2005 320 vs 2004 340

Jackson,

Those are excellent words, and exactly what I was hoping to hear. Right now, I'm in an awesome position with 320's. Two dealers within driving distance have 2005 320's, loaded, 6.2's, and clean. I could likely make a great deal with one or the other, and trade my boat to boot. My search would be over!

We boarded both a 2005 320, and a 2004 340 yesterday. The 320's were very tempting, but the 340 is the boat for me. It may drag this pain out for months to come, but I see myself looking to trade a 320 within a couple of years, and hanging on to the 340 for several years. 340 is the biggest boat my marina can take so it would just be a 2-foot step if I moved up from a 320.

It would be so easy to take the easy way out, but the better way out is the 340.

I've owned one car for 22 years, my truck for almost 6 (and planning another 9), and my boat for almost 10. Trading in and out, especially out of a 320 (market's flooded), is not my style.
 
I have the old 340, but there is NO QUESTION in my mind. I would ALWAYS go for the bigger boat. The 340 has also more market and is easier to resale or trade if you want to.
 
Re: 340

Hampton said:
jackson said:
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?

You can find good 2003s already around $130K these days. Lowest I saw was a 2003 that went for $129K.
 
Re: 2004 340

jackson said:
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.

If you can swing it go for the 380! Full size fridge, galley and shower stall set her apart.
 
The 340 is the boat for me. We have an awesome marina, but it can only handle a 340. Right inside the barrier island, view of sunsets, floating docks, breakers,bar, gas, and on a military base to boot.
 
I think you are focusing on the right boat, 340DA. The 36 now renamed 38 has always been a bit of a mutt. Too big for gas engines, too small for diesel. Creature comforts for the 38 are slightly better then the 34 but resale at least in our region has always been poor.
 
WFYB said:
I think you are focusing on the right boat, 340DA. The 36 now renamed 38 has always been a bit of a mutt. Too big for gas engines, too small for diesel.

Too small for diesels?????

I have a 360DA with 315HP Yanmar diesels, and this baby rides like a sports car and has a very smooth and quiet running performance.

31 knots WOT 17GPH per engine.

I know for sure that even a 340 is perfect for diesels.

I also know that in the USA you only think that Cummins and Cat's are the only diesels, but I think that is a matter of "what you don’t know you don’t eatâ€. (free Dutch translated)

I know for sure that the fuel prices in the USA getting higher in the coming years and that this make the use of diesels even in smaller boats become more common.

Peter
 
WFYB said:
I think you are focusing on the right boat, 340DA. The 36 now renamed 38 has always been a bit of a mutt. Too big for gas engines, too small for diesel. Creature comforts for the 38 are slightly better then the 34 but resale at least in our region has always been poor.

Whoaaaa ... now we opened a can of worms ... I think boats like the 360/38DA and the 320 are serving a much smaller group of clientel for which they are just right in layout and size.

It is just that most consumers go for the 340 or jump right to the 380/390/400 dancers.
 
Sorry about the worms - I did not mean to offend.
In our region the 360 with gas has always been a difficult initial sale / resale. I have only seen 2 or 3 360DA in 10 years of boating in So Fl. The reason seems to be that the boat is a tweener, too big for gas, too expensive when outfitted with diesel. Most customers jumped to a 410 / 420, some went to a 380 diesel when they could find them. Perhaps it will do better now with the rename to 38.
I can't comment about the Netherlands, I know nothing about their boat sales environment.
 
Need Opinions!

I've been told on this thread that 150 - 160 is a good deal on a 2004 340.

I have a deal!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been offered a 2005 340 w the standard additions, no radar, no smartcraft, 160 hours, 8.1's, very clean for 175,000. They'll give me 30,000 for my '97 Sea Ray 250.

OPINIONS??????????????????
 
340

Hampton,
I think if you went in without a trade the deal would be borderline, but 30,000 for your trade in this market is pretty good. No radar or smartcraft would obviously bring the price down a little, but it's practically brand new. Any extended warranty? It sounds like you're excited and it gets you out of your boat right away. Others may tell you different, I say go for it!
 
I'm mixed excited. This boat just became avail. I haven't seen a picture. I had a friend of a friend (disinterested broker) look at it. It's a clean 9 out of a scale of 1 - 10. It has the minimums. 8.1's, Chartplotter, I like the color combo (White hull, blue canvas) - The interior is described as neutral, and the trade deal go's. They know I expect it to be near perfect, bottom paint etc, so when I tried to talk them down further, they cautioned me about squeezing every penny, then expecting them to make it perfect.
 
Perhaps the following listings will help you establish the value for the quote received. This was a quick search on boattraderonline. 24 boats came up ranging from 200k - 169K Here are several boats in your quote range. Remember it is a strong buyers market. There are a ton of 340DA's for sale. Also remember these are "asking" prices with expectation of some negotiating downward.

Boca Raton, FL $177,000
2005 SEA RAY 34', 2005 SEA RAY 34 SUNDANCER, LIKE NEW, 110 HRS., FULLY EQUIPPED, EXTENDED WARRANTY, A MUST SEE BOAT, TOO MUCH TO LIST, $177,000, CONTACT RON AT 561-213-7644. -GCMore Details \& Photos (561) 213-7644
Date Placed:
04-DEC-06

Warwick, MD $184,900
2005 SEA RAY 340 SUNDANCER, 34' 2005 SEA RAY 340 SUNDANCER. POWERED BY TWIN MERCRUISER 8.1L HORIZON ENGINES (750 TOTAL HP). ***ONLY 142 HOURS!*** THIS BOAT IS LOADED! INCLUDES MANY OPTIONS. KOHLER 5.0KW GENERATOR, AIR-CONDITIONING / HEAT, CHARGER / CONVERTER (120VAC), SIRIUS SATELLITE RECEIVER WITH ANTENNA, HUGE REMOTE SPOTLIGHT, FLIP-DOWN LCD TV WITH REMOTE, DVD PLAYER AND HEAD PHONES, SMARTCRAFT SYSTEM VIEW, RAYMARIN\…More Details \& Photos Email The Brokerage Shop Visit My Online Showroom (877) 579-2545\ In-House Financing

Delray Beach, FL $179,000
2005 SEA RAY SUNDANCER 34' NEW LISTING!!!! LIKE NEW, LOW HOURS TVD-8.1 370 H.P., 5.0 KOHLER GENERATOR, CHERRY INTERIOR, COCKPIT COVER, SUN PAD, SPOTLIGHT, COCKPIT REFRIGERATOR, CENTRAL VACUUM, SYSTEMS MONITOR PANEL, WINDLASS WITH CHAIN. SKIP VASHON CELL 954-646-6110More Details \& Photos Email Admiralty Yacht Sales Visit My Online Showroom (877) 699-1001
Date Placed:
20-OCT-06

Palm Beach, FL $169,000
2005 SEA RAY 340 SUNDANCER 34' 2005 SEA RAY 340 SUNDANCER, BLUE HULL, TWIN 8.1L MERCRUISER HORIZONS 370 HP EACH, 120 HOURS, KOHLER GENERATOR, AC/HEAT, RAYMARINE SL530 CHARTPLOTTER, RAY 215 VHF RADIO, COCKPIT REFRIGERATOR, SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO, CLARION 6 DISC CD CHANGER, MERCURY SMARTCRAFT, CHERRYWOOD/LIGHT NEUTRAL INTERIOR, FULL NAVY CANVAS ENCLOSURE WITH EISENGLASS... WHY BUY NEW??? ASKING $169,000. CALL C & S MARINE "T\…More Details \& Photos Email C & S Marine Visit My Online Showroom (954) 566-8811
 
Thanks. I have looked at all of those. Some are very nice, but none work out due to my trade. With my trade, I'm happy. I made the deal. I found out the list of options, and the boat is quite nicely appointed. It had a couple that I really like, like the entertainment package which includes Satellite radio and two flat screen tv's.. One is the big one on the back bulkhead.

It has a lot of nice little ones too, but unless they were added after delivery, it doesn't have the spotlight or the front sun pad, which I would have liked. It's never too late!

I'll be flying down to see it Monday.
 
Sounds like a real nice boat. Don't sweat the sun pad. I have one and find it to be a bit of a pita. It looks nice but needs to be removed and stored below so you don't damage the gel coat. I am getting tired of installing it every-time so I have been considering moving mine to our storage building. The remote search light can be added later but you might just determine that a hand held is more useful and easier to use.
 
Thank you again for your replies. The hand held can be easier. I've used the same dive light with the same 4 DD batteries for over 9 years!!!!!!!!!! I also have the 5" spot, and I know I can't live without one or the other. With the glass up, it seems the hand held would do as much to blind you as light your way.

I did some searching, and though this is probably not my boat, it's in the same area, has the same colors, all of the same options, same year, make, model...

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rrency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=62469&url

So, I look at these pictures and pretend it's mine.
 
Hampton:

I am looking to move up also, and as you already know, searching for the right boat is a TON of FUN... :thumbsup: ...one way that you will know when you find the boat that is right for you is when you are ready to give up that "search" fun and are ready to start the "ownership" fun.....

My opinion....a late model used boat that doesn't have all the options from the factory is a harder sell when it is newer....as the boat ages, the fancy-dancy options age along with the boat and need updating otherwise the boat itself looks "older" than its time....which is in your favor now buying a newer boat without ALL the options...use it as a bargaining chip....

Other than the major options (generator, AC, etc) all the smaller (not necessarily cheaper) options can be added as your budget and time permit...and...you get what YOU want.......I have added smartcraft to my current 380 for $750 in parts and two weekends of "fun"....I added more updated electronics, grab rails, cup holders, TVs etc......those things you can add.....

Now for the other side....your trade....I've said this before...a buyers market is great but it is a double edged sword when you have something to trade/sell.....there is no doubt that the best way to buy a boat in a buyers market is as a cash buyer with nothing to sell or trade...you would be a brokers dream......however, you have to decide if the trade numbers they are giving you for your boat, along with any tax savings, make you feel comfortable.....

good luck and enjoy the fun......the 340DA is a great boat....a close friend who we cruise with has an '05 equiped just like the one you are looking at....
 
Dominic,

You make some very good points. Thanks for the info about the Smartcraft. I've been thinking that I might want to add it. On the newer boats, you can either get the Smartcraft, or the Radar or Chartplotter. You can't get Smartcraft with the other electronics. Anyone know why?

My boat would probably sell for about 28, eventually, maybe not even that. The tax break is almost 2000. The headache is about 5,000 (almost - but a wholesaler will take it for that difference). Overall, that puts my new boat in the mid 160's. That's a good deal.
 
I'd say it's an OK deal, not a great one. For a one year old boat it has a lot of hours on it and no electronics? very strange for a 340. There are plenty of theses to be had in the 160-170 range. It does look extremely clean though, good luck with it.
 
It has a Chartplotter, just no radar or Smartcraft.
 

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