330SS ?


T

TomL

New member
Have narrowed down my selection of a boat for the family and determined the 330SS is the way to go. Have studied them out with respect to options, however any input from you owners is welcome that have more knowledge than I.

Do's & don'ts specifically with engine selection and other options. Boat will be used at the Ozarks (fresh water) and looking at used 03-04 models. I realize this forum is new, thanks in advance.
 
I guess I should be more specific. I'm aware that I should be looking at the biggest motor I can afford, however there are certain options I really don't know anything about or if the are important for my particular use on a lake. I will say the Ozarks does see some rough water on weekends 2'-4' if it matters.

My questions are more specific to these options like:

Bravo Three & Horizon Bravo Three

Corsa Captains Call Exhaust-Twin

http://www.formulaboats.com/models/1051541-prices.aspx

These options were taken from the Formula site and I have know idea what they are and if they are needed in my case. Again sorry, I'll admit my ignorance. Ask me a question about a Porsche and I can help, a boat....no way!!!
 
If you like loud boats then go for the Corsa. The Horizon is good in Sea water but if you boat in Fresh then you don't need it. The Horizon is a good selling feature for the future, though.
 
LBI4fun said:
The Horizon is a good selling feature for the future, though.
Click to expand...
Exactly! When you sell, the buyer will know there hasn't been any saltwater through the engine.
 
Thanks for the input....

The main questions with respect to engines have been answered.   Horizon & Corsa Exhaust options are around$8k new, no telling what thats worth in depreciated dollars on a used boat but,  I didn't want to be looking for something I didn't need.  Most of the used 330's have so many differing packages and varied in pricing its somewhat confusing.  I'm hoping more 03-04 models will become available in the Spring, and even more so in the midwest as the 06 models start to hit.

Again I am new at the boat market stuff and determining where the market is now as well some of the economic pressures that exist and how the effect used pricing so anything you guys have to offer or suggestions is welcome.  My condo is being built at present and cannot move in until May so I have time to learn and observe.

With respect to a diesel, no I have not considered one.   They appear to be not to popular in this market area, other than your bigger cruisers.  The is my first boat and aspire to own a 370 or 400SS at some point and wonder how acceptable that type of motor would be as far trade-in appeal on a 330, also I have not seen one used diesel.  Personally, I don't have a prob. with them and have driven a 54'SRay with them and the run very smooth.  Thanks again..........

Signed;
Winter Sucks
 
Have a friend that bought a 33' SS last year.  He has a place at the 19 mi mark on LOTO. I think twin 360 hp with bravo 3 drives. the boat will top out about 50 to 55 don't know exactly. His goal was to be able to cruize at 30 to 35 and not spill his beer it has work out so far except on the really busy weekend . Loves the Barvo 3 drives stump pulling power and great when manuvering tight spots, he wishes he had the seprate throttle and drive controls but not a big deal. I will say that it is a nice ride, not a go fast but still able to get to places with out taking all day, and almost to much room, as when ever his boat leaves it is full. That is all the info I can give you now.  If you want to get in touch with him I can get you the info. He live in the StLouis area and we will be at the boat show in Feb
 
I believe the new 330SS comes wih the Livorsi shifters/throttles w/in-handle trim switch, I am not sure when they started that but I got it from Formula's website on the 330SS specifications.
 
I have a 330 SS I just bought this past summer. I ordered mine new. Have about 60 hours on it now. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have. My boat has the Volvo Penta 375hp duoprop. This or the Mercruiser 375hp bravo III is the only way to go as far as I can tell. I actually found two different magazine tests of this boat. One with small blocks and one with big blocks. The big blocks got better fuel economy at everything except full throttle. Now obviously this boat is not bought for fuel economy but my thoughts are that the bigblocks are working easier than the small blocks at cruise speed which translates to longer life and more reserve power in case you need to make evasive maneuvers.

As far as the quick and quiet exhaust is concerned, I did order this feature. I have noticed no performance increase with the exhaust open. It does sound cool with it open but to honest i found myself rarely opening it. The boat is very quiet and it is much more enjoyable when you have guests to be able to converse with them with the exhaust switched to quiet mode. So I think this is an option you could easily do without if it isn't on an otherwise great boat for you.

We love our boat so if you have any other questions please ask. This is a great boat and I think you will be very happy with it.
 
Corndude, your friends goal and mine are the same, perhaps you can steer him to this site to contribute. While I don't want to be a u-haul the space these things have is why I was leaning to the ss and the ability to go places at good speed. I have a friend at the 20mm and I'm at the 8mm, if I want to pick him and his daughter up and take a trip up the lake I got room with my 2 kids & wife as well. I can live with the weekend water there, its just the way it is at the Ozarks now.

Macjazzy, thats what I need to hear, hadn't even considered your points w/the big blocks and fuel/engine longevity.

Looking through the options list on the Formula site and thinking about needs, since were on a roll here I will ask these.

1)Generator w/AC. Don't know if I need that. We cove out a lot and are in the water. It was nice when with our other friends to pop downstairs when getting something and feel the cool, but I don't see the point b/c we never eat lunch down there and the only times its used is when our kids watch a movie in the VCR at night when were heading back home. Seems more than 50% of the used boats I see already have the feature though.

2)What type of head, silly ? asking about a crapper. Want a vac flush, should I consider that Macerator ?

Other than that, the main points are covered. For a new forum site this one is a hit. I've spent time looking and searching over at OSO w/o much luck.
 
TomL

Gen/W ac. I bought a 27pc last november with out the gensent but it did have AC.. AC is a must as far as I am concerned especially if you are going to live on it weekends.

Now I have a 31pc with the works. The genset is not used that much when we are out, but the times I did need it i was glad i had it. a few examples.

Anchored out one night for a fishin trip. Left the spot light ON ALL NIGHT, along with the fridge running. If I did not have the geni to charge the batts i would have had to call Sea Tow.

Long rides on hot days in the chespeake with the 17 month old and the 6 year old. Down in the cabin with the AC on taking a nap while under way. 3 Carbon Detectors.

Need to heat somthing up with the micro! Nothing like microwave popcorn!

Need a little more ice while out on the water! Fire up the geni.

I would not go with out it.
 
I do see an advantage to a generator, most of which have already been touted here. I agree with all those examples as to why a genny is nice to have. I did not get one for these reasons. In a 330SS it gets real crowded in the engine compartment with a genny. If you plan on doing any of your own maintenance consider that. Also I just did not want to have to winterize, maintain, and work around another engine. The cabin is not really a place you will be spending time hanging out. Maybe in a quick storm, but I think I would rather just put up the camper canvas than try and cram much more than 2-3 people down there for any length of time. I don't think it would be very comfortable to try to eat a meal with a family in the cabin. We actually never used the table all summer, left it down with the fill in cushions out. An inverter will run the t.v if yo want to use it out. And kids that need a nap seem to not be too picky about a/c. If you open the twin hatches and 4 portals there is a pretty good breeze down there.

As far as spending the night out on the hook, that is where I do wish I had a genny. But my solution is one of those portable generators from honda or yamaha. They take up very little space are amazingly quiet and you can take them or leave them at the dock when you want to. They are very affordable compared to the built in genny and can be used for other stuff at home or camping or whatever. A 2000 watt is around 1000$ and is plenty to run your a/c overnight.
 
Sorry got a bit long winded there and didn't even realize I ignored your head questions.

You do not need a macerator unless you are planning on traveling offshore. You can not use it unless you are 3 miles offshore. And during any coast guard inspection they will check to make sure the discharge handle is locked closed, if it is not it is a fine.

We did get the vacuflush head. The admiral insisted. It is a nice thing to have but I can already see that it will require more maintenance in the long run. I think the best compromise would be a pump toilet with a holding tank.
 
I see no reason other than wanting to "hear" the exhaust noise going with captains call on a 330. ???

There will be no performance difference.
Even in the "go-fast" market the difference is measured by the 1-2 MPH range until you really get into the last inch per mile requirements

Now on a PC.... if you were on the ocean.... and wanted to release some heat from the engine bays on an extended cruise ....maybe...
LOTO? probably not.

Plus I have heard nothing but problems with the captains call system if it is not used regularly

IMHO
 
I ordered the captions choice exhaust for mine. I have noticed no performance difference. At idle or no wake speeds having the exhaust open makes a very anoying vibration from the swim platform( mine is the extended version) so I do not use it then and at planing speeds most of the noise is behind you. There is a difference in sound but I found myself rarely using it.
 
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