SD 340 - Best balance of year, price and satisfaction

[ChrisR]

Hi All,

I have gone from 26' sailboat to a 18' jetboat on Long Island, NY. I am now ready for a dock front condo (when not on the hook) - a 340 Sundancer. I just finished a quick survey of prices on boats.com from 1989 ($28,000) to 2010 ($260,000). The model looks like it had notable redesigns in 1999 and 2003. When I charted the prices, they rise gradually until 2003 and then the price picks up quickly.

What are your views on the "best" year to buy, balancing the boat's age, price and the pleasure of a newer boat? I want to spend the minimum for the maximum enjoyment. Repairs and maintenance hassles count.

I appreciate any guidance,
ChrisR, South Shore of Long Island

 

[Pkunze]

The 2003 and a half was when the body style changed, most agree having 8.1's is also the perfect power fit for the 340. Having something smaller and without the genny will lower the cost of the price quite a bit but not recommended. Obviously fresh water versus salt will also play into the price. I recently purchased a 340 fresh water boat, looks showroom condition, would be hard to replicate on a salt water boat.

 

[VinceR]

You cannot go wrong with a 340. It is easy to handle with reasonable room outside and down below. We have had our 2001 340 for over three years. We have the 7.4 engines and feel like they perform very well. The 2003 is 6” wider and a bit longer. They are nice boats but we would not trade our 2001 for a 2003. We spend up to 7 days on our boat and are very comfortable. You should find a very nice 1999 to 2002 340 for a good price.
A fuel burn chart for your consideration follows. We do a lot of cruising at 1200 RPM. When we feel like going fast we cruise at 3500 to 3600 RPM

SEA RAY 340​

2001​

TWIN 454 MPI​

Speeds by GPS
Fuel Flows by computer connected to engines.
RANGE IS 215 GALLONS
RPM MPH GPH MPG RANGE
700 3.9 2.0 1.95 419
1000 6.0 3.6 1.66 358
1200 6.8 4.4 1.55 333
1500 7.9 7.0 1.13 242
2000 12.4
2500 18.6
3000 16.9 24.0 .70 150
3200 20.5 26.6 .77 164
3400 24.1 30.6 .79 168
3500 25.0 31.0 .80 172
3600 26.4 33.4 .79 170
3800 28.0 34.8 .80 172
4000 29.5 38.0 .77 164
4300 32.6 47.6 .68 147

 

[mrclark321]

You cannot go wrong with a 340. It is easy to handle with reasonable room outside and down below. We have had our 2001 340 for over three years. We have the 7.4 engines and feel like they perform very well. The 2003 is 6” wider and a bit longer. They are nice boats but we would not trade our 2001 for a 2003. We spend up to 7 days on our boat and are very comfortable. You should find a very nice 1999 to 2002 340 for a good price.
A fuel burn chart for your consideration follows. We do a lot of cruising at 1200 RPM. When we feel like going fast we cruise at 3500 to 3600 RPM

SEA RAY 340
2001
TWIN 454 MPI​

Speeds by GPS
Fuel Flows by computer connected to engines.
RANGE IS 215 GALLONS
RPM MPH GPH MPG RANGE
700 3.9 2.0 1.95 419
1000 6.0 3.6 1.66 358
1200 6.8 4.4 1.55 333
1500 7.9 7.0 1.13 242
2000 12.4
2500 18.6
3000 16.9 24.0 .70 150
3200 20.5 26.6 .77 164
3400 24.1 30.6 .79 168
3500 25.0 31.0 .80 172
3600 26.4 33.4 .79 170
3800 28.0 34.8 .80 172
4000 29.5 38.0 .77 164
4300 32.6 47.6 .68 147

Curious what the 2002 with 6.2's burn with 4 blade props

 

[skolbe]

Hard question to answer - ultimately you need to set a budget. The 1995 to 1999 330 is a very good value as well and basically the predecessor to the 1999 - 340. The 2003.5 - 340 is one of Sea Ray's greats. But the previous - 340 is a great boat. I think it comes down to what you want to spend. There are no glaring flaws with the 330/340. They are all good - it is more what boat meets the needs.

 

[northern]

Rent one and try it first to see what you want.

 

[VinceR]

Dan,
Ask your mechanic to attach his handheld Merc-Cruiser computer to one of your engines and do the RPM/Speed test and record the results. The computer will show gallons per hour from that engine. You need a clean bottom and clean props.

 

[rcknecht]

I would set you budget first... Not to exceed $x, then see what is available... We love our 2001 340, and it is very well maintained... You need to take your time and look at the condition of each boat and pick the best boat, that is less than your max dollars... I like our 7.4s and they are fine for moving our boat. I like having fresh water cooled engines. I believe the 6.2s are RWC, and for me in salt water that is not what I want...

 

[dpmulvey]

You may not want to rule out the 330. There is not a lot of difference between the 330 and the 340 of the age you are considering. If you are vrey tall, say over 6'2", make sure you fit in the center line berth. It is not truly a queen in terms of length or width. I'm 6'4" and hang off the edge. I don't have that problem with the diagonal berth in Saint Max.

I'm running 6.2L Horizons. They are FWC and have the air evac winterization system. I love it. My average fuel burn is roughly 1 GPNM at cruise (22kts). I don't know how the tabs are on the 340. The 330's are way to small and required I add a lot of stainless for them to be effective.

At 6'4", I do like the taller arch on the 340. I have a lot of lumps on my skull at the end of the season to tend to tend to over the winter!

 

[mrclark321]

Dan,
Ask your mechanic to attach his handheld Merc-Cruiser computer to one of your engines and do the RPM/Speed test and record the results. The computer will show gallons per hour from that engine. You need a clean bottom and clean props.

Will look into this for sure

 

[MonacoMike]

You should look for a pristine 340, built in 2007 with 223 hours, that has been meticulously maintained, kept in the sweet water of Lake Michigan for it's life, and stored indoors during the winter, has been upgraded to include autopilot, e80 and Vessel View along with other improvements over stock, has 4 to 5 coats of polish on it, and props that were just refinished with Prop Scan. Preferably this boat would theoretically come from Indiana as well. I'll keep my eyes open for you.

Keep an eye open for a nice Whaler dinghy for it as well.

MM