320 or 340

C

cc&water

New Member
Mar 20, 2016
14
Grand Haven MI
Boat Info
2001 340 Dancer
Engines
7.4 PI V-Drives
Hello all, We've been on the search for a clean 340, and just haven't been able to find or buy what we want. Our budget has us in the 2000-2002 model range. Just had a dealer email pics of a 2004 320 w/ inboard 350 mags that he just took in. the boat appears to be spotless, low hours etc and its within budget. We are new to sea rays and cruisers....Is there really that big of a difference from the 340 to the 320?
 
The 340 is one of SR's best sellers for a reason. I've never been on a 320 but on many 340's. I think for the $$$ the 340 would be the way to go.
 
They almost identical in size... I believe the 320 you are looking at is raw water cooled which is good in the great lakes..
 
i would go with the 320 the cockpit layout is much better than the early 340's.
Double helm seats with flip up bolsters.
Port side seating
The swim platform is bigger too as is engine access it has a bigger hatch.
 
If you have not been inside a 340, make the effort. I was looking at 330's, and once I was inside a 340 it was all over. The interior headroom in the 340 is much different. Im 6'2 and hit my head in the 330, the 340 all the room in the world. I assume the 320 has same issue. If you dont need the headroom, i guess thats fine as well. I would look at a 340 just to be sure.
Bud
 
I love my 320 - I was facing the same decision. Neither boat is bad. So go with the one you like better.
 
Thanks for the input folks- I've learned allot reading through the different posts and forums on this site
Skolbe- One of the items I struggle with is the engine packages. Just found out the 320 that the broker sent pics of has 6.2's not 350 mags. I was pleased to hear that given the added hp ....but all of the 340's we've looked at are cheaper and I've read that the 340's with 6.2's are underpowered.....The 320 weighs in at 800 more lbs than the older 340's. So- Im a bit perplexed. How does your 320 perform with the Mags?
 
Cheaper with the 6.2's is what I meant. And they seem to have been on the market longer than any with the 7.4's or 8.1's
 
I had a 2006 320 with 350's. She was a great boat and layout. Coming in at just under 36' loa. But as previously posted, take a good look at both and see what looks best and works best for your situation. They all have their pros and cons.
 
I was in the same toss up between the 320 and 340. I decided to go after the 340. The main reason for me was the 8.1 engines. My friend has a 320 and he cruises around 22-23 and it just feels like it needs a little more. 340 ,The bed is larger, I like the helm seating and the one piece swim platform.
 
As many members here know, my 340 is quietly (at the moment) for sale. I sent you a PM concerning this boat, so have a look.

Dale
 
My boat performs fine with the 350 mags. It is sensitive to a dirty bottom.
 
The 340 and 330 are basically the same hull. Once properly tabbed and propped, I have no problems with the 6.2's.
 
As a comparison, we own a 2006 320, our dock neighbor has a 2006 340.
Our 320 has 6.2's with BIII's. Our neighbor's 340 has 8.1's with V-Drives.
Setting in the water next to each other, not much difference in size..
His Bed is larger, but I tend to like the seating arrangement in the cockpit better on the 320.
Yes, built in swim platform on the 340, Extended platform on the 320.
The 6.2's on the 320 are sufficient in power.
I really think it is a matter of personal choice.
His 340 is very nice and is currently for sale, he wants to get a 420 or bigger.
If I were to sell my 320 with a couple hundred fewer hours than his 340, I would be around 20K under his asking price.
I do agree with others, Not a large difference between the two.
 
I have an 01 340, I looked at I believe was an 04 320, the dimensions between the models are pretty close, however there are differences in teh cockpit seating, and I noticed a big difference in the size of the bed between the two. In the 2003.5 model, the 340 is about 2.5 feel longer than my 2001 and .5 feet wider. The cabin is alot different and the cockpit seating is completely different between teh 98-02 and the 03.5+ models.

I picked the 340 because of the engines, (the 01 came with 7.4 Horizons) and I liked the seating better. If I had the money at the time I would have tried to find an 2003.5+ 340.
 
I had my heart set on a 330, went through two before ultimately going through a 340 "just for kicks". The 340 to me felt significantly larger in the cabin. Enough that I knew within 2 minutes of being inside it that I wasn't going to be able to buy a 330.

The cockpit felt very similar between the two to me. The notable differences were the height of the arch and the helm seating layout. I preferred the seating layout of the 330, the arch height of the 340 and decided I couldn't live without the cabin size of the 340. All in all it was an easy decision for me.

How this relates to a 320 I have no idea but I assume the 340 is going to feel much bigger in the cabin based on my experience with the 330. You mileage may vary.

Good luck!
 
Don't neglect thinking about how the head works. One nice feature of larger boats is not having to shower in public facilities while experiencing the related "atmosphere". Some smaller cruisers skimp on head space. Once you are able to clean up in an air conditioned space with some nice music playing and avoid walking down the dock in flip flops with your dirty laundry, you will be a happier boater.
 
He is talking about the previous generation 340 so pre 2003.5. So the comparison is a good discussion and is not a no brainer.
 
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