Stuck between 2 boats: Sea Ray or Cruisers Yachts

G

GregR

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Jan 16, 2014
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33547
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116
I fell in love with the Cruisers Yachts 320 cabin layout last year when I first saw one, a 2004 model. The couch in the back, the salon seating that's flush with the floor (not raised). The cockpit and helm seating is "good enough" but not my favorite. I am not a fan of the wide helm bench seat or multiple step ups in the cockpit. I almost made an offer but had a bad/gut feeling about the engines, that I later found out to be true having met the person who purchased the boat.

I found a 2005 with twin Volvo 5.7 V-Drives that I like a lot. It has a blue hull, beautiful, great shine, just not sure about the upkeep/maintenance to keep it that way.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2005-cruisers-yachts-320-express-7279046/

I've always been a fan of the 2000 - 2002 Sea Ray 340, but thought "no way I'll own a Sea Ray again, everybody does, they are everywhere". Well, I've looked at 2 that I like. Only difference between the 2 is the engines: 1 has the 7.4s and one has the 8.1s. My 1995 330DA had the 7.4s and felt like a dog, bow always rode high.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001/sea-ray-340-sundancer-3665778/

I prefer a lounge salon settee to a dining one where they face each other with a table in the middle.

Size, weight, beam, draft, tanks, etc. these 2 boats are very similar, close to identical.

I am curious to hear thoughts on both, pros/cons, etc.

Thanks
 
If the boats are the same size/weight wise, and you didn't like the performance of your 330, then the 5.7s in the cruisers are probably too small. 7.4s and 8.1s are pretty good engines.
 
I had the 5.7 engines, Mercruiser, in my last two boats, admittedly they were smaller boats though. Dockmate had the 5.7s in his Monterey 322 and the boat performed very well. I think it's because they all had outdrives versus the v drives.
 
No question that outdrives will out perform inboards, either straight or V-drive. I would guess an outdrive boat would get at least 20-25% more speed than the same boat with inboards...and 20-25% better fuel mileage.

I used to have a Carver with 7.4 Mercs and now have a Carver with 8.1 Crusaders. What a difference. The Mercs were carborated 340 HP and my Crusaders are fuel injected 385 HP. More power in a smaller boat. Big difference in speed and fuel economy, especially being fuel injected.
 
Good points and comparisons. My Sea Ray 330 had 7.4 carbureted, while my Regal 3880 had 7.4 fuel injected. A big difference in my opinion.

I'm not too concerned about the 5.7 v drives in a 32-foot boat. My days of two to three-hour one-way cruises are behind me, more of a half hour to 1 hour one way cruiser now. Meaning I'm not super concerned about fuel economy.

It's more of the fit, finish and layout I look at.
 
I believe those 454 Horizons MPI are around 380 HP not 330 HP FYI
 
Greg - My 03 Cruisers 3372 as 5.7 VolvoPenta Gxi, FWC, duo-prop stern drives - 17-18ghp avg, cruise at 24 Kts, top speed something over 40. Just repowered, new engines are 325Hp each. I bought the boat new, and those were the biggest engines Crusiers would put in. Oh, and I'm looking to sell. ; )
 
quote:
Originally posted by Good Grief

Greg - My 03 Cruisers 3372 as 5.7 VolvoPenta Gxi, FWC, duo-prop stern drives - 17-18ghp avg, cruise at 24 Kts, top speed something over 40. Just repowered, new engines are 325Hp each. I bought the boat new, and those were the biggest engines Crusiers would put in. Oh, and I'm looking to sell. ; )

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What did you repower with?

NY is going to be a little too far for me at this point, but I will keep you in mind. Send me some details/pics/price if you'd like.
 
I like that Cruisers has a walk thru windshield and I believe a little more head room. As for motors thats up for grabs
 
I like the walk through windshield as well. The ones I'm looking at compared to the Sea Ray's have about the same headroom.
 
The 2003 3372 I looked at today showed very well. Very clean inside and out and well-maintained.

Unfortunately when I walked into the cabin I was overwhelmed with what appeared to be a sulfur smell or a holding tank smell. The broker flushed the head while I had my nose on top of the holding tank and there was no difference. We checked the faucets for sulfur smell, couldn't smell anything. The shower sump pump box was overflowing with water. I guess that could be the source. Owner was on the boat as well and he said he's never smelled it before but he did smell it this time.
 
6-4 headroom in the 3372. I repowered w/ rebuilt Volvos - original heads have since been upgraded, so got 5 extra Hp per engine w/ the update. The pics of that boat are very close to mine; we have the booth settee (rather than lounge style) in the cabin, our arch is further back (don't have/need that rear 'camper canvas', just straight down eisenglass), we have the bow sundeck cushions. Shower sump is powered from the vacu-flush head circuit - if that breaker was off, that's why it overflowed (Kinda silly design, as the A/C condensate drain goes to that sump.)

Good luck in your hunt!
 
Sulfer smell could be a overcooked battery or battery issue.
 
The smell was definitely in the cabin at the bottom of the stairs (which is where the sump pump box is located). I located the fresh water and holding tanks, gave them both a good sniff test and could not smell "the smell". I asked the broker to flush the head (vacuuflush) and run water at the sinks as well while I was sniffing, smell did not get worse. I ran water at the galley and head faucets and could not detect the smell.

The sump box was flooded over with pink antifreeze and it did not have a plastic lid on top of it. I lifted the switch to see if it would pump, it did not. Fresh water pump and head switches were on at the panel.

Boat was just dewinterzied. I have experienced the sulfur/egg smell from the fresh water holding tank before on previous boats, almost smelled like that.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Good Grief

our arch is further back (don't have/need that rear 'camper canvas', just straight down eisenglass)

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I am glad you said "our arch is further back". Something looked odd about the one I looked at that I could not figure it out from looking at others online, now I know! I don't like rear canvas, I prefer the straight down.
 
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