Official 1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 290 Thread

Hi all,

My engine controls are super stiff. Mechanic is recommending new shifter and throttle cables as well as replacing the controls themselves. Anyone done anything like this before? Changing the controls seems to be overkill to me.
 
Hi all,

My engine controls are super stiff. Mechanic is recommending new shifter and throttle cables as well as replacing the controls themselves. Anyone done anything like this before? Changing the controls seems to be overkill to me.

Mine are pretty stiff too, I would just replace the cables. They’re actually easy to get to. The throttle fiberglass assembly comes out with the visible screws and they’re routed through the gunwale. The helm seat will probably have to come out though. Mine is bolted from the bottom but when I turn the nuts the bolt turns with it so you might have to work some magic to get it out. Keep us posted, I might do mine next offseason.
 
What happened to mine is that the cables got stiff and then that caused the control to get weird. I replaced the cables and which was pretty straight forward. I opened up the gunwale insert that holds the whole controller assembly during the process. That allowed me to fully service the controller and take it all apart. I found a bent piece in there from the stiff cables. I straightened it all back up and greased everything. Shifts like new. It looked to me like everything in the controller would be able to be serviced or replaced. Its a pretty simple mechanical device. You can watch it all work when its apart and probably figure out whats going on with it. At the same time, once you detach the cables as the controller you should be able to see if the thing works perfectly without the cable and narrow down where the binding it occurring. That gunwale insert is screwed on and caulked around the perimeter so take your time with it. It is probably pretty crispy plastic on a 20 year old boat (mine was brittle).
 
What happened to mine is that the cables got stiff and then that caused the control to get weird. I replaced the cables and which was pretty straight forward. I opened up the gunwale insert that holds the whole controller assembly during the process. That allowed me to fully service the controller and take it all apart. I found a bent piece in there from the stiff cables. I straightened it all back up and greased everything. Shifts like new. It looked to me like everything in the controller would be able to be serviced or replaced. Its a pretty simple mechanical device. You can watch it all work when its apart and probably figure out whats going on with it. At the same time, once you detach the cables as the controller you should be able to see if the thing works perfectly without the cable and narrow down where the binding it occurring. That gunwale insert is screwed on and caulked around the perimeter so take your time with it. It is probably pretty crispy plastic on a 20 year old boat (mine was brittle).

Did the gunwale piece comes out without pulling the helm seat? I had mine off to replace steering cable and didn’t need to remove it but it seemed like the seat would have to come out
 
What happened to mine is that the cables got stiff and then that caused the control to get weird. I replaced the cables and which was pretty straight forward. I opened up the gunwale insert that holds the whole controller assembly during the process. That allowed me to fully service the controller and take it all apart. I found a bent piece in there from the stiff cables. I straightened it all back up and greased everything. Shifts like new. It looked to me like everything in the controller would be able to be serviced or replaced. Its a pretty simple mechanical device. You can watch it all work when its apart and probably figure out whats going on with it. At the same time, once you detach the cables as the controller you should be able to see if the thing works perfectly without the cable and narrow down where the binding it occurring. That gunwale insert is screwed on and caulked around the perimeter so take your time with it. It is probably pretty crispy plastic on a 20 year old boat (mine was brittle).

Also, got part numbers for the cables? How tough was it to get the cables adjusted after the new ones were installed? Was thinking you could probably count the turns on the old brass barrel and try and match it to get close
 
Did the gunwale piece comes out without pulling the helm seat? I had mine off to replace steering cable and didn’t need to remove it but it seemed like the seat would have to come out

I might have removed the bottom seat cushion, but that would have been it. I don't think I fully removed the gunwale insert. I was able to work around it all. I had to do the same thing when I replaced my marine radio antenna. I don't remember how I got the part numbers, I either got them right off the cable casing or from sea ray parts catalog that came with my boat. I have replaced all sort of cables on a bunch of my boats. Here's what I do remember. I watched a bunch of you tubes from jamestown distributors on how to size the cables. I think on the merc alphas, the cables are very standard and all you are doing is buying the correct length based on 1 foot increments.
 
honestly, i wasn't sure what was involved and i was sick of working on the boat last year so i left it up to my shop. i'm pretty stubborn and hate paying for anything that i can do but i just had enough of fixing things on the boat last year after buying and totally gutting a house to renovate with an 8 week timeline from the wife that got shortened to 7 soon after so i didn't want to even look at a wrench or socket when i was done. it was cheap though and i was surprised because this place is a fortune/hour but you only ever need to bring something to them once and they actually listen to your recommendation or experience and not just start throwing parts at things.
 
Help water rolling over cabin step from cockpit? Can’t find a drain . I’m new to these boats. Any help would be awesome
 
Help water rolling over cabin step from cockpit? Can’t find a drain . I’m new to these boats. Any help would be awesome

The little step down before the cabin door? It drains under the helm and out the starboard side. Your drain might be clogged. You can snake it from the outside or pull a dash panel out to see it from behind the helm and get at it that way
 
The little step down before the cabin door? It drains under the helm and out the starboard side. Your drain might be clogged. You can snake it from the outside or pull a dash panel out to see it from behind the helm and get at it that way
 
If I open the fuse door under the helm is it accessible?
 
I have to do the same at some point as well.

I was going to try a wet dry vac on the outside attached to the thru hull after filling up the step area with some water to try to suck out the debris.
 
I have to do the same at some point as well.

I was going to try a wet dry vac on the outside attached to the thru hull after filling up the step area with some water to try to suck out the debris.

That should work too, that's the outside of our boat and I have to float the dinghy over to get to it unfortunately. I am thinking of putting a small screen over the hole, all kinds of crap collects down there
 
That should work too, that's the outside of our boat and I have to float the dinghy over to get to it unfortunately. I am thinking of putting a small screen over the hole, all kinds of crap collects down there

It's in such a bad place I would forget the screen to allow crap to escape easier.

Just dock backwards for a few hours to work on the starboard side to gain access to the little thru hall.
 
yep, usually once a month we'll put it bow in for a day. Our marina is outrageously tight so it's a pain but it gives me a chance to really clean that side.

speaking of that side, I added a dripper guard to the AC thru hull. No more ugly streak down the hull. I'm going to add them to the others I think, they work well and really stick on nicely. https://dripperguard.com/
 
Yea, sort of. It’s pretty far down there but I bet you could get a small shop vac hose or something on it
Thanks for the advice worked like a charm.. you almost have to be a contortionist to get to it
 

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