2004 320DA vs 2005 340DA

[Randy Coleman]

Hello all.

New to Searay and having a heck of a time finding the right boat.

With Covid pricing in full effect, I'd like some advice from people that have had the pleasure of owning either of these models.
Yes, I have been through both forums for each model and found a ton of useful info.

Boating in South East Florida with my family of 3 total.

2004 320DA. Loaded and meticulously maintained.
(Needs bottom job, has 4 blade props needing to be repaired and tuned.)
620 hrs on 350mags with Vdrives. Kohler Gen has 300hrs.
purchase price $85,000

2005 340DA, Needs complete detail inside and out and then just need to add accessories like tv's and new stereo.
490 hrs on 8.1's with Vdrives. Kohler Gen has only 60hrs.
purchase price $89,000

Thoughts?

 

[Windjammer]

All other things being equal "condition-wise", it's hard to beat the 340 with the 8.1's.

 

[Craig]

I chose the 320 for 3 reasons. Swim platform lower to the water. Port side lounge instead of forward facing seat. Double wide helm seat doesn't have arm rests in the middle so you can sit with your legs stretched across them. If all you care about is the engines 340 wins hands down. Its also larger. I wouldn't own a Florida boat thats not freshwater cooled. Take your family and try them out for the way you boat. Both great boats. Good luck.

 

[Randy Coleman]

The 320 is not fresh water cooled, the 340 is.
The 320 does have fresh water rinse hooked up but not sure if current owner ever uses them.

I do agree with those 320 options you talked about and totally agree. Wife does too.

 

[mdolesh]

Be cautious of the gen set with only 60 hours on it. We bought a 2006 that had exactly the same hours and it was for a reason. Low usage lead to problems and then problems lead to no usage. Its pulled from the boat now for an overhaul this winter but the more I read and learn is that a genset being used (under load) relatively often is a much happier genset. Good luck in your search!

 

[Ididntdoit]

Get the 340 - the 340 is a better boat in every single way

 

[Three Seasons]

Good morning,

We have owned both the 320 & 340. We loved the extra room and power of the 8.1’s on the 340. I was never happy with the limited power of the 5.7L V-drive on the 320, One test drive on the 340 and I traded up immediately. Looking for lower swim platform you can add one from Swimplatforms.com, I have installed 3 on previous S/R’s and considering adding one to our new to us 380.

All the Best

 

[Randy Coleman]

Thanks for all the great replies.

We are going to have the survey completed on the 340 tomorrow so fingers crossed all goes well.

I'll report back once completed.

I will be along for the full survey so if anyone can point out some areas that are common problems (on the 340) and need to be looked at, please let me know.

Thanks,

 

[Ididntdoit]

as with any boat of this age, have the foredeck checked around the winlass, hatches and stancions - its time for those all to be rebedded too - also check the shaft seals (hard to get to) and cutless bearings - make sure all buttons at helm work as the eim is an expensive fix - on 2005 and up, make sure the cool fuel 3 units have been updated - the AC pans are also known to rust out - that will get you started - im sure others will chime in

 

[Randy Coleman]

Finally completed the survey on the 2005 340DA and I’m happy to say that it went as good as can be expected.

just a few minor items that we want done.
Will have shaft seals and cutlass bearings replaced and then eventually replace the cabin fridge.
Other than that, she just needs a good wash and wax to make her look new again.

Awaiting the oil sample results so once those come back good, we will be the proud owners of a new to us, 2005 340DA.

 

[Randy Coleman]

as with any boat of this age, have the foredeck checked around the winlass, hatches and stancions - its time for those all to be rebedded too - also check the shaft seals (hard to get to) and cutless bearings - make sure all buttons at helm work as the eim is an expensive fix - on 2005 and up, make sure the cool fuel 3 units have been updated - the AC pans are also known to rust out - that will get you started - im sure others will chime in

Shaft seals and cutlass brings need to be replaced. Searching for part numbers now.
Helm switches all work as advertised. Vent window and windlass all work perfectly.
Mechanic says it has the newer style upgraded fuel pumps so no issues with cool fuel system.
AC pan has water in it but didn't see much if any rust.

However, compression checks were all perfect at 185 psi across the board but oil samples show low level of sodium in starboard engine.

Frustrating!

 

[Strecker25]

Shaft seals and cutlass brings need to be replaced. Searching for part numbers now.
Helm switches all work as advertised. Vent window and windlass all work perfectly.
Mechanic says it has the newer style upgraded fuel pumps so no issues with cool fuel system.
AC pan has water in it but didn't see much if any rust.

However, compression checks were all perfect at 185 psi across the board but oil samples show low level of sodium in starboard engine.

Frustrating!

How low of a level and how old is the oil? That’s not necessarily a deal breaker

how about the exhaust, is it original? I think by then merc had gone away from aluminum manifolds and instead outfit them with Cast iron but I could be wrong. Other salt water 8.1 owners will have to chime in, I’m not sure what the exhaust service interval is on those engines

that’s a great boat and an even better performer, hope it works out

 

[douglee25]

Shaft seals and cutlass brings need to be replaced. Searching for part numbers now.
Helm switches all work as advertised. Vent window and windlass all work perfectly.
Mechanic says it has the newer style upgraded fuel pumps so no issues with cool fuel system.
AC pan has water in it but didn't see much if any rust.

However, compression checks were all perfect at 185 psi across the board but oil samples show low level of sodium in starboard engine.

Frustrating!

Low sodium? Post the oil sample results.

 

[Randy Coleman]

Here’s the results from the oil samples.

Looks like they are going to change the oil and run the boat for 5-10 hours and then retest a new sample.

 

[douglee25]

OK, so it's HIGHER than it should be.

If it's coolant related, it could be an oil cooler. You'll have to look at a cooling diagram to see what is closed vs open and go from there.

 

[carterchapman]

I had aluminum manifolds on my '05 340 and as a condition of sale I had them replaced with cast iron...

 

[Randy Coleman]

The manifolds were replaced in 2019 so they are cast iron.
The assumption is that the oil was never changed after the previous manifolds failed.
the boat only has about 40 hrs on it in last 2 years and since manifold change.

Perhaps this is just residual from the past issue.
Boat runs great and compressions were perfect.

 

[Strecker25]

The manifolds were replaced in 2019 so they are cast iron.
The assumption is that the oil was never changed after the previous manifolds failed.
the boat only has about 40 hrs on it in last 2 years and since manifold change.

Perhaps this is just residual from the past issue.
Boat runs great and compressions were perfect.

i think you’ll be fine. If they’re willing to change it and run then resample that’s a great situation

 

[Harleyd558]

Anyone know where I can buy a new vent window? 2005 Sea Ray 320.