Official 1980's Weekender/Sundancer 300 thread

Folks even tho I'm looking into a 39ec I'm still getting things done on the 30ec.

I'm trying to be sure I'm doing something correctly. How do you check the transmission fluid? Do I start and warm the transmission then check the fluid?
 
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I've been away from this site for far to long. Glad to see this thread still going. I've not used the boat much the last few years and last night we put it up for sale. Two years ago I had a major problem with the boat. The navigation light on the starboard side started to allow water into the cabin. By the time I knew that it had been leaking the headliner and side panel were water stained. I resealed the sanctions, nav lights and run rail screws. The problem was the interior. I spent over a year searching how to fix the lovely pink side panels of the 88 Sundancer. I researched dying the panels and discovered Chalk Paint. Yes a paint but not just any paint if you look on YouTube for Chalk paint video's you might find something to change your interior. Here are some before and after pictures. I can't believe how good the boat looks now. If it does not sell I just might do the rest of the sides and the headliner.

Ken
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Now before you say Holly crap you painted the side panels. Chalk paint is not like any paint you have used before. You reduce the paint 50% with water. You only need to vacuum the material to get it ready. You then use a spray bottle of water and spray the area you are going to paint. It works more like a dye than a paint. Once you do the first coat and it dries for 24 hours you use a painter's foam sanding block and sand the material. The sanding softens the material again and once vacuumed it looks and feels like the original material. I did two coats on the port side and two and half on the starboard. The reason for spraying with water to get the material wet is so the chalk paint will wick into the material. After watching hours of videos I took the blunge with icy gray. The results are far better than I could have wanted. The pink and the stain are gone and I have another personal touch.
 
I'm very excited to try this chalk paint to renew my headliner and V Berth sides without the time and expense of replacing the original material due to water stains.
 
Iprof, I have a question, as far as sealing the navigation lights, what did you use and how will you undo the seal if a bulb goes out?
 
Iprof, I have a question, as far as sealing the navigation lights, what did you use and how will you undo the seal if a bulb goes out?
If you unscrew the light you can then clean underneath it, scrape the old caulking off then clean the surface with styrene, it does not attack the surface like acetone. You can use 4200 to seal the light and the seal can be broken if you need to remove or replace the light. I used the same product to seal the rub rail and cleats.
 
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Thanks for the important info.
 
You can also use Boat Life to seal after cleaning everything up.
 
Thanks JVM225.
 
Hi all, wow has this been quite the trip reading all 2990 posts! I feel strangely like I know you folks after all of that lol!

I'm getting ready (Wednesday) to look at an 89 300WE and hoping to get an ed-uhh-mah-k-shun from y'all! We've just a bowrider for our river enjoyment currently but getting excited with the prospect of owning our own floating motorhome :)

Questions are: Is a survey the only real way to get an idea of sound-ness? How expensive typically is a survey? Boat is moored in a boathouse for what appears to be full time.
Boat is said to have twin 7.4's... don't believe I've read any threads here that have that configuration... also, V-drive. V-drive a preference? More or less maintenance than outdrives? Any specific things that would be "instant" indicators of run away fast?

Other boats I've either looked at recently or seen ads for that caught my attention are a 93 270 Sundancer and a 91 280 Sundancer... either of these better/worse idea than the weekender?

Thanks to all for any insight you might share

Mark
 
454's in a 300 would be nice. Compression tests would be in order.

Yes, a survey is very important and they aren't that pricey compared to any damage they might find.

Leaks at the hull/upper deck are the biggest issue. Around the hatches, stanchions, windshield and handrails can also leak. All are easy fixes.

My 300WE is a great boat, I am looking bigger but not real hard. I wish you luck, let us know how it goes
 
Thanks dwna1a for the response... compression check included in survey? What could one reasonably expect to invest in a survey?
 
I have never heard of an 89 300 WE with other than 5.7 230hp Mercs, but you never know!
 
Hi all... update to my inquiry... in trying to locate a surveyor to inquire about pricing I received the following note from one:

"Note that some of the larger Sea Rays have balsa wood core in the hull sides. You should research whether this boat is one of those. If it is, DO NOT PURCHASE WITHOUT A SURVEY. Even with my moisture meter, the balsa cored vessels are difficult to inspect."

Can anyone tell me if this is true with an 89 300 Weekender, and if so how much I need to be concerned with or without a survey?

Thanks
Mark
 
Get the hull ID numbers and do some research. Those will tell you if the boat came with the 454's. I went back and couldn't find that option but everything is possible. 340's had them as did the 390's.

The folks at SeaRay might be able to help with her construction, but again you need those numbers
 
Like I said, you never know! I like my 5.7's
 
CapnSkippy, Welcome aboard! It's nice to see another great old Sea Ray continuing on with new owners! I agree with the Survey information as stated above. If you've sea trialed the boat and everything looks clean and checks out and you think you are ready to make an offer, make it contingent upon the survey. The current owner can either discount the price to accommodate major problems or it may not impact the price given it's a 30 year old boat and most probably have a similar problem. This time of year, you can start egging them on about NOT having to winterize it. If they do it themselves, that's not much of a savings but if they rely on someone else, that could be a hefty bill they DON'T have to incur! My survery was done in 2007 and cost about $900 back then. That included an engine survey with compression numbers.

Twin 454's ought to haul ass in that boat too! I'm not sure what outdrives you have and I always thought the 454 Magnum's from that era put out 330 hp, but it's a couple years newer than my old 250 DA that had a 454. Hopefully you don't have Alpha I's! If so, be careful when applying throttle rapidly. The big block and small Alpha don't get along and the Alpha usually loses! The Weekender may have V-drives and that's a plus reducing the maintenance by a ton! Is there a trailer for it as well or is it in the water?

Hopefully all goes well and you'll own a new Weekender very soon! I think I saw that ad or for sale sign at the Clover Island marina, but I'm old and have a terrible memory! LOL!!

Keep us posted and check back in for questions! I don't check in here very often, but there is a ton of great information available about these boats and some awesome captain's that can point you in the right direction on just about anything. I'm going on a search for Chalk paint now! I have a railing that leaked a little bit at some point in it's life and I have a little water damage on the upholstery on the ceiling and side. It's not bad, but I MIGHT try the chalk paint thing!
 
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CapnSkippy, Welcome aboard! It's nice to see another great old Sea Ray continuing on with new owners! I agree with the Survey information as stated above. If you've sea trialed the boat and everything looks clean and checks out and you think you are ready to make an offer, make it contingent upon the survey. The current owner can either discount the price to accommodate major problems or it may not impact the price given it's a 30 year old boat and most probably have a similar problem. This time of year, you can start egging them on about NOT having to winterize it. If they do it themselves, that's not much of a savings but if they rely on someone else, that could be a hefty bill they DON'T have to incur! My survery was done in 2007 and cost about $900 back then. That included an engine survey with compression numbers.

Twin 454's ought to haul ass in that boat too! I'm not sure what outdrives you have and I always thought the 454 Magnum's from that era put out 330 hp, but it's a couple years newer than my old 250 DA that had a 454. Hopefully you don't have Alpha I's! If so, be careful when applying throttle rapidly. The big block and small Alpha don't get along and the Alpha usually loses! The Weekender may have V-drives and that's a plus reducing the maintenance by a ton! Is there a trailer for it as well or is it in the water?

Hopefully all goes well and you'll own a new Weekender very soon! I think I saw that ad or for sale sign at the Clover Island marina, but I'm old and have a terrible memory! LOL!!

Keep us posted and check back in for questions! I don't check in here very often, but there is a ton of great information available about these boats and some awesome captain's that can point you in the right direction on just about anything. I'm going on a search for Chalk paint now! I have a railing that leaked a little bit at some point in it's life and I have a little water damage on the upholstery on the ceiling and side. It's not bad, but I MIGHT try the chalk paint thing!

Hi Sundancer, thanks for the reply!!
My understanding is it has V-drives - ahd if it's true that reduces maintenance "by a ton" she moved up the list yet again lol!!
There is no trailer, currently appears to be in a boat house. As far as your memory goes seems to be intact, I'm pretty sure we are on about the same vessel.
Yours looks awesome, and seems a wee bit large for the Yakima (tongue-in-cheek). Hopefully we'll find the right one-then I look forward to meeting a few locals, engaging with a few not so local on this forum and most of all, some gret new memories under way, and on the hook!!
 

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