesn't work for the conditions you need it for. You just cant replace the benefits of the dancer you mention without going up big on $$$$$ and my subjective opinion is the 340 is the absolute best boat on planet for both day boating or overnight stays. That or just sell the dancer and get a nice new or used 310SLX or 350SLX, they are awesome day boats.
 
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