97 330 Sundancer purchase

G

Geowh

Member
Mar 3, 2013
80
Lake Erie
Boat Info
1999 330 Sundancer
Engines
T7.4L 454 Mag MPI
I am considering the purchase of a 97 330 Dancer with +800 hours. The boat looks to be in very good shape and it looks to be well maintained. My 2 concerns are; #1 Carbureted engines, 7.4L, and #2 800+ hours. Any advice from 330 owners. Also, are there any other issues I should be aware of on this particular year? (I have checked into the common problem of moisture issues along the front of the windshield and front hatches and anchor hatch and it seems to be ok.
Thanks
 
I had your same concerns. The carbs are not an issue and are simple to work on by many mechanics. Rebuilt them twice in my 7 seasons. Forward hatch watch for delamination around it. Water fuel pump combo is a pain. Mine leaked and ruined the water pump. $900 each for parts for a new water and fuel pump. Look them over closely. Both of mine are new.

Shaft seals the tides (BLUE) are good if they are original they will need replaced soon. Google tide strong seal which I think are the new style and see if your PO installed them.

Make sure you have the 1 1/2" shafts. Check the cutlass bearings.

That is all I can think of. She is a great boat solid hull very strong you should have no issues. Might have some stress cracks but they are cosmetic. Dash may have some spider cracks around the stanchions. Cosmetics also.

She Has treated us well for our time out on the Bay. Very comfortable cruiser. She could use some more tab size over the originals to hold her on plane down to around 15 knots. But other than that no other issues.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
I love mine! Haven't really had much to complain about over the last couple years.

I purchased mine with 650 hours but have heard 2000 hours isn't out of the question with proper maintenance and good driving habits. Make sure you keep the plugs, wires, distributor cap & rotor in good condition. Having these in top shape makes starting it much easier after she's sat a while. The bowls tend to dry out after sitting which makes starting it a little harder.

Driving it is a piece of cake. She handles well in tight quarters. I'ts not affected too much by the wind and she comes up on a plane nicely with full tanks, a bunch of people and proper trim tab usage. Top end for me is about 32 mph at about 3800 rpm. You'll burn some fuel running at that speed. I find best mileage is in the 26 mph range at 3200 rpm.

The engine compartment is a bit tight but to date I have been able to reach everything. You'll find emptying the sea strainer for the AC the most challenging place to reach. Parts are readily available for the 7.4's.

Cockpit layout is awesome. Plenty of room to move around, lounge, and enjoy the day. I love the big bench seat at the helm. At 6'3" standing up while at the helm is tough. I'd need a few more inches. Other than the helm I can walk around up top without hitting my head on the arch.

Interior is also well designed. My 12,000 BTU unit keeps the cockpit at a chilly 65 degrees for those hot days here in Florida. The v-berth is roomy enough for me to stretch out. The only place I hit my head is on the curtain runner between the v-birth and main cabin. Other than that I can stand up easily down below. There's plenty of storage below under the dinette and aft-cabin cushions. Also plenty of storage in the floor and under the v-berth bed.

It's a great boat and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I do.
 
Similar story. Love mine. Carbs are simple and reliable. Fuel burn is virtually the same as mpi 7.4s. My cruise is 3400-3500 rpm which is 30 to 33 mph. These boats have 17 degree deadrise hulls which is theoretically rougher riding but better efficiency on plane. I think that is right, but I find it pretty smooth in the conditions I run in on the Great Lakes. Engine room is tight but it is on all vdrives in these size range boats. Handling is a breeze.
 
I will second the deadline. If you run her in a tight chop with bow low you will be uncomfortable as you will pound.. If you slow down to 20 knots you will raise the bow and have a smoother ride.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
Geowh said:
I am considering the purchase of a 97 330 Dancer with +800 hours. The boat looks to be in very good shape and it looks to be well maintained. My 2 concerns are; #1 Carbureted engines, 7.4L, and #2 800+ hours. Any advice from 330 owners. Also, are there any other issues I should be aware of on this particular year? (I have checked into the common problem of moisture issues along the front of the windshield and front hatches and anchor hatch and it seems to be ok.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I owned my 330 Dancer for 10 years and put around 1000 hours on her personally. The boat had around 1200 hours on the carburated 7.4l engines when I sold it 5 years ago. Probably has 1600+ on it today without any issues. Mine had the Bravo III outdrives, but we won't open that can of worms....Good luck with the purchase, she is a great boat!
 
Thanks for the info. One more question . I thought I read on one of the posts that there is a problem with water ingestion ? on the 330s?
 
There is a known problem for water intrusion with the old log style exhaust. Mine had the retro fitted venalift muffler system installed which eliminates that issue. If the boat hasn't been retrofitted with these mufflers I would ask the seller to lower the price to allow you to have it done.
 
The problem was with the mpi engines and log exhaust. Carb motors not affected. Mine have the logs. 850 hrs so far and no issues.
 
Hi there 330 Sea Ray lovers,


Check out my 330 Sea Ray Sundancer... Completly redone..!!!


Looking to sell it..;) Anyone that appreaciates the hard work that I put in will enjoy it to the fullest. Perhaps you might know someone who might be interested !!


Check it out: http://www.boat24.com/210555

Perhaps, Croatian 1,500 islands could become a new destination with your very own vacation house on the water..;)
A list of the most recent modifications:


- brand new seats trough out the boat
- new intelligent battery charger Pronautic 1240p
- new inverter 2kw
- new water boiler
- complete led lamps installation inside and out ( dimming possibilities )
- major service on the both transmission with 3 year guarantee
- new shaft seals
- refurbished propellers
- complete service on both motors and carburrators
- new 1000kw Quick winch with 50 meter of 8mm chain
- new anchor
- new stove
- completely new fosets on all water sinks and showers
- complete service on the whole bottom and painted in black color
.... and much more....

Best Regards,

Dan
 
Hi,

is there any differences with 95? I'm looking at a very clean low hours 485. it has 454 carb and v drives. going for test run today if all is well going for survey

thanks
 
Not much I don't think. 95 was th first year so maybe some model tweaking but the core boat and layout was the same.
 
Saverio said:
Hi,

is there any differences with 95? I'm looking at a very clean low hours 485. it has 454 carb and v drives. going for test run today if all is well going for survey

thanks
Click to expand...

The only real difference with the 95's was the helm and cabin roof behind the glass were white instead of tan. The white produces a lot of glare on the windshield on sunny days. Other than engine options (small block vs big block, carbureted vs fuel injected, IO vs V-Drive) and fabrics/wood, the 95-99 330's are all pretty much the same.
 
Saverio said:
Hi,

is there any differences with 95? I'm looking at a very clean low hours 485. it has 454 carb and v drives. going for test run today if all is well going for survey

thanks
Click to expand...


A 39 to a 33? I thought you were looking to move up in size.

If I'd known that, we could have talked.
 
that makes sense there is a black canvas dash pad.

I love my 390 I know it inside and out. the admiral loves the layout of the 330 and how modern it looks. the boat looks like it was rarely used. she said she can sleep out on this one not the 390. I don't get??????


LTD.330 said:
The only real difference with the 95's was the helm and cabin roof behind the glass were white instead of tan. The white produces a lot of glare on the windshield on sunny days. Other than engine options (small block vs big block, carbureted vs fuel injected, IO vs V-Drive) and fabrics/wood, the 95-99 330's are all pretty much the same.
Click to expand...
 
The cockpit defroster works similar to that of an automobile. There are cooling lines running to a radiator under the dash. At the helm are two switches, one controls fan speed, and the other turns on the heat. The defroster only produces heat when the engine is running and in my experience only produces heat over 2000 RPM's. My boat has two vents, one under the steering wheel that comes in handy on hot days and the other just in front of the helm that blows on the windshield.
 
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