370 DA vs 400 EC

Poseidon

Poseidon

New Member
Oct 19, 2006
11
Pleasant Hill, Iowa
I currently own a '99 310DA and my wife and I are looking at a '95 370DA and a '93 400EC. What suggestions/advice would everyone give on these different years and models? We just started looking at them and thought I should get some advice from the other owners such as myself that might own one of these.

Thank you in advance for your input.
 
I was looking at both these type of boats about 6 years ago. The only difference was I saw looking at a pre 1994 370 DA. I have ridden in both and with comparable engines both have similar top end speeds and handling characteristics. I'd probably give the nod to the 400EC for dock manners unless you're in a crosswind. The longer bow would make for some sideways fun. Both will be thirsty with gas (both are great boats with diesels) neither will be underpowered.

I ended up with a 370 because the interior room was better suited for small kids (having the large mid cabin) opened up the entire space more than the separate compartments of the 400. Outside, either space was large, again the nod going to the 400 for slightly better seating arrangements (IMO). The 400 has straight drives so maintenance will be easier. Both are beautiful boats with great lines. The tankage in the 400 is a bit more (300 vs 275). From memory water is a bit more too I think (100 vs 75gallons).
 
I own a '95 370 DA (first year for the reverse arch), a friend a few slips down owns a 400EC. Both are great boats, he has a little more beam and a lot more cockpit space. I have more cabin space then he does. I don't want to get into performance comparisons between the two boats, however there is one thing I will point out..........THIS IS MY OPINION, please nobody take offense. The arch on the 400EC gives it a dated look, I've asked why Sea Ray went to the "reverse" arch and the answer I got was to pull motors out easier.

Oh yes, no question, if you have kids, the Sundancer is the way to go............trust me

That's his 400EC below


P8060003.jpg
 
Difficult choice since both are great boats. I bought a 95 370 DA in June. I had a 1991 310 DA before. I am more than happy with it. Very comfortable and roomy, easier to handle than the 310 DA. The 93 400EC is a very nice boat also. The design is a little older, but that is only a matter of taste. It is also bigger than the 370, and some people says, you better get the biggest boat you can buy :smt001
 
Thanks everyone for the input

It sounds as though I should probably stick with the Dancer. I have a daughter so the extra room in the cabin will be nice. The deal fell through on this one due to not giving jack for a trade, but I shall keep looking.
Thanks again everyone for the input.
 
Main reason for trade

The only reason we are looking to possibly trade for a larger boat is for a generator, but if we could find a reasonably priced generator we would probably just keep our 310. If anyone has any input on a used good priced generator please let me know.

Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Re: Thanks everyone for the input

Poseidon said:
It sounds as though I should probably stick with the Dancer. I have a daughter so the extra room in the cabin will be nice. The deal fell through on this one due to not giving jack for a trade, but I shall keep looking.
Thanks again everyone for the input.
Click to expand...

I would agree with that! :thumbsup: Don't push too hard ...
 
Normally I wouldnt even recommend this, many here might have issues with it, but have you looked into a portable genny (like a 2000watt Honda)? Not sure what you'd want to run, but for tasks like coffee pot, water heater, fridge etc, they cant be beat. Some folks have even run their Air on it (depending on starting load and BTU #'s). Granted you couldnt run them all simultaneously or overnight, but you wouldnt run your gas genny overnight anyway.

If that is all you need, you'd save yourself probably 3-4000 smackers since the Honda can be had for about 1G. :thumbsup:

Just my .02.
 
Interesting point

The thought has occurred to do the portable gen, but then I hear about people who are electracuted when they go to shut it off from the dew and such. You said you don't run the gen during the night so here is a question. If you don't run the gen at night how do you keep cool on the 99 degree days? I can't help it, I'm a city slicker.. :smt015
 
Portable GAS genny's and boats should never be in the same sentence. Genny's are a necessary item for cruising boats and being able to spend some great nights "on the hook", but they should be installed and plumbed in by a professional. I know it costs more but when you go to sell your boat the one w/the genny is going first!
 
Petep said:
Portable GAS genny's and boats should never be in the same sentence. Genny's are a necessary item for cruising boats and being able to spend some great nights "on the hook", but they should be installed and plumbed in by a professional. I know it costs more but when you go to sell your boat the one w/the genny is going first!
Click to expand...

I think when you use your portable in the correct way nothing really bad can happen.
Most mistakes happen if people do stupid things with it.

I used it in the past when camping on a island, then I take the gen about 20 feet away. No problems at all.

Peter
 
Poseidon... I think you are kidding when you say you want to run it all night...correct? Hard to judge on a written page like this.. :smt001

In all seriouslness, you never want to run either a fixed gas genny or a portable one overnight since you may go to sleep alright.....permanently. :smt015 Even with a CO Monitor, it is still unwise.

FWIW I must know of 20 people who use portable genny's as their power source when anchored out. The river where we are is famous for overnighters and transients. Many of these locate a genny on the bow or swimstep depending on what is most stable to tie down to.... Never heard of the electricution thing.... must have missed it. :smt119 It isnt my first choice btw, just an alternative to spending a boatload of cash. Many do it without incident or issue.
 
I have a portable GAS generator also. It's in my shed at my house with a transfer switch to run my HOUSE if I need. I never take it on a BOAT. We can beat this one all day long - and into the night- your just waiting for an accident to happen taking one aboard. Run a gas genny up on the fore-deck of boat-come on!
 
We didn't start the fire

I didn't mean to get everyone going on this.... :smt021

Okay some say portable some say no, what about I just keep looking for my 370 or 400 with a gen already installed on her?

Yes I was curious about running the gen all night. I haven't had a boat with a gen yet so learning is what I do best right now.. (mental note.. don't run the gen all night or you might die... :thumbsup: )
 
Guys lets get back on topic 370 DA vs 400 EC. If you want to discuss the ways to kill yourself on a boat; start a new topic. :smt021 :thumbsup:
 
First Born said:
Guys lets get back on topic 370 DA vs 400 EC. If you want to discuss the ways to kill yourself on a boat; start a new topic. :smt021 :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Ok Wesley you are right...

Poseidon,

I think the most advantage of the 400EC is the guest stateroom, not for your guests.... but you if you have bigger children! just like MarkD already wrote.

But what I didn't like about the 400EC is the head room that you have, I am 6, 5 ft and I couldn’t stand strait up!!

Beside these items I like the both boat looks even when they are totally different.

This are my personal views, and I don’t know if this helped you.

Peter
 
Poseidon, I think you are struck by a chronic condition known "footitis".
:smt100 :smt100


Every boater catch this illness and it may have happened to you before.....The "genny" thing is a reason to get a bigger boat or the reason you are using with the admiral ? :grin: :grin: :grin:
 
I went thru the 370DA vs. 400EC soul searching 6-7 few years ago. Not a cut and dried, black and white answer. Depends on alot of things that are specific to your needs and wants, i.e. whether you spend more time topsides than below decks, if you want room to do engine/gen/system maintenance, if you have kids, are you more concerned with exterior styling, and on and on.

Here's what was ultimately important to me. I had 2 kids back then--boy and girl- so the 400EC mid stateroom bunk arrangement was best for us. Wife didnt have to jack with filler cushions and make the aft bed up (and 2 kids had their own beds).

We always spend the weekends on the hook with 5-6 other bridge or motoryacht type boats. The 400ECs large cockpit was always the place to be for entertaining. We liked that.

I had a buttful of the v-drive engine room. My 400EC had a ton of room below and inboard handling performance is hard to beat.

400EC styling was a bit dated due to arch but the boat still draws attention due to long foredeck...still has classic sea ray look.

I subscribe to get the biggest boat you can. Extra LOA and nearly 14' beam were important to me.

I have friends that have had the 370DA and I moved up from a DA. I think they are simply outstanding boats with better resale probably. I would not have lost any sleep if I would have went with the 370DA. But 400EC was right boat for my family at the time.
 
I'm the original owner of my 370 DA, bought new in 1997 and still have it, its the best size for family or to entertain friends. Both are great boats and it all depends on how big you want. good luck!
 
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