1990/91 310 Sundancer vs 1992+ 330 Sundancer

[mr300z87]

Hi All,

My wife and I are the proud new owners of a 1990 310 Sundancer. We are not new to the Sundancer line as our previous boat was a 1990 250 Sundancer. After looking at a bunch of 30-35 ft boats from the mid 80s to late 90s we decided on the 1990 through 1995 310/330 line of boats for the money they offer a ton of boat. I will learn evey inch of her just like I did on our 250 and hope I can come her for advice.

During our search my wife got confused by the 1990-91 version being 310 and the 92 and later are 330s. We looked a few of both and could not see a difference. So she wants to know why Sea Ray changed the name when the boat remained basically until 94 when the side window changed from long narrow to 2 oval ports. This is also applies the EC models.

I figure it was just marketing, or maybe it was insurance driven as geico says its 35 ft.


Have a great night

Mike

 

[Pirate Lady]

Congrats from a current ‘91 250 owner.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Mike
From 89 to 93 SR changed the name on the exact same boat. During that time the ….
250 became a 270 became a 290se
268 became a 270 became a 290
270 became a 280 became a 300
300 became a 310 became a 330
220 became a 240 no shower head.
230 weekender became 240 full shower head.
Ya i got all the brochures from those years.
Crazy.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Mike,
The long Taylor window (as much as i love them) caused problems. They supported most of the upper deck. My port window slides like new, starboard head window only opens 2 inches. So SR went to port hole windows for structural integrity.

 

[Pirate Lady]

PS. Around that time they started molding in the bow pulpit and swim platform. So they decided to add that to total length, then they decided to add a swim platform to the in hull platform and that when i gave up keeping track.

 

[mr300z87]

our new boat

 

[Pirate Lady]

Love it. Nice. Congrats. Where keep it? Area, not marina?

 

[mr300z87]

Old boat,

The first two years in our slip I stared at and watched a 310 Dancer as it was left to rot away until it was hauled out after almost sinking. But I always thought it was a gorgeous boat. Just a big sister to the 250. BTW we loved our 250 but wanted more space.

 

[zool]

Hey Mike! Long time no see, I just picked up a 330 to add to the fleet. Im keeping it at Barnegate Light this coming summer, maybe ill see you on the bay.

 

[mr300z87]

Hey Zool nice boat!! haven't been other site in a while although I just posted a question there and I am waiting on a response LOL. Hope you are doing well. We will definitely need to meet up this summer. Either Tices or Governor's cove. How are your projects going?

 

[mr300z87]

I have a new question. In the photo below you can see between the center exhaust pipes the sea water strainer round green thing. How do you open it to clean in out. The one show in the owner manual (I have the paper coy that came with the boat) and the ones I have worked with in the past are the type with the 2 wing nuts to hold the cap on. Is there a tool? Does the top just screw off? Maybe with a channel lock type pliers The only ones I can find on line are made by Groco and look like the cap and filter area are plastic screen shot below. Mine look all metal. I have not had time to look at them really closely to see a brand or part #. The one on the AC pickup is the same type smaller. I am headed to the boat tomorrow afternoon to winterize the AC. Maybe I will have more info tomorrow. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Shaps]

Groco Spanner Wrenchdeck Plate Key Wrench https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FOUQVY

 

[mr300z87]

Thanks, that look like it will do it. We went through the entire boat and did not see one of those. If I did I would have said what is this?? LOL. I will get one ordered. From the receipts I found in the boat the 2 previous owner did nothing them selves. I will do everything!!

 

[zool]

Hey Zool nice boat!! haven't been other site in a while although I just posted a question there and I am waiting on a response LOL. Hope you are doing well. We will definitely need to meet up this summer. Either Tices or Governor's cove. How are your projects going?

Thanks, yours looks great as well!. I just about finished the center console, gonna keep that up at the lake. Im gonna ship the Dancer down the shore this spring, after I do some cabin upgrades at the demand of the wife lol. I rigged up a power connection on the barn so I can work under the cover with heat inside all winter.

Im on the waiting list for High Bar Harbor Yacht Club on LBI. I have friends that own a slip there and I was assured I will get a spot, but nothing yet, But im hoping. Either way, ill find a place and look for you.

 

[mr300z87]

Not sure if I should start a new thread or just keep posting in this one as I have questions about our new boat. I'll start here

Yesterday while finalizing winterizing the plumbing systems I noticed the starboard side panel where my city water connection is has completely rotted away. In order to remove the panel the helm seat needs to come out. On my 250 dancer there are 4 bolts holding is on and they were exposed in the roof of the aft cabin. I did no see them in the 310 dancer. I ran out of daylight so I could not look to deeper into it last night. Does anybody know how to remove the helm seat on a 90 310 sundancer? I know it's big and heavy but I can't have rotted panels.

Once I start this project I can document it here if you all are interested.

Mike

 

[zool]

Mines rotted too by the water connection, seems to be common on these models. I havnt looked yet how to get the seat base out, but if u find out before I do, please document or post it.....I also have to remove the wet bar on mine thats behind the helm bench.

 

[mr300z87]

I have a wet bar too with just storage under not the useless icemaker option. I would not put ice made from the potable water tank. Lol. It looked like the bottom of the storage is rotted also. I'm going to try and get to it this winter , I asked for a access hatch in the shrink wrap.
My engines need exhaust. I am hoping to stagger them as to only buy 1 set per year, we will see. Even though the manifold have coolant in them there is signs they are leaking not sure I want to chance it, BBC engines are expensive.
. Another issue I have is the hot water heater shot, it has been bypassed on the hot water side but the engine coolant lines are still connected. For now I will remove it and couple the lines, this will also give me more room for the exhaust.
Zool do you have a thread on yours either here or the other site?


Have a great evening!

 

[mr300z87]

Question for the moderators, is there a way to change the subject of my thread. This started as a question but has morphed in a thread about my boat and my projects on it.

 

[zool]

I have a wet bar too with just storage under not the useless icemaker option. I would not put ice made from the potable water tank. Lol. It looked like the bottom of the storage is rotted also. I'm going to try and get to it this winter , I asked for a access hatch in the shrink wrap.
My engines need exhaust. I am hoping to stagger them as to only buy 1 set per year, we will see. Even though the manifold have coolant in them there is signs they are leaking not sure I want to chance it, BBC engines are expensive.
. Another issue I have is the hot water heater shot, it has been bypassed on the hot water side but the engine coolant lines are still connected. For now I will remove it and couple the lines, this will also give me more room for the exhaust.
Zool do you have a thread on yours either here or the other site?


Have a great evening!

The previous owner of mine switched out the icemaker for a fridge under the bar, ill just use a portable ice maker. My water heater is shot too, gotta change that, plus he removed the cooktop in the galley, the admiral wants one so.......

The boat is in good shape, but ill be doing extensive renovations and upgrades. Ill be starting a restoration thread over there soon. May mirror some of it here.

We can help each other im sure since our boats are basically the same.

 

[mr300z87]

Where did you get the boat, I looked at 92 330 that was missing the cook top, don't remember if it had a ice maker or not and it had black cockpit cover. I missed out on the boat by a day or 2 the owner sold it even after I made an offer to the broker. It was in Brick. That would be funny if it was the same boat. LOL. Have a great Thanksgiving.