Official 2003.5-2008 340 Sundancer Thread

Hey guys ..looking to purchase a new dinghy. Right now my setup is as follows: Sea Wise hydraulic davit lift (600lb lift capacity ..overkill I know) Aquapro 9ft aluminum hull RIB with Honda 8hp. I’m looking to get a Zodiac 330 (11ft aluminum hull) with a Yamaha 20hp and console with steering wheel and all that. Old dinghy setup weighs about 230lbs .new one would be tipping the scales at 385 with fuel and gear. I currently don’t notice any real change or strain with my boat with or without the dinghy ..the 8.1’s are incredible engines to have on our boat, but can the swim platform handle this weight? Anyone have a similar setup or think this would put a strain getting on plane?

I don't think it would be a problem. I wouldn't think anything about having 4 people standing on the platform and that would be far more weight. As far as the hole shot and planing out it less that adding an additional passenger so again no problem.

Now, my concerns would be if the dinghy mounts and attachments can properly handle the weight on the platform.

-Kevin
 
I just put in a set last week. All seems well so far. The old spark plugs looked like they had seen better days for sure. Make sure you gap them to .06

Post a pic of the old if you can. Here’s mine:

View attachment 70685

Last weekends trip showed my starboard side needing a little more throttle and used a little more gas than normal but ran fine. I have noticed this before but was easier to track over a longer trip so I think it may be time for new plugs. Which ones did you go with and how did they work out so far?

-Kevin
 
Last weekends trip showed my starboard side needing a little more throttle and used a little more gas than normal but ran fine. I have noticed this before but was easier to track over a longer trip so I think it may be time for new plugs. Which ones did you go with and how did they work out so far?

-Kevin

Thanks for the response on the dinghy Kevin. I figured that would be the case. I’ll talk to the hydraulic lift manufacturer for the rest. Thinking it’s going to be fine.

So far as plugs, I got the NGK ones. I didn’t really notice any difference. My port engine has always burned a little more fuel than starboard and that didn’t change. I didn’t really have any issues beforehand ..just routine maintenance for me. They seem to do their job and I’m satisfied.
 
Has anyone added air conditioning to the helm/cockpit area?

With this heat we’ve been having I’d like to cool off the helm

On the ac control panel it looks like it may have been an option

My questions are

Where would you mount?
If this was a factory option are there wire runs already there?
Can I tap into existing cabin ac water pump and through hills or do I need new ones?

I’m thinking to mount it either under the port passenger helm seat or (I have the sportsman) under the bait prep sink.
With the oppressive summer SoFla heat ive contemplated the same thing. Due to all my leaks I’ve learned you could run a vent all the way down the starboard side of the boat that could connect to the helm. How much temp or air pressure you would lose for that length of run is to be determined.
 
Last weekends trip showed my starboard side needing a little more throttle and used a little more gas than normal but ran fine. I have noticed this before but was easier to track over a longer trip so I think it may be time for new plugs. Which ones did you go with and how did they work out so far?

-Kevin
I switched from the delcos to the ngk’s. To be honest I haven’t really noticed a difference, I guess I’ll see how long they last. My boat is rarely loaded up with weight and I’m never pushing the 8.1’s so maybe that’s the difference
 
With the oppressive summer SoFla heat ive contemplated the same thing. Due to all my leaks I’ve learned you could run a vent all the way down the starboard side of the boat that could connect to the helm. How much temp or air pressure you would lose for that length of run is to be determined.

Not sure how much it is going to help. The A/C unit is going to turn on/off based on the ambient temperature measured on cabin return. Also without some kind of booster fan I am not sure you would get enough cool air out back to matter.

Based on the the fact that there is no insulation and direct sunlight you probably would need a bigger unit just to handle the cockpit area alone.

-Kevin
 
I switched from the delcos to the ngk’s. To be honest I haven’t really noticed a difference, I guess I’ll see how long they last. My boat is rarely loaded up with weight and I’m never pushing the 8.1’s so maybe that’s the difference


Which model NGKs did you go with? I might just stay with the AC Delco's then if there is not much of a difference. Did you use any anti-seize on the threads? If so what type is recommended?

-Kevin
 
Not sure how much it is going to help. The A/C unit is going to turn on/off based on the ambient temperature measured on cabin return. Also without some kind of booster fan I am not sure you would get enough cool air out back to matter.

Based on the the fact that there is no insulation and direct sunlight you probably would need a bigger unit just to handle the cockpit area alone.

-Kevin
Maybe u could find out what size units they put in the 440 dancer cockpit. Also if thing I to the same water pump u may have to upgrade that for better water flow. Then build a manifold for the overboard discharge, then tie a drain line in for condensation.
 
Just went through same thing in mine.

Took forever to troubleshoot ended up replacing fuel pump but not sure if that did it.

I think the final trick was to put the antisyphon valve on top of the fuel tank into bypass mode
Thanks, do you have a pic of this value?
 
Thanks, do you have a pic of this value?

There are two of these on top of the starboard fuel tank top of the bulkhead above your electrical panel to starboard. There’s also one on the port side for the port engine. On starboard. one is for the starboard engine and one is for the generator. There’s a black knob with a flat head connection. (Arrow) Turn this 180 degrees to bypass. I believe the one I drew the arrow to is for the engine, so you’ll want to turn the one to the right of that. Not certain though..try them both. It won’t hurt anything.

B0F0B545-AC57-4E74-9F72-6F63ED68F41C.jpeg
 
Thanks, do you have a pic of this value?
That’s it! The generator one is the one on the left side of the starboard tank

Rotate the knob 180 degrees so the arrow points away from the “normal” mark etched on the body.. on mine “normal” was pointing port and in bypass mode the arrow points starboard
 
My thinking was to add a second unit to the cockpit.

I was wondering if the wiring was already there as there is an unused port on the AC control panel that says “cockpit AC”.

Was cockpit AC an option?

None of this is difficult just wondering if someone had already done the homework to figure the install out. Surely I’m not the first one to do this...wondering as mentioned above if anyone has figured out the correct installation pieces; like

what’s a good cockpit mounting location,

can you piggyback into the cabin through hull,

what size water pump is needed.

Did you route the condensation drain to a new discharge through-hull or tap into an existing one. etc...
 
My thinking was to add a second unit to the cockpit.

I was wondering if the wiring was already there as there is an unused port on the AC control panel that says “cockpit AC”.

Was cockpit AC an option?

None of this is difficult just wondering if someone had already done the homework to figure the install out. Surely I’m not the first one to do this...wondering as mentioned above if anyone has figured out the correct installation pieces; like

what’s a good cockpit mounting location,

can you piggyback into the cabin through hull,

what size water pump is needed.

Did you route the condensation drain to a new discharge through-hull or tap into an existing one. etc...

I am thinking the panel is shared on models and do not think the aft AC was an option - I could be wrong - but never saw it discussed in the owner manuals or parts manuals.

I think the only possible location based on size would be under the port seat but that leaves limited venting options. I am not sure if you could or even want to install it in the engine compartment. I don't know if these would be safe - but if they are another option would be forward of the generator.

For condensate I would just plump another through hull near the unit. I do not think wiring is there so you would have to start from scratch.

The pump and capacity would be based on what you have installed and the needs of the new unit. I would check the specs on the new unit and ask the manufacturer's support team. You will also need to wire in another control box to the pump.

Even then when done all you cold air is going to simply escape and get heated up quickly. I think the AC unit would probably be running non-stop without chance of catching up and that would result in a shortened life.

Just my thoughts.

-Kevin
 
I’m discussing having lined canvas made to add some insulating properties
 
I’m discussing having lined canvas made to add some insulating properties

Personally I do not think adding thicker canvas is going to help. Once the eisenglass is up it going to turn into a green house. If the eisenglass is off the cold air is going to escape. If there was a hardtop with a 2 inch baffle you may be able to get some insulation and keep in under control. The lined canvas would still transfer the heat in.

-Kevin
 
Need suggestions on where to look for canvas hardware/canvas to convert to camper style. I currently have the slant cover, the PO had the camper style at one point, which I have the old canvas, but no hardware for it. Thoughts?
 
That’s it! The generator one is the one on the left side of the starboard tank

Rotate the knob 180 degrees so the arrow points away from the “normal” mark etched on the body.. on mine “normal” was pointing port and in bypass mode the arrow points starboard
The water fuel separator filter was loose. Tightened it up and she fired right up! I am now a boat buck ahead!
 

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