380DA Thread

[jackson]

I would like to get some opinions about the 380DA. I will hopefully be moving up after this upcoming season and this is one of a couple boats I am interested in. I have nothing against earlier years, but would like to stay around 2002 or 2003 with the 8.1s. I got some good advice from Dominic and would like to hear what others have to say, good and bad. Thanks.

 

[ylwjacket]

Marine Max in Clearwater has one in stock right now, with 8.1's, listed at about 190. I know that boat well - it has about 150 hours, is extremely clean, and was impeccably maintained by its former owner - me! If you walked on it or in it, and didn't know Sea Ray's current model line up, you would swear it was brand new.

The 380 is a solid boat, rides and handles well, but burns alot of fuel with the 8.1's. Fuel burn is very dependent upon load and sea conditions.

What types of questions do you have?

 

[jackson]

380DA

ylwjacket,

If it is the one with the camper top it does like nice. It's actually exactly what I would be looking for. I was basically just looking to get some opinions on the boat, what people liked or disliked about it, although I haven't heard many bad things at all. I was hoping to keep my 310 for this season and then try to do something toward the end of the season, but I wanted to start looking now and if a great deal happened to come my way I may jump on it. So I'm just putting the feelers out there. I was planning to just move up to a 340, but many told me to make the jump to the 380 and the wife really wants a separate shower so it sounds like the right boat for me. Thanks for the feedback and any more is appreciated.

 

[ylwjacket]

That would be it.

We looked at the 340 before buying the 380. In fact, when I went to the dealership, and took my family along, I took them to show them the 340 I had made a deal on (deposit and all). Right next to it in the showroom was the 380, and I couldn't get them off it, so I moved my deposit to that boat.

The big reasons for us to go with the 380 vs the 340 were:
- extra beam, which made the cabin and the cockpit quite a bit larger
- full size fridge/freezer
- separate shower in the head
- larger galley work area
- more open feel to the salon/mid-cabin

I like the 340 alot, as did my fam. But, they liked the 380 more, so we went with that.

I added the camper package later. That doubled the useable space, by making that more or less indoor space. We had curtains made ot cover the isenglass from the inside, and I spend plenty of nights sleeping out in the cockpit, because we had company or kids down below that took all the bed space.

It is really hard to find anything to complain about. I had it out in smooth conditions, and I had out in difficult conditions, and it handled it all.

The only complain that I can offer is that my wife would get to feeling a little green when riding in the salon if it was bumpy, mostly, I think, because you can't see out. She would say she felt like she was in a submarine.

For fishing, I took the aft bench seat out (I changed the way that is set up a bit to make that an easier manuever). The cockpit is huge with that aft bench out.

 

[Robski97]

Jackson,
Buddy of mine has 38... He has had it for 3 years .. loves it... the storage in the floor is amazing ... Great handling boat. his boat has the 7.4's ..so 8.1's will only be better

Good luck

Rob

 

[jackson]

380

Thanks guys, ylwjacket I just sent you a pm. At first, I was worried about the gas engines in that boat, but from what I've heard they are no problem. Actually, from the way people are describing the performance it seems to run pretty well with them.

 

[osd9]

I agree with what has already been said about the 380DA. We moved from a 330DA for more space, but the real push was the seperate shower. All the other extras mentioned only sweetened the deal.

Other features that really pushed us were the pocket door to the main salon, no curtain, which offers some resemblance of real privacy. The separate HVAC (foward and aft) systems...and the full size fridge are some of the other pluses that we also loved.

As for fuel consumption, I would think that the difference, when compared to all the other "boat" expenses, would be negligible between the 340DA and the 380DA, both equipped with 8.1s. At 3400rpm, according to Smartcraft, and confirmed at the pump, I would run approximately 26 MPH and burn about 32 GPH...that's about .8 MPG on plane. Conditions and load would have an effect, as it would with any boat.

The 13' beam gives you that big boat feel, heck...it IS a big boat.....and I NEVER felt that I was lacking power....even when fully loaded.

2002-2003 were all 8.1s (or CAT 3126 Diesel). Some of the later 2001 were also equipped with 8.1s. All of the 8.1s were smartcraft ready, but in 2003 they came from the factory with the smartcraft guages.

Just ask if you have any specific questions, and good luck with your search.....

 

[Petep]

I also had a 2000 model year 380DA, For all the reasons listed above I thought that was a real "big-boat" ie. stateroom door, not curtain, full size fridge, big beam etc. We had moved up from a 330 EC and I will never forget getting on that boat for the sea trial, as I thought it was huge! We bought that boat for $185K and they gave me $180K on a trade in so we had a good year on that boat but the fuel burn drove me to diesel. If you can find one with cats in it buy it-you won't regret it. I remember climbing up waves working the throttles-don't do that anymore w/the oil-burners.