320 or 340

Thank you all for the replies and input. My wife and I have spent more time on both boats over the last couple weekends and have decided the 340 is our choice. Now to find the right one. Have looked at a very clean 2000 with 7.4 MPI's and a very clean 2001 with 8.1's (both inboards).
Both seem to be prices seem to be in the right place with the 2001 being 5-6k more than the 2000. Wish we could see our way to the newer 2003, but seems to be just a touch over budget....Narrowing it down, and probabky thinking WAY too much, but have learned a ton in the process. Hoping the buying voyage is over soon and the next voyage is on our new 340.
 
What is your budget? I will sell you my 02 340da. Ive got my eye on a 360.
(two foot itis)
 
Are there any differences in options between the two? How about hours on motors/generator?

I personally wouldn’t pay $6k just for “one year newer” since I don’t think there were any real changes between those years. I’d lean more toward which ever has the lower hours and then which one has the extra options that might add value, assuming they are equally clean. 7.4 vs 8.1 will be a more opinionated debate I’d say. I think they are nearly the same from an efficiency standpoint. I haven’t heard many suggest a 340 with 7.4’s is underpowered but we’re mostly men here, right? We must assume the 8.1 are more desirable (Horizon’s with cool-fuel issues notwithstanding) just because bigger is better!

 
Differences-
00 vs 01
7.4 vs 8.1
and the 01 has canvas that is in a bit nicer condition.......but the canvas on the 2000 is decent and is no where near needing replacement.
Both have recent electronic upgrades (radar, gps, etc)
Both have Gen
Both recent bottom paint.

Year and motor package........whats that worth?
 
How about hours?

In my opinion 7.4's with 700 hours are a better value than 8.1's with 2,200 hours. Not that high hours indicates impending doom. But low hours and strong maintenance should defer costly engine work for a few years?
 
Sheesh. All else being equal I'd go for having $5-6k extra in my pocket I guess.

It sounds like you've found two shockingly similar boats!
 
I may be biased but I think there are very good reasons to go after the later modeled 2003.5. Resale, sex appeal, bigger better motors. I looked hard at both and it was worth the $10k jump. I'm not positive but larger hull at least that is what it seemed to me. In 5 years limited people will want the old styled 340 sundancers. 2003 went to 2008 for the 340 sundancer style. Resale will likely be easy. It really is a better looking boat.
 
In my case I will have to say the 2003.5+ . I don't own one yet, but currently in contract with one. The reasons my wife picked it was the seating, cabin size, and overall look. I picked it because of those massive 8.1's (lol), The engine access hatch compared to the 2002, Cockpit Seating, Bed size, Integrated swim platform,Interior layout and just an overall sexier look.You could find a nice one that is in the mid 80's if you really look.
 
I think it comes down to layout. I liked the port side passenger seating in the 320. Only the 320 and 290 seem to have it. That's why I ended up with a 320, and there were several 340s available when I bought, too.


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The 2003.5+ have a port passenger seat. I'm just saying.....

scooper321 said:
I think it comes down to layout. I liked the port side passenger seating in the 320. Only the 320 and 290 seem to have it. That's why I ended up with a 320, and there were several 340s available when I bought, too.


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Well, there you go! Those Newer ones were a little bit outside my price range when I was looking. I didn't re-read the whole thread, so I don't know where the OP's price is.
 
Well- Getting closer. Offer accepted, deposit made, and survey scheduled for Monday on a a very clean 2001 340. Hoping for a good survey. Thanks for all of your feedback.
 
Hello All- The launch date is this weekend for our 'new' 340. Sea trial and closing (if the sea trial goes well) scheduled for this Friday morning. Weather looks good for Friday and I am hoping to run the boat from Charlevoix down to Ludington after the closing on Friday. Any one have experience with this run? I am anticipating about 4.5 hours from Charlevoix to Ludngton. Am I on target with the time assuming cooperative weather?
 
I’ve got a ‘99 340 for sale in Grand Haven if it’s not too late! Ha. I hope you’re getting a great 2001. You’re going to love it.

Lake Michigan is still in the low 40’s, maybe colder that far north? I’d make sure you have the proper safety gear for this run even if you plan to stay just offshore. At least an inflatable, something to keep you out of the water.

It’s also not too late to get yourself an EPIRB from Amazon if you don’t already have one.

Make sure you get a solid understanding of the electronics before you hit the big lake. Especially if you have a radar system that’s of the same vintage as the boat you’re buying. In my opinion electronics of this vintage are not nearly as intuitive as newer gear. My Raytheon RL70C isn’t exactly “user friendly” but it would be tremendously useful for a boater that might find themselves in a dense fog bank on Lake Michigan in early May…



 
Stee6043 said:
I’ve got a ‘99 340 for sale in Grand Haven if it’s not too late! Ha. I hope you’re getting a great 2001. You’re going to love it.

Lake Michigan is still in the low 40’s, maybe colder that far north? I’d make sure you have the proper safety gear for this run even if you plan to stay just offshore. At least an inflatable, something to keep you out of the water.

It’s also not too late to get yourself an EPIRB from Amazon if you don’t already have one.

Make sure you get a solid understanding of the electronics before you hit the big lake. Especially if you have a radar system that’s of the same vintage as the boat you’re buying. In my opinion electronics of this vintage are not nearly as intuitive as newer gear. My Raytheon RL70C isn’t exactly “user friendly” but it would be tremendously useful for a boater that might find themselves in a dense fog bank on Lake Michigan in early May…
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Thanks for the offer on your 99- I'm pretty confident we've found the right one- Also appreciate the safety tips- Inflatable is on the platform and ready to go, also ordered an EPIRB last week that should arrive today or tomorrow. I am a little apprehensive, but excited to get the boat south. I have a slip paid for in Grand Haven and hope to make it there by Sunday. Saturday maybe a layover day as the weather looks a little sketchy. Sunday appears to be nice for a cruise.... The boat has updated electronics (2015) Garmin 741XS gps/chartplotter and radar. I'm hoping to get an education on the sea trial. Forecast shows clear skies with 7-9 mph winds and 1-2's. Don't have allot of experience with a run this long but feel confident enough to go. Am I on with my timing at about 4 1/2 hours from Charlevoix to Ludington? Also assuming about a 3 hour run from Ludington to Grand haven?
 
I think you’re probably a little optimistic on your times depending on how hard you plan to drive it. I’d bet at a comfortable cruise (peak economy) you’re going to be closer to 6 hours from Charlevoix to Ludington in 1-2 foot seas. My guess only (have never run it).

I’d also guess a tad longer for your Grand Haven leg at just shy of 4 hours.

All of this said…maybe I just drive slowly. But I also have a flo-scan on my boat so I tend to watch the $$$$’s change with engine speed. The sweet spot for me might be a bit lower than some.
 
One other thought - you’ll probably burn through more than a half tank of fuel on your first leg. If this were my trip to plan I’d probably target a stop in Frankfort for lunch and fuel before finishing that leg.
 
Stee6043 said:
One other thought - you’ll probably burn through more than a half tank of fuel on your first leg. If this were my trip to plan I’d probably target a stop in Frankfort for lunch and fuel before finishing that leg.
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Gotcha- Good info. Thank you. The boat I am purchasing has 7.4 MPI's. Is your boat powered the same? What is your optimal cruise speed/rpm?
 
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