1999 330DA considering purchase, opinions plz

I

Isle of Mann

New Member
Sep 23, 2021
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Boat Info
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I have not seen this boat yet. Would like opinions on buying this one. 13yr old engines only 100 hours. Evidently it spent a lot of time on the hard.
1999 330 Sundancer Express Cruiser
repowered 2008 with new freshwater cooled Merc 7.4 MPI, 340hp ,less 100 hours on each
says above average condition and well maintained, recent detailing and bottom paint.
westerbeke 4.5 gas generator.
RayMarine electronics to include radar.
$42k
 
Reading it wrong. 100 hours on NEW engine. a 7.4 is good for easy 1500 hours seen some go 3k. Has nothing to do with the condition of the hull and other systems. So new engines has nothing to do with other stuff.
 
My 95 330 has 7.4 engines with 1400 hrs on them. Maintenance is everything and they run as strong as the day they were put in. I would think a good survey would be in order before any decision on purchasing.
 
Watch for moisture in the foredeck. Under the windshield, around the hatches, and around the windless.

wondering if the engines where replaced due to water reversion. That is the year it started in the 340s. See if they went to the water lift mufflers and/or put resonators in the exhaust just after the risers. You’ll see a hose clamp in the middle of the rubber exhaust hose.

Other than that it’s a solid boat, IMO.
 
Great model boat, but condition is everything. Soft spots on the deck are expensive to fix and quite common. The deck is balsa wood cored. Problem areas are around the windlass, side decks around rails, windshield base and around the hatches.

Not much other specific issues with the boat. Just look for the normal stuff to make sure it all works.

You said is a Sundancer Express Cruiser. There are two different models. I assume it is a Sundancer. The 330 EC is a different boat.

If its a vDrive, I think that water or rot in transom or stringers is very rare. Not sure about the outdrive version since it has the outdrive holes through the transom. If its an I/O model, check the transom for rot.

Arch height is low, so if you like to stand to drive, you better be 5’6” or less. I am 5’11” and can’t stand without bending forward. Not a big deal for me, but extra height would be nice.

Also try the v-berth. Its angled on the 330. They went to a straight layout on the later years. I am OK with the angled, but it means you have to climb over the person to get out. You kind of do with the straight berths too, but more so with the angled. Again, I tried both when I bought and the angle is OK for us.

If the canvas is OEM Sea Ray one positive is that you can buy complete sets from Great Lakes Boat tops (once they start taking orders again - about US$3,500). If the boat has a camper back, its not OEM. A camper back was not offered by Sea Ray on those years 330s (95 to 99).
 
I'm over 6'4" so the arch is a deal killer. Thank you for your details.
 
yobub said:
If you have the ability to step up to a 370, the '98 also had a higher arch. I'm about your height and that was the only year I could stand under.[/QUOTE
Thank you for the post. When you say "the '98 also had a higher arch" are you referring to the 370 or 340DA.
Click to expand...
 
yobub said:
If you have the ability to step up to a 370, the '98 also had a higher arch. I'm about your height and that was the only year I could stand under.
Click to expand...
I'm found a 2003 320 Sundancer online do you know if that would have the height I need?
 
Isle of Mann said:
I have not seen this boat yet. Would like opinions on buying this one. 13yr old engines only 100 hours. Evidently it spent a lot of time on the hard.
1999 330 Sundancer Express Cruiser
repowered 2008 with new freshwater cooled Merc 7.4 MPI, 340hp ,less 100 hours on each
says above average condition and well maintained, recent detailing and bottom paint.
westerbeke 4.5 gas generator.
RayMarine electronics to include radar.
$42k
Click to expand...

I would look for corrosion in the head and cylinders with only 100 hrs since 2008. Any evidence of leakage from the risers/manifolds? I found out the hard way and been in the repowering process for the past 8 months after discovering corrosion in the cylinder from riser/manifold leaking and the engines (2008) with only 220 hrs.....
 
Isle of Mann said:
I'm found a 2003 320 Sundancer online do you know if that would have the height I need?
Click to expand...

I am only 5’11” and I looked at several 320’s before I purchased my 2004 340. I don’t remember the arch being anywhere near my head so it may be worth checking out the 320 as I think you will be ok.

The flip up seat and entire helm arrangement from 2002 and later is way better so I thing you will have plenty of height.

Good look on your search.
 
RJ911 said:
I am only 5’11” and I looked at several 320’s before I purchased my 2004 340. I don’t remember the arch being anywhere near my head so it may be worth checking out the 320 as I think you will be ok.

The flip up seat and entire helm arrangement from 2002 and later is way better so I thing you will have plenty of height.

Good look on your search.
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Isle of Mann said:
I have not seen this boat yet. Would like opinions on buying this one. 13yr old engines only 100 hours. Evidently it spent a lot of time on the hard.
1999 330 Sundancer Express Cruiser
repowered 2008 with new freshwater cooled Merc 7.4 MPI, 340hp ,less 100 hours on each
says above average condition and well maintained, recent detailing and bottom paint.
westerbeke 4.5 gas generator.
RayMarine electronics to include radar.
$42k
Click to expand...
Low headroom at helm try a 340 much higher arch. Great boats.
 
I am 5'11" we have 96 330DA and the arch is not a problem. What I find a problem with is the forward bimini (eyebrow) is 5'10" so when I'm maneuvering at the helm I have to bend down a bit, not a deal breaker. We really like the 330DA w/ 350s & v-drives
 
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