Considering Purchase 2001 340

T

tcontic

Member
Feb 27, 2008
76
Smithtown, NY
Boat Info
2001 230 Signature Select BR
Engines
7.4 MPI Bravo III
Hello All,

I've been considering upgrading to a cruiser class vessel this spring and have had initial contact with the broker selling this boat.

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001/Sea-Ray-340-Sundancer-2039177/Wrightsville-Beach/NC/United-States

I plan to fly down to the area in a week or so for a visual inspection before hiring a surveyor and mechanical inspection. Any obvious flaws I should be looking for? I really don't want to hire the professionals until I've done some thorough due diligence.

Price seems right but I'm still going to negotiate.

Opinions are welcome.

Thanks in advance,
Tom
 
The 2001 340's had water intake issues. The risers were at a low angle which was a design flaw. There are several posts on this board whiuch you can search for...this was not an official factory recall, but Merc and Sea Ray did cover replacement on these for those that complained loud enough. If you get the serial numbers on the engines, they should be able to run them and tell you if these have the potential for this issue, as well as if they have been replaced.

I have a 2003 and they had aluminum manifolds as well. Not a good design. Wore out very fast and can cause big issues if you don't catch this early. Be sure to check on this as well. Good luck.
 
I'm aware of the water ingestion issues, this boat has already had the exhaust updates and new manifolds and risers.

"She has had the exhaust updates completed, plus, has new
risers and manifolds from February of 2008. "

Tom
 
I think that boat looks like the best 340 for the money on the market today. I recommended a friend to look at it last week. I don't think he has seen it yet. I just purchased a 2001 340 sundancer about a month ago. My boat was a repo with 320 hours on 7.4s,. My boat was not abused in any way, and it has KVH direct TV, Sat Radio, flat screen TV, DVD player and surround-sound. My canvas needs to be replaced, but that is it. I plan on ordering new canvas this week from Great Lakes. I got a great deal because the bank wanted to sell it, and I had no contingencies except survey and sea trail. I have a marine engineering degree, and license so did my own survey. Everything was perfect. The key was the exhaust where changed. Your boat probably needs risers and maybe manifolds. I would try to find out when the raw water pumps were changed. If you have to ship the boat, that cost between $2-3 per mile, plus the cost to pull off the arch and reassemble it.
 
Sounds like you may have a good deal on your hands. Get the usual surveys done and you should be good. Congrats!
 
Before you fly down, my boat is right around the corner from this one and I know the broker well. I could do a visual for you if you'd like on Friday eve to make sure its all thats stated. Just let me know if you want me to.
Steven Brown
 
Hi Steven,

I appreciate the offer and welcome it, I've been in contact with broker Mike Knoll. Thank you for the assistance!

Tom
 
Tom, looks like the cleanest 2001 340DA I've seen so far. The only caveat would be the 6.2's. Every 340 inboard boat I've seen has the big blocks. The only exceptions were the ones with Bravo III's. Where do you intend to keep it slipped out of Smithtown?
 
jg300da said:
Tom, looks like the cleanest 2001 340DA I've seen so far. The only caveat would be the 6.2's. Every 340 inboard boat I've seen has the big blocks. The only exceptions were the ones with Bravo III's. Where do you intend to keep it slipped out of Smithtown?
Click to expand...

I'm looking into SBYC or Stony Brook YC. I'm on the waiting list for a town slip but still many years away. I see you're in my neck of the woods, I live off Old Mill Road on the St James side.

Tom
 
Well I can tell you that the Stonybrook Yacht Club has a sizeable waiting list and an expensive buy in. The Smithtown Bay Yacht Club of which I am a member has no waiting list but doesn't have a slip that will fit a 340DA which is about 37' LOA. The largest slips accomodate boats no longer than 35' LOA.
Pm me if you have any more questions.
 
Tom,

We bought our 2001 340 DA in Destin last summer. It had about 240 hours on the engines. We have since put over 120 hours on them. We have the 7.4 MPI with v-drives. We think the 340 DA a great boat for cruising. We have really enjoyed the boat. I have heard that the 6.2s are not as desirable as the 7.4s. Might be a torque issue since the 6.2s has10 more HP than the 7.4s. You might research this yourself. The price looks to be a bit low. Could be just someone who wants to get rid of the boat and is not concerned with money.

Vince
 
I have a mooring available at Long Beach but would prefer to be in a slip. Thank you for the information.

Regards,
Tom

jg300da said:
Well I can tell you that the Stonybrook Yacht Club has a sizeable waiting list and an expensive buy in. The Smithtown Bay Yacht Club of which I am a member has no waiting list but doesn't have a slip that will fit a 340DA which is about 37' LOA. The largest slips accomodate boats no longer than 35' LOA.
Pm me if you have any more questions.
Click to expand...
 
The 2001 340 is the same hull as my 1999 330DA. I cannot imagine that even a stroked small block V8 has enough torque to run that hull. Simply put, horsepower is proportional to torque multiplied by RPM. An engine can give a big horsepower number despite having modest torque rating by being able to put out that torque at higher RPMs. Generally, this isn't good for engine life, nor is it good for a boat. Boats require torque throughout it's operating range, which is unlike a car that only needs a lot of power to accelerate and a tiny bit to cruise at highways speeds. A marine engine also needs a lot of torque at low RPMs to get the boat up on plane. There's no downshifting to get the revs up.

Now either the previous owner neglected the exhaust system, which necessitated the long block and new exhaust system or those engines have so little torque that he wrung out the one engine pushing it hard to keep the boat up and running. Either way, he neglected maintenance. What else is broken that you can't see? Make certain that you get a very through inspection.

Ensure that you test run this boat, and you need to test run it heavy. That's full fuel (225 gallons or 1,300 pounds) full water (40 gallons or 320 pounds), and a bunch of people on board (easily another thousand pounds). Otherwise when you get the boat home and load her down with a ton and a half of people and supplies, you might find yourself very, very disappointed.

If it were my money, I'd pass on this one.

Best regards,
Frank
 
Last edited:
Saint Max has 6.2's used as replacements for water injested 7.4's. They redline at 5200 whereas the 7.4's redline at 4600. Running each at 75% of WOT yields 3450 and 3900 cruise RPM's respectively. The 6.2's weigh ~200 pounds less per engine.

I burn less per hour than Mrs. Robinson (Carb v. MPI) however, he is quieter because he is running at a lower RPM.

The engines themselves will be fine for that boat. A large issue is the boat is undertabbed. Easily fixed.
 
I just posted a thread about my purchase of a 2002 340 Dancer. I had a survey done and was told everything was fine. Winterized the boat and mechanic noticed milky oil. Did compression tests and found cylinder to be bad. (Surveyour said boat ran at proper RPM and didn't think compression test was necessary). At any rate I have to replace one motor and have the other reworked. Begged and pleaded with Mercruiser and Searay who eventually ponied up for the parts, I am responsible for the labor. That being said.....have a complete and thorough survey done. By the way, when were your motors worked on, replaced, or manifolds done? Are you going to be the second owner of the boat? I am trying to gather as much info as I can to go back to Searay to see if they will cover any of the labor. My situation is that I am the 3rd owner, but needless to say the issue is a design problem. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Mark
 
Let us know what you find out about this boat. I'm in the same position as you. I'm looking to move up from a 280 to a 340 or larger. Wondering about the 6.2's in this large a boat though...
Keep us posted.
 
searay495 said:
I just posted a thread about my purchase of a 2002 340 Dancer. I had a survey done and was told everything was fine. Winterized the boat and mechanic noticed milky oil. Did compression tests and found cylinder to be bad. (Surveyour said boat ran at proper RPM and didn't think compression test was necessary). At any rate I have to replace one motor and have the other reworked.
Click to expand...

The surveyor should cough up a few dollars, too. It was a serious error not to do a compression check on the engines. That's why he has (or should have!) and errors and omissions insurance policy.

Best regards,
Frank
 
fc3 said:
The surveyor should cough up a few dollars, too. It was a serious error not to do a compression check on the engines. That's why he has (or should have!) and errors and omissions insurance policy.

Best regards,
Frank
Click to expand...

Depends. Every surveyor I interviewed before buying specifically stated that they don't do engines. Just a look over and temps of the manifolds while running. If something were noticeably wrong, it would be pointed out but no diagnosing. I ended up getting a Merc. tech to survey mine for 300 bucks. He also checked the genset while doing the engines. Sounds like this poster should have done the same but I wouldn't expect the surveyor to pony up anything on this one.
SB
 
We had a mechanic do a mechanical inspection of the engines, transmissions and generator. This included a compression test. Our surveyor for the boat did not offer a mechanical inspection other than running the engines and checking the gauges. We love our 340. Our first cruise was 829 miles and seven days. The boat is easy to handle (we are in our 60s) and comfortable to live on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,186
Messages
1,428,171
Members
61,097
Latest member
Mdeluca407
Back
Top