New 340 DA for Lake Mead: Stern Drives or V-drives?

[Quint]

Hey guys

It seems there's a wealth of knowledge among everyone here, so I thought I'd run this up the flag pole. My MarineMax dealer in Las Vegas has a choice of two 340 DAs, one stern drive, the other V-drive. They have similar equipment, although the V-drive boat also has:
- Stainless windshield
- Flexiteak stairs/ktchen flooring
- Underwater lighting
- Additional TV
- Bottom paint
- Ultraleather interior

I know the V-drives won't go as fast as the Bravo-3's, but getting up on plane and maintaining low speed conditions is better. Also maintenance is reduced becuase a v-drive boat doesn't need to pulled out of the water and trailered back to the dealership for servicing (although this is a great opportunity to acid wash the hull anyway).

I know a lake is not as critical as salt water for underwater growth, but my outdrives on my current 30' Chaparral get a lot of "fur" on them after only 4 weeks non-use.

Which would you recommend: the stren drives for higher top speed or the v-drives for greater manouverability at low speeds, ease of planing and lower maintenance?

Also, the price on the V-drive boat is $240K with incentives, but I want to get them down a bit more. What would suggest I offer? It's MSRP with freight is $338,000.

 

[Alex D]

I would always, always go with the V-drives.
Speed does not matter, but the lower maintenance and ease of ownership with the v-drives is much better. Besides, when trading or selling the boat the V-drive version will sell ten times faster even though you guys on those western lakes have a small market for stern drive powered cruisers. But elsewhere in the US they are almost impossible to sell and only at a great discount.

 

[Bounty]

I would always, always go with the V-drives.
Speed does not matter, but the lower maintenance and ease of ownership with the v-drives is much better. Besides, when trading or selling the boat the V-drive version will sell ten times faster even though you guys on those western lakes have a small market for stern drive powered cruisers. But elsewhere in the US they are almost impossible to sell and only at a great discount.

I agree with all of the above.

 

[lorenbennett]

Just my 02. I don't want to rain on the vegas dealer as Kent is my salesman to, but when I went after my 2nd searay from him I went and visited Grand junction, san diego, and oakland and this really put the fire under them in vegas. Also with the upcoming boat show season coming??? I also looked over at newport boats and they have a left over new 06 with msrp of $284K. Seems there is some wiggle room. http://www.newportboats.com/searche...&Make=Sea+Ray&Display_Name=340+Sundancer®

Just my 02. :thumbsup:

 

[Bridog]

Also, the price on the V-drive boat is $240K with incentives, but I want to get them down a bit more. What would suggest I offer? It's MSRP with freight is $338,000.

Quint, I would "PM" member JMPLAS. He just purchased a 07 340DA with a MSRP of 328K for 187K. I would CERTAINLY say you could "get them down a bit more". I would also agree with the others. For a 340DA, V-drives are the way to go. Good luck, Brian

 

[waterlogged]

V-drives all the way.

 

[Morpheus]

I've read there is more room in the engine room when you have stern drivers vs v-drives.

 

[gyrospiro]

I have stern drives there is lots of room in the bilge. access to maintenance items impellers etc.. is a dream.

 

[Potato]

I've never had a V-drive boat so I can't make any kind of informed comment but...

I know the V-drives won't go as fast as the Bravo-3's, but getting up on plane and maintaining low speed conditions is better. Also maintenance is reduced becuase a v-drive boat doesn't need to pulled out of the water and trailered back to the dealership for servicing (although this is a great opportunity to acid wash the hull anyway).

If you aren't doing the servicing yourself and you want someone other than Callville's repair place to handle it, technically you will have to pull it out of the water anyway. As far as I know, the Park Service only allows MarineMax to make warranty related repairs on the water. Anything else and they have to tow it into town. Slip renters aren't even really supposed to do oil changes or maintenance themselves on the water, but I doubt everyone follows the rules.

If you are planning to have Callville do the maintenance, then they have their own lifts on the water so V-drive vs. I/O is moot in that respect. I've never used Callville's repair place but I used to use it when it was Koco marine before Forever Resorts took the business.

I know a lake is not as critical as salt water for underwater growth, but my outdrives on my current 30' Chaparral get a lot of "fur" on them after only 4 weeks non-use.

I'm absolutely paranoid about the mussel infestation. If it were me, I'd want as little hardware in the water as possible!

 

[lorenbennett]

I'm absolutely paranoid about the mussel infestation. If it were me, I'd want as little hardware in the water as possible![/quote]

Try towing around the area to mead, mohave, havasu. California went through my boat with fine tooth comb at the needles check point coming back from havasu to ft mohave.(home) :thumbsup: