Dani-Lu

The stern seat on the 380 is not removable....sorry to disappoint.

The stern seat on the 370DA is totally removable.

John

 

Well, I just put a deposit on a 2002 380da. Deal not done yet. Still need demo ride, boat and engine survey. A lot still has to happen for this deal to close, but who knows, I could be in a bigger boat in a week or two.

Whatever happens, I appreciate everyone's advice! You guys have been a great support group for a fellow addict!

Jeff

 

The seat is removable. I had a 2002 380 with gas engines for 3 years.

There are 2 pins that hold the seat foundation to the stern wall. The ends fold over so they don't work their way loose. So, you have to reach behind the seat, flip the ends of the pins up (to make the pin straight), then pull them out. After that, you can take the seat out. I lost a lot of blood from my knuckles doing that.

On mine, the cushion was screwed into the seat platform. I took out the screws, and used industrial strength velcro from Sam's Club to hold it on. With the cushion off, the seat is easy to remove. With it on, it is a pain in the A$%. There were also pins below the next 2 seats to take them out, but they pinned into the little shelf they sit on.

Once the seats are out, the cockpit is huge, and is easy to fish. Disassembly and reassembly was a pain, and it wasn't fuel efficient enough for the type of fishing I like to do.

 

Thanks for the reply on the removable stern seats. Glad they are removable. I was going to have something fabricated to make them removable, but this news is a lot better than having any custom work done! Thanks!

Jeff

 

I hope that all makes sense when you poke around back there.

A little velcro cost me a lot less blood, reduced the time it took to get the seat out, and generally improved my attitude.

I never could grasp what those foldable legs are for - you can't fold the seat against the transom anyways, and those stupid knee joints always bend away from you when you're trying to put the ends into the holes they fit into.

There have been lots of us gas-powered 380 owners around here. You can probably get about anything. And, all the other guys are a heck of a lot more knowledgeable than me about the stuff that really matters.

 

The look of the seats is why I assumed the stern seat would come out. I have the same seat base on my 310da. The only difference is, my 310da cushion has extra material with snaps, that snap under the seat base. Once I buy a 380da, I will unscrew the seat and install velcro as you described.

I just noticed your home port. I am currently looking at a boat in NY from the Seminole area.

Assuming I am able to do a deal on a 380da, I am sure I will have tons of questions. This is a great site!! Great bunch of guys, always willing to help. I only hope I can contribute as much as I receive from this site.

 

The seat is removable. I had a 2002 380 with gas engines for 3 years.

There are 2 pins that hold the seat foundation to the stern wall. The ends fold over so they don't work their way loose. So, you have to reach behind the seat, flip the ends of the pins up (to make the pin straight), then pull them out. After that, you can take the seat out. I lost a lot of blood from my knuckles doing that.

On mine, the cushion was screwed into the seat platform. I took out the screws, and used industrial strength velcro from Sam's Club to hold it on. With the cushion off, the seat is easy to remove. With it on, it is a pain in the A$%. There were also pins below the next 2 seats to take them out, but they pinned into the little shelf they sit on.

Once the seats are out, the cockpit is huge, and is easy to fish. Disassembly and reassembly was a pain, and it wasn't fuel efficient enough for the type of fishing I like to do.

Same concept on my 340, except the cushions are only fastened with snaps, so easy to remove. I keep the pins and leg hinges greasedwith Merc 101 all the time, that way they come out easily. Take the seat out and the cockpit of the old 340 is also huge. Can't do it ont he new 340 ... one of the reasons amongst many otehrs the old 340 has inch fo inch more utility than the new one, albeit the new 340 design being more modern and better looking.

 

I just noticed your home port. I am currently looking at a boat in NY from the Seminole area.

Is the boat here or there?

 

It is here in NY, but spent most of it's life in Tampa. Not sure if it was ever owned in NY. I know of at least 2 prior owners in Tampa.

 

good luck.

make sure the risers and manifolds are checked and have been replaced. they don't last too long around here.

a lot of people around here try to sell their boats up north, because there are less of them, and they can get more money up there. the guy that bought my 380 saw it online, came down from chicago, bought it and shipped it back, for less than he would have paid up there. plus, in my case at least, it was a brand new 4 year old boat, and he got a deal.

it might be worth a look online for some florida boats - there an absolute ton of gas 380's around here, and they are cheap now.

 

If I did not have a boat to trade, I would probably look at many more 380's. But owning a boat limits my choices of who to buy from. To date, I can't say my buying experience with a local NY Marine Max dealer has been fun. In fact I think this deal is about to die. I don't want to say too much on this site, since if I was a Sea Ray sales person, I would frequent this site for tips. Although, based on my experience with this dealer, I doubt they attempt to improve their salesmanship, or customer service.

 

Hang in there........MM has a lot more boats than buyers for boats right now.

 

ylwjacket,

Is there a higher salt content in the water in Florida? The warmer water? I know up here they say the manifold/risers last 5 to 7 years, sometimes longer. What is it it in Florida?

Jeff

 

no clue on salt content. the water is warm, but that more relates to algae growth and barnicle accumulation.

 

I have 1999 380 with gas motors, we absolutly love the 380. I have not driven a diesel 380, they are very rare. I have no complaints about my gas power.

Like everyone is saying, big fridge, seperate shower and stateroom door, all great little perks to have.

My 380 is nicer than a lot of the newer ones in my marina, it's all in how it's taken care of.

Good luck and enjoy your new 380

 

Gentlemen,

Unfortunately the last deal I had on a 2002 380da with MarineMax (SS3) in my area fell through. I pulled out. Boat had some gel coat work on port side and possibly even stringer work done in same area as the gel coat repair. It also seemed to have had some gel coat work done around port exhaust. Spent less than an hour surveying, and realized the boat was just not the right one for me. So, I am back in market for a boat and unfortunately still have my 310da, so a trade would be my only option at this time. Can't complain - Great season, 310da still in the water, and I will certainly beout on her tomorrow, with this great warm October we are having.

I still want to get a 380da! Preferably diesels, but would certainly consider an 8.1 gas boat. Anyone know of any good 380da out there, think of me.

Thanks..

 

You just 'dissed all the women that read these postings...

 

ur kidding right ?

Rob

 

There are great deals here in Florida, where the real estate market is hurting. Seems like the boat is the first thing to go when times get tough.

I am buying a 2001 380DA with Cats- survey is tomorrow, with a closing hopefully shortly after. The sellers came off $50,000 from their asking price! They needed out fast.

 

To Nirvana2 and all the other women on this site, I apologize for not including "Ladies", in my prior message. Would a non-gender "guys" suffice in the future?

 

Dani-Lu -
Here is your boat - I sea-trialed this and it is very clean and the dealer is great to work with -
Ask for Peter "Baha" Pawlick
http://www.foxchapelmarine.com/sear...tails.aspx?diid=1050380&bvdid=7141&type=AN&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=DESC&
(if the link doesn't work - go to www.foxchapelmarine.com and look at pre-owned inventory.)
Good Luck!

 

Carpe Mundun,

If I may ask, why didn't you buy the boat? Looks real clean.. Will they take a trade?

Thanks.

 

DL-
I liked the boat, but I am not a big fan of that generation of body style from Sea Ray. I like the 04+ model body styles.
The Admiral and I are in a debate - she wants a 260 Sun Deck, I want a 44 DA. The compromise might be a 320 DA.
Once I settle an issue with my current 07 240 DA, I will post a great story and pictures to match.

 

This may or may not have relevence to thsi thread. I recently sea trialed identical 2005 SR 390 DA's One with Mercs and one with Cummins. bottom line, I FELT that the oil burner was so much less resposneive in terms of it's turning responsiveness and 'get and go' then the Gassers! Also, the Oilburner rode so much lower in the aft and generaly much less nimble then the Gasrers. Bseisds the price diference is 60K!!! I dont know what to do. I agree that in the long term one will get the 'investment' of the diesels back and resale will be easier but why the peerformance diference? Am I crazy or does someone else here agre?

 

Well, it is almost one year from the day I posted this message. It may have taken me a year to sell and buy a boat, but after a few false starts, I finally bought a new to me, 2001 410 Sundancer with 3126 Cats! Yes, I listened to all you diesel geeks to the point of brainwashing. However, after a 5 hour trip from the North shore of Long Island, via Manhattan to the South shore, I am no longer brainwashed by all you diesel geeks. I am now 100% convinced that diesels are the way to go! From the way she handles around the dock to how she ran without me touching the throttles for almost 2 hours in the ocean against waves and wind, made me a believer.

I have to send a major thank you to all of you for your feed back to my many, many questions. This is a great site with a great group of guys and gals!

Finally I have to send a huge thank you to one person that many of you members like me, have come to know, trust, and call a friend, Frank Webster! Frank’s endless knowledge, unbelievable patience and 100% objective answers to my seemingly endless questions, gave me the confidence to choose and buy this boat.

Frank – Thank You!

Safe Boating to all of you.

Let’s have a great 2008 Boating Season!!!!

2001 410 Sundancer – 3126 Cats – Dani-Lu Rocks

 

It's been taken over by Munchkins. Haven't you noticed?

RUN!