215EC-newbie

D

dasdsanti

New Member
Feb 29, 2016
12
LongIslandNY
Boat Info
1998 215 Express Cruiser
Engines
350 mercruiser
Can I add a pump out head to my 1998 215 EC?
Can I add a windlass anchor to this boat?
Can I add a shore power and/or mini fridge to this boat?

If anyone has info about any of these please advise how to do or where to get info.

Thank you Dave.:smt100
 
It any of these items were factory options, it would be easier.

Could it be done otherwise? Maybe... it won't be easy as space will be tight.

Welcome to CSR!
 
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Thanks JimG

I think the head was an option, the others don't think so.
The head pump out is the most important so where do I start to find out how to do?
 
I would say that the pump out head did not include a holding tank. Therefore it may be as simple as mount a deck plate and running a piece of sanitation hose from there to an appropriate toilet with an integrated holding tank.

For the windlass... do you have an anchor locker up on the bow of the boat?
 
Welcome aboard.

He has a windlass thread here: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/77065-windlass-add-on

All the things you are asking about are quite expensive and the value of the 1998 vessel to support such expenses is very low.

The windlass would cost $1500-$2000 range for parts and $1500-$3000 for labor.

A toilet system will be a grand or two, shore power likely will be another grand or two minimum, mini fridge for marine use is not a small investment either.

Just get a similar age 260 and most of this will be there including the air conditioning you haven't asked about yet. LOL

MM
 
I would concur with JimG in regards to the pump-out head. I have a Weekender which is similar to your EC. It has the head pump out option and indeed has sanitation hose running to a plate on the starboard side just aft of the windshield. I believe you will need to run a smaller hose for venting.

I have a Dometic 965 installed that has the hose ports at the back of the tank. I will tell you however, my head is "ladies room only" unless its an extreme emergency. It is also easier at the end of the season to remove the tank, and dump it in the toilet - rinse and dump, rinse and dump - then hose it out, than having it pumped - unless of course someone had a disaster in it.
 
summer daze 3,
thanks for the help...
I think the boat had the option for a head with pump out but not 100% on that.
If it did wouldn't it be easier to add it now and could I still get the parts from searay? Could I call searay about this?

as far as the windlass, yes there is a anchor "locker" up front. If it is as expensive as mm say's (upto $5000.) forget it.

thanks, dave.
 
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olliec, thanks for the help.

did the dometic come from searay or was it an add-on? if so how do i find out about doing the same for my boat?
i haven't a clue to what this all involves, however i am handy with most construction types so if there is a place to get more info on this could you please let me know?

thanks, dave
 
dasdsanti said:
summer daze 3,
thanks for the help...
I think the boat had the option for a head with pump out but not 100% on that.
If it did wouldn't it be easier to add it now and could I still get the parts from searay? Could I call searay about this?

as far as the windlass, yes there is a anchor "locker" up front. If it is as expensive as mm say's (upto $5000.) forget it.
Click to expand...

I see that a pump out head was an option on your boat. You could certainly call Sea Ray... I'm sure they could steer you in the right direction. You could also just buy the parts from the likes of West Marine or Defender and install yourself.

You could also price the parts for the windlass from any of the online sellers to get an idea of the parts cost.
 
mm, thanks for the help.

You sure know how to make me make a decision. if everything is that expensive i will most likely past on most.
The head is a must though. this boat has a spot for a head (small closet/room) and i think it had the option to be permanently installed so if that is the one thing i do it would be that.
of course i could just put a portable potty in there i guess?
well if you have any info on any of the head options portable or pumped available to me it would be greatly appreciated!

thanks again, dave.
 
I had a 215 EC a few years ago. Mine came with a Dometic 965 that was able to be pumped out. It didn't have much of a storage tank. installing the hose may be difficult to fish up to the rear gunwale. Installing a Windlass and shore power can be done. You may need to custom anchor rollers on the bow. I looked into these same options on mine. In the end it wasn't worth the time or money. Good luck.
 
I had also considered adding a windlass to my anchor locker. It seemed to be a fairly involved project and with the addition of a bow roller making the bow access ladder almost useless I was doubting the viability of it. Then one day I was idling up on the anchor and the admiral and her friend were bending over the bow pulling up the rope I realized, I really don't need a windlass. Pump out would be nice but 2 seasons with a dump out that is ladies only, other than one kids emergency has not been as bad as I expected. It surprising how much it can hold. The key is to use a good holding tank additive. I use Candure. Works great.even when I get lazy about emptying it.
Welcome to the club.
 
dasdsanti said:
olliec, thanks for the help.

did the dometic come from searay or was it an add-on? if so how do i find out about doing the same for my boat?
i haven't a clue to what this all involves, however i am handy with most construction types so if there is a place to get more info on this could you please let me know?



thanks, dave
Click to expand...

Dasdsanti,
It came from the factory installed. Here is a parts manual from a 2007 WE215 which shows the part numbers and location. It starts on page 4, with the cap location at #22 - page #36 has the hose locations - page #42 goes into the head details. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_24_74DEIPR9JLA.pdf

Basically the hoses are run along the starboard side. I am assuming your head is on the starboard side behind the helm?
 
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dasdsanti said:
Can I add a shore power and/or mini fridge to this boat?
Click to expand...
What's your motivation to add shore power?
For maintaining batteries, there may be a safe but less expensive/less involved option than installing shore power.
Do you plan to run other on-board items a lot while slipped/trailered?

And based on what you think your boating habits will be, how often do you think you'll truly want or need a fridge vs. coolers?

The fridge was missing when I got my boat and we went the first full season without one, at the dock and on the hook. We installed before our second season and appreciate having it, but I'm not sure I'd feel the same if I had the space constraints of a 215. Like somebody mentioned up thread, marine-grade appliances can be expensive, and a fridge takes up quite a bit of space relative to how much you can put in it.
 
My 215EC has a pump out head, has a small storage tank. Likely you could do a mod and have the pump out closer to the head, otherwise you'll have to mess with the instrument panel wiring harness and that is a pain in the butt.
 
we recently purchased a 98 215 express.................has pump out for a porta potty, but we are going with a free standing unit for emergencies............as for the other items you are looking for, i cannot imagine spending extended periods "camping" on our 215.........maybe an overnight, but in a marina that has support facilities, ie. bathroom..........i think your best option would be sell the boat, and buy a bigger one (as someone has suggested) that already has the items you want............a lot less hassle, and a lot cheaper in the long run................just my opinion, good luck to you
 
I agree with the previous post (jssearay).
It is pretty common to get caught up in wanting to turn our boats into something more than they are when we get them ... I put in a GPS speedo (the pitot tube original was unreliable), some other electronics and such, but you have to recognize the limits, as well as the benefits, of having a smaller boat. I do think a pump out head is feasible (even if mine is leaking--oy!) , if not with a receptacle in the original location. Any good marina can likely put a receptacle and vent through the deck or upper hull adjacent to the head.
Buying a bigger boat is not always an option, at least not for me. Best to be satisfied with what Sea Ray specified, to a point that is.
 
Well said, we don’t use our bus that often, don’t plan on boat overnights........
 
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