2004 Sea Ray 240 Sundecker - Enough power?

[ryuice9182]

I am considering purchasing a 2004 240 Sundecker. It is equipped with the standard 260 hp 5.0 brave III stern drive. My family will be doing some cruising and wakeboarding on a relatively small lake most of the time. Probably doing some slaloming, but not much. Is this engine sufficient? Thanks.

 

[Cheryl]

I have that engine, and we wakeboard without a problem. We don't have regular skis, but we can get a rider up on wake skis without a problem, too. Plenty of power for watersports.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yup - you'll be fine. I can slalom behind my boat.

 

[jgarko]

Yup - you'll be fine. I can slalom behind my boat.

I disagree. I have a 2007 240 Sundeck... And I am glad I ordered mine with the 350Mag.... That 5.0 will be working real hard under a load with a full crew and water toys. Don't forget you can water ski behind a jet ski...But.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Are you disagreeing that I can't slalom ski behind my boat/engine package (a few more cubic inches, but same HP)... which, realistically, weighs in about 2,000lbs more than a 240SD?

Or, are you disagreeing that the 5.0L is enough engine, or not? I won't argue that the 350MAG isn't a better choice, but that wasn't what the question was about. This is about whether or not the 5.0L will do the job. According to the OP's question (who, by the way, hasn't posted back in almost a month), the answer of "It will sufficiently do the job" is a good and truthful answer. I also speak from experience with that. I've been behind a 240SD with a 5.0l MPI many times (how often have you?). It's a great planing hull... plus you've got the B3 drive and trim tabs. All-in-all, a 240SD with a 350MAG is a great choice - but the 5.0LMPI will certainly serve the purpose and get the job done.

 

[just me]

yes it will pull skiiers just fine on a small lake, it just wont be no speed demon.

 

[pchansen]

You might want to consider these http://www.hillmarine.net/Bravo-3-4-blade-propellers-p/tpl4ds-hpr4cs.htm I have not tried these but I'm tempted. Solas propellers are also coming out with a 3x4 setup. I've got the 220 Sundeck with the 5.0 MPI turning 22P props. Usually, we have at least 8 people aboard, food, water, and every other thing imaginable. The boat really struggles to pull an average skilled full sized adult up on one ski. Furthermore, we vacation in Central Oregon every year and the lake we go to is at 3400' above seal level. This deadly combination turns the boat into a real pig. At sea level, with the 22P props, I can just about it 5000 rpm and 51 mph. At the lake, fully loaded, I can hit about about 4500 rpm and about 40 mph. All that to say is dropping down in pitch might help your boat pull a little harder. If I was buying today, I would never buy the smallest motor available. I've actually contemplated swapping motors to the 383 (6.2 liter) MAG Stroker- see here http://www.mercurymarine.com/repowe...er-products/plus-series/383-magstroker-bravo/ Re-propping has about a 10:1 cost advantage but man that motor would be sweet!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yeah, that 383 is pretty sweet. I'd certainly be curious to see how it works in a 22' bowrider!

Something to think about for you, at A LOT less cost than a new (or even used) set of B3's would be the smart tabs. Tabs (hydraulic, like Bennett) were never an option on the 220SD because of the swim platform/transom design. But,
Smart Tabs could fit in there. If you haven't looked into them yet, take a look. You'll pleasantly surprised with the bang-for-the-buck you get out of them.

For what it's worth, the 240SD actually planes out better than the 220SD (with the same engine/drive combo). I know, it doesn't sound right - but that 240SD stayed in Sea Ray's line-up for 9 model years! This is during a time when all sport boats were completely re-designed every 3 or 4 years - some even less.

 

[pchansen]

Got the smart tabs. I love them. Still, I can't remember the last time we took the boat out without it being ridiculously loaded with people and all their junk. I wouldn't trade the company for anything mind you, but it really takes a toll on performance. BTW, other reason I'm up on props these days is I hit a rock I lost my entire skeg and did a number on the props. The props are back from the prop shop and the skeg should be done tomorrow. Of course with my luck, we hit the rock on the first day of a six day camping/boating vacation. We were kinda out in the middle of no where so we pressed on. I noticed a pretty good vibration at 2000 rpm and the props tended to ventilate much easier in hard turns but other than those issues, we still ran the crap out of the boat enjoyed the rest of our vacation.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Of course with my luck, we hit the rock on the first day of a six day camping/boating vacation.

Isn't it always that way? :smt101

That's a pretty big chunk of skeg missin', there! Actually, you got lucky - if it broke off much closer to the gear housing, it likely would not have been able to be fixed and you would, instead, be looking at a new lower unit gearcase.

A couple other thoughts to help you get out of the hole...

First, as you probably know, the hole shot is hindered somewhat in the Sundecks simply because of the design. In a normal bowrider, the design forces more people to sit further forward in the boat. But, in the Sundecks, it allows more weight (people) to be further back. It's a trade-off (design vs performance), though, that I would always take as the SD's offer so much more functionality.

Back on track...

1) Is the shock (Smart Tab) adjusted properly to give you the maximum downforce?

2) I'm not sure how you can verify this (it's not exactly safe to have someone hang their head over the platform while you accelerate!), but I wonder if the shock is too "small" (pounds) and is allowing the tab to retract prematurely. The 220SD is certainly not a light boat.

3) You might consider talking to Nauticus (Smart Tabs) and seeing if they have a larger tab for you. A few more inches in tab size can make a noticeable difference. There's been numerous people who have up-sized their tab's (larger boats - hydraulic/electric systems that are controllable from the dash) with fantastic results.

4) Concerning your drive trim positioning. Do you know what the "celery stick" is? It allows you to get a little more/less of downward trim angle. This an make a very noticeable difference, as well... and this one is free - just have to adjust it.

 

[pchansen]

Isn't it always that way? :smt101

4) Concerning your drive trim positioning. Do you know what the "celery stick" is? It allows you to get a little more/less of downward trim angle. This an make a very noticeable difference, as well... and this one is free - just have to adjust it.

I'm not familiar with this term. Could you elaborate a bit on how to make this adjustment? Regarding the shocks on the SmartTabs, I'll give them a call. It's been a while since I've put them on so I've lost a little of my perspective, but I do remember being very happy with the difference when I first installed them. If memory serves, I have the 80# shocks installed. Thanks for all the advice. It's really appreciated! I should get the boat back today and out on the water tomorrow.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The celery stick is an oblong-shaped spacer. It changes how far the hydraulic trim rams will pull the drive "down" or "in" towards the transom. Take a look at (I can't tell by looking at your picture) where your trim rams attach to your drive (the aft attachment, or the attachment closest to the props). You'll notice that the metal "block" or "mount" that the trim ram is bolted to is not round. It is oblong shaped. Inside that mount is a removable spacer that can be flipped end-for-end to allow the ram to be bolted onto the drive closer or further away from the props.

To get maximum trim "in" (down), you want to have that celery stick situated so that the mounting hole is towards the props. The only downside to having more trim in is that, in some boats/load condition, you could get more listing and bow steer while on plane. However, that's easily compensated for by trimming up a bit.

The black "caps" over the trim ram bolts simply screw off, by the way.

 

[pchansen]

Thanks, I'll take a look this morning.

 

[derek4343]

I am considering purchasing a 2004 240 Sundecker. It is equipped with the standard 260 hp 5.0 brave III stern drive. My family will be doing some cruising and wakeboarding on a relatively small lake most of the time. Probably doing some slaloming, but not much. Is this engine sufficient? Thanks.

i have a 2009 240 sundeck with the 5.0 and usually 8-10 people and have no problem pulling up skiers or wakeboarders. couldn't see spending $4000 more for 40 hp

 

[tcason]

i have a 2009 240 sundeck with the 5.0 and usually 8-10 people and have no problem pulling up skiers or wakeboarders. couldn't see spending $4000 more for 40 hp

I agree 100% with above.
Not sure there was anytime I really needed or wanted more power but again I love to cruise at 3,200 RPM and don't really push RPM above 4,000.