Official 330 Sundancer Thread

[LTD.330]

Lew, good luck in you negotiations for a 330.

Yes, the specs for a 98 330 are virtually identical as those for 99 330.

Yes, Sea Ray produced both the 330 and 340 in 1999. The both share a near identical hull. The big differences between the 330 and 340 are the elimination of the bow pulpit, elimination of the two tiered swim platform, the transom locker was pushed back giving more space in the cockpit, a dedicated captains chair, and a pedestal bed in the cabin.

 

[IanBat]

Another question about out-drives, does the engine placement effect ride or the time it takes to reach a plane. Any thoughts from owners with out-drives?

I have a 93 330DA, mine was modified by the PO, removing the merc outdrives an replacing with Volvo Duo Props.

It leaps out of the hole, it takes very little time to get onto the plane. The only issue I ever had, was heading out fishing one day, full fuel tanks, full water tank, fishing gear, ice etc, and 4 guys on board, too much weight in the back, and it cavitated when I went to pull up onto the plane. Moved the guys to the helm area whilst I got up, then we were fine.

I have no issue around the dock, I steer it with the shifters, do not touch the wheel. One thing I have found is because the bow is light, if operating in wind, revs may be important on the i/o in reverse gear. Another point on that bow, plenty of chain in the anchor box helps, and I keep conteplating putting an extra water tank under the front bed.

 

[Captain Dave T]

Power Hatch Question. Has any else done something like this or am I missing something ? I just finished winterizing my 1996 330 for the first time. After I removed the two batteries on the port side in the bilge/engine area, when I tried to lower the hatch, there is no power to the cylinder. Is there something I am missing here or did Sea Ray just screw it up ? Next year I figure I will rewire the lift to use the other battery bank, Has anyone else experienced this ?

 

[wellswa]

Power Hatch Question. Has any else done something like this or am I missing something ? I just finished winterizing my 1996 330 for the first time. After I removed the two batteries on the port side in the bilge/engine area, when I tried to lower the hatch, there is no power to the cylinder. Is there something I am missing here or did Sea Ray just screw it up ? Next year I figure I will rewire the lift to use the other battery bank, Has anyone else experienced this ?

Captain Dave, sounds like Sea Ray made a change in 1997. On my 97' 330, the hatch lift is powered by the 2 batteries that are located under the jump seat behind the helm station. That way after you lower the hatch the 2 batteries can be removed if needed. Does your 330 have a battery bank above the deck or are all the batteries below deck in the engine room? Mine has both, 2 above and 1 below.

 

[testlab]

Remove bilge batteries, then use emergency start switch to lower hatch prior to removing the rest.

 

[Captain Dave T]

Yes, I have 2 Batteries Under seat behind helm and 2 below. Guess Sea Ray figured it out and made the change. Not a big deal, a little rewire and all will be well.

 

[Bolero]

Hi,
First of all; sorry for ma bad English, I am french.
I want to by a 330 Sea Ray sundancer around year 1997.
I would have some return of people that known a little about.
I am botting in Europe /France in the English Channel. I would like to sask few question:
- As you know the english channel is quite rought. What about the The 330 SR capacity in bad weather, how fast can you navigate with something like 3 or 5 foot of sea ?
In France the gas is quite expansive, and i think to find a model with mercruiser 5.7 liters (260 HP) with Z drive / stern drive bravo.
What should be "about" my cruising speed and consomption. And other speed ?
-what will be the consequence of using a 7.5 liters, more of course but how much ?
If you have time to give me any kind of other comment, it will be appreciate.
I was a sailor before doing some race and transatlatique crossing, but now kids and grand childs are coming.
Christian

 

[Bolero]

Hi captain
I can'answerto your question, but if you can answer to this, it would be lice
Christian.
Hi,
First of all; sorry for ma bad English, I am french.
I want to by a 330 Sea Ray sundancer around year 1997.
I would have some return of people that known a little about.
I am botting in Europe /France in the English Channel. I would like to sask few question:
- As you know the english channel is quite rought. What about the The 330 SR capacity in bad weather, how fast can you navigate with something like 3 or 5 foot of sea ?
In France the gas is quite expansive, and i think to find a model with mercruiser 5.7 liters (260 HP) with Z drive / stern drive bravo.
What should be "about" my cruising speed and consomption. And other speed ?
-what will be the consequence of using a 7.5 liters, more of course but how much ?
If you have time to give me any kind of other comment, it will be appreciate.
I was a sailor before doing some race and transatlatique crossing, but now kids and grand childs are coming.
Christian

 

[IanBat]

Hi captain
I can'answerto your question, but if you can answer to this, it would be lice
Christian.
Hi,
First of all; sorry for ma bad English, I am french.
I want to by a 330 Sea Ray sundancer around year 1997.
I would have some return of people that known a little about.
I am botting in Europe /France in the English Channel. I would like to sask few question:
- As you know the english channel is quite rought. What about the The 330 SR capacity in bad weather, how fast can you navigate with something like 3 or 5 foot of sea ?
In France the gas is quite expansive, and i think to find a model with mercruiser 5.7 liters (260 HP) with Z drive / stern drive bravo.
What should be "about" my cruising speed and consomption. And other speed ?
-what will be the consequence of using a 7.5 liters, more of course but how much ?
If you have time to give me any kind of other comment, it will be appreciate.
I was a sailor before doing some race and transatlatique crossing, but now kids and grand childs are coming.
Christian

Hi Christian,

Mine is a 93 330DA with out drives.

I boat around Sydney in Australia.

I find the 330 handles the sea very well, I am regularly out in 6' - 12' seas and run around 15-20Nm in that, I often find 15-17kn is a safe speed in 6'. I have never had cause to feel nervous in it out there.

Fuel burn unfortunately is fuel burn. Mine being outdrive will be better than shafts. But it still likes a drink. I honestly don't focus on it, even with 100 hours on the engines last year, the cost of fuel is not that great a cost compared to the rest of my yearly boating costs.

With the hours I do, most people in Australia would run Diesels. I have done the sums many times though, the extra cost for a diesel, I would never recoup during ownership of the boat.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[testlab]

Hi Christian,

Like Ian I am in Australia too and I have a 330DA with V drives. I am to the north of Sydney and regularly use my boat in seas between 1.5 and 2 metres. The best speed for these seas varies with the type of wave. I find the boat very safe but proper trim is important to get the best ride.

I have 7.4L engines and the fuel burn is too difficult to calculate because I operate under various conditions and each has different rates of consumption.

 

[dpmulvey]

Gary - Thanks! That was just the kind of feedback I was look for. Unfortunately the boat is now under a pending contract from another buyer. The sales rep I was working with decided to go on vacation and did not tell me nor ask another rep to be in contact with us. Needless to say I’m more than just a little miffed.

All - I’m now working with a new dealer. They have 1999 330DA. I’m confused about the 99’ model year. I’m only finding info on 340DA’s at SeaRay.com in 99’. But, I find pricing for both the 330 and the 330 at NADA.COM. Did Sea Ray switch models mid-year? Would the 1998 330 specs be about the same as 1999 330? Any other in sight about two models would be great.

Lew

I have the 99 330. The changes were cosmetic only. Looking at a friends 98 and my 99, it appears they changed the cabin decor only. It would be really more correct to call it a 1998 and a half. The 99 340 in addition to what has already been said introduced a taller radar arch. I hate the look, but love the extra head room at the helm. It also introduced the centerline main berth.

 

[Creekwood]

I have the 99 330. The changes were cosmetic only. Looking at a friends 98 and my 99, it appears they changed the cabin decor only. It would be really more correct to call it a 1998 and a half. The 99 340 in addition to what has already been said introduced a taller radar arch. I hate the look, but love the extra head room at the helm. It also introduced the centerline main berth.

Re the Centreline berth vs the 330's angled berth, you may want to lie down on both. The 340's berth is wider at the head, but shorter overall. If you are over 6ft, you may find it short. The 330 is angled and odd shaped so its actually longer length wise but the "outside" sleeper has to crawl over the inside person to get to the head at night. That might be a lot of fun, or it might be a pain in the a$$, depending on the mood of the significant other.

 

[Boatless-n-KC]

Quick update and some questions

Gary - All - I’m now working with a new dealer. They have 1999 330DA. I’m confused about the 99’ model year. I’m only finding info on 340DA’s at SeaRay.com in 99’. But, I find pricing for both the 330 and the 330 at NADA.COM. Did Sea Ray switch models mid-year? Would the 1998 330 specs be about the same as 1999 330? Any other in sight about two models would be great.

Lew

I checked out the boat last weekend. It has fairly low hours (350). In mostly good shape. It’s been neglected for a couple years (story is devoiced and now a new first mate that does not like to boat). One big problem. Gen has bad rod and listed as inoperable. Boat has been for sale for over a year and no one has made an offer. They’ve all just walked when told about the gen. I’m now waiting on quotes from marina to replace gen with a new one. As well as bring her back to good shape. I have no problem making an offer that reflects cost of repairs. Anyone see a problem with that?

Questions: It was bottom painted in August 2012. But, it needs a lot of updating TV, Stereo, Canvas etc. It has no electronics, needs to be detailed and buffed & wax. Not sure about last tune up, oil change nor impellers. So I’m assuming it all need to done. Is all that fare that game in the negotiated price? Or should I expect some of that in 14 year boat?

Lastly, one feature it does not have is salon heat. Does it even work on the boats that have it? Anyone ever “add” it?

Thanks again
Lew

 

[ippa2]

Bump on our 330 thread... I'm heading into my 4th winter with the 330 and every year I've tackled a few key maintenance items. Yr 1 - Replaced port heat exchanger and port fuel pump. Yr 2 - replaced all belts, all oil line to and from oil filter and starboard fuel pump. Yr 3 - replaced both Tides dripless shaft seals (this was fun :smt021), installed Floscans and replaced starboard fuel pump. Heading into winter 4 I need to replace both impellers and find some of the missing impeller vanes from current impellers and also replace the starboard heat exchanger. What are some things you've done to your 330 that I'm missing??? Not concerned with cosmetics so much, more the mechanical items.

 

[TimTech]

This is my first winter with my 330. I plan on replacing the engine and genny impellers since I don't know their condition from the last owner. I've sent in my props since they were dinged up from previous owner. I do have a flow of water getting into the bilge either through my dripless or the rudder bushing. I'll figure that out in the spring. The cockpit heater under the helm seat has a water leak when turned on. I don't know how to get at that thing yet but it will need to be serviced. Those flowscans are on my wish list. I'd be interested in a picture of where you placed them and what display you interfaced them to. I'm hoping I don't have any major failures in the coming year since it will be my first full summer with it!

 

[ippa2]

Tim, next time I'm on the boat I'll try to get some pics of where the floscan units are mounted and the helm display I have. As for the genny don't get me started. I had a rough year with genny issues. Started with what I thought was a needed impeller. Turns out the raw water pump was seized so I had to replace the whole unit. Then I had the oil filter spring a leak and pumped all my oil into the bilge before the low oil pressure switch shut it down. Took me a while to trouble shoot the oil leak back to the filter, but I'm hoping (fingers crossed) the upcoming season is better for the genny than last year. This is a great thread for new 330 owners. I would recommend reading the whole thread, if you haven't already. Happy holidays!

 

[testlab]

Hello to everyone for 2014.

I had a close encounter of the worst kind with a semi-submerged log last Saturday and the result is a broken port propellor shaft and a lost prop. Does anyone know the length of the propellor shafts on a 96 330DA fitted with 7.4L BlueWater series engines and ZF630 V-Drives?

Sea Ray's website has most of the specs in their archives except the shaft lengths. I know the shaft diameter is 1.25" and the prop was a standard 17"x17" 3 blade but I need to know the rest of the specs to get a replacement made.

Thanks in advance.

 

[LTD.330]

The shafts on my 330 are 1.5". Probably be a good idea for you to measure the starboard shaft. Come to think of it, you can look at the numbers stamped into your starboard propeller to know what size prop you'll need to get for the port side. You'll just have to get a replacement designed to spin in the other direction.

 

[testlab]

I believe SR went to 1.5" on later series. I was hoping someone knew the length so I could get quotes prepared for insurance. I didn't want to pull the boat out until ready to do the work, but thanks anyway.

 

[go2pamlico]

It sounds like you have good approach to predictive maintenance. I sold my 1997 330DA and have a supply of spare parts and maintenance items for sale. They are listed in the general parts forum. Please let me know if you have an interest. I think they are a good fit for your approach toward maintaining your 330DA.

As for locating missing vane pieces, you should start at the cooling water inlet to you transmission cooler; then to your oil cooler (if needed); and then to your heat exchanger (if needed).

Another maintenance area to look at is the cooling water to your dripless shaft seals. On our boat, the nipples from the oiler coolers corroded and separated from the coolers when I applied only slight hand pressure. Lucky for me, I caught the problem at the pier and not while on a cruise.

If you ever start using excess oil on one or both engines you should check the cooling water outlet to the shaft seal to see if you have a leaking cooling tube. Operating oil pressure is greater than the cooling water pressure so when a tube leaks, the oil blows out the exhaust. I know this from experience.

I accumulated my spare parts from experience in preparation for a great loop run. Unfortunately health issues resulted in us selling our boat prior the run.

Enjoy your boating and stick with your predictive maintenance plan.