1990 350 sundancer with 350’s

[Steve Leach]

Is your boat "definitely underpowered" as well? The OP is looking at a 1990 350 that weighs in 3,000 pounds heavier than your 290. Though that weight will be further forward than yours since it's v-drive. I'd expect you are somewhat dissatisfied with your boats performance to offer up this feedback on the 350?

That 1990 350 weighs 10,000lbs less than my 400 which is powered by 7.4's. Common internet fact is that anything over 370 can barely exit a slip under it's own power unless it's got a pair of diesel mains. But if you actually get on a gas powered 400 you'd find the power perfectly adequate, a pleasure to operate.

If you like the boat sea trial it. 350's pushing 13k of boat doesn't sound outrageous to me...but I've never been on one

How is your 400 with the 7.4 s? I was looking at one before. It was a 1991 express cruiser. Big boat. Will the 7.4 s (gasers) put it on plane with ease? What’s the cruising speed and rpm?

 

[Stee6043]

How is your 400 with the 7.4 s? I was looking at one before. It was a 1991 express cruiser. Big boat. Will the 7.4 s (gasers) put it on plane with ease? What’s the cruising speed and rpm?

It's awesome. Even full of fluids and with a 500lb dinghy on the back she runs like a champ.

Though back to your prior post - I certainly advocate for engines of all sizes but I would strongly recommend not buying a boat without a survey and a sea trial. There's a reason they took an offer of $10k less. You're going to find out that reason eventually.

Here's the 7.4's on a 400, 2/3rds tab, cruising at 23kts +/- with a beast of a dink on the platform. Not the best on fuel mileage but that's not why I bought the boat

 

[Steve Leach]

Wow that’s nice. What year?

 

[mrsrobinson]

I think it was mentioned before. Sea trial the boat with some weight on it. If you are satisfied with the results, buy it and enjoy.

THIS - we can tell you this and that all day, and so will Google. Ask the owner to let you take a sea trial.

I recently owned two boats (not at the same time), same make and model, only difference was 5.0s on one and 5.7s on the other. The 5.0s were good, the 5.7s were amaaaazing. So more HP does matter. But, I was happy with the 5.0s (the 2nd boat) as they did what I needed them to. Only you know what you need and want from a boat, not us.

I owned a 330DA with twin 7.4s. Dockmate had the exact same boat with twin 6.2s. Both boats were V-Drives. He spent so much time telling me how great his engines were. I could care less. I was happy with mine. @Stee6043 will tell you all day how much he loves those big block 7.4 gassers in his 400. We all know though he would prefer some purring cats Just messing with you @Stee6043 After 2+ months w/diesels I am done with big block gassers.

Are those size engines ok? Absolutely, someone put 1800 hours on them and enjoyed the boat. In my opinion if you are doubting yourself/them now, you will every day you fire them up if you purchase the boat.

 

[Steve Leach]

THIS - we can tell you this and that all day, and so will Google. Ask the owner to let you take a sea trial.

I recently owned two boats (not at the same time), same make and model, only difference was 5.0s on one and 5.7s on the other. The 5.0s were good, the 5.7s were amaaaazing. So more HP does matter. But, I was happy with the 5.0s (the 2nd boat) as they did what I needed them to. Only you know what you need and want from a boat, not us.

I owned a 330DA with twin 7.4s. Dockmate had the exact same boat with twin 6.2s. Both boats were V-Drives. He spent so much time telling me how great his engines were. I could care less. I was happy with mine. @Stee6043 will tell you all day how much he loves those big block 7.4 gassers in his 400. We all know though he would prefer some purring cats Just messing with you @Stee6043 After 2+ months w/diesels I am done with big block gassers.

Are those size engines ok? Absolutely, someone put 1800 hours on them and enjoyed the boat. In my opinion if you are doubting yourself/them now, you will every day you fire them up if you purchase the boat.

Thank you for your feedback. I think your right.

 

[Steve Leach]

It's awesome. Even full of fluids and with a 500lb dinghy on the back she runs like a champ.

Though back to your prior post - I certainly advocate for engines of all sizes but I would strongly recommend not buying a boat without a survey and a sea trial. There's a reason they took an offer of $10k less. You're going to find out that reason eventually.

Here's the 7.4's on a 400, 2/3rds tab, cruising at 23kts +/- with a beast of a dink on the platform. Not the best on fuel mileage but that's not why I bought the boat

I just looked at a 1991 400 express yesterday in above average shape. Nice spacious boat. Twin 7.4 s with 850 hrs. Engine room was spotless. The full camper top looks like it has 5 more years in it. The thing it needs is cockpit carpet and the curved door for the second bedroom seems to have a track issue and wind close properly ( do you know if you can get replacement parts and carpet). Also the auto pilot is a old sim rad robertson ap 200 which I do not have a clue if it works or how to work it. This boat is through a broker so he’s unsure. Nice clean boat. He will let it go for $ 88500 CAD, no generator as it looks as though someone removed it Uhg! . Any thoughts?

 

[Pirate Lady]

I will get negative feedback on this… I never wanted a gen; too much dead weight too haul around all the time, and extra maintenance. If I need ac I will get a marina slip and plug in.
He probably removed it when it had an expensive problem and he said screw this.

 

[Nater Potater]

I just looked at a 1991 400 express yesterday in above average shape. Nice spacious boat. Twin 7.4 s with 850 hrs. Engine room was spotless. The full camper top looks like it has 5 more years in it. The thing it needs is cockpit carpet and the curved door for the second bedroom seems to have a track issue and wind close properly ( do you know if you can get replacement parts and carpet). Also the auto pilot is a old sim rad robertson ap 200 which I do not have a clue if it works or how to work it. This boat is through a broker so he’s unsure. Nice clean boat. He will let it go for $ 88500 CAD, no generator as it looks as though someone removed it Uhg! . Any thoughts?

I assume you must have backed out of the first boat. Assuming it's still in the running, were it me, I'd run those 350's until I either couldn't stand it anymore, or until they gave up the ghost. Without the sea trial, you may find they satisfy your boating needs. If you find that they just aren't cutting it, since they'd have to come out anyway for an overhaul, swap in a pair of big blocks. Yes, you'll take a hit with fuel consumption, but, like many others have mentioned, that's just part of the deal. If the 350's are pulled while still in good condition, you'll probably be able to recoup some of the cost in the sale of the 350's.

 

[Pirate Lady]

As for your canvas…
I have a full cockpit cover. Probably about 8 years old guessing. Took this winter to my canvas guy. He re did all the stitching. From cotton to a fishing line stuff, said it will last another 10 years.$250. Look into it.

 

[Steve Leach]

P

I will get negative feedback on this… I never wanted a gen; too much dead weight too haul around all the time, and extra maintenance. If I need ac I will get a marina slip and plug in.
He probably removed it when it had an expensive problem and he said screw this.

Probably correct.

 

[Steve Leach]

E

As for your canvas…
I have a full cockpit cover. Probably about 8 years old guessing. Took this winter to my canvas guy. He re did all the stitching. From cotton to a fishing line stuff, said it will last another 10 years.$250. Look into it.

As for your canvas…
I have a full cockpit cover. Probably about 8 years old guessing. Took this winter to my canvas guy. He re did all the stitching. From cotton to a fishing line stuff, said it will last another 10 years.$250. Look into it.

Wow that’s really good.

 

[Steve Leach]

I assume you must have backed out of the first boat. Assuming it's still in the running, were it me, I'd run those 350's until I either couldn't stand it anymore, or until they gave up the ghost. Without the sea trial, you may find they satisfy your boating needs. If you find that they just aren't cutting it, since they'd have to come out anyway for an overhaul, swap in a pair of big blocks. Yes, you'll take a hit with fuel consumption, but, like many others have mentioned, that's just part of the deal. If the 350's are pulled while still in good condition, you'll probably be able to recoup some of the cost in the sale of the 350's.

I hear what you are saying but a extra 25k and 454’s with a 1000 less hours seams to make sense. Spend it now or later is the way I’m seeing this.

 

[mrsrobinson]

You'll have better hits and replies if you move this over to the 400 thread at this point

 

[Steve Leach]

You'll have better hits and replies if you move this over to the 400 thread at this point

How do I do that? I’m new here don’t know what I’m doing lol.

 

[mrsrobinson]

There should be an "official 400" thread on here somewhere, post your comments there

 

[Stee6043]

I just looked at a 1991 400 express yesterday in above average shape. Nice spacious boat. Twin 7.4 s with 850 hrs. Engine room was spotless. The full camper top looks like it has 5 more years in it. The thing it needs is cockpit carpet and the curved door for the second bedroom seems to have a track issue and wind close properly ( do you know if you can get replacement parts and carpet). Also the auto pilot is a old sim rad robertson ap 200 which I do not have a clue if it works or how to work it. This boat is through a broker so he’s unsure. Nice clean boat. He will let it go for $ 88500 CAD, no generator as it looks as though someone removed it Uhg! . Any thoughts?

The generator would be a deal breaker for me. Most people in this size boat will absolutely demand a generator. It would likely be harder to sell in the future than a 5.7 powered 350 without

We use our generator every time we go out.

I was curious on cost and just looked at NADA. It does not show a 400 express being available in 1991. Only a 390. You sure you were on a 400? The Sundancer was also not available in a 400 in 1991...

 

[mrsrobinson]

Agreed on no genny being a deal breaker as a buyer. I do use my diesel one all the time now when disconnected from shore power.

 

[Steve Leach]

The generator would be a deal breaker for me. Most people in this size boat will absolutely demand a generator. It would likely be harder to sell in the future than a 5.7 powered 350 without

We use our generator every time we go out.

I was curious on cost and just looked at NADA. It does not show a 400 express being available in 1991. Only a 390. You sure you were on a 400? The Sundancer was also not available in a 400 in 1991...

Yes definitely a 400 express cruiser. This is my dilemma I found that 350 sundancer in mint condition but with 350 engines and 1800 hrs it also had a generator. It also had perfect camper tops. And was 65,000. Versus the other boat that’s going to cost me a extra 23,000 with no generator but lower hours and 7.4 s.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I'd focus on the mechanicals not things like canvas unless you are comparing 2 identical boats

 

[Stee6043]

Yes definitely a 400 express cruiser. This is my dilemma I found that 350 sundancer in mint condition but with 350 engines and 1800 hrs it also had a generator. It also had perfect camper tops. And was 65,000. Versus the other boat that’s going to cost me a extra 23,000 with no generator but lower hours and 7.4 s.

You might want to grab the hull ID number. Something is amiss with the year/model.

All else being equal, and with a clean survey, I'd certainly favor the 400. Those boats should feel worlds apart in terms of interior space. But I'd also make a plan to get the generator back onboard as soon as feasible.