Sundancer 330 vs. 340

G

Golfman25

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2009
7,648
IL
Boat Info
1998 370 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 MPI
Ok so a question with regard to the 1995-1998 330 Sundancer vs the 1999-2001 340 Sundancer. How do you all like the cockpit layouts of both -- pros and cons.

The 330 has a port side seat with a wet bar/fridge integrated into it. While the 340 has the wet bar/fridge integrated into the hull side. Which do you like better? Pros and cons?

I know the arch height on the 330 causes some problems with taller people standing at the helm vs. the 340 arch which has a lot more clearance. Which do you like better? Does the short height of the 330 drive you nuts?

Thanks in advance.
 
I went through a handful of late 90's 330's before buying a '99 340. I preferred the cockpit seating of the 330 for sure. I never quite understood why they changed on the 340 to what seems like a much less desirable setup. But that....that was about it. I felt most everything else on the 340 was more appealing. I preferred the arch height for sure (I'm 6'1, not super tall) and the centered master berth became a "must have" after seeing the 340. I believe the 340 also has more headroom in the cabin though I may be mis-remembering that.

The 330 arch height would have driven me nuts but many people have no problem with it. I docked my 340 almost exclusively standing up, hands on the shifters. That would not have been possibility on a 330 for me. That said, I now dock my 400 seated. Primarily because the shifters are lower, which I do not love.

Depending on the year 330 you compare to I believe the head will have a different layout as well.
 
A good friend of ours has had a 330 for about 14 years now and I have spent a ton of time on that boat. I also have a friend with a 340 and if it were my money it would be the 340 in minute. I like the cockpit much better and I like the cabin much better. But at the end of the day they are both good boats. My friend with the 330 has carbed 454’s and the 340 is 8.1 EFI’s so yea I would like the modern engines as well.
 
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I looked at several of both of these boats. For sure the 8.1s are the engines of choice. I did not realize how much better they are compared to the 454s which I really liked until we bought 8.1s. Two things about both boats bugged me. Sitting down at the helm I was looking at the top of the windshield frame. Standing I was looking through iesenglass with no windshield wipers. The other consideration was how unusable the cabin space is as a place to hang out. The dinette could have been oriented fore and aft making the seating usable for reading comfortably and watching TV. The way it is designed locks you in to sitting at the table for reading and TV viewing. The other option is to read or watch TV in bed or the aft area which we were not wild about. Ultimately it was the helm view that killed the deal for me. We also preferred being able to have more than two people comfortably share setting near the helm seat. This pic shows what we decided upon: 8.1s, a windshield with wipers you can see through in bad weather, and an "L" seat that comfortably seats people near the skipper. The space down below also better met our living style.
 
sbw1 said:
View attachment 64869 View attachment 64868 I looked at several of both of these boats. For sure the 8.1s are the engines of choice. I did not realize how much better they are compared to the 454s which I really liked until we bought 8.1s. Two things about both boats bugged me. Sitting down at the helm I was looking at the top of the windshield frame. Standing I was looking through iesenglass with no windshield wipers. The other consideration was how unusable the cabin space is as a place to hang out. The dinette could have been oriented fore and aft making the seating usable for reading comfortably and watching TV. The way it is designed locks you in to sitting at the table for reading and TV viewing. The other option is to read or watch TV in bed or the aft area which we were not wild about. Ultimately it was the helm view that killed the deal for me. We also preferred being able to have more than two people comfortably share setting near the helm seat. This pic shows what we decided upon: 8.1s, a windshield with wipers you can see through in bad weather, and an "L" seat that comfortably seats people near the skipper. The space down below also better met our living style.
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I would kill for a tiara 31 open, or the sea ray 33 express. But admiral has to have "seats in the back." I keep harping on the advantages of chairs, which we have now, but no go.

Engines aren't a concern at this point. Both I am looking at have the 7.4 mpis.
 
I have the 330 but looked at both. You have the cockpit differences right. I don't mind the lower arch but the higher would be better for sure. I like the wider bench helm seat for longer trips (wife dog and me fit nicely). The chair bench on the 340 is probably OK though. The port side seat on the 330 is nice for more forward facing seating while underway, so a plus for the 330. Personally. I like the 330 seating layout better.

A key difference in the cabin is the bed layout. 330 is an angled berth layout. If makes the right "side" longer for more foot room, but a crawl over the wife to get to the head. That can be fun, but not usually! The 340 is aligned straight midship but is shorter (my feet hung over a bit and I am only 5'10).

The 330's have a bow pulpit. 340s don't. That is more of a preference or style issue? Maybe holds the anchor off the bow a bit more when raising it??? Makes it a bit more of a pain to clean/wax up front though.

Engines - I have had no issues with 7.4 carbs on mine. Tried and true workhorses.Nice power for the boat. Simple technology with analog gauges. I know electronics have gotten better, but so many mid 2000 boats have quirky electronics that take time and $$ to troubleshoot and parts may be hard to get. Not sure if that applies to the 1999- 2001 340s though.

Hulls are basically the same. They are 17 degree deadrise, which gives you more speed and fuel efficiency, but maybe a bit harder ride in rough stuff. My 330 cruises right at 30 mph at 3400 rpm. Its a great sweet spot.
 
I'm just under 6'. The arch height of my '96 330DA annoyed me, but I could crouch enough to stand when I wanted to. When the weather allowed, I'd remove all the eisin and collapse the fwd bimini against the arch.

330's were produced with dinette and settee layouts. Mine had the dinette and it was my favorite feature of that boat.

Stee6043 said:
Depending on the year 330 you compare to I believe the head will have a different layout as well.
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I've never noticed a different head layout...?
 
RollerCoastr said:
I've never noticed a different head layout...?
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I do not recall the exact year but I slipped next to a 90's 330 for a short while. The head was definitely different than my 340. Perhaps it was simply a different brand but I swear it was positioned on a different angle, height, something.

Full disclosure - I would have only been using my slip neighbors crapper when the short walk walk back to my own boat was too far....and the beer still cold. So....for all I know I'm remembering the head from a 1986 Four Winns Liberator.
 
I have a 97 330 & pretty much agree with what Creekwood & Rollercoastr said. I'm 5'9" & when I stand at the helm straight up I stand to the port side of the steering wheel & just make it with my head against the bimini canvas. Other than that, no complaints. I also have the 454 carb model & have had the carbs rebuilt a few times over the years. But, I am happy with the ride overall. I have the cockpit fridge instead of the icemaker which suits our needs better. I have a portable ice maker but have yet to need/use it. More freezer space would be nice. I bought an AC/DC fridge that we bring on long trips. It fits snugly in front of the jump seat & utilizes the outlet right there.
 
hi guys, first time boater, looking at a used sundancer 335, still researching and trying to understand whats the last two digits in a 300 series would mean, in particular as i cant find sufficient resources on a sundancer 335, would appreciate some tips. regards
 
Razman Rahim said:
hi guys, first time boater, looking at a used sundancer 335, still researching and trying to understand whats the last two digits in a 300 series would mean, in particular as i cant find sufficient resources on a sundancer 335, would appreciate some tips. regards
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I think the 335 is the non-USA version of the 330. Or perhaps the 320? Some quick comparisons on dimensional spec's for similar year USA versions will probably tell you which model it matches up with.
 
Stee6043 said:
I think the 335 is the non-USA version of the 330. Or perhaps the 320? Some quick comparisons on dimensional spec's for similar year USA versions will probably tell you which model it matches up with.
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Thanks, the boat i am keen on is in Malaysia, will take note of your input. regards
 
Todd320 said:
My 320’s parts or owners manual reference Sea Ray 355 (the actual LOA is 35.5), so maybe search for the Sea Ray 300.
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Thanks Todd, will research per your cue. Perhaps because its an older variant, its listed in a few boating sites, if it happens it'll be my first boat.
 
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