Considering purchasing a 2000 340DA

Hi everyone -

This will be my first Sea Ray purchase, and we are looking at a 2000 340DA locally. The boat appears to be in immaculate condition, but not seeing a lot of boats out there that are similar.

I've looked around here for 340da, and don't see much. Does anyone have any experience they can share? This one is powered by twin Merc 7.4 horizon v-drives, with approx 550 hours (seems a little high?).

Our previous boat was a 2003 Cruisers Yachts 3275 Express, and while we loved that boat, we decided to sell, and of course now looking for another boat.

We enjoy ours and have had it almost 2 years. When we were looking I was leaning towards Sea Ray because of the resale, but honestly we just liked the layout. I went with the 8.1's because it is such a heavy boat and I wanted closed cooled engines so MAYBE someday we can go to the Bahama or Bimini run.

The hours you are mentioning at 550 seems actually kind of low for a 2000. We are a 2002 and I am hitting 500 hours here soon. The hours on the generator are typically 2-3x what the engine hours are with regular use. But we use our boat almost every weekend in the Summer and at least once a month in the Fall and Winter. Sometimes more.

Make sure you get it fully surveyed before you buy one though! You probably already knew that though!

I agree 550 hours on a 2000 boat isn't bad at all. I have a 2005 with over 400 hours on it but I use mine year round. It definatley isn't a dock queen

The hours aren't high... But the major concern with 1999-2002 340: Was the exhaust updated, and were the engines replaced. Before I bought mine, I checked and both of my engines were replaced and the new exhaust were put in... There is CSR guy named Matt who keeps his boat near me, who just had to put in a long block and the updated exhausts on his 2000. So there are 340s out there with the old log exhausts.

The 340 is a great boat and other than my own self imposed problems, my boat has been great.

Also, If the boat was used in salt water, it should have had the exhaust systems replaced. Get the maintenance records. If the refrig in the cabin was not replaced, it probably does not work, and it is a B---H to replace. The canvas and carpets should have been replace too...

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The boat has always been freshwater, never in salt. Not sure about the engines or exhaust being replaced. I have read on this forum some of the water intrusion issues that were present on this model boat, and that worries me a bit.

Is that something that Sea Ray would be able to respond with, based on the HIN?

Thanks guys!

scottgoad said:

Thanks everyone for the replies.

The boat has always been freshwater, never in salt. Not sure about the engines or exhaust being replaced. I have read on this forum some of the water intrusion issues that were present on this model boat, and that worries me a bit.

Is that something that Sea Ray would be able to respond with, based on the HIN?

Thanks guys!

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I have the exact year and model boat you are looking to acquire. First the engine water intrusion was only with the horizon engines. If you are looking at the 340 with the mercruiser 7.4l you should be ok. Next the V-Drives work great and should continue to be a reliable drive system. Note that Sea Ray boats at idle will have a transmission noise from the clutch, but once RPM's are added, it goes away. Everyone asks about it and it is normal, as long as it goes away during running speeds. Your engine hours seem to roughly add up to 50hrs per year again this is not bad. I would recommend a survey both on the hard and in the water. Check water system for leaks and make sure A/C works. If the owner has original stereo you will want to most likely upgrade. i am sure I am missing other check list items, but survey should get them.

My family has loved the 340 with the 7.4l engines. I carry a family of 4 and usually go out with 2-4 additional people onboard. We love the cabin layout and spend many overnights. I also heard that the 340 was Sea Ray most popular model. If you have any additional questions please feel free to PM me.

regards,

What was the cost of replacing the exhaust system? I have just sent the closing paperwork off on a 01 340 with the 7.4 horizons. It has only 170 hours on it and it has not had the exhaust modification.

Knot It said:

What was the cost of replacing the exhaust system? I have just sent the closing paperwork off on a 01 340 with the 7.4 horizons. It has only 170 hours on it and it has not had the exhaust modification.

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Below the rub rail my 330 is the same boat as yours, I have the receipts when Merc paid to update the exhausts on my boat in 2001 to the lift type mufflers and for just the mufflers and the plumbing was about $4k, 10 years ago... At that time they replaced my motors for the 3rd time with new factory long blocks (these are the Horizons), converted my cooling system to a full fresh water system (manifolds and 3 in extensions are fresh), the total bill back then was over $40k for everything that was done! I hope you had a compresion test done on these motors as I am sure they are in need of at least the top ends being redone due to rusting exhaust valves and seats.

Had a compression test done and it was good to go. 140 low and 150 high on cold engines. Should I try to back out on this boat?