1997 Sea Ray 330 with 1,300 hours??

[Haden]

Looking at a very clean 330 V drive with 454/340hp. The engines have 1,300 hours. Fresh water entire life. No engine work has been preformed other than regular maintenance. Should I be concerned about the 1,300 hours? That is the expected life of the engine. Man is only selling due to heart attack in March, and knee replacement this July.

 

[Ididntdoit]

get a leak down test and oil samples - I would not be afraid - those motors aren't working too hard in that boat - thats just over 50hrs/yr - just be advised, gas boat buyers get squeamish over 1000 hrs (a lot like cars over 100k) so don't overpay if you intend to resell in the near future

I believe a member on here, northern, has far more than that on a pair of big blocks in a much heavier boat....

 

[Haden]

get a leak down test and oil samples - I would not be afraid - those motors aren't working too hard in that boat - thats just over 50hrs/yr - just be advised, gas boat buyers get squeamish over 1000 hrs (a lot like cars over 100k) so don't overpay if you intend to resell in the near future

I believe a member on here, northern, has far more than that on a pair of big blocks in a much heavier boat....

I greatly appreciate your info. The asking price is $40,000. The owner told me he has owned the boat since 2004. He had a new AC installed 2 years ago.

 

[skolbe]

Personally would not be concerned if maintained.

 

[Haden]

I will have an opportunity to view/test the boat Monday, so I want to get a check list together. I have owned many boats, but they have all been powered by mercury outboards. I have always preformed all repairs and maintained everything personally. This is just a bigger leap for me. I have been reading the fourm for months to increase education, and determine what would fit our family the best. I will have a survey done, and a leak down/compression test preformed. He said the boat will need servicing, oils, etc. He hasn’t preformed this years regular maintenance yet due to his health. The boat is only 2 hours from the marina where will be keeping it, so we will be able to easily move it up the Tennessee River.

 

[Messer]

I bought a 1998 very clean 330 V drive with a pair of 5.7's and 1900 hours. I did get an engine survey and they put them through their paces. After 3 season I've only had normal maintenance and then this spring I replaced the plugs. Paid 38K

 

[Haden]

I bought a 1998 very clean 330 V drive with a pair of 5.7's and 1900 hours. I did get an engine survey and they put them through their paces. After 3 season I've only had normal maintenance and then this spring I replaced the plugs. Paid 38K

I truly appreciate the feedback!! The older man just text me and said since 2004 he has had yearly maintenance preformed at J’s landing. I should be able to get past service records from them correct? So far, everything is sounding good, so I’m getting more excited.

 

[Golfman25]

I truly appreciate the feedback!! The older man just text me and said since 2004 he has had yearly maintenance preformed at J’s landing. I should be able to get past service records from them correct? So far, everything is sounding good, so I’m getting more excited.

Don't fall in love. I have too many deals go bad in the last 18 months. You'll want to check the deck around the hatches especially. Good luck.

 

[gasketguy]

Agree with the decking and hatches on 330s my 330 surveyed extremely well but it was hest kept in winter and boat houses for most of first owners life only place I had moisture on my 330 is the swim platform which is common

 

[Haden]

Little update. I spoke to the marina owner “Jim” who serviced the 330 for the past 5 years. Jim said he is very familiar with the 330. He hasn’t seen the 330 since 2019, but it is a very clean boat, all original, and the boat owner “Eddie” took really good care of it. In 2018, caps and rotors were replaced, and Jim said he can’t find anything else major yet other than Ac replaced. The marina owner is going to deep dig into service records today. For a compression test and leak down, the cost will be around $200.00. To have to host pulled out of water and pressure washing is $375.00. For a FULL maintenance/tuneup, fluids, plugs, filters, everything including generator, and pressure washing the bottom will be around $2200. Jim said the 454’s are bullet proof, but if the compression and leak down test was not good, then I should walk away. I was advised to be present when the tests were preformed, and could ask the mechanic anything during the process. Next question before I go searching the Internet, what compression should I expect, and what leak down acceptable?