Opinions on a 330 Dancer

[Zorba]

We are considering moving up to a 330 and i am looking for opinions on the boat. The 96-98's are in my price range so that is what i would like to focus my search on.

How is the livability? (3-5 night at a time)
Is the V-berth suitable for me and my wife. (6'2 225)
How cramped would it be with 3 dogs (2 labs and a dingo/Jackal/reindeer mix)
Fuel Consumption (7.4's)
Ride comfort/control ease of use

We do alot of Island Hoping on Lake Erie and maybe one longer trip a year if this helps form an opinion.

 

[AndersonAcres]

Alex, when we were looking at 330s and 340s, the height of the arch became an issue. I'm 6'2" and the arch on the 330 is shorter than the 340, and I couldn't stand upright at the helm.

I actually liked the 330 cockpit layout better than the 340, but the Admiral liked the V-berth on the 340 better. Both V-berths were big enough for us, though.

We're now looking for a 340. Who am I to argue with the Admiral, especially when she wants a bigger boat?

 

[KayKook]

We are considering moving up to a 330 and i am looking for opinions on the boat. The 96-98's are in my price range so that is what i would like to focus my search on.

How is the livability? (3-5 night at a time)
No Problem
Is the V-berth suitable for me and my wife. (6'2 225)
Yes
How cramped would it be with 3 dogs (2 labs and a dingo/Jackal/reindeer mix)
If they are well behaved, should be fine
Fuel Consumption (7.4's)
.7 to 1 if just cruising
Ride comfort/control ease of use
Very comfortable with wide beam,twins help in maneuvering, good for it's size and weight

We do alot of Island Hoping on Lake Erie and maybe one longer trip a year if this helps form an opinion.

See above

 

[Zorba]

Thanks for the info so far. This all helps with the decision making process

 

[bliss]

If you don't have the skills to change the impellers in the horrid water pumps on that boat be sure the seller can prove they are current- a receipt. Or have them done as part of the deal. You'll agree with me when you get a quote from your Sea Ray dealer. I can't imagine living with three dogs on that boat-.

 

[fc3]

We are considering moving up to a 330 and i am looking for opinions on the boat. The 96-98's are in my price range so that is what i would like to focus my search on.

How is the livability? (3-5 night at a time)
Is the V-berth suitable for me and my wife. (6'2 225)
How cramped would it be with 3 dogs (2 labs and a dingo/Jackal/reindeer mix)
Fuel Consumption (7.4's)
Ride comfort/control ease of use

We do alot of Island Hoping on Lake Erie and maybe one longer trip a year if this helps form an opinion.

Sea Ray produced the 330DA for half of the 1999 model year and then produced the 340DA for the other half. I had a 26 footer before trading for my 330DA. There is substantially more livable room in the 330DA than there was in my 26. That said, it still is not a large boat. Then again, I've had mine for 9 seasons, and everyone knows boats shrink a little bit every year that you launch them and they get wet. Much more livable than a narrow beam cruiser. That extra beam does help, but not a big boat by any means.

We're not that big, but it should be OK.

It can be a bit crowded with our one golden retriever if he decides he wants to be in the way. Then again, that same problem can present itself at home when he's in the way. Could be tough, depending on the dogs.

These are actual burn numbers from my 7.4s as read by the Rinda EFI diagnostic computer connected to the engines MEFI-3 PCM. I know that the graph is old, just multiply the last column by two, OK?

With speeds as measured by the GPS

Sea Ray's numbers

Runs well for a small cruiser. Very easy to handle in most conditions. Not the boat you want to take out in very bad conditions, but it's fine for most weather where you'd want to be on a boat.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[Zorba]

Frank,

Thanks soo much for the engine info. That is the kind of data that is great. Does anyone know if the rear seat in hte cockpit is removable?

 

[osd9]

Yes...the rear seat can be removed fairly easy. Just two pins/screw if I recall.

 

[fc3]

What Dom said. Two pins remove the bottom support. The seat back is permanently attached.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Zorba]

Sounds good

 

[Carpedmman]

Alex-
I have owned my 330 for 8 years and over 600 hours of running time. Mine is a rare model with Bravo 3 outdrives so my efficiencies are slightly better than the v-drives.

I'm 6'3, 230lbs and sleep fairly well in the v-berth. (Although comfort does depend on the size of your admiral!)

Personally I love this boat! I think it was one of the finest boats SR ever made. The cockpit is very nicely laid out and very functional. I've crossed Lake Michigan and felt very secure. As mentioned earlier, the beam on this boat makes a big difference from a 260 or my prior 290.

I persoanlly think the update in interior from the 97&98 to the 99 is huge if you like the natural wood look. Check out my photos on here.

Good luck with your decision! PM me if you have further questions!
Stuart

 

[sr330daguy]

Sea Ray produced the 330DA for half of the 1999 model year and then produced the 340DA for the other half. I had a 26 footer before trading for my 330DA. There is substantially more livable room in the 330DA than there was in my 26. That said, it still is not a large boat. Then again, I've had mine for 9 seasons, and everyone knows boats shrink a little bit every year that you launch them and they get wet. Much more livable than a narrow beam cruiser. That extra beam does help, but not a big boat by any means.

We're not that big, but it should be OK.

It can be a bit crowded with our one golden retriever if he decides he wants to be in the way. Then again, that same problem can present itself at home when he's in the way. Could be tough, depending on the dogs.

These are actual burn numbers from my 7.4s as read by the Rinda EFI diagnostic computer connected to the engines MEFI-3 PCM. I know that the graph is old, just multiply the last column by two, OK?

With speeds as measured by the GPS

Sea Ray's numbers

Runs well for a small cruiser. Very easy to handle in most conditions. Not the boat you want to take out in very bad conditions, but it's fine for most weather where you'd want to be on a boat.

Best regards,
Frank C

Frank do you have the figures on a sterndrive powered 330?Thanks in advance.

 

[fc3]

Frank do you have the figures on a sterndrive powered 330?Thanks in advance.

No, sorry. I have a V drive model and did not collect information on the stern drive versions. Sterndrives don't do well in salt water.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[dpmulvey]

This is my second season with my 330. All of the above is spot on for the 330 especially the part about the height of the arch. At 6'2" you are going to be plagued with several options as to how to fit under the arch. (I am 6'4" and to stand straight up (legs together), I curl my head forward and the hardtop hits me at about spine top level.) You can roll back the front canvas; raise the helm (my choice), raise the arch, or lower the deck (cut down the aft cabin roof and make a single level deck.

The 7.4's have tons of oomph. Check that water injestion mods have been performed. I have new 6.2's in mine because they had not been installed. The 6.2 is a more effecient package albeit, higher revving.

Forgot to mention. If you get a 330, INSIST on 4 blade props and plan on extending the trim tabs about 5-6 inches.

 

[First Born]

Found this today on the 330:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhOJptuHBco

 

[fc3]

Found this today on the 330:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhOJptuHBco

That's the new 330? Yuck.

Saw Dom's One Sweet Day on Saturday at the Aquapalooza on Tices. There were a few of Sea Ray's newer designs in the area, too including a 390DA. Dom's 410 looked great. The styling of that boat is timeless. The newer boats looked like they were melting in the sun.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[BorntoBoat]

Alex,

It is a great boat. I have a '97, with 7.4 MPI, and v-drives. I think outdrives were also an option with this model. Although the outdrives may be a bit faster, I would recommend the v-drives. It makes for a better handling boat (the pivot point is under the boat, rather than behind it). I love the handling of this boat. I never use the wheel in a docking situation - strictly shift & throttle.

Mine came with the radar and the autopilot. I find they are both great assets. I just upgraded the GPS/chartplotter to a Northstar 557. (It used the same C-map chip as the old Raymarine unit used.)

We will spend a week at a time on it. I did invest in one of those egg crate looking mattress pads.

We just did a week of cruising in July. With a loaded boat we averaged .75 miles per gallon, and cruised between 24-26 knots.

About the worst weather I have been in was steep 6 footers. It was not comfortable, but the boat handled it well.

Ask to see all the manuals whenever you find one to buy. Mine can with the nylon "Sea Ray" bag with a manual for every part on the boat.

Good luck.

 

[Against The Wind]

I use Lake Erie all the time, (i'm in Buffalo) 3rd season with my 95 454's w/v drives, came from a 96 290, awesome tight quarters manuverabilty, We spend every weekend, and couple eve's a week on it, Longest stay 12 days... Lots of room for us, (wife and 1 kid-11yrs) old (Sorry, no dogs allowed :smt009) have done many "dinner" cruises with 8-10 people, plenty of room. Have to agree on the impellers. change em now... I think you'll enjoy it... I have three blade props and they seem to work well.... One thing i'll add to the others... I have to be careful coming off plane, the wave tends to come over the low platform and in under the transom door if i slow too quickly.... Good Luck . . .