1998 330 Sundancer

G

Geowh

Member
Mar 3, 2013
80
Lake Erie
Boat Info
1999 330 Sundancer
Engines
T7.4L 454 Mag MPI
Looking to purchase a 1998 330 Sundaner. I would appreciate any information, pros or cons, on this boat.
I have a 300 sundancer and I like to stand when I drive. (I am 5'10"). When standing on the 330 it seems very tight between the seat and the wheel. It also looks like there will be a problem standing when the bimini top is up?
I have been reading some of the forums on 330s regarding water ingestion problems, planing issues, correct engine for this boat etc. This one has 7.4MPI 310HP v-drives. Any advice?

I look forward to hearing from any present or past owners of this boat or any advice from others.

Thanks
 
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I had two 1996 versions of the boat you're looking at and loved both of them. The first one got totaled when hit by a drunk and I liked the boat so much I bought its twin. Between the two boats I owned one for about 10 years before buying what I have now.

Both boats had 5.7L inboards and a 6.5kw gen. A good friend had the same boat with the 7.4L's. His boat was a bit faster to plane and cruised about 1-2 mph's faster, but used between 5%-10% more fuel. My boat got right at 1mpg at hull speed and also when running on plane anywhere between 3200rpm's and 4000 rpm's. Above that rpm range the secondaries on the carbs started to open and the economy went down.

I bought the 330 over the 300 because I could stand up in the cabin of the 330 and couldn't in the 300. I seldom stood up to drive, preferring to sit when at the helm. I could stand up but had to lean forward to clear the front bimini. When backing into the slip I stood in the walkway and worked shifters with my left hand. No problems there.

I would think that the 330 would be just about the perfect boat for Lake Erie. It's relatively fuel efficient, can cruise in the mid-high 20mph's, handles 4'-5' waves nicely and is a real dream to handle. I never had any water ingestion problems so I can't address that issue. If you have any more specific questions, fire away!

GFC
 
One of the big complaints that era SR 330 gets from taller captains is the lack of head room at the helm. I measured it once. it's about 5'7" to my hard top IIRC? I too like to drive standing up but cannot without spreading my legs. I raised my helm seat on plastic lumber and pull the seat close to the wheel. I rest my dangling feet on a fender. I'm having a bolster made for back support. Currently, I'm using spare life jackets for that purpose.

HTH
 
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I'm 5'9" and am able to stand toward port of the helm. When at the helm I do have to bend a little to stand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
tdschafer said:
I'm 5'9" and am able to stand toward port of the helm. When at the helm I do have to bend a little to stand.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

i noticed that I did not have to bend over as much too. My hard top is taller in the center than at the helm. I'm also bent slightly to the right when driving from that position.
 
Yep the arch is curved. Standing room is better towards the center of the helm. If I'm running the boat standing I usually stand to the left of the helm and have a perfect view down the center of the bow.
 
Thanks for the replies. After reading more threads I re-checked the spec sheet on the 330. It has the 7.4MPl 310 HP v-drives. (Not the 5.4 as I originally listed. I corrected my original thread) Is this enough power for this size/weight boat? Has the lower arch height been an issue with any 330 captains out there?
 
Same exact boat as mine. I love it. Plenty of power and lots of room to entertain. Im 5'10" and when standing I do as tdschafer does, stand more towards the center of the boat. Buy it and enjoy the hell out of it!!!
 
Great boat! We had a the same boat/power for 5 years on Lake Erie and loved it. I'm 6"4" and never had any problem with the helm. The visibility is good setting down and the boat handles great around the dock. This is a very popular model up here and you should be able to find 10 or more for sale. Look at all of them and favor the best maintained/condition before price. Get a good survey and make an offer. It's a buyers market.
 
I am looking to buy a 1998 330 sundancer with twin 5.7

is there any problem getting these on plane and cruising with 10-12 people on board? Are these engines to small for this?
 
Gofirstclass said:
I had two 1996 versions of the boat you're looking at and loved both of them. The first one got totaled when hit by a drunk and I liked the boat so much I bought its twin. Between the two boats I owned one for about 10 years before buying what I have now.

Both boats had 5.7L inboards and a 6.5kw gen. A good friend had the same boat with the 7.4L's. His boat was a bit faster to plane and cruised about 1-2 mph's faster, but used between 5%-10% more fuel. My boat got right at 1mpg at hull speed and also when running on plane anywhere between 3200rpm's and 4000 rpm's. Above that rpm range the secondaries on the carbs started to open and the economy went down.

I bought the 330 over the 300 because I could stand up in the cabin of the 330 and couldn't in the 300. I seldom stood up to drive, preferring to sit when at the helm. I could stand up but had to lean forward to clear the front bimini. When backing into the slip I stood in the walkway and worked shifters with my left hand. No problems there.

I would think that the 330 would be just about the perfect boat for Lake Erie. It's relatively fuel efficient, can cruise in the mid-high 20mph's, handles 4'-5' waves nicely and is a real dream to handle. I never had any water ingestion problems so I can't address that issue. If you have any more specific questions, fire away!

GFC
Click to expand...


I am looking to buy a 1998 330 sundancer with twin 5.7

is there any problem getting these on plane and cruising with 10-12 people on board? Are these engines to small for this?
 
Evan, I sent you back a PM about your question. First of all, you'll not likely ever have 10-12 people on board and run on plane. Nobody likes to be down below when you're running and the cockpit is too small for that many people. Also, with that many people on board most of the weight is going to be in the stern and there just isn't enough power (even with the 7.4's) to get it up on plane.

That boat is perfect for about 6 people. IMHO any more than that and it gets to be too crowded. Want to have 10-12 people on board, get a bigger boat.

This pic shows the lighted boat parade when we had 20 guests on board. It was only a little bit crowded.

PC070999.JPG
 
To the OP, I agree wit GFC that 10 to 12 people is way too much for a 330DA. Nothing to do with ability to get on plane. Its just too many people in too small a space. Maybe for a short cocktail cruise, but not more.

I have a 97 330DA and I have done day trips once or twice with 8 adults. It was "fine", but crowded. No issues whatsover getting on plane, but I have the torquey 7.4 big blocks. We were able to anchor and take the dinghy to shore which made it better. 4 or 5 hrs without getting off would have tested everyone's patience.
 
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I've owned mine for 2 years now and love it, lots of room and plenty of power.
I have been able to get on plane with 10 people aboard (it takes a while and I had some move up to the helm area with me, and I don't make a habit of that, it's mostly cocktail cruising)
As far as standing, I'm 5'10 and my head rubs against my bimini when standing, so I usually either roll it back or kneel, sit, or use a fender as a bolster
The biggest complaint I have is when standing, and the seat all the way back,there is not enough room between the seat and steering wheel so you have to make a funny contortion to fit there,, and as others mentioned, I move to the centerline to avoid that.
It is really only a big issue when making long trips (I run from Hyannis to Boston and back twice a year)
 
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