Considering a Sea Ray to purchase--need information

[fighterpilot]

Considering a trip to look at a 1983 Sea Ray, early version of the 340 Sedan Bridge model. I am aware Pascoe had written extensively about the coring issues in the Sea Rays. Does this year and model fall into that group? Parker and Mcknew indicate it is a 20 knot boat with the 350HP gas engines. Fact or wishful thinking?
The boat under consideration has 210hp diesels. Don't know if 210hp in diesel equates to 350hp in gas or not. Performance with diesel is listed at 21 MILES PER HOUR. How is the view from the lower helm at cruise. Can it be piloted safely from the lower helm. Our load would be a fishing trip, ice boxes, 4 heavy adults, and the normal junk kept on a boat that size, full water, and fuel. Probably looking at 17000 lbs displacement.

As to the coring issue, was this through the build of Sea Rays, or just certain models and years. Was there a time and model it was just limited to deck and not hull, etc?? Concentrating on the name year and model is there an issue with coring??? What is max. prop size for that model. Has prop pockets I believe.

Thanks for your observations, advice and opinions. FP

 

[fwebster]

I am pretty sure the 340DB is a solid hull boat, however, there is far bigger core risk with the deck structure than the hull, despite what Pascoe wrote 15-20 years ago. All the decks are cored, no matter what factory or model is in question. Every hole put in the deck, or deckhouse is a potential leak into the deck core. Consider things like the windlass, the windlass switches, the spotlight, the deck hatches, the stanchions, the rails, the windshield and side glass, ........and don't overlook the fact that the flybridge is screwed onto the deck house. We have had 6-8 340DB at the marina....Treasure Island - the Sea Ray dealer in Panama City......in the 25 years I have been here and every one of them had problems with cabin leaks. Be careful here examine and smell every closet, under every seat, in every floor compartment, under the bunks, etc. and look at the headliner along the side glasses in the cabin and in the salon for staining.

Additionally, they were all gas powered boats and were slow. No matter the engine they have, these are stern heavy boats that work hard to get up on the water, it takes a lot of power to keep them there and they are no speed demons.

 

[Capt. Rusty Higgins]

she is a solid glass hull....all other concerns are answered above.

Capt. R

 

[TracyT]

I have an 88 model they are slow and 20 MPH is a full throttle speed for twin 350's

 

[fighterpilot]

Sounds like a survey and a sea trial would be money well invested. Thanks