2005 320 vs 2004 340

[Hampton]

I'm ready to buy/trade. I've heard the 320 is underpowered. We have one coming available at our local dealer. For a 320, it's perfiect. 6.2's, radar, blue hull, and everything else. A couple of months ago, I would have thought this to be the perfect boat for me, but now, I'm not so sure.

The 2004 340 looks like it may be the better match, primarily due to the engines. I want to be able to get in there and work on them myself, and I don't want to be so underpowered that the motors are working hard all of the time. Any inputs? I'll keep it in the water on the Fl Panhandle Coast. We plan to travel to S. Florida every couple of years, and up and down the coast 100 miles or so a couple of times a year.

There will usually be just the two of us. We are not tall. The 320 will be big enough, but the engine room may not be. Does the 2004 340 have the new hull design?

Ideas?

 

[PMvdb395DA]

Hello Hampton,

I think that Alex D can give you a lot more info about the 340, because he has the same boat.
I got a 360 that is almost the same boat but I have a privacy door to the forward stateroom.
The 340 has the new hull design as you can see on the photo.

Also here is a link from a review http://international.searay.com/cgi...cs/electronic_brochure/company8483/TST_2.pdf#

Does this 340 that you see have v-drives?

Also a post about blue hulls..... :smt009

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums...&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=blue+hull


Peter

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

If you can swing the bucks around a 340 with 8.1's vs a 320 with 6.2's it's no contest. :thumbsup:

 

[WFYB]

The new design 340, (2003 to present) is one of the best designs SeaRay has come up with, (IMHO). Sea-keeping is excellent due to the new hull design, slow speed maneuvering around the docks is superb due to the 8.1L torque coupled with 4 blade props. The boat planes at relatively slow speeds due to the torque and four blade props allowing you to manage rough sea conditions. Better yet there are a ton of them on the market right now so good deals are to be had. To me it is no contest. Look for a clean 03 or 04 340DA over a 05 320 any day.

 

[jg300da]

I agree totally, just make sure it's a v-drive boat, and not an I/O boat like the pic above.

 

[WFYB]

Agreed - my comments are reflective of a V drive boat.

 

[Hampton]

Excellent replies, thank you very much. Everyone is saying exactly what I expected to hear. Anyone know of a dealer with a reasonable 340 (2003.5 or newer) that will take a trade?

 

[Hampton]

I'm really getting fairly certain that my boat should be a 2004 340. I currently own a 1997 250 Da on a trailer. I've owned it since new. I'm looking to trade, or sell my boat outright and buy the next one.

Just one last hurdle - my wife thinks she remembers our yacht club manager saying that they can only handle up to a SR 320. If that's true, it's all moot. Otherwise, 340's, here I come!

 

[delliott00]

FWIW, we have a 320, packed with enough stuff to live aboard for a week, and I have not felt it to be underpowered with the 350 Mag v-drives. Even with 6 adults on board it gets up on plane and can go 30mph all day long. It doesn't have the torque of the big blocks, but it moves ok.

I've had it up to 37mph, but its really not a speedster. We cruise at anywhere from 22-28mph all the time, and have had as many as 9 people on it with no problems.

Still, the 340 is a nice step up. I particularly like the bigger v-berth and more engine room. Only thing I don't like is the port side captains chair. I prefer a lounger like on the 320.

You can't go wrong with either one. Ours has been rock solid reliable and I have yet to find a drop of water in the bilge. This thing is built stout! I have an extended warranty that have never been used!

-Dave
'04 320 Sundancer, T350Mag V-Drives, Blue Hull, loaded.....

 

[Hampton]

Delliott00,

Your timing is perfect. It seems that our ideal yacht club can not handle anything over 34'. The 340 is, apparently, right out. The yacht club is perfect enough to make the difference in this decision. It seems that a 320 may be in my future. I hate to feel as though I'm settling for less than ideal, and your post helps a lot. It's a lot more boat than I've ever had, and it'll save some bucks when compared to a 340, except for maintenance.

Can I get in there and work? I hate to think that I'll save a little in monthly payments, a lot in a wet slip, and then pay it all out in maintenance.

 

[delliott00]

Well, the 320 is actually something like 35'6" LOA when you include the anchor and the swim platform, but its still a 32' hull. So check with your marina. I know one guy in a similar situation who releases his anchor and has a hook for it on his bowrail, which probably gets you to around 34' without the anchor sticking out. We have a tight slip as well (30x13') and I can back the boat in without even touching the side. V-drives are great.

Its feasible to work on the 320 engines. Its just that its difficult to find spots to put your feet as you crawl around. Oil changes and filters are easy to do, as they are all accessible from the top. Impellers require a bit more flexibility, but thats a once every 2-3yrs job. Its not impossible, just more difficult than on a bigger boat. The benefit is that with v-drives, theres very little to maintain. My maintenance expenses are very low, and I've had absolutely zero problems with the boat (we bought it lightly used).

All told, its a fantastic boat. We've done some upgrades on ours:

- GPS/Fishfinder tied into the smartcraft for real time MPG calculation
- HDTV tuner and 20" widescreen TV down below
- 15" LCD HDTV for the cockpit. Nothing like watching football and having a beer in the middle of a cove.
- New speakers and subwoofer with ipod input
- LED swim platform lighting
- Genset sound shield
- foam mattress topper

Let me know if I can answer any questions.

-Dave

 

[Hampton]

I really appreciate the input.

Now, in my roller coaster ride, my marina says the 340 is ok. I went down there and walked the docks with one of the helpers. I pointed out a couple of larger boats and told her that they were the same size as the 340. On the phone, she said actual size is what counts. In person, she says "Whatever it says on the side."

So, the 340 is, once again, in my sights. Anyone know of a good 2004 340 for trade? I have a '97 250.

Thanks again.

 

[waterlogged]

All I can say is 340 with 8.1s is a perfect combo.

 

[Hampton]

Yeah,

That's what I've heard. Does anyone know if the 2003.5 340's with the new hull and 8.1's have flat screen TV's or regular TV's? Most, if not all, 2003's have regular TV's. I was hoping the 2003.5 (new) 340's would have the flat screens.

Not a big deal, just another consideration.

 

[TheAcademy5]

340 is a wonderful boat, you will not be let down whatsoever.

 

[Hampton]

PMvdb395DA,

How do they test this boat at 187,500? I know this must have been 3 years ago, but this boat is over 300,000 this year and last. What gives?

John

Hello Hampton,

I think that Alex D can give you a lot more info about the 340, because he has the same boat.
I got a 360 that is almost the same boat but I have a privacy door to the forward stateroom.
The 340 has the new hull design as you can see on the photo.

Also here is a link from a review http://international.searay.com/cgi...cs/electronic_brochure/company8483/TST_2.pdf#

Does this 340 that you see have v-drives?

Also a post about blue hulls..... :smt009

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums...&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=blue+hull


Peter

 

[jackson]

340

Find the right dealer and you can get a brand new 340 for under 200,000.

 

[PMvdb395DA]

PMvdb395DA,

How do they test this boat at 187,500? I know this must have been 3 years ago, but this boat is over 300,000 this year and last. What gives?

John

This article was from January 2004 this review article comes from the www.searay.com site.

Peter

 

[Hampton]

Re: 340

Find the right dealer and you can get a brand new 340 for under 200,000.

Jackson,

That being said, how much should I expect to pay for a 2004?

 

[jackson]

2004 340

Hampton,

I have been interested in the new style 340 around the same year myself, although some board members have recently brought up many good points about jumping to a 380. Personally, I wouldn't pay any more than 160,000 for a 2004 340. I think 150,000 to 160,000 is a reasonable price for a clean 2004. Many are listed higher, but have room to negotiate. Hold firm to that goal and no doubt you'll find one. I think that is a great boat for the money. I like the new style....wider beam, heavier, the 8.1s, etc. If I don't jump higher, this will be the exact boat I go for also. Good luck. Let us know how you make out.