Which 2000/2001 Sea Ray 310 do I buy?

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I looked at a 2000 310 today, carburated 5.7s, I think 260HP, with outdrives, 650 hours on the engines.

https://www.affordableoutdoorsinc.c...-ray-310-sundancer-stafford-va-22554-2557944i

I also looked at a 2001 310, 350 Mag MPI Horizon 300 hp, V Drives, engines are new remans from Mercury.

https://www.pwmarina.com/inventory/2001-sea-ray-310-sundancer-woodbridge-va-22192-2308652i

Both show well. 2000 has the white cabinets, 2001 has the cherry. No real big difference between the 2 except V drives versus outdrives, carburated 5.7s versus MPI, and cherry interior versus the white.

2001 is listed $12k more than the 2000.

I am a fresh water river boater so outdrives are ok. Not sure about carburated having had those in previous boats.

Decisions, decisions...

Thoughts, opinions?
 
The 2001 looks nice. I like the v drives. When you decide to sell this boat the v drive could open more doors. Also The extra horse power maybe nice. Good luck. JC
 
I looked at a 2000 310 today, carburated 5.7s, I think 260HP, with outdrives, 650 hours on the engines.

https://www.affordableoutdoorsinc.c...-ray-310-sundancer-stafford-va-22554-2557944i

I also looked at a 2001 310, 350 Mag MPI Horizon 300 hp, V Drives, engines are new remans from Mercury.

https://www.pwmarina.com/inventory/2001-sea-ray-310-sundancer-woodbridge-va-22192-2308652i

Both show well. 2000 has the white cabinets, 2001 has the cherry. No real big difference between the 2 except V drives versus outdrives, carburated 5.7s versus MPI, and cherry interior versus the white.

2001 is listed $12k more than the 2000.

I am a fresh water river boater so outdrives are ok. Not sure about carburated having had those in previous boats.

Decisions, decisions...

2001 Cherry cabinets, MPI and V drives are very big differences IMO.
Thoughts, opinions?
 
I thought about the V Drives versus outdrives for resale as well. the outdrive one has been on the market for a while, I'm guessing that is why.

Mitch, did you mean to reply?
 
I would much prefer the v-drive boat. Having owned a v-drive 330 and driven both types there's no way I would go with the I/O boat. The handling difference is huge.
 
2001 Cherry cabinets, MPI and V drives are very big differences IMO


After a thread reread and viewing both links, I have 3 more points.

1. A year newer makes a good difference in price.
2. The 01 has fresh "Mercury" reman engines.
(as to why is yet a question but point #3 may reveal that info.)
3. PWM has a pretty serious reputation.

Edit to change make to makes
 
Last edited:
Seller rejected my offer, countered in the middle, I rejected and held firm to my original offer. 2 hours later the broker called, seller accepted. Woo Hoo!!
 
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Reactions: JC3
So, a twist to the plot. I know the broker on the 2000 310, he sold me my last two boats. Good, honest guy who I trust. He has shared enough with me to let me know I can probably get the 2000 for $10k less than the 2001. Owner has 2 boats now and needs to sell.

When I asked why the 2001 has long block remans when I first looked at the boat I got fuzzy answers from the PWM broker. One said "bad gas affected one engine, seller decided to replace both". I've seen the service records since the seller accepted my offer. It reads "boat could not get on plane, compression tested engines, both tested badly" and then all the details on removing and replacing the engines. Since then I see service records where an engine would not start, replaced this, replaced that. Oil in the bilge, replaced oil lines. I asked if the risers/manifolds had ever been replaced answer was "No, it's a fresh water boat". There's recent service where the seller "slammed into a pole/anchor while docking" doing significant gelcoat damage, which was repaired. "Both engines no start" - replaced slave solenoid. "Starboard engine died and will not restart" - replaced coil.

Remans are nice, but you get all the old parts reattached to them.

The 2000 is up to date on all service, including manifolds/risers, outdrive service, etc.

Are V-Drives, a cherry interior and 40HP more per engine worth $10k? Also, with the 2000 having overdrives I can store it in the boatel, which is my preference. Rhetorical question, would love to hear opinions
 
After a thread reread and viewing both links, I have 3 more points.

1. A year newer makes a good difference in price.
2. The 01 has fresh "Mercury" reman engines.
(as to why is yet a question but point #3 may reveal that info.)
3. PWM has a pretty serious reputation.

Edit to change make to makes


Do the engines have a warranty that is transferable?
 
Do the engines have a warranty that is transferable?
Yes, 1 year from the date of install 01/19. The 01/19 date was verbal from the broker, the ad reads "Fall 2018" the service records read 06/15/2018. Again, fuzzy, doesn't line up.

I had remans in my Sea Ray 330 with a 12 month warranty (I purchased the boat with 1 hour on the remans). The blocks and heads never had an issue, it was all of the failing reattached parts I was stuck replacing one by one as they failed. The 2001 has 750+ hours on the boat, and all of the reinstalled parts. I question why the seller did not replace the risers/manifolds while the engines were out and the old ones were detached.
 
Subject to survey and sea trial I think I'd still go with the 2001. I believe that 2000 has carbs as opposed to fuel injection. That's worth something over and above the extra HP.
 

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