Sundancer 2 step - 260 to 310; thoughts?

S

starcaster5

New Member
Feb 8, 2009
18
Maryland
Boat Info
09 Sundancer 310
Engines
Merc Bravo III's
Hey CSR's...

Anyone have any thoughts on this upgrade? Looking from: an '08 260 (50 hrs - adored, but outgrown), to: a new '09 310 w/Axius B-III's (I'm guessing more fun than the single screw). Would love a 330+ but only looking new & the 310 fits the budget.

Any experienced steppers want to share pros/cons? Thanks much!

Soon-To-Step
 
I went from a 260 to a 320. I had looked at 310's as well the new style and the previous 310's from the late 90's to early 00's. I really am happy with the move. In retrospect - I would be happy with anything up to 40' total length. For the money of a new 09' - 310 I would personally look for a slightly used 340 personally. The dual engines with V-drives is fun to dock and makes you look like a pro docking.
 
are you looking at a new 310 with axuis? stay away. It is to new and there are loads of problems. electrical nightmare. they have a new generation axuis system coming out soon because of the problems and the price costs. I would go for the 340 myself.
 
I looked at the 310 B-4 going with the 330. The 310 has no port bench which I wanted. Otherwise the 310 layout was just like the 330 just a hair smaller.
 
Am looking to do a step up just like you, but from 220 to 340 and it is daunting. Pricing all over the place and not defined by age, condition, options, or location (except salt water boats are cheaper). It has been quite a learning experience. For every 310 I find I can find a 340 for the same price......:wow:

I would deifnately look at a boat a year or so old and avoid the depreciation. There are some boats will really low hours and use around for $$$$ less than new. Even with the sad thing MarineMax is calling a sale going on!:lol::smt043

Good luck, there are some WISE boaters on here to always help!
 
starcaster5 said:
Hey CSR's...

Anyone have any thoughts on this upgrade? Looking from: an '08 260 (50 hrs - adored, but outgrown), to: a new '09 310 w/Axius B-III's (I'm guessing more fun than the single screw). Would love a 330+ but only looking new & the 310 fits the budget.

Any experienced steppers want to share pros/cons? Thanks much!

Soon-To-Step
Click to expand...

Exuse my language, but I think this is a perfect opportunity to screw yourself twice or even three times.

1) You'll take a huge hit on the boat loosing value fast. If people who got a pretty good deals for 1-3yrs used boats 1-2 yrs ago lost up to $20K per year you'll loose a lot more than that.

2) Do you really want to put yourself in a group of people to be "testers" for the new technology?

3) If you're in salt or brackish water maintaining oudrives will be a nightmare. IMO, you need v-drives. There has been many discussions on this.

As you had suggestion to look for lightly used 320DA or 340DA I add my vote to that as well.

Good luck,
Alex.
 
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And if you are looking new. . .what kind of deal are you looking to see?

I was at the Atlantic City boat show last weekend. Admittedly, I was not "serious" and didn't talk money with anyone. . .but the "boat show pricing" seemed to be complete looney tunes.

When times were good, you expected 30% off of list MSRP. In recent years, however, used boat prices have been falling off a cliff, and price increases on the new boats continue to rise above inflation rate. If anything, it seems like the dealers are basically milking every sale for maximum dollar, and are not thinking about "moving volume".

From my perspective, buying a 5 year old boat is the way to go. The amount you will save, particularly on a big boat, will far exceed even a full repower project. And you won't be buying a boat that requires repowering anytime soon. . . .
 
I concur with the 340 Dancer recommendations...as the old adage goes..."Seek and ye shall find."

Before I got my boat I looked at 280's 290, and a 310, before my head got turned twice when I first saw a 340 and then when I looked at a 37. From then on it was 36, 37 or 380's for me.

:huh:
 
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I agree, why are you so set on new only? I am sure there are a ton of one or two year old 320's & 340's or bigger that can be had for the same or less money than the new 310. The boat isn't even broken in until 100 or 200 hours anyway!

There are great 340's out there (I know of one that is loaded out here) that can be had for $125K or less. :thumbsup:
 
Axius is cool.........but totally unnecessary in a twin v-drive boat. The added cost and "overhead" of an electronic system that has not been out long enough to work all the bugs out makes for an unhappy owner.

Given the current market conditions, I'd take a pass on the 310 and 330 and try to find the previous generation 320 or 340DA. One is about like the other except that the 340 is bigger everywhere and will handle a little better due to the length/COG, but both are great boats. There are some leftovers still in the Sea Ray dealer system. The trick is to find them. For example, our dealer is an independent with 2 stores. Unlike a Marine Max, you pretty much have to go to their website to know they have a new unsold 2007 340DA. This particular boat is the first one released with the "fishing package" and in fact was the catalog photo boat for that model. It is loaded with every possible option so it was always priced higher then most 340's, as a result it never sold. Its a heck of a buy now since t he dealer needs to get it off the floor plan and there is a lot of money back from SR, plus it has full new boat warranty. They are out there, you just have to find them.

Good luck with your decision making...............
 
Buddy at my marina had a 08 310 axius. Lots of problems. He eventually sold it. I agree with other an 07 340 can be bought below the price of a new 310.
 
Great points here all and I'm grateful for your feedback.

Are the 340/320s that much bigger than the 310? This '09 is the 33'4" version (like the current 330 with a slanted V-berth bed and no table to drop).

It does have an Axius but on twin T350 BIII stern drives, not the v-drive. Would an added bow thruster have any benefits?

The new v used is a tough decision - it is a family boat & I want something my wife or teens can handle, and confidence in the boat when they go out. The warranty and service I've gotten from my dealer are contributing factors. Also considering the extended 5yr.

Thanks again!
 
I tell ya from my side, with a wife and 3 kids :smt100 from 9-13, there is a huge difference going from a 310 to a 320 or better a 340. The guys on here convinced me of that when you figure you are going to overnight on it.:thumbsup:

Plus you are going to be looking at roughly the same slip fees. I think with the V-drives you lose some performance (they DO call it a cruiser), but the docking is easier (or so I hear and have seen) with the V drives.

I know we will be holding on to our cruiser (when I pick it!) for a long time and my kids are not getting any smaller or more agreeable :lol: so we need the space.

Why not get a little more size for the same money if you are going to hold on to the boat for a while?:huh:

From what I have read the service is supposed to be easier to handle on the V drives also and less of it.
 
starcaster5 said:
Great points here all and I'm grateful for your feedback.

Are the 340/320s that much bigger than the 310? This '09 is the 33'4" version (like the current 330 with a slanted V-berth bed and no table to drop).

It does have an Axius but on twin T350 BIII stern drives, not the v-drive. Would an added bow thruster have any benefits?

The new v used is a tough decision - it is a family boat & I want something my wife or teens can handle, and confidence in the boat when they go out. The warranty and service I've gotten from my dealer are contributing factors. Also considering the extended 5yr.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
We bought the second Sea Ray Axius 310 that was sold in our area and once Mercruiser got all the updates in it, it ran and performed like a dream. They included the SKYHOOK which was also very nice. The first few months with Axius was dicey, but once all the updates went in, it was perfect.
To test SKYHOOK, we went out in the Potomac on a windy afternoon to buoy 42. We pointed the bow at the buoy with all the river's current hitting us broadside and activated SKYHOOK. It held position perfectly, without sudden jolts, etc. Just the muffled warning horn near the swim platform alerting everyone in the boat that SKYHOOK was active.

Before you write off the Axius drive, go check it out for yourself. Only YOU can truly judge what you like or don't like. Good luck !!
 
starcaster5 said:
Great points here all and I'm grateful for your feedback.

Are the 340/320s that much bigger than the 310?
Click to expand...

You'll be surprized, but our '04 320DA feels much roomier than '10 350DA (at lease in the cabin), so 340DA will win the roominess battle even easier.

Bow thruster is not needed for v-drives boat, but if it's there then sure it's nice to have one. On a rare occasion I wish I had one, but those are very rare.

ANYTIME said:
We bought the second Sea Ray Axius 310 that was sold in our area and once Mercruiser got all the updates in it, it ran and performed like a dream. They included the SKYHOOK which was also very nice. The first few months with Axius was dicey, but once all the updates went in, it was perfect.
To test SKYHOOK, we went out in the Potomac on a windy afternoon to buoy 42. We pointed the bow at the buoy with all the river's current hitting us broadside and activated SKYHOOK. It held position perfectly, without sudden jolts, etc. Just the muffled warning horn near the swim platform alerting everyone in the boat that SKYHOOK was active.

Before you write off the Axius drive, go check it out for yourself. Only YOU can truly judge what you like or don't like. Good luck !!
Click to expand...

I totally agree that only you can decide what fits best. No question that 310 with BIIIs will perform better and new features like skyhook are fun and add convenience, the only question you have to ask, are you willing to pay for maintaining all these items? Since these are new technologies chances are you'll have to write a check when something fails. If you plan to keep the boat only until the warranty lasts, then you could be ok, but always think about the selling part, b/c one day you'll say I need a bigger boat.
 
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