New 390 - Old 380 Any Yeahs or Nays?

JustUs2

JustUs2

New Member
Jul 8, 2009
135
Kent Island, Md
Boat Info
2011 450 Sundancer
Engines
CMD 380's - Zeus
Considering upgrading from a 330 to the new 390. Not much info in the way of reviews, etc. Anybody care to share what's good, what's bad, or what's just OK with the 390 (DA)?
 
Been there done that.

I had two 330's then ordered a 2001 380 that I kept for 4 years. I loved the boat it handled very well and was super fast. It combined the sleeping space that I needed and the cockpit entertaining space that I needed. I still miss the 380. In did not like the bow up attitude that the older model 380's ran with at speed.

My '04 390 is bigger in many areas has a separate shower from the head and a nice galley. The bed is larger and more comfortable. It handles better as slow speeds around the dock. The bow thruster helps but the whole story is the new design of the props really bite much better. The biggest deal is the hardtop . My wife wanted it and pushed me to get it. I must say it is a huge positive over the canvas. I never thought it would be but it creates a much better environment in the cockpit. However it is heavy and it slows the boat down from the 380 . The old 380 was faster but with the flatter attitude that the 390 runs I think it gets slightly better fuel economy.

If the wife is pushing for the hard top I would strongly suggest the hardtop. Happy wife happy life. Hope this helps.
 
DITTO RWVW415
adding, We had a custom enclosure added on back and the cockpit feels huge with it. Most of our neighbors have stopped boating with the cool weather. Our hard top terrarium is at about 78 inside when its 50 outside. The arch VS. hardtop, the hard top ties the feel together and is brighter then just arch and canvas. Good Luck!
 
Appreciate the feedback. Hardtop is a definate plus! We are going to sea-trial this weekend. If all works out, sounds like a good choice.

Again, feedback is greatly appreciated.
 
Bill, I considered the 390 as a possible upgrade...separate shower, larger salon so the 2 of you can get between the fridge and dining table at the same time...the extra beam makes a huge difference. No upgrade in # of heads...basically the same footprint down below...much worse fuel economy than the 330. With the 8.1 HO's powering the 390, you are pulling much more boat than the 330, which if anything is overpowered with them, something we like. The one thing that turned me off on the 390, and I know you will think this is ridiculous...but, our 330 has the Kenyon grille, and it's not an option on the 390. I just couldn't make the leap. If you do make the move, then I think that would be wonderful...like most things boating, it generally comes down to personal preference!!!!! One thing: I did not sea-trial the 390. Please report back with a comparison of 390:330...I'm sure if I did sea-trial, I would say the grille could go...but we do love the grille!!!!!
 
For the price you will probably pay for the 390 you can probably get into a very slightly older 420/44 with diesels with a hardtop and two separate heads.
 
Wow. We sad the same thing about the grille! We love it and use it all the time. Since its electric, we grill at the dock. It works great. Amazing how such a seemingly little thing might be a major reason to not upgrade.

Gas usage sucks on the 390 (from what I've read) with about .79 mpg cruising at 3,500 rpm. Another consideration, but i'm not sure that is accurate. I'd like to hear from some current owners.

We considered going a little older / larger and still may. Larger / older also has its own set of costs and issues too.

The 390 we are looking at is nicely laid out, has a number of upgrades, and is priced reasonable. We'll see how sea trial goes I guess.
 
Before we go much further, does everyone realize how many boat models we're discussing?

SeaRay has done their best to make this as confusing as possible.

When JustUs2 said, "New 390", that literally translates to the current 390 Sundancer, (390DA) which most of us know better as the 38 Sundancer - with the centerline transom door. In my mind at least, that model superceded the 360DA, not the 380DA of a decade ago.

The previous 390 Sundancer was the little sibling to the 420/44DA, and was renamed the 40DA (both with portside transom doors).

I'll stop there - I think I just gave myself a headache.
 
RollerCoastr said:
Before we go much further, does everyone realize how many boat models we're discussing?

SeaRay has done their best to make this as confusing as possible.

When JustUs2 said, "New 390", that literally translates to the current 390 Sundancer, (390DA) which most of us know better as the 38 Sundancer - with the centerline transom door. In my mind at least, that model superceded the 360DA, not the 380DA of a decade ago.

The previous 390 Sundancer was the little sibling to the 420/44DA, and was renamed the 40DA (both with portside transom doors).

I'll stop there - I think I just gave myself a headache.
Click to expand...

I agree with your point and that being said. I think the 330 to the current 390 upgrade is not giving you that much more to justify a move.
 
I was on a new 330 the other day in the dealer showroom, I believe it was a 10 1/2' beam? Heck my 1990 280/300 was the same beam. The 1990 310/330 was 11 1/2' beam.

Confusing is right. When someone is boat shopping I tell them to use the length as a guide line but the beam is the best way to compare boat models and brands.

My 1990 350/370 is 12' 4" beam so does it compare more closely to the 40DA ?
 
Having moved from a 320 to a 38 (which is the current 390), my delivery captain summed it up when he said "this is just a whole lot more boat". I loved our 320, but a Sport Yacht has nicer fit and finish than a Sport Cruiser. The E120 and open array and hardtop are great. In the salon, a real mattress, shower, and refrigerator and freezer are big plusses. I have the 8.1's, and docking is much easier with the added weight and torque. Gas milage is only about 0.7 mpg at 3600 to 3800, which is 25 to 28 mph. I cruise with a 2000 380, and he gets about .75, so on a 100 gallons I pay about $15 more due to bigger engines and more weight. The cockpit bar area in a 38 is pretty awful compared to other new models. I would rather have had a 40, but the deal wasn't right for me when I was buying, but I like the 38 more than the 320 and glad we made the move to a more "roomy" boat.
 
Whitenights said:
I was on a new 330 the other day in the dealer showroom, I believe it was a 10 1/2' beam? Heck my 1990 280/300 was the same beam. The 1990 310/330 was 11 1/2' beam.

Confusing is right. When someone is boat shopping I tell them to use the length as a guide line but the beam is the best way to compare boat models and brands.

My 1990 350/370 is 12' 4" beam so does it compare more closely to the 40DA ?
Click to expand...

The new 330 you saw in the dealer showroom is the previous 310. The 330 that Bill and I each own, is now the new 350. OK, now we all have a nice headache.
 
Hopefully the musical chair model numbers will stop with the latest changes. Drives me nuts trying to do a search on a specific model no. Thanks BCP for the mpg info. I really like the 330, even did some major ugrades to make it work for us. Problem is, nothing I did makes it any roomier. Separate stateroom and real bed is a big motivator. One thing we didn't like is the fact that none of the portholes open. Searay VP offered to change out the porthole in the mid-cabin with one that opens (pending eng. approval). That should help with air flow and ventilation. Hopefully they can make it work. That will also factor in our decision. Cost aside (that's a different discussion), sounds like the 390 might work out.

FYI - Both the dealers and finance companies say business is better than it has been in years. Everyone says they are swamped. Could be that the boating business is on its way back up (good news for all).
 
We have a 2008 38DA that is now the 2010 390DA. I was looking at the 340DA and went to the Miami Boat show in 2008. What sold me on the 38DA was the room between the engines with V drive, you can walk between them not so in the 340DA. As mentioned the hard top, the large frig and freezer, seperate shower, large helm instrument panel with E120, DTS are all good features.

The 8.1L do suck gas though, we get about 0.7mpg at 3400~3500 rpm. We don't travel far so the extra (~60K) cost of diesel didn't make sense. The 8.1L GM block has been around and used by Volvo, so it's well debugged. Howvever, I understand that GM no longer is supplying this block, so you might be getting a new block design.

The fit and finish are good and this boat comes from Merritt Island where the big yachts are built. If you can get the polycarbonate wind screens do so, they have better clarity than the Isenglass.
 
JustUs2 said:
Hopefully the musical chair model numbers will stop with the latest changes. Drives me nuts trying to do a search on a specific model no. Thanks BCP for the mpg info. I really like the 330, even did some major ugrades to make it work for us. Problem is, nothing I did makes it any roomier. Separate stateroom and real bed is a big motivator. One thing we didn't like is the fact that none of the portholes open. Searay VP offered to change out the porthole in the mid-cabin with one that opens (pending eng. approval). That should help with air flow and ventilation. Hopefully they can make it work. That will also factor in our decision. Cost aside (that's a different discussion), sounds like the 390 might work out.

FYI - Both the dealers and finance companies say business is better than it has been in years. Everyone says they are swamped. Could be that the boating business is on its way back up (good news for all).
Click to expand...

Bill, what major upgrades did you do with your 330?
 
mawyatt said:
We have a 2008 38DA that is now the 2010 390DA. I was looking at the 340DA and went to the Miami Boat show in 2008. What sold me on the 38DA was the room between the engines with V drive, you can walk between them not so in the 340DA. As mentioned the hard top, the large frig and freezer, seperate shower, large helm instrument panel with E120, DTS are all good features.

The 8.1L do suck gas though, we get about 0.7mpg at 3400~3500 rpm. We don't travel far so the extra (~60K) cost of diesel didn't make sense. The 8.1L GM block has been around and used by Volvo, so it's well debugged. Howvever, I understand that GM no longer is supplying this block, so you might be getting a new block design.

The fit and finish are good and this boat comes from Merritt Island where the big yachts are built. If you can get the polycarbonate wind screens do so, they have better clarity than the Isenglass.
Click to expand...


I came VERY close to buying a new 2010 390 this fall. It had the 8.1's HO with Axius drives. That boat is built on the old 360 SDA platform. It has a 12 1/2 ft beam and overall length is 39ft. My 340 has a 12 ft beam and overall length of 37 ft so I just couldn't see the rationale to pull the trigger.
I will say this, that boat handles like a sports car. It is fast and with power steering, it is unbeliveable to handle. Docking is a breeze with the joystick. My wife loved the cabin with the wood floor, separate shower and the door that separates the sleeping area from the dining area. The cockpit seating is a little chopped up with the center entrance and the wraparound seating. The engine compartment is HUGE. I swear you could put a dinghy down there because the Axius drives set the motors far back in the stern of the boat.
It is a beautiful boat but we just decided it wasn't enough of a difference for us and our 340. Good luck, I'm sure you will make the right choice. Its hardly a bad choice just buying a boat period!!!!!
 
ziekman@cox.net said:
Bill, what major upgrades did you do with your 330?
Click to expand...

We added an Intellian Satellite TV (purchased and installed by BOE - did a great job)

Raycor fuel-air separators on all 4 gas vent lines (fills up like a car, handle kicks off when full, no gas spillage). Highly recommended. Will do that again.

and.....

Believe it or not, a hydraulic swim platform (sealift). Fantastic! Added a little weight (stern sits about an inch lower), barely changed boat characteristics (but did slightly), planes nicely, runs nicely. Takes about 10 seconds to launch or retrieve the dinghy. Remote control, laydown chocks, etc. If you ever consider this, check out Sealift. Highly recommended! Installed by my Searay dealer (Sealift certified). This one took quite a bit of soul-searching and research. After seeing that Searay offered it as an option on the 330, Searay dealer guaranteed the work, and seeing it installed on a 340, we decided to do it. Good decision (bution retrospect, should have waited to POSSIBLY install on a 390) :)
 
JustUs2 said:
We added an Intellian Satellite TV (purchased and installed by BOE - did a great job)

Raycor fuel-air separators on all 4 gas vent lines (fills up like a car, handle kicks off when full, no gas spillage). Highly recommended. Will do that again.

and.....

Believe it or not, a hydraulic swim platform (sealift). Fantastic! Added a little weight (stern sits about an inch lower), barely changed boat characteristics (but did slightly), planes nicely, runs nicely. Takes about 10 seconds to launch or retrieve the dinghy. Remote control, laydown chocks, etc. If you ever consider this, check out Sealift. Highly recommended! Installed by my Searay dealer (Sealift certified). This one took quite a bit of soul-searching and research. After seeing that Searay offered it as an option on the 330, Searay dealer guaranteed the work, and seeing it installed on a 340, we decided to do it. Good decision (bution retrospect, should have waited to POSSIBLY install on a 390) :)
Click to expand...

Those are awesome upgrades!!!! Hey, if you do upgrade to the 390, your boat should be a very attractive resale for you, or better on the trade!!!!
 
JustUs2 said:
We added an Intellian Satellite TV (purchased and installed by BOE - did a great job)

Raycor fuel-air separators on all 4 gas vent lines (fills up like a car, handle kicks off when full, no gas spillage). Highly recommended. Will do that again.

and.....

Believe it or not, a hydraulic swim platform (sealift). Fantastic! Added a little weight (stern sits about an inch lower), barely changed boat characteristics (but did slightly), planes nicely, runs nicely. Takes about 10 seconds to launch or retrieve the dinghy. Remote control, laydown chocks, etc. If you ever consider this, check out Sealift. Highly recommended! Installed by my Searay dealer (Sealift certified). This one took quite a bit of soul-searching and research. After seeing that Searay offered it as an option on the 330, Searay dealer guaranteed the work, and seeing it installed on a 340, we decided to do it. Good decision (bution retrospect, should have waited to POSSIBLY install on a 390) :)
Click to expand...

Is this what you installed?
 
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