Looking for comparison between: 2000/1 340 vs. 2003/4 320,

[Alex F]

My numbers are similar to CJ. I'm getting .7-.8 MPG at cruise speed (24-26mph @3700-3800rpm). I think that majority sport cruisers are designed to go around 150-170 miles on the tank. This just is my approximate observation, considering normal conditions.

Here's some more good reading I found for you:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10669&highlight=340DA%2Aperformance

Here's another threads comparing both models:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9567&highlight=340DA*performance
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=954&highlight=340DA*performance

Some other helpfull links:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5519&highlight=320+performance

 

[Hampton]

Those numbers look about right for my 2005 340. I'll get slightly higher number in the sweet spot.

Disclaimer: I am not familiar with the layout of the slightly older 340.

Newer 320 vs newer 340:

ER - I can access any and all of the systems in my 340 ER. I could not access any of the systems in my friend's '06 320. His generator is in the aft center of the ER. The impeller is almost impossible - I wouldn't do it. I can do mine sitting down, in less than 15 minutes. All of my strainers are readily accessible. All of his are very difficult. He has a gas tank sitting where my genny is - stbd edge of ER. My gas tanks are forward of the ER.

Cockpit - both very nice. Matter of opinion which is better. I didn't like riding with my buddy in his 320 'cause I couldn't see out front. The forward port side Captain's seat was a must for us.

Interior - Very similar, except, our V-berth is bigger than a King in some dimensions. The 320 is a LOT smaller. The beam of our 340 allows us to leave the salon table installed ALL of the time. In the 320, you need to take it down in order to walk past eachother.

Swim platform - I really like ours for access from the cockpit or from our floating dock. I like the way it is molded for the lines of the boat and the ease of keeping it cleaned and polished. It is high off of the water - that is a downfall. The actual dimensions probably are smaller than the 320, but since it is molded, it doesn't feel that way. You can lean back onto the transom locker comfortably on the 340, if you wanted. In the 320, the sp is more in touch with the water environment - better for water sports, dinghy, swimming. In the 340, the sp is more in touch with the cockpit, boat... fine for swimming, but better for socializing, staying dry on the back end... Matter of choice?

We had 3 320's available for purchase in our area when we were ready to buy. We flew to Miami 3 times to buy and take delivery of our 340, then cruised home (700 miles). It wasn't a tough decision for me. It was worth it.

The 320 is an awesome boat. In my opinion, the 340 is a step above, but you pay for it. They are not the same boat. Mine is not a 360 either, nor is it a 380. The 300 is not a 320 either...

How many people can you fit on a personal boat/yacht overnight - 2 PERIOD (except for a second couple of very, very close friends, or your teenage kids for a limited time). How big of boat do you need to take relatives for a weekend? They don't make a single hull big enough. You always need a second boat, but that's just me. I love my friends, family, and new acquaintances, but I love my space too.

 

[hack4alivin]

:thumbsup:

How many people can you fit on a personal boat/yacht overnight - 2 PERIOD (except for a second couple of very, very close friends, or your teenage kids for a limited time). How big of boat do you need to take relatives for a weekend? They don't make a single hull big enough. You always need a second boat, but that's just me. I love my friends, family, and new acquaintances, but I love my space too.

I'll second that:thumbsup:

 

[mmcguire2002]

I have the new design 2003 340. My neighbor slip has the 2001 340. Up top the layout differs in seating and bar area. The older design has a single captain's chair which swivels and a 2 seater bench next to it. On the Port side is an extended bar.

On the newer 2003 340 I have 3 stationary chairs and a smaller bar aft of the far port chair. I prefer this design personally.

Inside the main difference in a 2001 340 vs. a newer 2003 340 is the cabinets surrounding the queen v berth. I prefer this look to the older interior, but would not pay a significant difference for that alone.

I use this boat to go to Catalina about once a month. You can sleep 2 couples, but it is tight for the couple using the pull out in the conversation pit. They better like to cuddle and everyone better be pretty close to pull it off. You can sleep the 3 guys in seperate berths well for a guy's weekend over there.

Noise is not tremendously loud even at WOT. It is a gas hog, but I would not go for the smaller engines and would always buy the largest boat I can afford and feel comfortable handling.

If you are up in Marina del Rey, let me know and you can compare mine and my neighbors. Let me know if you are in Catalina as well. I am usually in Avalon, but sometimes hit the Isthmus up as well.

 

[trit21]

Thanks Alex F for the links to other posts, you went out of your way to post these. I just can't seem to get the search to work right for me. I am going to keep working on it, maybe quotes or something works better?

One thing I have learned from these posts is everyone that owns a 340 wants to bad mouth the 320. Why is that? You don't even own the boat but you are the expert on what is wrong with them?

Maybe a Tiara is the right boat for me. Seems alot of people have nothing to say but bad news about these Searay's and why the 320 is the wrong boat to own.

Gotta love forums.....

 

[Alex F]

The impeller is almost impossible - I wouldn't do it. I can do mine sitting down, in less than 15 minutes. All of my strainers are readily accessible. All of his are very difficult. He has a gas tank sitting where my genny is - stbd edge of ER. My gas tanks are forward of the ER.

John,
I have to disagree with that. I did all of my impellers as part of winterizing. Since it was a first time for me on 320 I was concerned, but it turned out to be not a big deal at all. Genny was 10 min thing. For the mains I just had to find the best approach, strbrd side was easier to get to, on the port side I just took the exhaust elbo and had full access to the pump. Like I said not a big deal at all. :thumbsup:

 

[Alex F]

Thanks Alex F for the links to other posts, you went out of your way to post these. I just can't seem to get the search to work right for me. I am going to keep working on it, maybe quotes or something works better?

One thing I have learned from these posts is everyone that owns a 340 wants to bad mouth the 320. Why is that? You don't even own the boat but you are the expert on what is wrong with them?

Maybe a Tiara is the right boat for me. Seems alot of people have nothing to say but bad news about these Searay's and why the 320 is the wrong boat to own.

Gotta love forums.....

trit21,
Yeah, I had to do few searches. The search function is tricky and some simple key words don't work as you would expect it. I was trying to find a post I had with my detailed numbers and I couldn't. Simple key word like "MPG" comes back with nothing, but I know that may be 30-40% of the threads have it in the content.

As for why 340 owners talk down on 320, I think it's very obvious answer. I'll be honest and straight, most 320 owners are happy with their boats and will tell you all good things about it. On the other hand most 340 owners are happy with theirs as we and will not only tell you all good things about it, but also find reasons why they find 340 better and worth the difference. Do I think 340 is better than 320? Most likelly yes. However, given limited budget I didn't find 340 worth the difference. so, if your budget allows 340, go for it and most likelly you'll be happy. If you can buy bigger boat, get bigger.

As we (myself and other members) had mentioned, take your time and look at those boats in person. Pay attention to the areas 340 owners say 320 has smaller or inconvenient and see how it works for you. For example 340 has bigger v-berth bed, but my wife and I are very comfortable in v-berth in 320. Would I like bigger bed? Yes. Would I like to pay $50K-$70K for it? NO.
The bigger ticket items like engines, 350MAGs vs. 8.1s, some people say 320 with 350MAGs underpowered, I think it's fine. My 320 doesn't feel the difference having 3 people on board vs. having 3 couples with kids. So, take both boats for the ride and feel for yourself.

Good luck,
Alex.

 

[Hampton]

One thing I have learned from these posts is everyone that owns a 340 wants to bad mouth the 320. Why is that? You don't even own the boat but you are the expert on what is wrong with them?
Gotta love forums.....

Boy, if you got that impression from me, then I'm sorry. I tried to make it clear that both are awesome boats, but that there are distinct advantages to the 340 over the 320, and the 360 over the 340, and the 380 over the 360, and the 320 over the 300.

As far as the search goes, use the advanced search and make sure you don't have the little checkmark under the right side if you are not using it. I think that helped me, but no promises. For instance, if you are searching for key words, make sure that you don't check "Exact name" and then leave the name blank.

Good luck, and the 320 sucks (totally kidding - great boat - tough to work on).

 

[VinceR]

We looked at the 2004 320. They are very nice cruisers. Our 340 was 3 years older, in our price range and affords some more room. Thats is why we bought the 340.