340 sundancer 1999

[wakeup 19]

Want to get some ideas on how much you use the generator on this boat I have the chance to purchase one for a good price with low hours 8.1 engines not big on AC at sea. I do spend a lot of time on the hook would you buy this boat without generator possibly use Honda? I will keep boat for 10 years or so also how hard is it to add a generator to a boat that’s never had one before much cost involved roughly thanks Rob

 

[Ididntdoit]

You've been here since 2008 and dont know NOT to ask about a honda generator? Strictly "dont ask dont tell"........as far as adding a marine generator, no - even if you source a used one, your easily talking 10-12k - likely more. Plenty of boats out there equipped like you need/want it - in the northeast, I typically ran my generator an hour or two in the AM and likewise in the evening - grouped cooking, battery charging and hair dryer, hot water, coffee into those times.....generally speant a week or so at a time like this.......gas generators are notoriously a pain in the ass - another mouth to feed if you will - had "friends" that used honda's like I used my installed one (few hours a day) and swore by them.......their mainenece costs were $0.......unless your running air all the time (really not necessary in most NE anchorages) or you refrigerators only run on AC power you likely wont need a generator to run all the time.....even TVs can run on 12v (or run a small inverter)

 

[Stee6043]

2020/2021 are crazy boat buying times! My perspective right now is a bit different than a couple years ago.

If I were faced with buying a cruiser sans generator right now vs waiting 1-2-3 years to find the "right" boat with a generator...hmm...I may jump on the current boat. It at least gets you out on the water. And of course you could always add the generator later at considerable expense. But again, it gets you out on the water now.

I think you'll find that boats of this size will generally be difficult to sell without a generator onboard. Folks in this type/size range want a hot shower in the AM, want their nespresso machine running, need to be able to microwave the kids a mac-n-cheese cup with the air running when it's blazing hot outside.

The Honda discussion, with all the fun banter that goes with it, does nothing to address future resale issues. If you can budget the $10-$15k to add the generator I'd personally make it a "must do" at some point. Shoot, a brand new generator in a 1999 340 would be a sweet upgrade. In the grand scheme it's just another boat project. If we all gladly pay $7k+ plus for new canvas, a new generator doesn't sound so crazy on the upgrade spectrum. We're not talking hydraulic swim platforms kind of crazy...

 

[vandal]

To sell the boat down the line it will go for a big discount with out gen. Cost to put one in $12,500 for gen 4 to 5 for instulation in north east.

 

[wakeup 19]

Agreed, I can get boat for 12k less than with gen but will definitely have more issues selling just like current owner is having trouble. And as previously stated most people have issues w generator run ability as they always seem to have issues. Otherwise nice boat.

 

[Stee6043]

Agreed, I can get boat for 12k less than with gen but will definitely have more issues selling just like current owner is having trouble. And as previously stated most people have issues w generator run ability as they always seem to have issues. Otherwise nice boat.

I think you'll find that non-use is the reason 80% of generator issues exist. Find a guy that runs his generator 100% of the time he takes his boat out and you'll find a guy pleased with his generator performance.

 

[Gord]

Want to get some ideas on how much you use the generator on this boat I have the chance to purchase one for a good price with low hours 8.1 engines not big on AC at sea. I do spend a lot of time on the hook would you buy this boat without generator possibly use Honda? I will keep boat for 10 years or so also how hard is it to add a generator to a boat that’s never had one before much cost involved roughly thanks Rob

That depends a lot on how you boat and where. I am located in Grand Haven Mi. On the west side of MI there is a inlet every 10 to 20 miles. In the eight years that I have boated in lake MI I have never spent the night on the hook. We bought a 340 last fall without a generator and did not give it a thought. We had a 280 for four year that had a generator and hardly ever used it. Now if you are somewhere you will stay out all night a lot, that is a different story. I agree my wife will want a warm shower, I will want a cup of coffee.

 

[Creekwood]

Agreed, I can get boat for 12k less than with gen but will definitely have more issues selling just like current owner is having trouble. And as previously stated most people have issues w generator run ability as they always seem to have issues. Otherwise nice boat.

If you can get it 12K cheaper then you have the savings to spend on a new generator and can get the latest technology and a new genset. Do some research on the best new generators and the installation cost.

 

[Golfman25]

I have been looking for that boat for some time. Here in the Great lakes, I have seen zero discount/upcharge with or without a generator. The market is nuts around here, still.

 

[Stee6043]

That depends a lot on how you boat and where. I am located in Grand Haven Mi. On the west side of MI there is a inlet every 10 to 20 miles. In the eight years that I have boated in lake MI I have never spent the night on the hook. We bought a 340 last fall without a generator and did not give it a thought. We had a 280 for four year that had a generator and hardly ever used it. Now if you are somewhere you will stay out all night a lot, that is a different story. I agree my wife will want a warm shower, I will want a cup of coffee.

You're the unicorn buyer every non-generator equipped cruiser is looking for!

 

[Creekwood]

My buddy that is shopping just inked a deal for a 2001 340 here in Ontario conditional on spring survey and sea trial. Looks like a good one. Seller actually moved a bit down on ask, but the ask was too high anyway. Still can't believe how high used boats have gone. When I bought my 330 in 2009 the prices for early 2000 340's were in the CAD$80K to 85K range and that is basically what he will pay 11 years later in nominal dollars.

 

[Captain Spike]

I think you'll find that non-use is the reason 80% of generator issues exist. Find a guy that runs his generator 100% of the time he takes his boat out and you'll find a guy pleased with his generator performance.

Exactly! They need and like a load and regular use .

 

[Todd320]

If you can get one installed, great. Mine has quite a bit of extra stuff for the generator, through hull for water intake, dedicated muffler, through hull for water/exhaust discharge, wiring to cut over to/from shore to gen, not sure if this boat is pre wired like that without a gen?

 

[wakeup 19]

If you can get one installed, great. Mine has quite a bit of extra stuff for the generator, through hull for water intake, dedicated muffler, through hull for water/exhaust discharge, wiring to cut over to/from shore to gen, not sure if this boat is pre wired like that without a gen?

I’m not sure looked at it once if price warrants will definitely explore. Good info. I wonder if Sea Ray can tell me how they set them up. We are pretty low maintenance only wife and I for most part. All my boating friends are suggesting I not buy it.
tough one, I have a boat I really like but would like ac at dock to work remotely instead of home office.

 

[Golfman25]

I’m not sure looked at it once if price warrants will definitely explore. Good info. I wonder if Sea Ray can tell me how they set them up. We are pretty low maintenance only wife and I for most part. All my boating friends are suggesting I not buy it.
tough one, I have a boat I really like but would like ac at dock to work remotely instead of home office.

Probably easier to put AC in your current boat than a genny in a new boat. I did it and it was a great upgrade.

 

[Fill Ess]

New 300DA Boston-area owner here, and mine has the 5kw gen with idle issues from non-use. It has less than 200 hrs total use and the receipts show that it's been worked on a few times. Even the seller made the comment that he hardly used it. I will be dealing with these issues in the upcoming season, and I'm glad to have found a boat with an OEM low-hours gen. But I have seen several threads on here about folks doing extra batteries to handle what a gen would normally do. I would definitely explore that as an option.

 

[wakeup 19]

Probably easier to put AC in your current boat than a genny in a new boat. I did it and it was a great upgrade.

If I end up keeping boat I probably will add ac. I have had boat for 18 yrs and thinking a little more comfort and room as it will be last big boat. Love 340 room in salon and cockpit seating. Very torn

 

[Stee6043]

I’m not sure looked at it once if price warrants will definitely explore. Good info. I wonder if Sea Ray can tell me how they set them up. We are pretty low maintenance only wife and I for most part. All my boating friends are suggesting I not buy it.
tough one, I have a boat I really like but would like ac at dock to work remotely instead of home office.

Are your boating friends suggesting you not buy the boat only because of the generator?

 

[wakeup 19]

Are your boating friends suggesting you not buy the boat only because of the generator?

Yes.

 

[sdarc]

So you put AC on your current boat to work at the dock and I'm guessing no genny in the current boat? So that is just like the 340 only the 340 has has the room you like.

For me, I would look at the 340 harder to get the AC and space. I didn't have a genny on my old 270 but I did have AC. And that was the only place I needed it.