290 sundancers 1994-midyear 97 "We need a thread"

I agree with most of your good things/bad things. I'd add that the cockpit seating is quite good, especially if you have the sunpad. The boat has a very low center of gravity vs. some of the newer SR boats in this size so is very stable in the water. I like the built in icechest, the large wide dash, the bow pulpit for the anchor, and the overall build quality. As for the engine room and aft weight, I've driven both the single and twin version, and in my opinion, the single engine version allows ample room in the engine room, rides higher with much less stern squat, and has less vibration and is simpler to drive without having to worry with engine synching. It is however, harder to dock, and you're calling for a tow if anything happens to that one engine.
 
I agree that this boat has a relatively low profile and is quite stable. Hardly need tabs to keep it level. I also like the built in cooler and wide helm area. I probably wouldn't miss the pulpit, though --- it sticks way out there.

I was not looking for a twin engine boat when this one came along. My particular 290 has 2005 4.3 MPIs, and it runs very well, so I felt like I couldn't pass it up. But, if I had found the same boat with a single 2005 big block, I would have chosen that one in a second.

Sadler -- I take it you still have your 290? IIRC, you were trying to sell it some time ago.
 
Eric,

I still have the 290 and use it regularly. Added a dinghy a few years ago. Best addition I've made. We have a local "splinter group" of CSR that formed a couple of years ago where we gather for boating activities, and that has ramped up my boating quite a bit. Here's a photo taken by one of the group members of me in the 290 at our July 4th gathering. We were on the way to Morris Island, near Charleston.

36383_1423752346235_1005514704_31101562_5440660_n.jpg
 
Good to hear you still have it. The boat looks great in the pic, btw. I see that you have the bow sunpad and deck rails -- cool option that I wish I had.
 
Thanks. This boat is actually my second mid 1990s 290. I had a 1995 that I loved, but it didn't have a generator, windlass, or vacuflush, and after owning it for a few years, decided to sell it and look for a 1997. I got lucky, found a buyer, and after a long look, found the boat you see now.
 
I've got the generator and windlass, and love having those. No vacuflush, though --- I have the manual raw water head. My wife always says the cabin stinks.
 
I tried lots to get rid of the smell and decided with the heat in Charleston, I wasn't going to fix it. I've never smelled anything with the vacuflush. I bet you could change your raw water head out if you wanted.
 
Just stopping in to say Hi. Have had a lot going on this summer but from here on out its all about the lake. The boat is back in the water an good to go!!! Glad to see this thread still going.
 
Hi,
I just bought a Sea Ray 290 SD, 1996 with a 7.4l MCM454, Bravo II from Georgia and got it transported home to Sweden a couple of weeks ago.
Since I'm not able to get much advice or orientation from the former owner I'm a bit clueless to what's what on the boat and I'm hoping to get some advice from you guys. (In advance: Sorry for my poor english, hope you understand what I mean anyway.)

Here's a few questions that I'm currently having about the boat:

1. Head/Toilet
I got a vacuflush with the ITT JBASCO "pump". I believe it's a 37010-series ( http://www.ittflowcontrol.com/marine-and-rv/toilet-waste-systems/electric-toilets/37010-series-electric-toilet.htm )
The flushing itself works fine and the bowl drains from water when pressing the flush button. The problem is that there is no water added to the bowl prior to the draining of the bowl (doesn't add any water to the bowl itself).
I haven't figure out if there is a valve somewhere in the boat which needs to be opened or not. I've opened two valves in the engine room. Once seems to be for the macerator so that the black water tank can be emptied out into the water and the second seems to be to some sort of pump which I'm guessing is connected to the air conditioner.
Any ideas on what can be the problem?
Next on my list in the fault diagnostics is to remove one of the hoses comming into the ITT/JBASCO pump located on the toilet and to see if there's any water comming to the unit.
Second would be to try and see if this pump can be broken down to see if the impeller is alright or not. However, I'd rather not have to remove and dissamble the pump as I'm imagining that getting spare parts for this one in Sweden can be a time consuming challange.

2. Fridge
I've got a norcold refridgerator (I guess it's the original one) which doesn't seem to be working either on 12VDC or 110AC. There's an on-off switch located inside the fridge which I've switched to on. I've also tried switching on the switch in the helm area which illuminates when in the on position. I've also tried switching it on using the fridget/ac outlets switch in the stairways.
Additionally I've turned the tempurature control to different settings (1-5).
No mather what I do the fridge just simply don't get cold.
It seems to be a small LED next to the on-off switch (hard to say if it is a LED or not) It wont illuminate in any of the scenarios above.
Any suggestions on how to locate the problem? Do I need to take out the fridge and messure if there's any juice in the connections?

3. Upholstery of helm chair
The upholstery on the helm chair is torn and needs to be repaired. What's the best way to do so? Can I buy a new helm chair (just the padding, not the fibre glass bottom part) or should I leave it to any generic upholstery shop that can stich a new one for me (I'm affraid it will get done in a way which is sort of plain-vanilla rather than the original look.)

4. Cushion missing
In the aft part of the "cockpit", between the one facing backwards and the one facing forwards (on the starboard side) it should be a small cushion (approx 30 cm wide or so) which is missing. Can I buy a new one from anywhere or do I need to have it made new here in Sweden?


Is there any good online shop which sells original or OEM parts for these Sea Ray models?

Best Regards,
Andreas
 
Andreas,

1. The valves in the bildge on the port side do not relate to the fresh water that feeds the vacuflush--they relate to the A/C pump water feed and the blackwater over board discharge. The vacuflush gets its water from the same place as the sinks. Do your sinks have water? Is there water in the fresh water tank or is a hose connected to the fresh water inlet--that connection is in the compartment with the shore power cord. No power is needed there--just connect the garden hose. If pulling water from the tank, you'll need DC power: is your battery switch on and the batteries charged?

2. The light in the fridge should be on. Sounds like you've turned on the right switches to enable the fridge. But, is your main battery switch on? It's in the cockpit in the port side compartment. Is your shore power plugged in and turned on in the panel next to the steps?

3. Sounds like you'll need an upholstery shop. Like my boat, yours is probably too old to find an original replacement.

4. I doubt you'll find an original replacement. An upholstery shop may be able to make one for you.



Andreas-Asander said:
Hi,
I just bought a Sea Ray 290 SD, 1996 with a 7.4l MCM454, Bravo II from Georgia and got it transported home to Sweden a couple of weeks ago.
Since I'm not able to get much advice or orientation from the former owner I'm a bit clueless to what's what on the boat and I'm hoping to get some advice from you guys. (In advance: Sorry for my poor english, hope you understand what I mean anyway.)

Here's a few questions that I'm currently having about the boat:

1. Head/Toilet
I got a vacuflush with the ITT JBASCO "pump". I believe it's a 37010-series ( http://www.ittflowcontrol.com/marine-and-rv/toilet-waste-systems/electric-toilets/37010-series-electric-toilet.htm )
The flushing itself works fine and the bowl drains from water when pressing the flush button. The problem is that there is no water added to the bowl prior to the draining of the bowl (doesn't add any water to the bowl itself).
I haven't figure out if there is a valve somewhere in the boat which needs to be opened or not. I've opened two valves in the engine room. Once seems to be for the macerator so that the black water tank can be emptied out into the water and the second seems to be to some sort of pump which I'm guessing is connected to the air conditioner.
Any ideas on what can be the problem?
Next on my list in the fault diagnostics is to remove one of the hoses comming into the ITT/JBASCO pump located on the toilet and to see if there's any water comming to the unit.
Second would be to try and see if this pump can be broken down to see if the impeller is alright or not. However, I'd rather not have to remove and dissamble the pump as I'm imagining that getting spare parts for this one in Sweden can be a time consuming challange.

2. Fridge
I've got a norcold refridgerator (I guess it's the original one) which doesn't seem to be working either on 12VDC or 110AC. There's an on-off switch located inside the fridge which I've switched to on. I've also tried switching on the switch in the helm area which illuminates when in the on position. I've also tried switching it on using the fridget/ac outlets switch in the stairways.
Additionally I've turned the tempurature control to different settings (1-5).
No mather what I do the fridge just simply don't get cold.
It seems to be a small LED next to the on-off switch (hard to say if it is a LED or not) It wont illuminate in any of the scenarios above.
Any suggestions on how to locate the problem? Do I need to take out the fridge and messure if there's any juice in the connections?

3. Upholstery of helm chair
The upholstery on the helm chair is torn and needs to be repaired. What's the best way to do so? Can I buy a new helm chair (just the padding, not the fibre glass bottom part) or should I leave it to any generic upholstery shop that can stich a new one for me (I'm affraid it will get done in a way which is sort of plain-vanilla rather than the original look.)

4. Cushion missing
In the aft part of the "cockpit", between the one facing backwards and the one facing forwards (on the starboard side) it should be a small cushion (approx 30 cm wide or so) which is missing. Can I buy a new one from anywhere or do I need to have it made new here in Sweden?


Is there any good online shop which sells original or OEM parts for these Sea Ray models?

Best Regards,
Andreas
Click to expand...
 
Hi and welcome!

1. if your vacu-flush is like mine, the lever you step on to flush it is the same lever you use to add water. With your fresh water pump turned on, if you raise the lever, it should add water to the bowl.

2. The switch in the fridge and the breaker on the panel both need to be on. If you are plugged into shore power there is an A/C breaker, if not, there is a DC breaker. Once the breaker is on, turn the switch on inside the fridge and adjust the temperature. If using DC, make sure your converter is turned on as well to keep the batteries charged.

Good luck. Let us know how things work out.
 
Thanks for the feedback and help! It's highly appreciated.
See further comments/feedback below.

Sadler said:
Andreas,

1. The valves in the bildge on the port side do not relate to the fresh water that feeds the vacuflush--they relate to the A/C pump water feed and the blackwater over board discharge. The vacuflush gets its water from the same place as the sinks. Do your sinks have water? Is there water in the fresh water tank or is a hose connected to the fresh water inlet--that connection is in the compartment with the shore power cord. No power is needed there--just connect the garden hose. If pulling water from the tank, you'll need DC power: is your battery switch on and the batteries charged?

ANDREAS: Ok, the valves is then what I suspected them to be. i.e. AC and blackwater drain outlet.
My fresh water tank is full and I have water in my sinks (both in the head and in the kitchen area).
I'm using DC (tried AC shore power as well) and everything else running on DC seems to be working just fine. Even the flushing of the toilet works, it's just the water that won't fill up in the toilet which is the problem. I made sure to try both that I have water in the sinks (i.e. turning on water system on the control panel at the helm area) and that the flushing and other DC powered things is working as it's intended at the same time. Still no water in the toilet...


2. The light in the fridge should be on. Sounds like you've turned on the right switches to enable the fridge. But, is your main battery switch on? It's in the cockpit in the port side compartment. Is your shore power plugged in and turned on in the panel next to the steps?

ANDREAS: Yepp, everything running on DC (except the filling of water in the toilet) is working as it should. When using shore power its basically the same (with the exception that I can then use the stove, microwave, etc).
Sounds to me like I need to remove the fridge and messure so that it is getting power as it should.

3. Sounds like you'll need an upholstery shop. Like my boat, yours is probably too old to find an original replacement.

ANDREAS: Yes, I'm affraid so. I hope they can do a good job making it look close to the original look.

4. I doubt you'll find an original replacement. An upholstery shop may be able to make one for you.
Click to expand...

ANDREAS: Yes, that's probably the case. 14 years (-1996) is probably way past the time for when these things are kept in stock.
 
Any thoughts on why a small amount of water would accumulate in the aft cabin on the starboard end? There is no indication of leaks from above on the vinyl covered walls or ceiling of the aft cabin. Appears to be comming in from below. Could it be plugged shower drain? Any thoughts on areas that might drain to that location?
 
I'm now going outside what I know and just guessing, but on your vacuflush, I'd suspect the flush valve itself. This is what I believe not only opens the valve to let the vacuum do its job but also lets water in when you flush and/or lift the foot pedal. I suggest you take the water feed line off the inlet to the toilet and see if you have water flow up to that point. Turn the water off first of course, then turn it on for a quick test. If you have water up to that point, it's likely the flush valve on the toilet.

Yep, I'd say time to pull the fridge out and check for power. If you have to replace it, there's a lot of info here on CSR about replacement refrigerators.

Andreas-Asander said:
Thanks for the feedback and help! It's highly appreciated.
See further comments/feedback below.



ANDREAS: Yes, that's probably the case. 14 years (-1996) is probably way past the time for when these things are kept in stock.
Click to expand...
 
Look under the cushions in the aft cabin and about in the middle, you'll find a wood cover with a hole for your finger. Pull this up and you'll find the A/C condensate and shower drain overboard discharge pump in a clear plastic box. If it's working, the compartment will be dry. If the compartment is full of water, you've found the problem.

Similarly if you look on the port side under the same cushions, you'll find another compartment that contains the fresh water pump and tank. If that compartment is dry, all is well. If it's full of water, you've got a leak there.

If either of these if full of water, water could overflow and end up giving you a wet place in the aft cabin.

If both of these areas are dry, I think you're looking a leak from above.

Great Escape said:
Any thoughts on why a small amount of water would accumulate in the aft cabin on the starboard end? There is no indication of leaks from above on the vinyl covered walls or ceiling of the aft cabin. Appears to be comming in from below. Could it be plugged shower drain? Any thoughts on areas that might drain to that location?
Click to expand...
 
Hi,
I have a feeling that your guessing is not far from the truth/reality.
I'll try to dissconnect the water line comming into the toilet and see if I get water to that point or not.
I do not have a foot pedal (it's just a button on the wall so the flushing mechanic is operated by electronics only).

As for the fridge I'm guessing that the only option is to pull it out and messure what kind of current's I'm getting.

I'll investigate some of the other threads to see what's mentioned about replacement fridges. I'll probably have to buy it from the US and have it imported here due to the 110/220 V differences.

Thanks for your feedback, it's highly appreciated!

BR
Andreas

Sadler said:
I'm now going outside what I know and just guessing, but on your vacuflush, I'd suspect the flush valve itself. This is what I believe not only opens the valve to let the vacuum do its job but also lets water in when you flush and/or lift the foot pedal. I suggest you take the water feed line off the inlet to the toilet and see if you have water flow up to that point. Turn the water off first of course, then turn it on for a quick test. If you have water up to that point, it's likely the flush valve on the toilet.

Yep, I'd say time to pull the fridge out and check for power. If you have to replace it, there's a lot of info here on CSR about replacement refrigerators.
Click to expand...
 
Regarding water low in aft cabin, the float switch in the shower sump can go bad; the new complete assembly had a sticker saying call this number for a new float switch(instead of the whole unit) oh well.

I love the single engine for the access; the twins with a gen set looked like a horror show to maintain to me.
I think it has plenty of power; on a plane in six seconds, cruise 26 MPH and tops out low thirties loaded
 
Hi guys. I also posted this in the general maint section but thought I would ask here.
I just went on board to update the GPS software and what do I see but shattered port side cockpit window. Know of a source near Windsor, Ontario, Canada?

Thanks
Jeff
 
Hi Guys,

I’m one of the unlucky ones that purchased a Sundancer without a cockpit table I'm asking for a favor, I just purchased all the table parts for a cockpit table. My next step is to drill the hole for the table in the engine hatch. I’ve researched as much as I can and I can’t find the info anywhere. I’m looking for someone that has a cockpit table installed by Sea Ray, I basically need someone to make two measurements from the center of the cup to the top and side. Normally I would just eyeball and install the table mount, but if I order a precut carpet with the whole cut out for the table, it won’t line up.

Oh, and what sized fenders do you guys use? I'm thinking 8x20.

Thank you,
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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