330 or 340 - need to decide

14Paradise

New Member
Mar 25, 2008
17
Finger Lakes, NY
Boat Info
330 sundancer 1998
Engines
7.4 MPI's
I am looking at moving up from my 260 to something in the 330 or 340 range. Looking at slightly older models to keep costs reasonable. I have two options seriously under consideration that I would be interested in folks comments on:

Option 1 is a 1998 330 DA, one owner, well maintained freshwater, very clean, 7.4 MPI's, 370 hrs, FWC, genset, minimal electronics, fresh bottom paint, original canvas but still has some life.

Option 2 is a 2000 340 DA, Repo boat that had some salt water history. New Canvas, fresh bottom paint, modern electronics/radar, rebuilt gen set by dealer, 7.4 MPI's, 698 hrs, new risers/manifolds, props reconditoned, new zincs, full detailing in and out boat is considered an 8 out 10 overall. Sounds like it was a boat that did not show well that a dealer has worked on to improve.

Both boats are from Sea Ray Dealers and trade money is within a couple of thousand dollars with the 330 coming in slightly lower. Normally I would run from a repo saltwater boat. But, with the level of renewal undertaken it has me intrigued. I figure with a boat this age many of these things are going to be needed and the repo 340 has a good start on major maintenance items. Plus I like the island berth of the 340, but salt water repo is a hang up. Full hull and mechanical survey regardless of which way I go. Thoughts???
 
IMO and you know how that goes. I would go with the 330DA. But here is my question fresh water boat as in river and or lake or are we talking big water as in Erie. We have been looking as well but I want only river or small lake. We looked at a couple of 340DA up in NJ and the salt water boats had all kinds of rust my neat freek could not take. we looked at a couple of boats up in port clinton and the big water had put a good deal of stress crackson the hull. One of the guys on our dock has a 98 330 and it is good for 40 MPH on my gps on my boat. when we were side by side on a trip.
 
With the fact the 330 was a river boat and has way fewer hours, that would be my choice. Don't limit yourself to just your area though. It is often worth looking in another state and paying for shipping it to you.

What are they asking for these ? (PM me if you don't want it on the forum). I'm just wondering if you aren't limiting your choices too much.
 
I still don't get the concern- and all the posts here- about "saltwater" boats...

On an inboard (not I/O) it's meaningless as long as the engines are FWC. Sea Rays are not cheap freshwater bass boats or pontoons with zinc hardware...

Fuhgedaboutit.
 
I would go with the 340. You can not stand and drive a 330. They are both great boats, but I would opt for the new boat...
 
I would go for the 340. Don't be so concerned about saltwater. Nothing a good detail couldn't cure.
Many boats, mine included, have never seen anything but saltwater and they manage to survive. In some cases they do much more than survive, and they actually look pretty good.
 
340....this boat is roomier both inside and out, and the mechanical and electrical technology is better. I bought a boat from a saltwater environment, and have had no issues now in freshwater.

Don
 
Update on decision.

Learned more about the 340 and the more I learned it sounds like it had some hard times. Cracked platform from backing into something, dirty bilge, strange hour meter info, etc.... Enough to scare me away.

Sea Trialed the 330 and it went well. Survey complete and deal closed. Boat is coming out of Pittsburgh and has had a very easy life. Will need canvas in the next year or two. Dealer is freshening it up to hold me over.

Transport scheduled. Question on new thread coming on this?
 
I think Great Lakes still has there 20% deal for you canvas... Should only cost about $2,500 for all new canvas... Good luck with your new boat...
 
Ditto on the Great Lakes Canvas. Did our 330 last season with it. There are some threads on installation as you have to put in new pieces around the arch and that is a bit tricky if never done before, also you need to purchase that section.

Enjoy the new boat and thanks for the update. There is a 330 thread on here with some answers. But post up your questions. I am still learning a lot about the boat.

I really like her, she cruises comfortably and has a nice layout, forward berth on yours is a bit smaller then mine I am guessing.. Does it have the padding down flush with the forward berth? I don't know why they did that as there is a couple of inches of space behind it and you can stretch out a bit more with it raised up...

I fine to stand at the helm I stand to the left of the helm slightly and can then look directly down the centerline of the boat and stand up fully. I like it as it gives me headroom and sightlines when running...
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,857
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top