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

I appreciate your input on load management...and yes you count! Enjoy 7.4L!
 
C-SIDE said:
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
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Keep in mind that your boat has quite a bit less dead rise, which makes it easier to push through the water. I suspect it was the extra deadrise of the new 340 that doomed the 6.2 in it, it was just not enough HP to push it along. (the 6.2 was discontinued in the 340 after 2004)

Interesting speeds, that seems kind of slow at 3300-3500 RPM. For example, my boat at 3450 RPM's is running 29.5 mph, 28 mph at 3300.
 
sfergson727 said:
Keep in mind that your boat has quite a bit less dead rise, which makes it easier to push through the water. I suspect it was the extra deadrise of the new 340 that doomed the 6.2 in it, it was just not enough HP to push it along. (the 6.2 was discontinued in the 340 after 2004)

Interesting speeds, that seems kind of slow at 3300-3500 RPM. For example, my boat at 3450 RPM's is running 29.5 mph, 28 mph at 3300.
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the change in dead rise and a significant amount of additional weight occurred with the changes in mid 2003....I have the earlier model 340 and the 6.2's are very adequate....for the newer model 340 with the changes in dead rise and weight the 6.2's may be border line....but it is all depending on how you are going to use the boat.....

cliff
 
sfergson727 said:
Keep in mind that your boat has quite a bit less dead rise, which makes it easier to push through the water. I suspect it was the extra deadrise of the new 340 that doomed the 6.2 in it, it was just not enough HP to push it along. (the 6.2 was discontinued in the 340 after 2004)

Interesting speeds, that seems kind of slow at 3300-3500 RPM. For example, my boat at 3450 RPM's is running 29.5 mph, 28 mph at 3300.
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Yes, she's a dog on speed. I only hit those speeds when I'm WOT.
 
C-SIDE said:
Yes, she's a dog on speed. I only hit those speeds when I'm WOT.
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Yikes! That's too bad. I hit 41 at WOT yesterday with full tanks...although at 60 gph, I don't think I'll be doing that much.
 
I can tell you if I have 2 people or 12 people the boat handles the same with the 8.1's. My friend has a 31' with twin 350/300hp B3 and he had 8 people on his boat. Yes it's 100hp less, but the boat weighs less and has B3's. He had a hard time getting on plane with us. The 8.1's just have the torque you want. Another vote for 8.1.
Would like to add...my top speed is around 44mph and I cruise at 30mph no matter how many people with no effort. The video is 44mph with 10 people.

 
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sfergson727 said:
Yikes! That's too bad. I hit 41 at WOT yesterday with full tanks...although at 60 gph, I don't think I'll be doing that much.
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But it feels so good until you look at the fuel flow. I was also told along time ago that it was good to open it up and run it at WOT for a few minutes every now and then. Kind of makes sense.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
But it feels so good until you look at the fuel flow. I was also told along time ago that it was good to open it up and run it at WOT for a few minutes every now and then. Kind of makes sense.

-Kevin
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Yea I don't do that often. ...OH..When I do I put a towel over the fuel flow gauge....lol...
 
Well I must have the worst boat out there. No genny but I don't need one while at the yacht club. The price I paid reflects that of no genny. Also have the 6.2's which I have no issues getting on plane. Even with a full tank of gas, 6 adults and 2 children. I do know that is is fuel efficient.
 
In 40 years of boating, I've yet to hear someone say "man, I wish I had less power" - it's always the opposite.

Easy choice in my book...
 
Don't be scared of the fuel burn. I burn 31gph at 30mph or 29gph at 27mph. I believe the 6.2 is very close to that.
 
mnm99 said:
Don't be scared of the fuel burn. I burn 31gph at 30mph or 29gph at 27mph. I believe the 6.2 is very close to that.
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I would love to hit those numbers with mine. That's upwards of 0.95mpg. I think I am generally up around 34gph at 28mph coming in around 0.8 mpg. I am going to want to look at your results after your prop tune this year and get mine tuned over the winter.

-Kevin
 
KevinC said:
I would love to hit those numbers with mine. That's upwards of 0.95mpg. I think I am generally up around 34gph at 28mph coming in around 0.8 mpg. I am going to want to look at your results after your prop tune this year and get mine tuned over the winter.

-Kevin
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Before I switched props, I was running about .75 mpg with the OEM at 3500 RPM/27 mph. With the Acme props I installed several years ago, at 3500 RPM, I run 30 mph at 31 gph as well. Props make all the difference.
 
KevinC said:
I would love to hit those numbers with mine. That's upwards of 0.95mpg. I think I am generally up around 34gph at 28mph coming in around 0.8 mpg. I am going to want to look at your results after your prop tune this year and get mine tuned over the winter.

-Kevin
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I'm going in Saturday. I'll take pictures of the smartcraft and GPS. My goal is 30mph at 30gph, but I don't think I'll get there. Here is what I was at last year.
smart.jpg
smart1.jpg
We'll see...
 
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mnm99 said:
I'm going in Saturday. I'll take pictures of the smartcraft and GPS. My goal is 30mph at 30gph, but I don't think I'll get there. Here is what I was at last year. View attachment 55696 View attachment 55697 We'll see...
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Those look good. A 1mpg would be great.

Do you use B&S for prop work? If so do they keep your specs on file. I would probably want try to match the specs if possible on mine next year.

Mine were done by L Johnson when I got the boat and it will be time next year. I think I can tune in better numbers based and what your showing.

-Kevin
 
Great adds to this inquiry...love that video...can’t wait. Just need a boat!
 
Anyone here ever consider a 360DA...why or why not (‘02-‘04)? I’ve heard from a number of owners (same 8.1 engines) who love them as you do yours (340DA). I’m looking at my options as inventory is thinning. Thanks!
 
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