Sea Ray 330 Purchase Advise

[Jolie Lynn]

Hi all
Love Iboats first of all. I have narrowed my search to a late 90's to Sea Ray 330. Twin 7.4's and V drives. She will be slipped in the brackish waters of Oriental NC. We currently have a 2001 Maxum 2300 and keeping her for the lakes. I am new to a boat of this size and would like any advise, words of wisdom or words of encouragement in this endeavor. My family (myself and three teens) is now looking to have a boat in a marina to hang out as a place to get away with the ammenities slipped yet want to take trips within three hour cruises at about 25mph and sleep on weekends. We have had our bowrider out in the ocean and sounds with three plus foot waves and had no warm fuzzy feelings about that!! Is this boat fully capable of crossing the Pamlico Sound and venturing close off shore with a good sea and weather forcast? I would like to have a full camper and the engines closed cooled so to enjoy her year round. We just started our homework and would like to buy something before July 4. Please feel free to give us your two cents Thanks in advance

 

[cptrick3]

I now have a 24' boat but previously owned a 33' Trojan with the same engine package but with shaft drives. You'll love how a twin handles. The only thing to keep is mind is fuel. My Trojan had a 350 gallon tank.

 

[Bayou Dave]

I think a 330 would be fine going from Oriental to the Outer Banks and somewhat beyond. As you said, watch the weather forecast. The Pamlico can get pretty rough some days.

 

[Natesms]

You'll enjoy the 33 searay. There are many similar options in that size range so don't be afraid to branch out. I think the vDives over the outdrives is a good idea (I have outdrives wish I had v drives).

Just be prepared for the maintenance costs. It is a night and day difference form what you have now. You'll have slip, bottom paint, double motor and drive maintenance, generator, fresh water system, etc. It adds up quick. Not to mention the fuel, you'll be looking at 3/4 a mile to the gallon, maybe worse. Not trying to sway you away, just really know what you are getting into.

I jumped from a 24' to a 33' chris craft. The 33 costs so much more to have than the 24. I joke that the 24 was almost "free" to run.

 

[Jolie Lynn]

Thanks guys. I do like the V drive option as well. I am doing more homework and putting a smaller Sea Ray 310 with smaller engines in the mix. Would love to have twin 4.3's for the mileage but with looking at 30 feet kinda impossible to find and with V drives. Looking at other makes too but the lay out of these are just what we are looking for. I am a mechanic so that does help with costs too

 

[Natesms]

Depending on the # of people you plan to have on the boat, I would probably skip the 4.3's. I have a good friend with a 31 Regal with twin 5.0's in it. It works pretty hard getting on plane with a full load and the motors are wrapped up pretty high at cruise. He does burn less fuel than I do, but not a significant difference, If you are just cruising though it may be fine.

With your usage I'd make sure to get a generator.

On the layout there are 2 things I've noticed with boats if this style.

1. Getting to and using the bow. If you think you'll spend a lot of time laying out up there this is something to think about. Walk through windshield is ideal, and a flatter surface for lounging. My boat is horrible in this department. You have a 6" walkway up the side (we call it the DWI check point) and a rounded surface when you get up there.

2. If you are staying on it, the headroom inside the cabin. My boat seems to be ahead of the curve in this department and everyone that's been in there comments on it. I really like how open it feels. However if I wasn't staying on it all the time, I'd rather have a setup that more suited #1.

 

[Jolie Lynn]

Hi again all. We are going to look at a beautiful 1999 310 350 mags 800 hrs and a 1995 330 310 is nicer but the 330 has new 7.4 engines and genny. Wondering everyones opinion on both as far as power for hauling friends and if the new engines will come out better on fuel being new and moving the boat better as far as hp?

 

[Slip Away]

Won't be too much difference on fuel burn at cruise speed between the two engines. At WOT the big blocks will suk considerably more fuel than the 350 mag's.
I would request engine info on the 330, to verify who replaced the engines etc. If they check out, as well as the boat, the 330 would be a better choice than the 310, with engines in the 310 nearing the end of their lifecycle.

 

[Natesms]

As Slip Away suggested, get the paperwork on the motors, that checks out that is your boat IMO. What drives are on it? Are they EFI?

You can dress up the older boats pretty well. My neighbor at the dock has been slowly updating the upholstery in their mid-eighty's boat and it's amazing how much more modern it feels when you walk down into the cabin.

 

[Bamaman1]

It would be preferable if such a boat has spent its lifetime on 100% freshwater lakes. I wouldn't want to buy an older "sundowner" boat that's been in saltwater or brackish water.
You will need to have a really good marine mechanic check out that boat in every way. Aging boats with dual engines can be a money pit.
Fiberglass boats that have been left in the water and uncovered outside don't have the longest lifespans.
Are you sure you want a Sundowner for a bunch of teenagers? They are rather "tight" on room, etc.

 

[Slip Away]

"Are you sure you want a Sundowner for a bunch of teenagers"

Sundowner's are cuddy cabin boats built by Four Winns OP is looking at a Sea Ray 330 Sundancer, which is an express cruiser.

 

[Jolie Lynn]

Hi thank you all! We took a good look and sea trial on them. The 310 is absolutely beautiful. The 330 not so much and found out they are not fresh water cooled, carbureated and questionable. This week we are having the 310 surveyed by a professional and the engines/genny surveyed by a professional completely and will see The Sundancer seems to be just what we are looking for, inside and out especially handling. Did more research and the jump from under 35 footer to over 35 footer OAL is so much more for many different things and the only interior size difference between these is an added area between the FWD berth and dinette/kitchen. Hope this helps someone out there looking for the same. Wish us luck !!