300 Sundancer questions.

ok, thanks. Well, I guess time will tell as to whether I can get ten-twenty percent more by being careful. Smartcraft sounds like a nice option, wish I had it.
 
Terri, I am looking to replace my speedo with a fuel flow. My last boat had the lowarance gps with the fuel flow. I liked it. I am looking at either the floscan (~$500) or the faria (~200) and wondering how much better the floscan is. The good thing is hat it will show both engines in one display where the faria will only do one, unless I get 2 of them
Thanks,
Mike
 
Hi Mike, I only have good experience with the lowrance. I had a stand alone gauge on my 260 that I didn't care for and don't recall the manufacturer but it did work, it was just kind of a pain to set up as you had to remember button sequences with only a couple of buttons on the gauge. At a minimum I would look at the manuals to see how user friendly they are.
when at the gas pump I like to get out of the way ASAP and not fiddle with gauges. The new hds stuff from lowrance has really nice fuel functions.

Good luck!
 
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Terri my fuel numbers are about the same as yours. I was around 24gph for the long offshore runs 2 different times. The 300 is stern heavy with full tanks and I found it better to run faster or use some tab. This is more than normal for me but the boat was loaded heavy for the long trip and a dingy on the back too. Boattest number are a good base line when not fully loaded.
 
Thanks Kevin for the validation on the fuel numbers. I would love to do some of my own boating off shore some day.. This spring while in Hawaii for a couple of weeks we chartered a 35' cabo for 6 hours, it was great! We were on the big island and we didnt catch a marlin like we were looking for but we enjoyed the dolphins and whales. The cabo is one nice boat! Champlain is a nice sized lake but it has gotten very familiar.
 
Stray Cat said:
Thanks Teri, I often wondered if the Smartview data I saw on my screen was accurate. I cruise quite a bit at 3650 rpm, which my data says I'm burning 21 gph and a 1.2 mpg. I can't remember ever seeing my mpg much better than that...good stuff to know.
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Hi Jeff, I wanted to follow-up after the weekend. On speed versus RPM, I've verified it's almost linear on plane, at 3500 RPM = 35mph, 4500 RPM = 45mph, and WOT 49xx RPM = 49.4 mph. We did 49.4 with a full load this weekend (3/4 fuel, 1/2 water, 2 adults and my big 80lb golden retriever), plus enough fishing tackle to supply a 50' tour boat (smile). And I've noted the faster I go, the more trim it'll take. Just up on plane, it's extremly sensitive to any trim. But above 40mph it'll take progressively more trim. Plus, there is almost zero fishtail. You see the two streams but they're almost flat on the water. And our boats been in since May 15 and the bottom hasn't been cleaned (good and green now...on the lake).
Also at WOT, we were burning 87L/hour, which I found amazing as it's still over 1 MPG. For the life of me, can't figure out how to show gallons/hour when every other measure is imperial. I thought for sure WOT would really drop the efficiency like a rock, but it did not. The very worst efficiency, down in the 1.5-1.8 (one motor so mileage is 1/2 that...ick) is when pushing a big bow wave before going on plane.

I also found it very hard to get 2.9mpg (again on one motor) reliably for very long (although last week when testing I was by myself, and less fuel/bodies/stuff on board) while loaded. With it being more fully loaded, I found that 39-40mph, and around 4000 RPM gave me a pretty consistent 2.7mpg reading on one motor.

Also Jeff, in looking at the number you posted, 21GPH, 1.2MPG at 3650 RPM, if that's 36mph at 21 GPH(like on mine) that's implies 1.7MPG overall which is way better than me. If you're really only getting 1.2MPG at 3650 RPM then that would suggest you're only going 25mph (which is really slow and not very well on plane on my boat). I think maybe you posted the wrong numbers. The 21GPH at 3650 RPM seems off. I think the 1.2 is in the right ballpark.
 
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JimFromMD said:
So Terri,
What speed/RPMs do you typically cruise? Just curious how this study will/has impacted how you run the boat.

James
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Hi Jim, prior to this I was trying to run on the slower end, 29-32 mph (below this it was difficult to stay on plane...speed up, slow down, repeat). Now my thought is to run around 3800-4000 RPM (38-40mph) when we're looking to get somewhere. It seems that when lightly loaded, it might even be more economical to go even a little faster, but we're fully loaded most of the time (I am rarely down at 1/2 a tank). In general, once we're up to speed the tabs come up fully unless we're going into the wind with a big chop. Keeping the front end down into a big chop seems to reduce the slapping.
The other place it's really efficient is around 7mph where it's not pushing a lot of water, I can get pretty good mileage there too (in fact it really bounces around here I assume because it's getting into a less efficient measurement area (jumps between 2.5 and 3.5). I actually don't mind going slow when we're just out for the ride and not trying to get somewhere. Unfortunately it's rarely the case, because of a busy job and short weekend.
 
Theresamarie11 said:
Also Jeff, in looking at the number you posted, 21GPH, 1.2MPG at 3650 RPM, if that's 36mph at 21 GPH(like on mine) that's implies 1.7MPG overall which is way better than me. If you're really only getting 1.2MPG at 3650 RPM then that would suggest you're only going 25mph (which is really slow and not very well on plane on my boat). I think maybe you posted the wrong numbers. The 21GPH at 3650 RPM seems off. I think the 1.2 is in the right ballpark.
Click to expand...

Teri, thanks for the follow up. Just so I can wrap my mind around your data, the 87L / hour at WOT (23 gal / hour) is for 1 engine? I wasn't certain you had both engines connected yet. My numbers are right off the Smartview screen. I do not have GPS speed but the speedometer suggests that I'm running around + - 30 mph.....at that RPM I can trim up to 1.5 on my trim gauge (Smartview data) which sets the boat on a decent bow rise and a nice ride in various water conditions. Trim much higher at that RPM and the props will blow out. You're right on pushing the throttles forward, the more trim the boat will take and the prop wash blends together.
 
Stray Cat said:
Teri, thanks for the follow up. Just so I can wrap my mind around your data, the 87L / hour at WOT (23 gal / hour) is for 1 engine? I wasn't certain you had both engines connected yet. My numbers are right off the Smartview screen. I do not have GPS speed but the speedometer suggests that I'm running around + - 30 mph.....at that RPM I can trim up to 1.5 on my trim gauge (Smartview data) which sets the boat on a decent bow rise and a nice ride in various water conditions. Trim much higher at that RPM and the props will blow out. You're right on pushing the throttles forward, the more trim the boat will take and the prop wash blends together.
Click to expand...

Jeff, that's correct. Still one engine. It was so beautiful this past weekend I didn't want to spend time in the bilge (smile). Is your 21G/H total or one engine? My other half has a bad back, and if I must admit it I did mechanic work while I was paying my way through school (not very traditional). But that was a really long time ago. Your numbers still seem off to me (but they are what they are). If you're only doing 30mph at 3650 RPM then that says 1.42mpg or if Mpg is right, you're only doing 25mph or thereabouts and that's really tough for my boat to stay on plane. I don't know what they changed in 2006 from 2002, but I looked at several that were exactly the same as my boat in all outward appearance, but didn't have all the things we wanted (gen was the big one). So I have to believe it's got a similar weight/performance. In any case, it's perplexing.
 
Teri, the 21 gph is for both engines at 3650. Like you said, it is what it is. I know the Merc data has a lot of variables in it and I don't get too hung up on its accuracy. If I didn't have access to fuel as easy as I do, I would be more interested in how much range was left before I left the slip.
 
Can any of you hear your AC water pump when the compressor on the AC kicks on? Since new, my 120 volt water pump for the AC can be heard inside the cabin. I've noticed other Sea Rays, and on different boats, they are quiet (silent). The pump is mounted on rubber feet, which should isolate any vibration. Just curious if you can hear the water pump...
 
Jeff, I don't hear mine, it's very quiet unless I have the bilge door open, and then it sounds like any electric pump, low whirring sound. Isn't your AC fan on when the water is pumping as well? If you can hear your pump over that, it's pretty loud. In general, I find that the insulation between the bilge and cabin is very good. I can barely hear my generator in the cabin when it's running.
 
Theresamarie11 said:
Jeff, I don't hear mine, it's very quiet unless I have the bilge door open, and then it sounds like any electric pump, low whirring sound. Isn't your AC fan on when the water is pumping as well? If you can hear your pump over that, it's pretty loud. In general, I find that the insulation between the bilge and cabin is very good. I can barely hear my generator in the cabin when it's running.
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Jeff, I hear the fan running, and I'll hear the compressor/condensor kick on, but thats about it. If I'm hooked up to shore power (ie no generator noise) and I'm laying on the front bunk i do recall hearing what could be a pump noise cycle on and off, but its not loud at all. Really just hear it because I have to lay on my side (thus an ear down on the pillow) since I'm too tall to lay out on my back.

-James
 
Theresamarie11 said:
I can barely hear my generator in the cabin when it's running.
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Hey Terri,
Does your generator have a sound shield or no shield? I dont hear mine as much down in the cabin, but we were on a mooring recently rafted up and I was suprised at "how loud" it was up sitting in the back of the cockpit. I quoted how loud becuase it wasn't unbareable, but i did notice my guests talking up a bit to talk over it. As a side note, I just changed the generator impeller, so its not the exhaust noise with reduced water flow thats the issue. Just the machine noise itself. My friends 2003 signature 280 Chaparral had a sound sheild, so I found it funny that ours didnt.

I guess that's a good general question... Does anyone have a sound sheild on their 300? My 05 w/Kohler 5E doesnt.

Thanks,
James
 
Hi Jim, What would a sound shield look like? I this a box over the generator? If so, the answer is no. Is does only run at 1800 RPM, and not sure they all run at this slow RPM. I can hear it while in the cockpit, but it's pretty darn quiet. Don't think I'd have to speak up much, but then I always have to talk a little loud because my other 1/2 is hearing impaired due to working for his wonderful fathers construction company as a kid and not getting much direction on using hearing protection. The sound ours makes while in the cockpit is like a really low rumble and I can hear the water coming out the side.

We recently stayed at a pretty crowded anchorage over night, and we use our generator with little worry that it will even remotely bother anyone else. One of the boats maybe 200 yards away had a portable and WOW, it was loud! I actually couldn't believe he was using it! Really obnoxious.
 
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Theresamarie11 said:
What would a sound shield look like?
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My friends was inside a white box... solid aluminimum on the outside with insulation on the inside.


Is does only run at 1800 RPM, and not sure they all run at this slow RPM.
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What model generator do you have? Not sure what RPM mine runs at.


We recently stayed at a pretty crowded anchorage over night, and we use our generator with little worry that it will even remotely bother anyone else. One of the boats maybe 200 yards away had a portable and WOW, it was loud! I actually couldn't believe he was using it! Really obnoxious.
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Yea mine definitely is quiet when you're away from it. Went to a party at someones house and we had over 8 boats tied to or rafted off the pier. Didnt disturb anyone. I have had the experience you mention though. Sounded like someone had a lawnmower on for an hour. Have also seen (and had myself on the other boat) one of the red Honda eu2000i's. They're super quiet and never bother anyone.

-James
 
Jim, we have the 4.5 westerbeke BCBG generator. I had to do some service when I purchased the boat, but this year it's been great! I really love it.
When we were looking, and found a boat locally with the right engines (2006 300DA) but no gen, the owner tried to talk us into just buying a small honda and even measured and said it would fit in the aft locker. I read a few forums and found it was highly discouraged. But if you did find yourself with no generator, and needed one, they are mighty expensive to put in after the fact. My local deal was going to charge an arm and a leg for one and only gave me a 'round about' install price. So we kept looking and found this boat, which from a features/looks standpoint is a twin to the 2006.
 
Theresamarie11 said:
The owner tried to talk us into just buying a small honda and even measured and said it would fit in the aft locker.
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I'm pretty sure that the Honda EU2000i that I have from the other boat would NOT fit in the aft locker. Seeing as how I cant get the newport grill in there, I believe the generator is even deeper (front to back). Anyway... the fixed mount kohler is great to have. I've heard that the Westerbeakes are even more quiet, since lower RPM though as you pointed out. Just wondering how much the sheild would help, or if it even could be retrofitted if I wanted to.
 
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