Time to think about upgrade ... from 2002 280 ==> 2007 310 - 2010 330

[Hai Nhi]

Greetings everyone.

It's been really nice here in the Bay Area (NorCal). So I've been day dreaming about upgrading to the next boat. I'm cleaning the 280 to get ready for the first trip of the year.

If I can sell my 2002 280 for a good enough money as a down payment, I can upgrade to the next size.

I like the 2007-2009 310 for the updated look and wider arch, yet still stays around $100k mark give or take. Also, it's still can be trailered to lakes.
2010 330 would be better (is the same size) - newer with gen II axius. But it's probably much more expensive.

Questions I have are:

- Is it worth it to look for auctions for good deals on boats that might need lots of engine work (maybe a new replacement)?
- V-drive vs outdrive: I would slip it during the season (maybe from Feb-Oct). Is there any major advantages of one from other?
- For those who trailer this, can you upload some photos of your gigs and share some thoughts on how's the trailering ?
- Anyone upgraded from 280 to 310? How you like it? I have 4 & 6 years old boys and we're small (110 & 140 lbs) so I think this size should be okay for us for a while. Our current 280 is okay too. It's just the design change from 2007 & up really caught my eyes. Also, the open up floor plan in the cabin would give the boys room to play before bedtime.

Thank you.

Nhi

 

[JimG]

A few comments...

V-Drives are the way to go, hands down! Better maneuverability around the docks and less parts exposed when slipped, especially in salt water.

You can trailer an 07' 310 but it ain't no drive in the park! You really need a dually 2500 or better. Most states require a permit for anything over 8'6" wide.

 

[JimT]

I made the move you are considering and I am very happy with the 330DA. I have the Axius with B3s but I boat on a lake so corrosion is not as big an issue. The engine room with B3s is a pleasure to work in compared to the 280DA. I can easily get two people in the engine room at the same time which helps when you need more than two hands. The mid-berth setup gives you much more useable space and makes the boat feel more open. The kids loves the rumble seat on the swim platform. The additional 100 gallons of fuel is a major plus. Much more storage.

JimG - what is your height with the Glomex antenna on the arch? When I trailered my 330DA to the ocean last summer were overheight without the antenna

 

[Hai Nhi]

Wow, great. Both Jim's

with the v-drive, are the engines any bigger in physical size? (For engine room comparison )

what truck you both using to tow? Also, details about the trailers please.

I'm driving a 2012 king range f350 diesel & 've been towing the 280 with ease.

2010 330 with v-drive is my 1st choice but most on the market are way out of my budget. That's why I asked to see if looking at deals on repossessed or bank owned at auctions (at steep discount, then fix the boat for big saving) would be advisable? I do have the space, the drive/motivation, some extra free time in coming months, to try out a refresh/refurbish project.

Thank you.

 

[MExcelsior]

I upgraded from a 05' 280 to a '07 310. I do trailer with a F350 Single Rear Diesel. This is a trailerable boat depending on the type of trailer. (The trailer needs to be able to handle 18,000 lbs, and electric brakes are a must in my opinion.. mine is a Williamson custom built for the 310). My entire rig weighed in at 24,500 lbs at a station (including truck), so a Single Rear Wheel F350 for short distances will be ok. (I trailer about 20 miles each way every weekend). I believe you need dually 1-tonner for longer trips. As with the 280, oversize load permits (both state and county) are a must. I'm sure Jim will agree, the Glomax needs to be removed for the road. My height is at 14' - 3.5" without the Glomax on my particular trailer. This means that I need to be careful with the route. Usually the height of electricity lines is fine in Iowa, but the telephone and cable lines can be low hanging and I've nicked a few. (GPS is still alive though). If you are trailering every weekend and using in fresh water, then I would get the stern drive with a bow thruster. If salt water or if you are keeping it in a wet slip, then inboard is a must in my opinion.

You'll love this boat for so many reasons as compared to the 280. More room in the cabin; aft-seating in cabin is great; no need to set up the forward berth bed at night; no more back-breaking entries into the engine room (heavy engine room hatch); definitely more room in the engine room; no more wobbly-single-seat-helm, much more storage in the bathroom; potentially three refrigerators (with option cockpit refererator); room for/build in grill; space to add cockpit instrumentation; room for some real TVs on the walls. The only thing I miss about the 280 is the galley seating for two. However, we find that we usually eat in the cockpit anyway. Have fun looking....... and potentially welcome to the 310 (> 2010 330) club.

Hope this helps,
Mike

 

[MExcelsior]

Hai Nhi,

I also forgot to mention that there are certainly some 310 for sale out there, but nobody seems to be giving them away. (Even older salt water boats with questionable histories and maintenance). These boats are in real demand and it took me 1.5 - 2 years to find one that I was looking for. (Had to look for one that hasn't seen any salt water and had a trailer). There are a couple of reasons for this.... unlike the 280, there aren't as many of the 310/330 in the wild as the economy crashed a year after the start of their production. Also, they are essentially still producing these with the same hull design. In short, if you are looking for a deal, you probably selected the wrong boat.

 

[JimT]

The engines are the same size with the V drives but they are positioned farther forward and the drive transmission is located between the engines and the bulkhead. With the B3 the engine is mounted against the transom and drive train is outside the boat.

I pay to have my boat transported since I only move it once a year so I can't comment on the truck/trailer used.

 

[JimG]

JimG - what is your height with the Glomex antenna on the arch? When I trailered my 330DA to the ocean last summer were overheight without the antenna

I believe it's just under 15'

 

[JimG]

Wow, great. Both Jim's

with the v-drive, are the engines any bigger in physical size? (For engine room comparison )

what truck you both using to tow? Also, details about the trailers please.

I'm driving a 2012 king range f350 diesel & 've been towing the 280 with ease.

With the B3's you do have more work area in the engine room.

I tow mine with a 2500HD, gasoline 8.1L... and it's all it wants!

My trailer is a Shore Land'r

 

[MNBoater]

Does the 310 or the 330 have walk through windshields? I have looked at pictures and does not appear to have this feature. We (kids) are constantly using ours and I would not like them crawling around the outside. Especially when we are tied up with other boaters. Sorry I don't mean to change the subject but this would affect my selection when and if I were to upgrade.

 

[JimT]

Does the 310 or the 330 have walk through windshields? I have looked at pictures and does not appear to have this feature. We (kids) are constantly using ours and I would not like them crawling around the outside. Especially when we are tied up with other boaters. Sorry I don't mean to change the subject but this would affect my selection when and if I were to upgrade.

Yes, it does

 

[Shtmetal]

I moved up to a 08 310 with twin 350's V drives and DTS from a 07 280 with a single 496. If you're in salt water you definitely want the V drives

 

[Hai Nhi]

Thanks everyone for great feedback.

I live about 11 miles from the closest marina to SF Bay, with a huge empty lot where I park my 280 right now. That's why I'm hoping to keep the trend of trailering my next boat too. I know trailering would potentially reduce my boating time (vs just show up at the dock and go). But I think it does have quite a bit of advantages as well, at least for me at the moment (unless if I can afford a waterfront property later in life, hehehe)

So, back to the boat shopping, I'm too trying to look for a great boat (low hours, fresh water, indoor storage, tracked maintenance records, etc...). But if there's a great deal with a not so great engines, would replacing engines and/or outdrives be worth it? Assuming the saving on the deal is at least equal or more than the cost of the new engines.

I check around my area (zip code 94544) in about 1000 miles radius, there's not a lot of these boat for sale right now. But there are a lot around the country. Some of the 2007 are in $80-$90k range, others are more than $100k. Is there a lot of you travel out of state more than 1500 miles to check out and buy boat? If you do, what advice you can give?

I called one office today and they just sold a 2007 for $70k on a listing price of $73k.

I'm going crazy about getting one of these 310/330 now. Hahaha. I've been checking it out every single day, multiple times now (youtube videos, boat sale listings, etc...). Day dreaming.

Oh one more thing: most if not all of you in this thread seem to recommend v-drive for salt water. In my case, if I only trailer vs slip, would v-drive be of any advantages? I see most of the listing with V-drive would have a bow thruster. Not many of the stern set ups would have Axius. For docking and close-quarter, which combo would be better? Is there a good thread comparing V-drive vs I/O I should read?

Thanks again.

 

[JimT]

This article addresses the pros and cons of the V drive vs. stern drive in the 310/330DA. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company22491/tst_9.pdf

 

[Hai Nhi]

With the B3's you do have more work area in the engine room.

I tow mine with a 2500HD, gasoline 8.1L... and it's all it wants!

My trailer is a Shore Land'r

Hi Jim. Can you pls double check and give me the specs of your trailer?

How's the pull with your 2500HD? Any additional towing gear? Mine is a F350 diesel with stock hitch.

Thank you.

 

[Hai Nhi]

This article addresses the pros and cons of the V drive vs. stern drive in the 310/330DA. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company22491/tst_9.pdf

Thanks Tim, for the article. I read it and seems like I would lean toward an I/O setup. A V drive setup would probably have better resell value, IF I'm already thinking about it.