220 Sundeck Thread - Questions and Answers

I've been thinking about adding the transom remote trim switch to my 220. I've read the thread on it and looks like a great, easy project.

The question I have for you 220 owners is how do you get back that far into the engine compartment? Is it safe to lay on the engine? I tend to do that now to grease the engine coupler and stern, but am always nervous that I'm going to break something. I'm tall and fairly thin (6'3" 190lbs). So, I can squeeze through over the engine, but am wondering if if I should be accessing it differently. And those back corners scare the crap out of me. I afraid I'd need a hoist to pull me back out.
 
Easy solution buy some small a few beers to get back there. I had my son in law craw in: and everything work fine. I would not do with the switch.
 
Banagy, you probably shouldn't text while driving (or maybe while really drunk) :). I'm having a hard time figuring out your position on this. I'm assuming you said that I should buy some small person a few beers to get back there. That makes sense. But the last sentance still has me wondering whether you think I should or shouldn't install the switch.
 
I guess I wonder about the need of a transom remote trim switch... I have never had the need to adjust my trim while parked on the back of the boat. Can someone give me some ideas for its usage???
 
unlvrebel said:
I guess I wonder about the need of a transom remote trim switch... I have never had the need to adjust my trim while parked on the back of the boat. Can someone give me some ideas for its usage???
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The biggest reason I know of is the ability to lower/raise the outdrive without having to climb up on the boat.

Assuming you trailer your boat you should be keeping the outdrive down as far as possible when not in use.

So having the trim on the outside of the boat where you can reach it to raise it and lower makes this an easier task.
 
So, back to the original question, is it safe (for the engine) for a 190lb guy to lay on top of the engine in order to get back corners of the boat?
 
I've done it on my 350Mag and I'm more than 190.
 
I am more than 190 too and I have done it. :grin: Take my advice and remove the plastic cover first and lay a padded mechanic's cover over the motor. You can find them a most automotive stores.
 
Well my final modification is now in place. :grin: The MP3 player plug has been installed in the dash for my Zune. So I am now in the tunes. :smt038

I spoke with my marina about the flex teak option and the quoted what I think a pretty reasonable price to deck out a 220 on the swim platform, both steps and the soal of the boat for roughly 3500-4000 boaters bucks. And I gave it serious consideration. The woody look would set my boat apart from many others out there. The down side to that idea was as the service manager advise me would be the sun. The flex teak gets pretty hot and even several of the big boys who have it put their carpet back over it for barefoot use. And if your going to have to cover it up I can't see spending the money. :huh: Yet. :wink:
 
So, I'm thinking I want to add the Blue Sea "Add-a-Battery" product that automatically joins two batteries only when charging. Once the engine is off (no more charging from the alternator) it goes back to separating the "starter" battery from the "house" battery. Well, my SD220 doesn't really have a house circuit per se. And currently, I only have one battery. So, the trick is separating the stuff. I think I can separate the starter from everything else. Would there be any reason why I would need to keep some other circuits on the same battery as the starter? Any funky monitoring going on that would necessitate it?

Right now, I have one "cranking" battery that does everything. I'd like to get a deep cell and isolate everything other than the starter circuit (ie radio, bilge, trim, etc) and put it on it. Just wondering if there are any issues that I'm not thinking of.
 
Good question. I am looking at doing the same thing. I have the add a battery system, and will be installing it soon.
 
I'm having a second battery added on Tuesday with a switch to alternate between the 2 batteries.
 
Yeah, just adding a second battery and a switch doesn't seem too difficult. EVERYTHING is either switched to Battery A or EVERYTHING is switched to Battery B. The problem is that when your are running, your alternator is also ONLY charging the battery that you're currently switched to. This Blue Sea product "Add a Battery" normally separates the two circuits. Engine starter on a cranking battery and "house" stuff on a deep cell battery. For us sport boats, I'm wanting to put the Bilge, Lights, radio, trim, mercathode, etc on the "House" Circuit. But when the product senses the higher voltage of a running alternator, it combines the two batteries so both get charged. Really cool concept as far as I'm concerned.

So, first, I need to figure out is this the best way to do it. Second is to figure out how to separate everything into those two groups. I think I can trace most of it before it goes into a crazy nest. Then to figure out which runs need the HUGE gauge cables (for starter current) and which just need not so huge cables, since when you combine them manually (for dead starter battery), you'll have that huge starter current.
 
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scurrah said:
So, first, I need to figure out is this the best way to do it. Second is to figure out how to separate everything into those two groups. I think I can trace most of it before it goes into a crazy nest. Then to figure out which runs need the HUGE gauge cables (for starter current) and which just need not so huge cables, since when you combine them manually (for dead starter battery), you'll have that huge starter current.
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If your 08 is the same as my 05 then its simpler then you think. If you pull off the positive from your batter you will see the large red that goes to the alternator and then 2 small that go to a breaker / fuse located close to the battery. Those 2 small items are the bilge pump and the battery memory. Those 2 small ones should be attached to the starter battery since that one is less likely be fully drained. The other medium size red wire should be attached to the 2nd battery. This is the wire that runs to your main fuse box. Before I did this work I was worried that Sea Ray had spliced all of the wires together. But they had them separate to make it easy for them to add a switch or second battery at the factory.
 
Well I think as long as you use Bat A this week and Bat B next week and vice versa keeping it charged won't be a problem.
 
Hi, I am now the happy owner of a 2003 sundeck 220 Sea Ray.:smt038:smt038 I have tons of question to ask , but I won't actually pick up the boat until this Saturday.
1) I was wondering if anyone on here upgraded their stereo for ipod and speakers, and maybe added a sub woofer to a 220 sundeck? Where do you get the water proof speaker for these applications. Also who has added a grille for cooking? Any pcitures of this would be great and info as to where to buy. Lastly what is a good GPS/Fish finder for the 220SD with out breaking the bank.
Thanks in advance and I hope to meet new friends..:grin:
 
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