Who's got a gen on their 80s 340?

[carboncow]

Gang,

We are still searching for a late 80s 340 and we want a generator in our next boat for some special cruising in our future.

Looking at the diagram from Sea Ray (see attached) it shows it on the port side which appears to go under the walk way to the cabin!?!?

I Cannot recall a access hatch there so I"m wondering what you can guys can tell me about this location for regular maintenance and wrenching or removal.

One of the boats we are looking at has less then 600 hours on the OEM mercruisers (I'd prefer Crusaders but they are hard to find) less then 100 on the generator...but we are weeks ago from viewing the boat.

Any comments would be appreciated accept for the ones that tell us we don't want a generator.

 

[Pyrojodge]

There is a hatch in the cockpit and also one in the mid cabin for access.

 

[carboncow]

Thanks Jason...should have known to ask you first! Do you have one your boat then? On a scale of 1/10 how do you rate the access for maintenance...pretty much my only concern.

 

[Pyrojodge]

I don't have one on mine... I've seen them and I know some of the other guys service them. Northshore is the guy to ask. Is the boat around us? I may know it.

 

[carboncow]

I don't have one on mine... I've seen them and I know some of the other guys service them. Northshore is the guy to ask. Is the boat around us? I may know it.

Yea...the boat is near us. I'll send you a PM of the link so I don't get yelled out for selling a boat...haha!

I think it's near you. There are about 4 in our area that we are considering from $20k to $30K asking price...my budget is about $25K on this project as I like to keep about $2-3K ready for any surprises me or the survey doesn't find...we have a history of finding boat we like (solid) but with a few canvas or vinyl issues.

I'll look up Northshore as you mentioned him before.

 

[moparlvr4406]

I have an Onan in mine
access for basic maintainence the hatch in the cockpit floor is easy enough to get to everything
now as for removal... it comes out into the midberth unless you want to remove lots of stuff to slide it aft and take her out thru the top...which actually might be easier.

 

[julietbravomike]

I have an '89 340 Sundancer. Has a 6.5kw Onan MCCK Spec. H. You get access a few different ways... 1) through the deck (there is an access panel in the deck, directly above the genset) - you can change oil, check oil, change plugs, plug wires, points, set points, etc. from this location, 2) by removing the deck access panel directly behind the genset (over the battery/blower/muffler area on the drawing you posted) - from here you can get at the belt, water pump/impeller (and probably the starter?), and 3) there appears to be an access panel inside the rear cabin, beside the storage drawers - I think it would have to come out to get to the fuel pump or any of the electronics - mine doesn't look like it has ever been removed.

The smokstak website has a lot of info about them. Parts are generally available, not necessarily cheap. Beyond the obvious - does it generate electricity - I would start by making sure the thermoelectric choke works. For me, great strides were made by installing new spark plugs and replacing the choke heater element - without this, the choke stays engaged, and the unit will bog/die - at least mine did.

I have no complaints on the performance. I guess it will run everything on the boat? I haven't had the hot water heater/ac/stove on all at once. I live in Texas and run the genset quite a bit for the a/c.

 

[NorCal Boater]

My '89 had the Quicksilver 6.5 KW Gen. Access is not great but you can get to most items through the 3 access points but small hands helps a lot. The QS is not the greatest genny but ours worked....most of the time. In fact, mechanical access on those boats is their real week point. I had to make a big plank that layed across the engines to do most anything in the engine room as there are only a couple of places to eve stand unless you are a pigmy. Still a great boat though.

 

[1984srv260]

We have a westerbeke 4k gen in our 1989 340 ..love it 1800 rpm genny and quiet. OP 20 - 30 k seems way too much 3 just sold here in ct for less than 15k....I got mine for 12k...In damn clean shape

 

[Pyrojodge]

We have a westerbeke 4k gen in our 1989 340 ..love it 1800 rpm genny and quiet. OP 20 - 30 k seems way too much 3 just sold here in ct for less than 15k....I got mine for 12k...In damn clean shape

Location location location.... his range is reasonable for our area with low hours.

 

[1984srv260]

Makes sense..mine has just over 1,000 hrs and has seen salt water ...I suppose a freshwater only low hours may be more...either way...awesome boats love ours, it's perfect...

 

[moparlvr4406]

Makes sense..mine has just over 1,000 hrs and has seen salt water ...I suppose a freshwater only low hours may be more...either way...awesome boats love ours, it's perfect...

thre is a price difference from the 84 to an 88-89 also...mine is an 5 and a whole different boat than Jason's

 

[carboncow]

Makes sense..mine has just over 1,000 hrs and has seen salt water ...I suppose a freshwater only low hours may be more...either way...awesome boats love ours, it's perfect...

Yea the 84-85 can be found for $15-20K here...the 86-87 in the $17-25K range and the 88-80 are pretty solid in the $22-35K range. Most are sub 1000 hour, with AC and raw water cooled. Several of our friends have late 80s express or dancer they paid over $38-42K for 5-8 years ago...so our market is a bit higher (possibly) then others.

I'm selling a Tiara to get the Sea Ray we want so it's going to have be very very very clean to make us happy!

 

[carboncow]

You guys that one comfortable with running the generator at night for AC while sleeping? A few well place CO detectors onboard?

Not sure I would do it but very curious how cautious people get about gensets at night on boats of this size.

 

[moparlvr4406]

You guys that one comfortable with running the generator at night for AC while sleeping? A few well place CO detectors onboard?

Not sure I would do it but very curious how cautious people get about gensets at night on boats of this size.

I don't know that I would be afraid to but
with hatches open and custom screens on the hatches and companionway ..I have had no need to.