1983 260 Sundancer

H

Houli

Guest
Hi, I just got a 1983 Sundancer with a 350/260 HP Mercruiser Alpha One.

I love the boat, the layout, the teak and was blessed to get an older boat in mint condition.

This boat being 26.3 long and having an 8 foot beam, , 100 gallon tank, is there anyone out there who can tell the best way to get this boat on plane?

The boat has a 17 pitch prop, I try to distribute weight pretty evenly, but because the boat is fairly narrow, it veers to one side or the other.

The boat has trim planes, and but there is no gauge for them.

I am wondering if anyone out there knows the best way to take off and get this girl on plane.

I was going about 2200 rpm the other day and pressed the trims to bow down and the ole girl started to veer and lean and i had to change my underwear after that episode.

Im wondering if you just hammer down on the throttle, and then once you get up and going to use the trim tabs? or bow down the tabs first before you hammer down or what?

Any suggestions are appreaciated, I know, i need to grow some gonads and just make a run for it right?

Thanks
 
Sounds to me like one of the tabs is not working. Hhave you done a visual inspection to make sure both are going down evenly? You can do this at the dock, just have somebody stand behind the booat while you make the tabs go up and down.

Some boats need tabs to get on plane and some don't. The normal way to get on plane is to have the drive all the way down and the tabs up. The pour on the throttle. If you are having trouble getting on plane like this you can try putting the tabs down and try again. Once on plane the tabs are used to level the boat from side to side and also to put your bow down if you are heading into a head sea. If in a following sea you want the tabs up and the drive up somewhat.

If your boat is veering uncontrollable to one side or the other when the tabs are being put up or down there is something wrong. I assume you have bennett trim tabs, and they move fairly slow creating a comfortable transition when they are used.

Let us know what you find out would ya.
 
Sea Ray

I have the same boat except my boat is a 1984
If you have not been instructed The 4 button tab pad has a slight delay . everyone expetcts the tab movement to be instant and as a result over tab or over adjust thus never getting them adjusted right. Slow down and take it easy. Starting off tap both top buttons (bow down) this should let you get on plain faster. (note) I had a 17 P prop and had a hard time getting on plain also my RPM's were only at 3500 to 3600 far short of ideal . I switched to a 15p prop and was out of the hole and my RPM jumped to 4500. Ihe boat runs great. Note after you get on plain tap both lower tab buttons a few times . this will lift the bow and you can feel the boats comfort zone. remember you have to wait for the tab to react.

Good Luck
 
1983 Sea Ray 260

Thanks for the advice you guys, I am gonna try switching to a 15 pitch prop. I wasn't getting on plane until 3600-3800 and the engine was working pretty hard

I love the boat, it is pretty narrow though, for the length and the boat leans easily when it is sitting still, not to mention when I put my 250+ lbs at the helm.

Thanks also for the advice on the trim planes, I have never had a boat with them before and to be honest when the boat started leaning like it did, it kinda scared the begeezus outta me. I'm sure that having an 8" beam has something to do with it too.

De yenoor, I was wondering what the typical cruising speed I might be able to expect out of the 15 pitch prop. for this ole girl.

Go Sea Ray Everyone YAY !!!!!!!!!!

Houli
 
I have the same boat only 1985 year. Started out with the same reaction as you. What a ride! I changed from a 15" dia 17 pitch prop to a 16" 15 pitch. Factory was a 16" 13 pitch. I cruise at 3200 rpm(about 23 mph on GPS) WOT is 4200 and about 34 mph. With 2 people and gear on board, I leave tabs up to start. Comes right up on plane. I think you have to be careful using the tabs because they will move a different rates. Slow and more slow on the adjustments seems to be the method at least for me! Got used to the lean and very comfortable now...
 

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