From bowrider to cruiser...Need help deciding

[Amb]

My husband and I purchased a 240 sundeck 2005 in great shape last summer and were out all the time and made some great friends. The only issue is we want to be able to spend the night out and not to have to go home. We want to look at it like our 2nd home. Our kids are getting older and not at home all the time. we did the tube pulling, etc. this summer and not our families thing. We purchase a cruiser they get a jet ski for fun. win/win

trying to decide between-
2004 320 Sundancer for 68,000- Low hours but not sure how maintained it has been.
2006 340 Sundancer for 105,000- Low hours,
2010 350 Sundancer for 145, 000- Low hours and newer, but price scares me, not my hubby.

Any feed back would be helpful in making a decision. We live 15 minutes from the lake, 4 kids (14 plus) not always with us, and a dog.

 

[JimG]

There's a saying here... "Buy your second boat first"

The 340 is one of the most popular sizes. The 2010 350, while a great boat, won't provide any more room than the 340 offers. Obviously, get your choice surveyed... both hull and propulsion.

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[Strecker25]

That vintage of 340 is pretty hard to beat. Most have the 8.1s engines which match it very well, it has a pretty "big boat" feel and is still very manageable. Have you gone and looked at all three in person? That's the best way to start

 

[carterchapman]

I really liked our 410 for a real shower and two staterooms with doors. It was a great move-up from our 340.
Are you on a lake, inland river/lake, or coastal?

 

[NotHerDecision]

I could write for hours on this subject... Simply, buy your second boat first, it's not a saying, its a reality that will keep you happier for much longer. I was looking for a 380 and ended up with a 460 and we love it!

 

[Amb]

Thank you for your reply. We test drove the 340 and liked it. We have 4 kids, so on the chance they are with us, don't want to be crowded.
It's about a 35k difference in price from the 320-340... although I think the 320 may need some work because not regular maintained..he did replace the lower units because they were leaking. so who knows. I guess the survey will help before we purchase.
We looked at the 2007 Monterey sport 350, nice boat, but seems choppy and not as much storage.
So back to the searay...

 

[Amb]

I really liked our 410 for a real shower and two staterooms with doors. It was a great move-up from our 340.
Are you on a lake, inland river/lake, or coastal?

We are on a large deep lake. We have lots of big boats and pretty crowded lake.

 

[Amb]

That vintage of 340 is pretty hard to beat. Most have the 8.1s engines which match it very well, it has a pretty "big boat" feel and is still very manageable. Have you gone and looked at all three in person? That's the best way to start

We have, we need to drive the 320 also. Is the 320 noticibly smaller? It's hard when you go boat to boat.

 

[Amb]

There's a saying here... "Buy your second boat first"

The 340 is one of the most popular sizes. The 2010 350, while a great boat, won't provide any more room than the 340 offers. Obviously, get your choice surveyed... both hull and propulsion.

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

We have not yet seen the 350 in person, just pics. It's in a different state. But I did notice It was about the same size. We can get a great deal, but I want to be able to enjoy everything about the lake and not just the payment.

 

[Sea buzz]

I have an 06 340. Great boat I also have it on a big lake. Big enough to overnight on but not so big that you can’t enjoy all the marinas and restaurants with limited dock space. We also went from an 18 foot bow rider to a 26 four Winn’s and now to the Sea Ray. After two seasons still love it. Look for one with a camper canvas and definitely one with v drives. 105000 sounds like a cheap price. Probably more expensive to buy one in may.

 

[Third Edition]

Check out the engine room space if you're do-it-yourselfers.

Also, I/Os or V-drives?

There's a 4-year difference between the 340 and the 350. That could mean a lot of difference between the electronic packages. Newer 350 is perhaps better in this case.

If there's full canvas on the 340, its life may be over if it was used a lot.

 

[Amb]

I have an 06 340. Great boat I also have it on a big lake. Big enough to overnight on but not so big that you can’t enjoy all the marinas and restaurants with limited dock space. We also went from an 18 foot bow rider to a 26 four Winn’s and now to the Sea Ray. After two seasons still love it. Look for one with a camper canvas and definitely one with v drives. 105000 sounds like a cheap price. Probably more expensive to buy one in may.

That's what I am thinking. Would you choose the 340 over a 320 at 35k ish cheaper?

 

[Sea buzz]

You buy a 320 you’re gonna want the 340. Much more boat

 

[Amb]

You buy a 320 you’re gonna want the 340. Much more boat

That's what I am thinking. 340 over the newer 350 that is actually smaller, correct?

 

[Zach312]

Take a look at the 2000-2004 380 sundancers. Much more boat than the 340 and should be priced less than the 2010 350.

 

[Sea buzz]

The 350 is smaller than the 340. The 340 is also the most popular boat Sea Ray ever made so you will have no problem selling it

 

[Amb]

Take a look at the 2000-2004 380 sundancers. Much more boat than the 340 and should be priced less than the 2010 350.

How about the gas? My hubby thinks it will be very thirsty.

 

[NorCal Boater]

How about the gas? My hubby thinks it will be very thirsty.

Its going to be more thirsty than your current boat. But with all you're considering fuel use shouldn't be a deciding factor. And remember, bigger engines in an identical boat will get better fuel economy than that boat with smaller engines.

Also, when you get a larger boat I bet you find your kids wanting to go over-nighting with you....just sayin'....

 

[Stee6043]

If you're upgrade-prone you may want to expand your year and size range. For the prices you're considering you could pick up a late 90's or early 2000's 400DA. If you stretch your budget just a tick you could likely find a 2004 400DA which is the first year they have the hardtop.

As a 340 owner with 3 kids I can tell you it feels small at times! You also will not get a separate head on a 370/380/390. After my third year with the 340 I find myself wanting that bathroom (and a solid door on the aft cabin) more and more.

400 or bust....that's my thought. If you're on a smallish lake you can do well with gas motors and could skip the upfront cost of the diesels.

 

[Zach312]

I owned a 2003 380 w/ 8.1's and fuel burn wasn't dramatically more than the 340 with the same engines. I believe at cruise we burned 33 gph. Much more space than the 340. I echo others comments go as big as you can afford it will save money in the long run. There are a few diesel powered 380's out there. This was a great option in this size boat. The 2004-20010 vintage 40 is also a really nice option but can cost more.