370 vs 380

[HUMPH]

I believe the later model 370 and the early model 380 share the same hull mold. May be true or not but I have friends with both. It all depends on your budget. If keeping it tight, get a 370 as they are available for a great value. The 380 is my boat with a touch smaller cockpit and no second head. Either boat in the right condition is fantastic. My friend's 380 has the high HP gassers and it performs very well in the Delta, Bay and Pacific Ocean.

 

[connie garcy]

The hull on the 2000 380DA is the same hull as the 1995. This hull was used from 1995 thru 2004. In 2000 the 380DA change the lay out in the cock pit and also in the interior. They also changed the engines to the 8.1. Our 1999 370DA is one of the last ones made with the 7.4 FI engines. Hope this helps. There are two different forms on here. One for the 370DA and one for the 380DA. The people one the 370DA form are very well informed if you have any more questions and I am sure the 380DA people are also well informed. Hope this helps.

 

[connie garcy]

You probably need to narrow your search to either the Express Cruiser or the Sundancer, as they are totally different. The 1999 Express cruiser, especially with the hard top is an awesome boat, and they were available with either the 7.4 gas, or the 3116 diesels.

When the 380 was released in 1999, the beam got 6" wider than the 370DA, and there was just more room on the boat inside....more than just 1' suggests. The 380DA is a 42' OAL boat, and it does great as a lake boat with gas engines. The 7.4L was upgraded to the 8.1L in late 2001, and for the better. The 8.1 has more torque and more pitch on the prop. You should also know that a lot of the 7.4L boats had warranty engine replacements from Mercruiser for water intrusion due to a subpar muffler system and less than optimum valve timing.

Good luck,

Don

I see Don talked about the Express Cruiser. Here is a link on one that is docked across the river from our marina.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-Sea-Ray-37'-Express-Cruiser-101812247

This boat sits at their dock most of the summer and is hardly used and there is a pair of diesels in her with only 710 hrs.

 

[susanandlance]

Thanks Connie, Good info indeed.

 

[Southpaw II]

I certainly don't know myself, but I wish someone would explain to me how the hulls could be the same on the 370DA and the 380DA. The 380Da is a wider boat, and I guess that could be because the cap of the hull is different. Also the OAL is about 2' longer, and I don't think it's all in the swim platform. The interior layout is roomier, albeit different, so it's really hard to discern the real differences.

I've always felt the wider beam of the 380DA extended further forward than the 370DA. But, whatever.....if there is real knowledge that the hulls are the same, I would be interested, but it's certainly nothing thatI can really contest myself.

Just asking,

Don