2003 - 2004 340 Sundancer 6.2s or 8.1s pros & cons please

Skipno6

Skipno6

Member
Apr 25, 2018
47
West Michigan
Boat Info
360 Sundancer 2002
Engines
Mercruiser 8.1S Horizon
Sorry for typos in previous post header...

Hey - this is my first post (patience please) and I'm looking forward to getting into this...and we're getting close to our first boat purchase. I've read countless threads on this subject; however, many seem to get off topic a bit and not so much into the pros and cons. I also tried several suggested links that didn't work (or I couldn't find the info). In addition to my searches and reviews, I spoke with a few service managers at various Sea Ray dealers and received some good info from many of them. However, none of them were actual proud owners of a 340, so here it goes...here.

After searching for some time for an '03 or '04 340...we discovered that there just aren't many available within a reasonable surrounding area that offer a good all around package, suit our needs and present a good value. We lost an opportunity to purchase a freshwater 2003 340 with 8.1s that came-up quick. We weren't necessarily looking for that particular set of engines...just happened to have them and I started looking into the differences. I didn't get on it fast enough and someone else stole her away! Yes, I'm learning. We now have an opportunity to potentially secure a very clean, well taken care of freshwater 2004 340 with 6.2s that has fewer options and a couple hundred more hours and is also priced a bit more, but I think we can get her for a fair buy once all said and done. We're planning to use the 340 for mostly day trips to start...while we get familiar with the boat, and eventually we'll spend overnights/long weekends while putting some hours on it. Then, later...but hopefully not too much later, we'll spend a week or more on the vessel and take longer/farther trips. There are 3 of us and we plan to host friends and family for day trips.

The power questions: do you think Sea Ray under-served the 340 by offering the 6.1 as base engines? Is it really just designed for 'cocktail speeds' as some have implied throughout this site? I know I'll love the process while getting-up on plane without a doubt every time...but, will I be disappointed when we have more than the three of us on board? I'm not interested in a go-fast boat whatsoever (wouldn't have chosen this make/model if I was), but for what it's worth...we recently bought a 6 cyl. car as I knew I'd be frustrated passing someone on the highway in the same model with a 4 cyl. Obviously and not necessarily a fair/direct comparison there, but you get what I'm saying. As our first boat, will the 2004 with 6.1s surprise and delight me each time we head out? Will I get frustrated after spending a year or so on it as we graduate into longer trips where we'll be cruising at higher RPMs? I'm sure this won't be a 'forever' boat for us...but, we'd like to enjoy it for as long as we can...before getting into something larger (we know this will happen, right?).

We'll have an opportunity to take the 2004 340 with 6.2s for a sea trial before an in-and-out of water survey. That experience should help me sort some of this out, I hope...but, I highly doubt I'll have a chance to take a ride on a 340 with 8.1s for a real-feel direct comparison. I know many are partial to the 8.1 engines for the 340; but, are any of you (or do you know of anyone who is) partial to 6.2s and if so, why...besides it being a great boat for 'cocktail speeds/cruising'? What are the real-world pros and cons for 6.2s or 8.1s? Any suggestions and thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading through all of this...looking forward to hearing from you.
 
The 8.1s/496s are great engines and help to make the 340 feel sporty. I have 8.1s with v-drives and it jumps out of the hole with ease.

To be honest I did not even consider the 6.2s when I was searching for our boat. This is true with many others an it may affect your resale value and time on market when you go to sell. You seem to have similar concerns.

Otherwise it all comes down to your particular preferences. If you cruise at cocktail speed I am sure it will be fine. But loaded with gas, water, gear and people for a weekend getaway you may find otherwise.

I think the 340SDA is a great boat and fits our needs and think we will be staying put for a while. It is a popular boat with a great layout so they tend to sell well if in good condition so as you are finding they may not be easy to find near you.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have and read the specific thread to this model.

-Kevin
 
I know a few people who have or had 340s with 6.2’s and like them just fine. There have been extensive conversations around what motors get better mileage, room for maintenance, performance, resale, etc.

We were looking at 340’s for a while and I decided I was going to limit our search to big blocks. I was uncomfortable with the rpm guys have to spin those 6.2’s to keep up a decent planing speed. That being said, they’re designed to run at that speed so I’m sure they’d be fine, but I’d rather run in the low to mid 3k range instead of 4K+
 
My previous 2003.5 is being offered by Grand Isle Marina, it has 6.2's and is a nice boat. I don't know if that one interests you or not? If you want to know more about that boat in particular let me know.
I mentioned that I re-propped that boat in a different thread, for what it's worth it made a huge improvement in the performance in that boat.
 
I appreciate all of this info. Great points on resale...has it always been this way...shortage of well maintained/clean/etc. freshwater 340s with decent hours, especially w/8.1s?

I should have mentioned...v-drives for sure. I was also concerned about RPM @ 6.2 planing speeds, and from what the service guys told me, they are certainly designed to run that way without issue from what they've seen come through. I've heard about the prop suggestion before and saw that thread...and appreciate the intel on your previous boat.

It would be great to hear from anyone who went from a 340 w/6.2s to 8.1s or who've had experiences with 6.1s, well loaded w/gear and 4+ adult passengers for longer trips @ a higher RPM (not just cocktail cruising).

And, if anyone has specific suggested 340DA threads (2003-2004), please let me know as I'm having a hard time digging deeper into discussions as they appear to stop short and many links go to forum's home page...am obviously new to navigating here.

Thanks again.
 
I'm sure the 6.2's are adequate in most situations on the 340, but the 8.1's IMO are the perfect weight to power ratio for the 340. They're also some of the best, rock solid engines Mercury has ever built. I never feel like the boat is struggling in the slightest ...even when heavily loaded for a 2 week trip with the family. My theory is that engines that work harder have a shorter lifespan ...and those 6.2's will be working harder on that 340. The 8.1s always just feel (and sound) like they're pushing the boat effortlessly. Having come from a boat that was grossly underpowered, I find myself much more relaxed driving my 340 knowing that I've got more than enough power no matter the situation. I also think the 8.1's will be better for resale. I never considered the 6.2's when searching for our boat. I'm sure others may have differing opinions/takes on the 6.2's here, but that's just my personal take on the matter. Another factor to consider that may or may not be an issue for you is that the 8.1's have closed cooling ...6.2's don't.

-My 2 cents


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WE did all the same comparisons and did have the opportunity to sea trial a 340 with 6.2 V drives and a 340 with 8.1 V drives. Honestly, the 6.2 is great if you are running a very light load. The 8.1s were certainly the better choice as they effortlessly did the job. When we did our sea trail, we had 7 adults on board and did both boats the same day. Then we sea trailed our 2006 340 with 496 mags and Bravo IIIs. Hands down, more power, faster out of the hole and no issues with load. Recommendation - go with the 8.1s, you will be much more pleased.
 
Wow...7 people on a sea trial? That certainly was a great opportunity for you ...let alone testing two different configurations in one day...and another set-up at a different time. I appreciate your thoughts and direction.
 
You will never regret buying the larger engines on a boat. You can always go slower than a boats capability, but you can never go faster. You will recoup most of the increased cost when you sell/trade up (and it will be a lot easier to sell). Look for a good one with 8.1s.
 
I'm not sure I would want the 6.2's on the Great Lakes. Water has a lot of weight behind it, and when the seas get big, you are going to need that extra HP to get through it, if you plan on going faster than 6 mph.

My boat goes in the water next week, chip in some gas $$ and I'll take you out so you can compare the 8.1's to the 6.2.
 
Yup - it was the salesperson, his boss, my wife, so and I, the surveyor and his assistant. Required going to 2 different sites, but was well worth it. We looked for over a year and a half before choosing. It was pretty ironic, boats with 150 - 250 hours were in worse shape than those with 750 - 800. The boat we bought had 785 hours and full and complete service records. The PO really took excellent care of her. Take your time and check out as many as you can, you will know when you have found the right one. Best of luck and enjoy.
 
Creekwood said:
You will never regret buying the larger engines on a boat. You can always go slower than a boats capability, but you can never go faster. You will recoup most of the increased cost when you sell/trade up (and it will be a lot easier to sell). Look for a good one with 8.1s.
Click to expand...

Been said before: "There's no replacement for displacement!"

-Kevin
 
Korkie said:
Yup - it was the salesperson, his boss, my wife, so and I, the surveyor and his assistant. Required going to 2 different sites, but was well worth it. We looked for over a year and a half before choosing. It was pretty ironic, boats with 150 - 250 hours were in worse shape than those with 750 - 800. The boat we bought had 785 hours and full and complete service records. The PO really took excellent care of her. Take your time and check out as many as you can, you will know when you have found the right one. Best of luck and enjoy.
Click to expand...

That's not too hard to figure out. Boats with extremely low time are not used regularly, which means they probably aren't maintained as well. I'd rather take a boat that has regular use, than one that just sits....and sits.....and....
 
Would rather have hours that reflect a normal usage pattern for the age of the boat. Low hours is not always the best measure when you are looking at boats older than 5-6 years.

When we were shopping for a 340DA years ago, I drove both a 6.2 and an 8.1 in comparable conditions.

Hands down, difference in the 8.1 and I eliminated the 6.2 from consideration for us.

Mark
 
Great feedback...thanks for sending all of your opinions my way...and contributing additional thoughts on relevant/related things to consider.

It's obvious from experienced boaters that 8.1s are the preferred and sensible power for our needs and future scenarios and of course, more input from anyone on this topic is well appreciated. Clearly, I'm not the only one out there that's trying to figure this out, so...the more the better for sure.

If you know of a clean and well cared for 340DA (2003.5-2006, 8.1s, 100% freshwater), please let me know in this thread or via conversation link. Of course, my family and I really don't want to miss this year's boating season here in Michigan...but, we’ll certainly wait for the right one.
 
Hold on. I have the 6.2's and they are just fine. I can get on plane with no problems and there are 6 of us - 2 adults and 4 kids. I regularly cruise at 3200-3500 rpms at speeds between 17-19 mph, just depends on waves, weight etc.. Everything I read here about the 8.1's tells me my boat is slower with the 6.2's.....

Common sense tells you the 8.1's may be better for performance and speed, but the 6.2's don't suck either.

Do I wish I had the 8.1's, yeah maybe, but I also don't feel my boating experience is diminished with 6.2's either
 
Thanks for your thoughts as a 340 6.2s’ owner. It’s of good value during this buying process to see your POV.
 
This thread is so discriminatory. What about us 7.4 guys? Do 7.4 lives not matter? Have we no feelings? Sheesh. Tough times for us old timers.

Joking aside I'd have zero issue in buying a 340 with 6.2's. I'd take the extra room in the engine room in a heartbeat. Folks can manage their loads to match the performance of the boat if it's required. If you're going to take 6+ people out for the day and you care about how easily it jumps out of the water perhaps you plan to have a 1/2 tank of fuel on that day. Or toss the coolers toward the front of the cabin. Or make sure you pump-out before the trip. Or toss oversize tabs on it.

Something us cold water boaters should also consider is the conditions of our bottoms. Guys down south get "real" growth below the water line. Perhaps 8.1's are far more desirable when you have double the drag on the bottom of the boat? Are 6.2's adequate when your bottom stays relatively clean all summer long? Worth considering...maybe.

7.4L 454 4EVER! :)
 
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