340 SUNDANCER THREAD

[Stee6043]

Hello,
I'm considering buying about a 2005/2006 vintage Sundancer 340. I like the idea of the V-drives for much less maint. cost than outdrives. Is there any down side??? I would also lean toward smaller engines than the 8.1's for a little more working room (or does that not make any difference?). I would love to hear feedback from current owners of what to look for and what to avoid on 2000-ish 340's.

Thanks!

I assume the bilge space on an 05/06 will be similar to my vintage. With V-Drives I'm not sure how much room you're going to make up with a smaller motor. The space available is almost laughable. I assume you're decisions would be between the 8.1s and the 6.2s?

I'd personally go smaller engines in a heartbeat for the economy. I spend 90% of my boating life at cocktail speed and could honestly survive with two 20hp Johnson's on the back if I could find a way to attach them.

You'll find loads of threads on v-drive vs sterndrive. Sterndrives biggest advantage (in my opinion) is the room in the bilge. They are also more efficient and faster. The rest of it is all downside on the upkeep side. Especially in salt. I personally will never go back to sterndrives unless something extraordinary were to happy. Inboards are pure magic around the dock....

 

[Stee6043]

Making the jump from fresh to salt this season. My 2004 is pretty much stock. Any mods I should consider other than the following; New nav/radar, new bottom paint, check zincs... I also read a post in the past of the top 10 mods to consider for the 340, can't seem to find the post now.

Top 10 mods? Hmmmm...I'll take a stab at this one.

1.) Full fridge of beer
2.) Upgraded stereo system, JL or Wetsounds
3.) Transom speakers
4.) LED lighting
5.) Refill the fridge with more beer
6.) Hardwood cabin flooring
7.) Electronics (radar, fishfinder, VHF, GPS, touchscreen MFD's, TV's, all sorts of stuff)
8.) Seadek (or similar) cockpit and/or swim platform covering
9.) Cabin flat screen TV at mid berth
10.) Cockpit TV
11.5.3) Locker washdown
12.6) All chain anchor rode
13.13) AGM/GEL/$$$$'s Batteries (4+)
14.990) Dinghy with davits
15.) Custom matress
16.) Underwater LED lighting

Read around here long enough and you can find plenty of ways to waste your money...

 

[Pkunze]

I assume the bilge space on an 05/06 will be similar to my vintage. With V-Drives I'm not sure how much room you're going to make up with a smaller motor. The space available is almost laughable. I assume you're decisions would be between the 8.1s and the 6.2s?

I'd personally go smaller engines in a heartbeat for the economy. I spend 90% of my boating life at cocktail speed and could honestly survive with two 20hp Johnson's on the back if I could find a way to attach them.

You'll find loads of threads on v-drive vs sterndrive. Sterndrives biggest advantage (in my opinion) is the room in the bilge. They are also more efficient and faster. The rest of it is all downside on the upkeep side. Especially in salt. I personally will never go back to sterndrives unless something extraordinary were to happy. Inboards are pure magic around the dock....

I can only speak for the V-drive version, as stated low maintenance is key and I would assume easier docking since the props are more centered underneath. Working room on the 8.1's is laughable and I'm 5'9... However, the 8.1 motors are known to be a great setup for the older 340 class, at cocktail speed very easy to stay on plane which could come into play as you make your decision.

 

[Pkunze]

Top 10 mods? Hmmmm...I'll take a stab at this one.

1.) Full fridge of beer
2.) Upgraded stereo system, JL or Wetsounds
3.) Transom speakers
4.) LED lighting
5.) Refill the fridge with more beer
6.) Hardwood cabin flooring
7.) Electronics (radar, fishfinder, VHF, GPS, touchscreen MFD's, TV's, all sorts of stuff)
8.) Seadek (or similar) cockpit and/or swim platform covering
9.) Cabin flat screen TV at mid berth
10.) Cockpit TV
11.5.3) Locker washdown
12.6) All chain anchor rode
13.13) AGM/GEL/$$$$'s Batteries (4+)
14.990) Dinghy with davits
15.) Custom matress
16.) Underwater LED lighting

Read around here long enough and you can find plenty of ways to waste your money...

So your saying I just need more beer...

All great points, many thanks. I have the following;
1. beer
2. more beer
3. Bose portable
4. cabin/cockpit TV
5. Customer mattress
missing a few

 

[KevinC]

Hello,
I'm considering buying about a 2005/2006 vintage Sundancer 340. I like the idea of the V-drives for much less maint. cost than outdrives. Is there any down side??? I would also lean toward smaller engines than the 8.1's for a little more working room (or does that not make any difference?). I would love to hear feedback from current owners of what to look for and what to avoid on 2000-ish 340's.

Thanks!

The 8.1s and v-drive setup make for great handling around the dock and you have plenty of power when needed. If you want the space in the engine compartment look at the configuration with Bravo 3 outdrives but you will have the increased maintenance and loose some agility docking but pickup some speed and fuel economy. The 8.1s are the desired engine for this setup and with v-drives anything less will eventually limit your resale value and potential market.

A Bow thruster is a great option for the outdrive setup. I have one one on my boat with v-drives and while I rarely use it, it does become handy in certain conditions. If this of importance to you then weigh it heavy when selecting between boats as it can be an expensive add on.

While the 8.1s are great, Mercuiser introduced the Cool Fuel Generation 3 in 2005 that had some issues. It would not be a deal breaker but you should research that so that you are aware of the issues pre-purchase. I would guess that with any purchase you will hire a surveyor. Make sure they are familiar with the areas that are cored looking for any water intrusion.

Also the 2003.5 to 2008 layout is basically the same and there is a thread specific to those model years that would be a good read. Overall it's a great boat and I am sure you will love it.

-Kevin

 

[Pkunze]

The 8.1s and v-drive setup make for great handling around the dock and you have plenty of power when needed. If you want the space in the engine compartment look at the configuration with Bravo 3 outdrives but you will have the increased maintenance and loose some agility docking but pickup some speed and fuel economy. The 8.1s are the desired engine for this setup and with v-drives anything less will eventually limit your resale value and potential market.

A Bow thruster is a great option for the outdrive setup. I have one one on my boat with v-drives and while I rarely use it, it does become handy in certain conditions. If this of importance to you then weigh it heavy when selecting between boats as it can be an expensive add on.

While the 8.1s are great, Mercuiser introduced the Cool Fuel Generation 3 in 2005 that had some issues. It would not be a deal breaker but you should research that so that you are aware of the issues pre-purchase. I would guess that with any purchase you will hire a surveyor. Make sure they are familiar with the areas that are cored looking for any water intrusion.

Also the 2003.5 to 2008 layout is basically the same and there is a thread specific to those model years that would be a good read. Overall it's a great boat and I am sure you will love it.

-Kevin

A

Agree on all points. Also as an FYI, Bow Thruster installed will set you back about $7,500. I don't have one since I have the V-drives but looked into it at boat show last week.

 

[Sea buzz]

I have an 2006 340 with 8.1 vdrives that came with bow and stern thruster. Boat is easily manuevered. The thrusters are nice in a wind but not necessary once you get the hang of the boat. They are a good confidence builder at first if you haven't driven a boat like this

 

[lpvanam]

A

Agree on all points. Also as an FYI, Bow Thruster installed will set you back about $7,500. I don't have one since I have the V-drives but looked into it at boat show last week.

Depending on the market, the bow thruster as an add on can set you back up to $12K


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[Korkie]

We bought our 340 just last spring. Love it, great boat. Looked for over a year at 320s and 340s, both in V drives and Bravo IIIs. Finally settled on the 340 with Bravo IIIs. My brother in law has the 320 with V drives. We do most of our own maintenance and working on his 320 with the V drives is always a nightmare. Just no room to get to anything. When working on the 340 with the Bravo IIIs, it is much less stressful. The other factor is that we do trips together and he burns as much fuel with this smaller motors and V drives as I do with the 496 Mags (8.1s) and the Bravo IIIs, due to I am running at 2900 - 3100 rpms and he is at 3600 + rpms. Both have their pros and cons. I keep the 340 on a lift and rinse it after every weekend use, so the outdrives don't sit in the water, reducing the additional maintenance required. If I didn't keep the boat on a lift, I would have probably gone with the V drives. If you do go with the Bravo IIIs, definitely make sure it has the bow thruster. Sea tried several boats, and the one with Bravo IIIs without the Thruster was a nightmare around the pier, especially docking. Good luck and enjoy your new boat. You will be delighted with whatever version you decide on. Haven't met a 320 or 340 owner that hasn't been yet.

 

[Smedley69]

Finished the interior update. New floors, fabrics and made the old TV space useable.

 

[Stee6043]

Finished the interior update. New floors, fabrics and made the old TV space useable.

That looks outstanding. Care to share some details on that flooring? Looks very nice. Did you simply go over the carpet with some form of material? I'd love to hear/see more. Thanks!

 

[CliffA]

agree, that looks great....are all the red LED accent lights tied together on the same original rocker switch at the cabin entrance?......what type of black paint did you use for the table pedestal and base?......did you do the LED bulb conversion in the cabin lights or are they still incandescent?....

cliff

 

[Smedley69]

Flooring is www.nautikflor.com cherry/black. Carpet was removed. Lights are LED strip on a controller, colors can be changed. I did change the interior lights to LEDs....went the amazon route and seem to be holding up. I matched the color of the bolster around the bed and the curtains to the same sunbrella fabric as the new sea rays.....Id like to give more detail but for some reason this forum is really hard to type on......anyone else have this problem?

 

[Smedley69]

oh.....the pedestal I had powder coated.

 

[Smedley69]

Few more pics...the flooring is good stuff, have a couple of boo boos but overall I'm happy with it.



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[Smedley69]

And more pics...


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[Smedley69]

carpet removed where table is, folded, glued and stapled back once the flooring is down. Bottom step and trim in front of shower is removed for install. We kept the carpet and re-glued at the small step from mid cabin to galley and directly in front of the mid cabin drawers where the slight rise is. I didn't want to go overboard on sanding or filling. Looks great and wouldn't do anything different with the prep or the areas we reused the carpet. I had someone install but now that I've seen it done, it's definitely a diy project if u have the time.


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[Stee6043]

Thanks for sharing. Very nice looking install.

I'm looking to do something a little "lower budget" this year. Your setup appears to be anything but low budget! Very nice.

 

[Soul Mate II]

Smedley69 - where did you get the fabric from for the bolster - my needs an upgrade.

 

[Smedley69]

Sailrite.com



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