Official 330 Sundancer Thread

Rod Holders in 330 DA:

I'd like to put two rod holders in my '97 330da. i've seen them mounted on the port and starboard gunwales and also I've seen 2 rod holders mounted on the transom just off the centerline of the boat, so they drain into the transom locker. I like this option because any water that gets in the rod holders leads into the transom locker and that is fine with me. Granted I won't be able to troll 2 lines with this configuration, but I don't fish too often anyway. My question is do the port and starboard side mounted rod holders drain into the engine room??? That seems bad. Especially the starboard side which would be right above the generator.

Any input on this would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
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I have two rod holders and I'll have to see where they might drain. When not in use I have two rubber cover plates (like a rubber cork) that fill the holes so the water issue is moot when not fishing.
 
I have 4 holders installed on transom, they will drain into transom locker. I am also thinking of putting 2 on the gunhales, I bought a few last year but did not install all of them yet. the gunwale ones, would have to drain into the engine area, that is why i got the ones with the cap
 
I have two on the side deck They have the covers. Strangely I've seen these on other 330s so I always assumed they were a factory add. But I question it sometimes as both of mine drain into the lockers that are covered in carpet which is not the best situation. I think that I am missing a tube on the bottom of these that would drain to the ER. Not that water gets to them ever as they are out of the way of any spray and the aft curtain covers them.
 
A guy I was docked next to this fall had an aluminum addition to his arch with a bunch of those rocket launcher rod holders on it. His aft curtain was never on but it looked like the unit was above that area so it could still be closed.
 
330 I/O vs. V drives?
We are considering moving up in size. I like the 330 because you can find them with I/O's. Looking at the mid 90's to 1999. I did a few searches looking for some comparisons. The areas of the Lake we boat in can get shallow when anchoring. I usually trim our drives so I can get the stern into chest high water for the kids.

Any insight into fuel burn, best cruising RMP's / speed for both propulsion set ups would be appreciated. I have seen them with both 5.7's and 7.4's. I am leaning towards the big blocks. Wish I could find one 350 MAG's or 6.2's...more HP without the weight of the big blocks.

Thanks for any info/help.
 
IOs vs v-drives. Great question. I don't have the IO model, but I've read enough comparisons and reviews to know that the IOs should be slightly more efficient and maybe a knot or 2 faster. Personally I do most of the boat work myself and working on outdrives was about my least favorite thing to do, but in your case I can understand if water depth is an issue.

As for 330 cruise with 7.4 carbs I'm getting about 22 knots at 3200 rpms. If I cruise at 3400 I pick up another 2 knots, but I perfer the lower rpms. I'm not sure about the 5.7 option seems like a lot of boat to push with those blocks, but I think if you search on this thread you'll find some info on the 5.7s.

Here is a link to a comparison of v vs IO. http://www.boatingmag.com/v-or-not-v

Good luck on your search!
 
I too do most of my maintenance, except bellows. I do not trust myself. I like the idea of less running gear exposed with the V drives and no more 3 year bellow replacement. However, to allow for shallower anchoring which is how we boat right now the I/O makes sense. Thanks for the cruise RPM range. Any idea of the difference in fuel burn between 3200 and 3400?
 
I'm burning somewhere around 25~26 gph at 22 knots

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I haven't done a full on use calculation yet
First fill up lasted me from October unti January. Used about 330 litres

We ran from the marina to Sydney Harbour and back in around a 2M swell. We went up at about 10knots lifted the speed up to 15knots on the last part of the sea leg which was a better speed punching int the swell, fuel use dropped as well. Coming back the next day we had the same sea except the wind and the sea was up our butt. We sat comfortably around 17-18 knots.

Total distance was about 54nm fuel was about 330litres going off the fuel flow meters. You need to divide that by 3.8 for us gallon
I also need to do some checks on the port engine, as it burnt 60L more than the starboard. I haven't confirmed that the fuel flow meter is running accurate yet
If both motors had ran the same fuel burn as the starboard I woul have been very happy. I still wasn't disappointed especially with the conditions etc


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.040984,151.005521
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Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some advise regarding upgrading the electronics package on my '97 330 DA. The current package is the original and very bulky and not too user friendly, the GPS gives only coordinates. I have the following equipment currently:

Raystar 120 GPS Receiver
RayData Display
Raytheon NAV 398 GPS
RayPilot 650 Autopilot
Raychart 601 Charting System
Raytheon R20 Radar

The whole system is connected with the RayTalk system. I am looking to upgrade to a new chart plotter/GPS. I would like to keep the radar and autopilot if possible and if I can interface the chart plotter with those 2 pieces. Which I am not even sure if new electronics will "talk" to the older ones. Any ideas would be appreciated. Unfortunately all my pictures are too large to attach.

Thanks,

Mike
 
I have 97 330 with 7.4 MPI's and Bravo ones. I don't think Sea Ray built 330s with small blocks and drives .I can't give you actual fuel burn numbers,however with 15x19 (stock)Mirage props the boat planed and held plane at 3000 rpm which netted 28 mph,after that the tachometers are mirror images of gps speed to 46 MPH which is all she's got. I recently installed Revolution 4 props, I now can get her to plane and hold at 2800 .Top end and cruise stayed the same.Over all no complaints here about efficiency.Hope this helps.
 
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46 MPH is a great top end for a 33' boat (IMO). Thank you for the info on the 4 blade props. I made that switch on our current boat and loved the results. I have only seen the 5.7's in the 330 as a V drive. I do not think I would want the small blocks, unless they were the MAG 350's. What do you cruise at, 3400 rpm's? Thanks again for the info.
 
46 mph is a great top end for a 33' boat (imo). Thank you for the info on the 4 blade props. I made that switch on our current boat and loved the results. I have only seen the 5.7's in the 330 as a v drive. I do not think i would want the small blocks, unless they were the mag 350's. What do you cruise at, 3400 rpm's? Thanks again for the info.

34mph
 
This question is asked a lot. You will find that everyone has a different opinion on the I/O vs Vdrives, heres mine.

the countless hours of research I did on the topic left me with these facts:

The pros of I/O's:
*More efficient - less drag and able to trim boat to optimum drive angle
*quieter - you'll notice that difference in just a few seconds when aboard the two
*faster top end - average additional 10-14 mph (no joke)
*a (lot) of additional engine bay space- motors are forward facing against transom
*Draft is about the same but you can raise them away from the sand and play as you wish

Cons
*Outdrive maintenance
*especially in salt water
*manuverability ( depends on the wind, and who's on the sticks)

I boat in fresh MO water only and my boat is stored on my lift. Outdrive maintenance would not be a problem as I am in to performance boats as well. I was shopping for a 330 with outdrives for a while and I couldn't find one.

I do like the Vdrives dock manners on this boat but I can also dock my neighbors rinker with I/O's just as well

I can't say enough about how much I like the 330, either way I don't think you can go wrong





330 I/O vs. V drives?
We are considering moving up in size. I like the 330 because you can find them with I/O's. Looking at the mid 90's to 1999. I did a few searches looking for some comparisons. The areas of the Lake we boat in can get shallow when anchoring. I usually trim our drives so I can get the stern into chest high water for the kids.

Any insight into fuel burn, best cruising RMP's / speed for both propulsion set ups would be appreciated. I have seen them with both 5.7's and 7.4's. I am leaning towards the big blocks. Wish I could find one 350 MAG's or 6.2's...more HP without the weight of the big blocks.

Thanks for any info/help.
 
Tides dripless seals question. Has anyone had there's adjusted or what ever is necessary to stop them from leaking? I know both mine leak a little, not at rest but under way. It's not's a lot but it's enough that I notice it in the bilge. I know my rudder posts leak too, but that's a much easier fix...

Is there anyway to address the Tides seals issue without pulling both engines? That's my biggest concern and the costliest part of this fix...
 
We're refreshing our SR 330 for the 2012 season and I am reupholstering. Has anyone ever removed the bolsters that can offer any tips? Also, if you have just recovered the existing bolsters without removing, any tips are appreciated...
 
Along with reupholstering, we're planning to remove carpeting and replace with Seadek or similar material. Any suggestions or tips? Floor plans with dimensions for a 1994 SR 330 are also appreciated...
 
I would like to see any pics of the wood flooring look on a 330 (1998 or before).
thanks John
 

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