The big old 80's 340 owners thread

[northshore]

12 knots or 14 MPH is mighty slow.
On a freshly cleaned bottom with a good tune up I averaged 25 MPH or about 22 knots @ 3200 RPM.
Check for crud on the bottom. I'm certain that that cost me roughly 5 MPH.

Like Ron said, next look at the running gear. with the boat moving that slow I'm even wondering if you have the wrong props on her
Also verify that the 3200 that the tach says is really 3200

-Mike

 

[northshore]

Where are you getting the 12 knot reading from???
If it is not of off GPS, get someone with a GPS to run next to you and verify that speed.
An old style paddle wheel sensor can and will get bogged down

What is going through my mind now is that your tachs might be reading high and your speedo (if not GPS) might be running low
Ala if you are doing 15 knots @ 2700 RPM thats not nearly as bad - verify your instrumentation..

 

[moparlvr4406]

1988 Sea Ray 340 7.4L 3200 RPM- 12 KTS am I doing something wrong? What speed should I have? What is the best way to get this boat on plane? Full Gas and 5 Adults. Bottom of boat clean.

That is very slow
on mine 3200 is about 28-29mph and 42mph on the GPS at 4200rpm with 4 people and 3/4 tanks.
full tab down pops her up on full plane in about 21 seconds and throttle back to 2800 rpm cruise with about 1/4 tab down

 

[Dcamacho]

The tachs were oscillating. I am going to verify by hooking up external tach. I read the speed off of hand held GPS.

 

[northshore]

How far (relatively speaking) are the throttles pushed forward when you are doing 3200 RPM? Should be about 2/3 I would think

As far as the bouncing tachs go, The starboard one on my 340 that reads high (600+ RPM) occasionally and if I give it a good smack it drops right down.
They are aftermarket tach's and I'm in the process of lining up some original Sea Ray units

 

[wileecoyote]

That is very slow
on mine 3200 is about 28-29mph and 42mph on the GPS at 4200rpm with 4 people and 3/4 tanks.
full tab down pops her up on full plane in about 21 seconds and throttle back to 2800 rpm cruise with about 1/4 tab down

42 MPH!! Thats amazing. I never run mine up to WOT more than a few secs just to check proper WOT RPM, but didnt think there was any way a 340DA could ever touch 42 MPH.

 

[moparlvr4406]

42 MPH!! Thats amazing. I never run mine up to WOT more than a few secs just to check proper WOT RPM, but didnt think there was any way a 340DA could ever touch 42 MPH.

Just had to know... will probably be the one and only time
The water was just too perfect.

 

[northshore]

Managed 35.9 MPH on the GPS at 4000

I think the Mopar guy has nitrous :grin: and he is just not telling us!

Anybody want to take a stab at how much the arch weighs?
Beyond the Crusaders there is not that much difference, although Jim has more lumber in his cabin.

Jim, you have Crusaders right?

 

[rondds]

I could barely eek out 31mph with my 340DB at WOT. But that boat is a foot wider and about 4K lbs heavier then a 340DA or EC.

 

[northshore]

Ron, Good to see you out on the new girl!
So how is the 'Cave Boat' treating you?

 

[Pyrojodge]

I could barely eek out 31mph with my 340DB at WOT. But that boat is a foot wider and about 4K lbs heavier then a 340DA or EC.

Really, learn something new everyday...

 

[rondds]

I stand corrected...
The DB is 12'6", 16500lbs dry
The DA is 11'11", 12500lbs dry
The EC is 11'11", 12100 dry

and fuggeddabout the wind resistance!

(source: searay.com model archives)

LOVE the "new" boat (ha, still 12 years old!), and love the conversion to the cave. This boat is 6" wider than the 340DB and about 5' longer, so the lack of 2 level living is made up for. The head is a bit smaller but I'm enjoying the faster speeds and improved economy. 2K lbs heavier but moves so much better. 8.1s are great motors.

I see my old girl every day at the marina. The new owner has yet to get the engines running but they are pickled (have been since March). The interior has been rehabbed and all systems (other than propulsion) are fully operational. He and his family are really enjoying their "shore house" and that makes me happy.

 

[moparlvr4406]

according to the archives spec sheet the 1985 340DA is only 10,500 dry weight :grin:
THAT is what makes her Faaasssssssssstt :lol:

 

[northshore]

according to the archives spec sheet the 1985 340DA is only 10,500 dry weight :grin:
THAT is what makes her Faaasssssssssstt :lol:

Sounds like we need to find you a 3000 pound radar arch :grin:

 

[moparlvr4406]

Sounds like we need to find you a 3000 pound radar arch :grin:

it's azz heavy enough ...thanks :lol:

 

[flash gordon]

I just bought my first boat 88 Sundancer 340. I need to re-bed the rails. Is this job difficult? Can you get access to the bolts with out removing headliner? How long to complete job? Also Where can I buy front windshield track moldings? Do anyone have part numbers? Thanks for your help. Dave

hello , i have 87 340. i cut off a little piece of my frt windshield plastic snap in molding, went to sea ray dealer and they matched it up. no problem. its better to snap back in with two people. good luck!!

 

[northshore]

hello , i have 87 340. i cut off a little piece of my frt windshield plastic snap in molding, went to sea ray dealer and they matched it up. no problem. its better to snap back in with two people. good luck!!

Flash, Do you happen to have a part number for the snap in moulding?

 

[Mike Blake]

Flash, Do you happen to have a part number for the snap in moulding?

TRY THIS PLACE
http://www.americanmarine.com/parts-gaskets.html

 

[Dcamacho]

Has anyone re-bed the rails on their boat?. Can you access the bolts. Is this a difficult job? How long to complete both sides? Need info please. Thanks

 

[Dcamacho]

try this place
http://www.americanmarine.com/parts-gaskets.html

thanks mike.