New to forum looking for advice on 330

[Tony D]

Due to an unfortunate accident on land my 33 foot Trojan was just completely destroyed beyond repair. I'm in the market for a similar-sized boat and I've pretty much settled on a 33 foot Sea Ray. Probably going to be in the 1999 range. Not sure if I'm going with an Express Cruiser or a Sundancer. As an avid fisherman and being used to having a 13-foot beam I love the beam and the cockpit on the express cruiser but the cabin on with the AFT cabin is a big plus. I know the difference betweenbthe two is vast. I don't know much about Sea Ray's other than my experience with friends boats. I just have a few concerns that I can't seem to get answered on the internet. I really want the express cruiser but I was wondering if anyone can give me any kind of guidance regarding the engine compartment access. Is it just the small hatch in the center or do both sides lift up exposing the entire engine compartment like my Trojan does. The other issue I'm having difficulty determining is if any of the boats that size have wood or foam coring in the hull. I'm not concerned with the deck or side walls. Another question I have is if the transom and starboard side cockpit seat are removable. I do not like seats along the transom or sides. I do not mind the rear facing bench seat. Lastly are there any inherent problems with either boat besides what I've read about the sundancers being tough to get up on plane without the trim tabs. I've also heard something about water back flowing into the engines but I cannot remember the details. Any other issue whether mechanical or otherwise that I can be on the lookout for would be much appreciated. I am only considering inboards or V drives. I/O's are not an option whatsoever.

 

[Stee6043]

That's a lot. How tall are you? If you're over 6' you may want to consider 340's. Same basic boat, quite a bit taller at the helm and a touch taller in the cabin. 6'+ and you cannot stand up while driving the late 90's 330's.

In 1999 Sea Ray switched from the 330 to the 340. 340's existed from 1999 through 2003 (I believe) in this body style. 330's went back to the mid 90's +/-. They are nearly the same size sans the height mentioned above. Other notable changes include cockpit seating layout and master berth orientation.

I happen to be selling the 340 in my signature line. PM me if you want to know more...

 

[play dough]

Sea Ray built a 340 Sundancer with a sportsman's package around 2005 for a couple years I think. It has the cockpit of the express with the cabin of the sundancer. It's somewhat rare but they do come on the market from time to time.

 

[joeyleggz]

Welcome you are looking at some very fine boats as the owner of a express cruiser and an avid fisherman clearly my allegiance lies with the express cruiser Sundancers have their purpose excellent for entertaining, nicely laid out cabin but I find a lot of people don’t utilize the aft cabin that much though it is nice to have the express cruiser has a tremendous cockpit that is vital for fishing in my opinion the bridge deck completely lifts up with two actuating rams for full access you will not find a better engine room Than in the express cruiser also the 330 express cruiser hull is not cored it is solid fiberglass I have spent time extensively on both models that you are looking up both are excellent choices but if you really want to fish and fish hard the express cruiser is the only way to go they have done for reviews at Boat test.com on the express cruiser and Sundancer’s Welcome aboard !!!keep the questions coming and I will be happy to help
Joey

 

[Tony D]

The engine compartment was a major issue. Read some things indicating it was impossible to work on the engines because of the access. I fish a lot offshore and wanted a clean self-draining cockpit with no engine access for that purpose. My Trojan has a 13 foot beam and almost the same cockpit as the express cruiser. The only problem was the cabin was too small to keep things in that I needed when we entertained or just went out for a ride such as chairs and other bulky items. That is the only reason I was thinking of the Sundancer. I don't need it for sleeping I need it for storage (besides keeping my wife happy). I'm not thrilled about the V drives and prefer straight inboards which the Express Cruiser has. I found a few in the $50,000 area which is the most I want to spend. Sundancers are a lot less but for my purpose I'm getting a lot less. I really have to get on one of each and seeand see how it is laid out. Do you know if the sundancers cockpit seats are removable. If they aren't I won't even consider it and I'm back to the drawing board. Thank you for your help guys. By the way I'm 5 foot 10 and couldn't drive my Trojan standing up without opening the top up.

 

[joeyleggz]

My buddy has the bridge Version of the boat you had absolutely fantastic Boat do a lot of offshore fishing in that Trojan I know that the aft seat in the Sundancer does remove not sure about the starboard side seating and how that comes apart i’m sure somebody else will chime in. As far as storage goes on the express cruiser you do you have to be a little creative if you do have the big white heavy duty deck chairs it is kind of hard to find space to store them .I happen to have some Directors chairs that I’ve had for many generations are usually have no problem storing them in the floor center hatch in the cabin they actually also fit in the tremendous fish box that the express cruiser has but I prefer to leave the mahogany indoors

 

[Tony D]

I really loved that boat. According to the insurance adjuster the marina did not block it correctly and the weight of the boat overtook the hull and the cinder blocks went straight through it into my cabin. It was not blocked on a bulkhead. Marina tried to say the coring in the hall was rotted until I informed them it was a solid glass hull. Total loss and 100% the marinas fault. Damages in excess of $20,000. As far as the chairs go I got rid of the big double leg folding deck chairs because of the size. I now have 4 West Marine folding chairs I leave in the V berth. I really hate doing that. I forgot about the storage space in the cabin sole on the express cruiser. Also the Trojan had a lot to be desired regarding storage space so I guarantee any boat has more storage than that one. The 28-foot I sold had five times the storage in the cabin. I would consider the 33 or 34 Sundancer for personal use. I run charters part-time and have a 34-foot twin diesel Luhrs at my disposal which is why I was even leaning towards the Sundancer.

 

[joeyleggz]

Sorry to hear that crazy story it amazes me that some marina’s just don’t have enough common sense or knowledge Good luck in your search hopefully you can get on some of these great boats soon, there is an official page for our 330 express cruiser 340 amberjack on here I’ll try and post the link for you ,shouldn’t be that hard to find... the lurhs Is also a great boat my friend has a 32 with twin yanmar diesels we fish the canyon with that all the time excellent on Fuel that’s the only drawback to the gassers I really only have a range of about 180 miles anything more I would have to purchase a saddle tank

 

[Tony D]

Thanks. I appreciate it. Going to look at one today. Haven't boat shopped in 14 years. I'm like a kid in a candy store.

 

[CliffA]

if you can bump up the amount you want to spend to around $60-65K might want to add a 340 Amberjack to your search.....I hear they are nice fishing boats with lots of room.....

cliff

 

[Tony D]

No can do. I don't even want to spend the 50 k. It's all about what I have on hand on top of the insurance money. No wiggle room at all after 50 and very little before that. Believe me I'd love to upgrade even more but it's just not in the cards.