Would a boat with very poor engine compartment access be a deal breaker for you?

mrsrobinson said:
I did a 6 hour roundtrip today to look at 2 boats: 2007 Cruisers Yachts 340 with 8.1s and V-Drives and a 2004 370, same configuration. I am a DIYer and like to do my own service/maintenance.

I actually like the 340 better, even though it's a little smaller. When I opened the engine hatch though, I said to myself "This could be a deal breaker". I literally could not stand between the engines, the beauty covers touch the undersides of the hatch, I think I saw the water heater, strainers are near impossible to get to, forget about a new belt or raw water impeller. It looks to me like you can unscrew the floor around the engine hatch and remove most of the cockpit floor, but really? Otherwise I loved the boat. I went back a couple times to try again, and even the broker said "You don't fit". I would have to give ALL service to the service shop.

There was plenty of room in the engine compartment on the 370.

Would this be a deal breaker for you?

340 https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2007-cruisers-yachts-340-express-7978625/

370 https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2004-cruisers-yachts-370-express-8001200/
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I hear what a lot of you are saying about no room but if you take the exhaust out you can change an impeller in just a few hours. I like saving $200.00 a hour. I do wreck some clothes everytime i am in the engine room. One thing for sure I am glad i dont have 6.1s or even the 454s.I love the power the 8.1s have and i am willing to live with small space to work.
 
With the hard knowledge gained firsthand from my current boat, 320, ease of engine and mechanicals access will be at the top of my list of considerations during my next search.
 
When we were shopping 3 years ago, I wanted a 340 DA, we looked at the 380 that was sitting next to it. There was several reasons I went with the 380 that was a couple years older and more expensive.
The walkway to the bow is wider and easier to travel, the access around the engines for maint was similar to these 2. I watch my buddies that own 340 size boats, and they get it done, I don’t know how though!

i also loved a separate shower too

if everything is pretty equal in hours and condition, but your next boat now. Get the 370
mrsrobinson said:
I did a 6 hour roundtrip today to look at 2 boats: 2007 Cruisers Yachts 340 with 8.1s and V-Drives and a 2004 370, same configuration. I am a DIYer and like to do my own service/maintenance.

I actually like the 340 better, even though it's a little smaller. When I opened the engine hatch though, I said to myself "This could be a deal breaker". I literally could not stand between the engines, the beauty covers touch the undersides of the hatch, I think I saw the water heater, strainers are near impossible to get to, forget about a new belt or raw water impeller. It looks to me like you can unscrew the floor around the engine hatch and remove most of the cockpit floor, but really? Otherwise I loved the boat. I went back a couple times to try again, and even the broker said "You don't fit". I would have to give ALL service to the service shop.

There was plenty of room in the engine compartment on the 370.

Would this be a deal breaker for you?

340 https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2007-cruisers-yachts-340-express-7978625/

370 https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2004-cruisers-yachts-370-express-8001200/
Click to expand...
 
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copb8tx said:
That is one of the worst bilge access designs I've ever seen. I have no idea how a bunch of engineers looked at those drawings and went, yeah.....that ought to work. Crazy. I might just save the picture for some future reference.
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You don’t understand engineers. The prevailing point of view isn’t “ that ought to work”; it is “some jackass said two engines and a genset won’t fit, and we showed them!”

As for the topic at hand, yes I did put engine room access at the head of the list when buying our current boat. In fact we walked away from a beautiful trawler because major engine work would have meant ripping the main salon out to get access.
 
340 works fine for me. I can get to anything I need. You just have to figure out the best yoga position.
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Henry Boyd said:
You don’t understand engineers. The prevailing point of view isn’t “ that ought to work”; it is “some jackass said two engines and a genset won’t fit, and we showed them!”

As for the topic at hand, yes I did put engine room access at the head of the list when buying our current boat. In fact we walked away from a beautiful trawler because major engine work would have meant ripping the main salon out to get access.
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I like both of those responses! The other mindset is "Oh, that's right... we did such a good job designing lots of living space, but we forget about the engines and the other mechanicals. Oh well, that's for the other department to figure out... we've already got the molds made so we're not backtracking now" :)

I've been around a lot of boats and have found ways to "get things done". For example, like others said, the 340DA is perfectly fine once you know the tricks. BUT... to answer the original question... YES.
 
Gonna take a different tack. Since they trying to accommodate more living space, and finding less space for engines, you suppose this is reason for the move to outboards?
 
Aint saying anything. Only so much space in bilge. Need more power, outboards may be answer.
Even though bowriders with outboards not my style. Some people love them.
God only knows why, just like electric cars.
 
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Pirate Lady said:
Aint saying anything. Only so much space in bilge. Need more power, outboards may be answer.
Even though bowriders with outboards not my style. Some people love them.
God only knows why, just like electric cars.
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I think the move to outboards is partially due to engine changes by the auto companies. For decades “marine” engines have been versions of auto engines upgraded for marine use. Outboards are designed from the ground up for boats. Once they got 4 stroke going it was only a matter of time.
 
Dayum i think you hit it. Been reading that GM going all electric in a few years. Wonder what might happen to marine engines
Remember that “clunkers for cash”? Guess that might be our boats in a few years. Just like they caboshed our 2 cycle dinghy engines.
 
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I don't think the engine access on a Sea Ray 340 with the 8.1 is all that bad. If the Cruisers Yachts 340 had that same access I'd buy it. The sellers are super motivated and the boats in excellent condition. I made an offer on the 370 Friday night, no response yet from the buyer's broker, I hate this crap. Common professional courtesy says give a response within 24 hours, it's not that difficult.
 
What a nightmare. Not only is it a deal breaker because you'd hate to think about working on it but so did the owner before you and maintenance could have suffered.
 
Definitely a deal breaker.

I see V drives, I'm out. Narrow beam with twin anything and I'm out.

I have straight drive inboards with a 14' beam and won't go back to those hassles ever.
 
Soulshine said:
Definitely a deal breaker.

I see V drives, I'm out. Narrow beam with twin anything and I'm out.

I have straight drive inboards with a 14' beam and won't go back to those hassles ever.
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I have a 14 foot beam with a single straight inboard - even easier!
 
Offer accepted on the 2004 Cruisers Yachts 370. The seller broker states the last time they took the boat out one engine reached 4200 RPMS WOT, one reached 4400. My offer is contingent on engine compression checks before we move forward with sea trial/survey. Hoping it's a bad tach.
 
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