340 SUNDANCER THREAD

[KevinC]

Has anyone seen or converted the aft sink into a BBQ?

The only grill I would consider would be the Kenyon electric but bases on dimension it do not think it would fit in that space without major fabrication work. On top of that I would not want to loose that space permanently to a grill. In fact I am try to expand its use.

Instead I would look to add a portable grill with a rod holder mount at the port rear rod holder or add a mount or use a grillamount on the swim platform.

-Kevin

 

[suss1173]

I had a 2001 340 with 7.4 Horizon motors surveyed this week. Unfortunately, the generator wasn’t operable, and I mentioned prior to the survey that I expected that to be working if the deal moves forward. The broker felt it was an easy fix and they’d get it done… however, it turns out the genny is toast. So now the seller is considering if they want to offer a concession. While they ponder, something that’s been on my mind is that the boat’s bottom needs to be blasted due to lousy painting over the years and now as the excitement of getting this boat has worn off, I wonder if the boat’s speeed and RPM are a bit on the low side.

I’m curious if everyone with 7.4’s thinks this is inline or too low, regardless of the lousy bottom. Speed was recorded via GPS and the boat had 1/2 tank of gas, no water and holding tank was empty, and 3 adults.

WOT was 4,500 port and 4,600 starboard
@3,500 ran 25 mph
@4,000 ran 28 mph
WOT was 4,500/4,600 and 29 mph.

 

[Barlow1016]

When purchasing a boat of this size don’t ever take concessions. Have the seller fix the problem and then retest professionally. I have seen too many times where concessions are given and there was actually more problems than what the concession was given for. For example everything may work on shore power, but only half of the things work off of the generator power.

 

[KevinC]

I had a 2001 340 with 7.4 Horizon motors surveyed this week. Unfortunately, the generator wasn’t operable, and I mentioned prior to the survey that I expected that to be working if the deal moves forward. The broker felt it was an easy fix and they’d get it done… however, it turns out the genny is toast. So now the seller is considering if they want to offer a concession. While they ponder, something that’s been on my mind is that the boat’s bottom needs to be blasted due to lousy painting over the years and now as the excitement of getting this boat has worn off, I wonder if the boat’s speeed and RPM are a bit on the low side.

I’m curious if everyone with 7.4’s thinks this is inline or too low, regardless of the lousy bottom. Speed was recorded is GPS and boat had 1/2 tank of gas, and 3 adults.

WOT was 4,500 port and 4,600 starboard
@3,500 ran 25 mph
@4,000 ran 28 mph
WOT was 4,500/4,600 and 29 mph.

Since you're asking questions, based on this and some other private conversations we had I would probably walk if they can't get the genset working. You already described a ton of money that would need to be invested. Most of it being postponed maintenance and that does fair well overall unless this is a real steal.

Granted I have 8.1s but at WOT I jump right up to near 40mph. Did you ever check the plugs and/or get a compression test? It could just be mis-propped but that can get expensive to tune in too especially if you need new props.

-Kevin

 

[suss1173]

Kevin I didn’t pull plugs yet. Once we determined the generator needs a rebuild, I decided that I’m not going forward with a compression test unless they give me a concession for the cost, or estimated cost to replace the generator, which imo will be about $8,000.

I told the broker I was discouraged, to say the least. I was lead to believe the generator was a simple fix, so on good faith I went ahead and gave my deposit, setup and paid for the survey and short haul, only to confirm most of what I already knew of the boat (the broker warned me the bottom wasent smooth and should be blasted). However the outlier was finding out that the genny is likely going to have to be replaced. Now that I know this, I’m not sure it makes sense to spend another few hundred with a compression and leak down test if the owner isn’t willing to make a large concession on the generator. If it wasn’t for the generator, I’d be ok at the agreed price.

 

[Stee6043]

Kevin I didn’t pull plugs yet. Once we determined the generator needs a rebuild, I decided that I’m not going forward with a compression test unless they give me a concession for the cost, or estimated cost to replace the generator, which imo will be about $8,000.

I told the broker I was discouraged, to say the least. I was lead to believe the generator was a simple fix, so on good faith I went ahead and gave my deposit, setup and paid for the survey and short haul, only to confirm most of what I already knew of the boat (the broker warned me the bottom wasent smooth and should be blasted). However the outlier was finding out that the genny is likely going to have to be replaced. Now that I know this, I’m not sure it makes sense to spend another few hundred with a compression and leak down test if the owner isn’t willing to make a large concession on the generator. If it wasn’t for the generator, I’d be ok at the agreed price.

Having just sold a 340 - there are lots of them out there. I wouldn't spend another minute on this one if I were in your shoes. You have to wonder what lead to the demise of the generator. As someone else mentioned there may be other demons lurking. Sure, it could just be bad luck or non-use but I'm generally not that lucky. Perhaps your luck is better

I also wonder if you're working with the right broker? Seems like an INOP generator is kind of a big deal at this age/vintage boat. Replacing one is a considerable portion of the value of the boat in terms of cost. And most folks at this size and above don't want to buy a boat without a generator. Resale is important.

Have you checked out boattrader and yacht world yourself? 340's are very popular....

 

[uplander]

I had a 2001 340 with 7.4 Horizon motors surveyed this week. Unfortunately, the generator wasn’t operable, and I mentioned prior to the survey that I expected that to be working if the deal moves forward. The broker felt it was an easy fix and they’d get it done… however, it turns out the genny is toast. So now the seller is considering if they want to offer a concession. While they ponder, something that’s been on my mind is that the boat’s bottom needs to be blasted due to lousy painting over the years and now as the excitement of getting this boat has worn off, I wonder if the boat’s speeed and RPM are a bit on the low side.

I’m curious if everyone with 7.4’s thinks this is inline or too low, regardless of the lousy bottom. Speed was recorded via GPS and the boat had 1/2 tank of gas, no water and holding tank was empty, and 3 adults.

WOT was 4,500 port and 4,600 starboard
@3,500 ran 25 mph
@4,000 ran 28 mph
WOT was 4,500/4,600 and 29 mph.

My buddy has a 01 with the 7.4s. His boat and mine both top out at around 33mph in fresh water. Both had new or freshened up bottom jobs when they went in the water this year.

 

[suss1173]

My buddy has a 01 with the 7.4s. His boat and mine both top out at around 33mph in fresh water. Both had new or freshened up bottom jobs when they went in the water this year.

Are they the 380 hp motors or the 330hp.

 

[CliffA]

personally when I was boat shopping if I determined the boat had been neglected in aesthetics or mechanical systems or both I walked away immediately....there are too many nice used boats for sale to take on someone else's problems, even if you think the price is a steal....even with a good survey of the boat and systems there is no way to determine the full extent of what is wrong up front and that is a gamble I am just not willing to take since I don't have to....

just my opinion of course.......

good luck in the search...

cliff

 

[goose1]

How does the port side bilge compartment drain into center area where bilge pump is? The stringer between hasn’t any drain holes I can find and a small amount of water is trapped between the stringer besides the hotwater tank and the first engine mount . Cheers

 

[Stee6043]

How does the port side bilge compartment drain into center area where bilge pump is? The stringer between hasn’t any drain holes I can find and a small amount of water is trapped between the stringer besides the hotwater tank and the first engine mount . Cheers

I'm not sure that it will drain between those areas. I've had water in that area that never seemed to make it under the engines. I think if it gets high enough it will run over the stringer before going anywhere else.

 

[goose1]

Thanks I would agree Kinda dumb design with the strainer being there

 

[be_prepared]

How does the port side bilge compartment drain into center area where bilge pump is? The stringer between hasn’t any drain holes I can find and a small amount of water is trapped between the stringer besides the hotwater tank and the first engine mount . Cheers

I searched for a weep hole somewhere and didn't find one either, I had soapy water in there from some serious cleaning at one point. One of the drains around the engine hatch wasn't draining properly, and I had boat soap getting from the deck into that upper bilge area. I used a little hand bilge pump to pump it from the upper section to the back where the bilge pumps are. don't usually see water there though, unless maybe the rod holders drain into there?
I agree that it's a poor design if it doesn't drain to the pumps.

 

[goose1]

I searched for a weep hole somewhere and didn't find one either, I had soapy water in there from some serious cleaning at one point. One of the drains around the engine hatch wasn't draining properly, and I had boat soap getting from the deck into that upper bilge area. I used a little hand bilge pump to pump it from the upper section to the back where the bilge pumps are. don't usually see water there though, unless maybe the rod holders drain into there?
I agree that it's a poor design if it doesn't drain to the pumps.

Fresh water hoses run up that area and one of the fittings came lose letting water into that space. So Iam also just pumping it into bilge

 

[bone354]

My 2000 has holes forward through stringer that lets it into the engine area. It holds water while not moving but most comes out while moving. I use a wet vac when cleaning

 

[goose1]

My 2000 has holes forward through stringer that lets it into the engine area. It holds water while not moving but most comes out while moving. I use a wet vac when cleaning

Thanks I’ll try that time to go for a drive

 

[btyman11]

On the note of talking about water under the engine, I just replaced the tides shaft seal under the motor on the port side of my 02' 8.1s. NIce there was a spare on the shaft. Had to move the remote oil filter to get access and thank god im 6'3 to reach. That was an 8 advil kinda night. I felt like i got beat up in a fight. Probably the hardest thing Ive done due to location.

 

[TotallyGross]

Are they the 380 hp motors or the 330hp.

I have the 2000 7.4 Merc with V drives on my 340. I run about 29knots WOT. I guess that is about 33 mph. Mine are not the 380hp.
Out of curiosity what was the agreed upon price when you expected the boat to be right. I am looking to upgrade and want to see ballpark what mine would go for.
I would also insist everything is right before taking delivery. I did a LOT of upgrades to mine and I'll never get close out of it to what I put into it.

 

[suss1173]

I have the 2000 7.4 Merc with V drives on my 340. I run about 29knots WOT. I guess that is about 33 mph. Mine are not the 380hp.
Out of curiosity what was the agreed upon price when you expected the boat to be right. I am looking to upgrade and want to see ballpark what mine would go for.
I would also insist everything is right before taking delivery. I did a LOT of upgrades to mine and I'll never get close out of it to what I put into it.

It seems like the 2000-2002 340’s are all asking in the $50K to $65K range. But I think they are actually selling in the mid 40’s to upper 50’s, just depends on condition and options.

Good luck with your upgrade and sale too.

 

[Mittens]

That seems low to me^^ at least for clean ones.


And speed wise my 2002 with 8.1s is odd it crises at 25-26mph at 3600, but top speed is 41.8mph....with v drives.