240 question - moved at FirstBorn's recommend....

[shrike]

You know the saying "there are no dumb questions here"? Well, I hope you will keep that in mind as you read on! :wink:

I am very close to diving into a 240DA, 1999 model. I know the owner, I know the marina who does all the maintenance, I also know it has a new engine with not even one tank of gas run through it. :thumbsup:

My concern is this. It has a basic electrical system, no hot water. It does have a fridge, and built in lighting.

I do not think it has a shore power hook-up, but I may be wrong - will need to look at that again. I have never seen it connected with the big honkin yellow shore cord I am used to seeing. Most all cabin boats I have ever seen have shore power - or do they? :huh:

Anyway, a few questions. I have not owned a powerboat with a "real" electrical system, only a sailboat with shore power, and an outboard run about......so please forgive me!

1) How long do you 240'ers see battery power running the accessories/ nav/ anchorage lights under normal use? 8 - 12 hours? ie, overnight? Or do you bring along auxillary lighting/ battery lanterns

2) if it does not have a shore power hook up, how difficult / expensive would that be to install? I am primarily thinking of something to keep the batteries charged up, bildge running, and provide a few 120v accessory plugs inside for a carry aboard A/C , computer, etc. (say home office?) I know definately there are no 120V plugs currently installed.

3) Just how bad would a portable inverter kill the accessory battery? If I am not mistaken, are there two batt packs, one just for starting power, and another for the lights/ stereo, etc. I am used to the bic honking selector switch on a sail boat.

4) If I want a TV, would I be better off just going with a 12v tv, or a 120v inverter powered TV? Again, I assume that will kill my battery? I guess I could also get one made for a SUV?

5) I was thinking of a honda generator, but I found the opinions to that already. Not thinking of it any more! I did not think of the water vs 120V issue, I was concerned with Co poisioning. there are deaths here in texas EVERY year with rodeo people running a generator beside their live-aboard horse trailer.

Is getting basic 120v power going to be such a PITA, that I should just blow off this '99 240, and think of another boat for sale here that may have all of this already installed? ( and a bit more $$$. )

It is a really slow market here, and I think I can get the 240DA for around $20K....but again, it is not necessarily "loaded"......however it is really well maintained, he has lowered the price once, and just thinking that If I can solve the power and accessories issue, I can equip it how I want for less than the extra cost of a bigger, but older, boat.

Just get bigger? Well, I am trying to force myself into a budget and not let my emotions rule my wallet! I think the 240 is a great blend of sporting boat - ie agile / pulling a kin on a tube - but also a lightweight overnighter / hideaway / remote office.

I could get a larger boat, but now I am going back into the early 1990's/ late 80's and I am afraid of more things needing expensive maintenance with the older boats. Maybe I am just way off here? Regardless, I think the largest I would want is in the 24 - 27' range, and I am just not really all that tickled with the seating config of the 80's vintage rays.

 

[First Born]

Hopefully you will get more help here. Sometimes questions get buried in long genereal post. Good luck with what ever you decide to go with. :thumbsup:

"there are no dumb questions here"

The only dumb one is the one you don't ask :thumbsup:

I'll try to answer some of the, but I sure another user will chime in ASAP.

OK here goes.

1) How long do you 240'ers see battery power running the accessories/ nav/ anchorage lights under normal use? 8 - 12 hours? ie, overnight? Or do you bring along auxillary lighting/ battery lanterns

IMHO Should be able to run overnight make sure you battery switch is set to 2 so you are sure to have number 1 for starting on.

2) if it does not have a shore power hook up, how difficult / expensive would that be to install? I am primarily thinking of something to keep the batteries charged up, bildge running, and provide a few 120v accessory plugs inside for a carry aboard A/C , computer, etc. (say home office?) I know definately there are no 120V plugs currently installed

I know when MM added the shore power to my 240SD it ran around 1000 - 1200.

3) Just how bad would a portable inverter kill the accessory battery? If I am not mistaken, are there two batt packs, one just for starting power, and another for the lights/ stereo, etc

Depends on what you run. As to the two batteries, if it is like the ones I've seen they really don't work that way. You have a switch to define which one or both you are running off. If you add the inverter, make sure you have it hooked to the "spare" battery that you are running your 12V stuff off other wise you could end up with both batteries being died in the morning! I don't know anybody that would have done this :smt021 I almost did it once switched the battery to the wrong one. Keep nagging me until I checked it again :smt038

4) If I want a TV, would I be better off just going with a 12v tv, or a 120v inverter powered TV? Again, I assume that will kill my battery?

See number 3 about killing the battery. Are you just thinking about watching DVDs on the TV if so go with a notebook or portable player.

Sounds like you may have found a deal. If you find that it is not the type of boat for you, you're not in to deep. BUT if you like it I'm sure the 2 foot itis is going to hit pretty quick :lol: .

Does it have a trailer?

Hope this helps.

 

[NoWakey]

Shrike,

If the boat is indeed a 240DA the boat already has most of what you are questioning here, to include shore power.

Your boat will have two batteries (12V) that are switchable. This way you can always keep one of them at full charge to run you overnight. And yes, a fully charged GOOD battery can keep your Fridge, Anchor Light, and some other light load items running overnight.

Rather than go into a drawn out explanation here follow the link below and download the Owners Manual for the boat and that should answer most of your questions.

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manu...-99_240_Sundancer/1996-1999_240_Sundancer.pdf

Go 12VDC on the TV.

NO inverter of any kind (Portable or not) can be operated in the engine compartment. None of them have a explosive environment rating.

I am sure you will get other commentary.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[shrike]

Shrike,

If the boat is indeed a 240DA the boat already has most of what you are questioning here, to include shore power.

Your boat will have two batteries (12V) that are switchable. This way you can always keep one of them at full charge to run you overnight. And yes, a fully charged GOOD battery can keep your Fridge, Anchor Light, and some other light load items running overnight.

Rather than go into a drawn out explanation here follow the link below and download the Owners Manual for the boat and that should answer most of your questions.

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manu...-99_240_Sundancer/1996-1999_240_Sundancer.pdf

Go 12VDC on the TV.

NO inverter of any kind (Portable or not) can be operated in the engine compartment. None of them have a explosive environment rating.

I am sure you will get other commentary.

Cheers,

Jim

Many thanks, but does that nor show A/C 120V as an option? I do not think this one has the option.... Will need to check!

 

[Presentation]

1999 Sea Ray 240DA link

http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/1999/25 feet and below/240DA.pdf

Dockside power was a option, not standard.

 

[NoWakey]

Friends & Neighbors,

I stand corrected.....
I'm not sure why anyone would buy one that way, but I stand stand corrected none the less.

Shrike,

If you even think you are going to want AC power on board and the boat you are looking at does not have it you would be well advised to keep shopping. Retrofitting a full shore power setup into an existing boat would be comparatively cost prohibitive.


Cheers,

Jim

 

[Presentation]

Are you going into Fresh or Salt water?

I'm asking so you will know if you need raw or closed cooling.

For $20K do you get a trailer?

Camper top?

Please keep us in the loop. Its WAY below freezing here and this is all I have to pass the time. Oh, that and my vacation starting this Thursday

 

[shrike]

Friends - Many many thanks for your replies, I can not say how much I appreciate the commentaries - especially from owners!!!

Anyway, I will find out the issue about the shore power shortly, but I just have a hunch it was not included.

FYI, I live on a fresh water lake, about 30K acres total, however some area are really shallow.... I am about 1/2 mile walking distance, and 2 miles from the closest marina.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/recreational/lakes/ray_hubbard/

I do not think a trailer is included, nor do i want one. I have had a trailer boat before, and I would now just like a slip. We are in basically Dallas, and it is never cold enough to freeze the water on the lake...

 

[Presentation]

If the boat as a fresh water history $20K is a very good price even with no shore power.

 

[shrike]

OK. Got a chance to crawl all around the boat today. Just to review, it is a 240DA, 1999 model.

It does have shore power with an outlet in the rear locker, and another by the sink. Water, but no water heater....and the dumb searay use of the portapotty.

Anyway, about the only thing I saw wrong was a stain on the headliner, and some headliner fabric seperation..... Close your eyes and try to follow along.

Standing at the cabin entry, on the port side, celing, where the top deck makes the radius turn down and forms the angle, there is a light brown stain that runs from the galley all the way down the seam to the bow bulkhead where the speakers and mirror are mounted.

Around the port speaker is a bit of darker staining. all in this area the headliner fabric is bubbling and kinda seperating from the glass decking. Unfortunately, when looking above, there is no seam in this area, just a continuous fiberglass radius. no cracks.

Has anyone seen this kinda stain before? Could it have been a leaky snap, windscreet attach, or maybe wicking up from the anchor locker? blowing in under pressure when under way?

All is dry, and although the inside was not cleaned up, it was not wet or musty smelling - despite about 3 weeks of rain here.

Could it have been some type of condensation issue associated with a carry on? if so, why not the other side.

Perhaps a sea-ray adhesive issue? Most of the stain appears to be on the surface, and not soaked through and through, so maybe it was some kind of load that was removed.

Thoughts?

Any ideas on re attaching the liner?

This dancer really looks better than I thought before, and I think if I can solve this problem, I will make an offer.

 

[gredmer]

I would suggest talking to an automotive upholstery expert to see if there are easier ways to work with headliner or if it would need to be replaced. You may getter a more honest answer from someone outside the industry.