300 Sundancer questions.

[Aero Nautical]

So we took our maiden voyage up the Chesapeake Bay yesterday, 85 gallons worth. Already stuff is piling up in the cabin. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to organize the galley and where to put spare parts and tools?

Also first time docking the boat (first time docking a powerboat other than little fishing boats) in a strong crosswind in a 14/15' foot slip was fun. Didn't hit anything but it was definitely an experience with no dock lines preset.


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[Bridog]

So we took our maiden voyage up the Chesapeake Bay yesterday, 85 gallons worth. Already stuff is piling up in the cabin. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to organize the galley and where to put spare parts and tools?

Also first time docking the boat (first time docking a powerboat other than little fishing boats) in a strong crosswind in a 14/15' foot slip was fun. Didn't hit anything but it was definitely an experience with no dock lines preset.


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Dave, good luck with your 300DA. I used to put tools in the " super secret" storage compartment in the aft cabin. Have you found that one yet? From your other post...I found water to be coming in from my blower vents. I always had some fresh water in my engine compartment, not a lot, but enough to be annoying. Again, best of luck to you. Enjoy! Brian

 

[bajturner]

Re: Help!!!

Hello everyone,
I am seriously considering an '05 300DA with the 5.0s and Bravo-II sterndrives. I was actually able to speak to one of the prior owners about the boat, who also happens to be a CSR member, but would like to gather more input based on how different owners ran the boat.

My questions are about the 5.0/B-II combination, how well the boat planes, handles, etc. I have heard this could be a bit underpowered with a few people on the boat. Can anyone offer any additional comments or experience with this setup?

Thank you!

 

[Aero Nautical]

Yes the surveyor found that compartment so it was a little anti-climatic. Definitely a good spot. Already put my polisher in there and just got a tool bag for loose tools and spare parts.

 

[ZZ13]

So we took our maiden voyage up the Chesapeake Bay yesterday, 85 gallons worth. Already stuff is piling up in the cabin. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to organize the galley and where to put spare parts and tools?

Also first time docking the boat (first time docking a powerboat other than little fishing boats) in a strong crosswind in a 14/15' foot slip was fun. Didn't hit anything but it was definitely an experience with no dock lines preset.


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I keep all my spare parts in the starboard "secret compartment" in the mid-berth. I also roll up my cockpit cover tightly and keep it in there as well. FOr tools, I just have one of those marine do it all kits and I stand it up under v-berth and have rigged a way to bungee cord it in place to the little open storage space at floor level below the hanging closet. I keep all my cleaning stuff (including a makita rotary) in the two compartments under the salon sofa. The nice Sea Ray bag with all the manuals and other paperwork fits in there as well. You can also slide stuff all the way back horizontally in those same two compartments. There is a 3-4 inch space all along the top that goes to the back of the sofa space. I keep rags, microfibers and stuff like that in that space. I keep a small shop vac, the party sized Magma Kettle grill, and a bunch of towels in the center cabinet under the V-berth. The two things I have issues with are the sun pad for the cockpit and the sun pad for the bow. I haven't figured out a hideaway place for those, so I just keep them on the port side mid-berth seating.

 

[ZZ13]

Re: Help!!!

Hello everyone,
I am seriously considering an '05 300DA with the 5.0s and Bravo-II sterndrives. I was actually able to speak to one of the prior owners about the boat, who also happens to be a CSR member, but would like to gather more input based on how different owners ran the boat.

My questions are about the 5.0/B-II combination, how well the boat planes, handles, etc. I have heard this could be a bit underpowered with a few people on the boat. Can anyone offer any additional comments or experience with this setup?

Thank you!

Jimfrom MD is your guy for that. He has that exact same year and powertrain. I am sure he'll be on eventually to give you his perspective.

 

[kevin27]

I had the same power but the b3 drives. That is a very good combo for the boat. When I would go on long trips(like Key West) I would leave fully loaded and very heavy but had no problems at all. Also the 5.0L burn less at cruise power giving you better range.

 

[susanandlance]

The 300 is a very nice boat, but I rather have the 350 mag over the 305 ANY day. Meaning I've never seen an overpowered Searay, and if you really load it up the 350 mag will out shine the 5.0/305 everytime.As far as range goes you'll probably never know the difference, as far as a B2 over a B3, the B2 should perform similar because of one huge prop over 2 smaller ones, the B2 might be a little less problem with corrosion but not sure on that.

 

[JimFromMD]

Re: Help!!!

Hello everyone,
I am seriously considering an '05 300DA with the 5.0s and Bravo-II sterndrives. I was actually able to speak to one of the prior owners about the boat, who also happens to be a CSR member, but would like to gather more input based on how different owners ran the boat.

My questions are about the 5.0/B-II combination, how well the boat planes, handles, etc. I have heard this could be a bit underpowered with a few people on the boat. Can anyone offer any additional comments or experience with this setup?

Thank you!

Hey Baj. Send me a pm with your email / number. Happy to talk with you for as long as you like and answer any questions or concerns you have. I have the same model year and power package. No complaints. Had her out for the first good run of the season. Cruise is around 3400-3650 rpms at 25 kts and 20-22 gph. She ran out to 4850 rpms and 39.5 kts into the wind with full camper up. That was with a full tank of water and fuel. I am looking into a pair of 4-blade stainless props to replace the original 3-blade aluminum props for a quicker hole shot and holding plane at a slower speed for the rough days in the Chesapeake here. Getting on plane is not really a problem, but I do give her a bit of tab for assist if I have more than 2-3 extra people aboard. She'll get up without it, but I don't like to pound on the engines.

James.

 

[bajturner]

Thanks guys, and Jim, I will take you up on your kind offer to have a chat!

Much appreciated!

 

[kevin27]

Lance you are correct about the 350Mag. This will help I think. Take a look.http://www.boattest.com/resources/view_news.aspx?newsid=4354
I don't think you will have any problem with the 5.0L. I had mine for two years and put little over 200 hours on it, took it to the Keys from Tarpon Springs and all over the west coast FL. It was a very good boat and never felt like I needed more power. You will burn around 22 to 24 gal per hour at cruise of about 30MPH when loaded up. Only reason I don't still have it is I wanted inboards and a bridge boat.
Only issue I had was it is stern heavy and needs to run above 24MPH to be at correct run angle. This is good untill the water gets rough then it sucks.

 

[susanandlance]

I loved your 300 Kevin, I was trying to say that you can get that power in a 280, I cant believe it's awesome being that's one of 3 option for a 280, and the 300 weighs approx. 3 -4 grand in more weight than a 280......that being said, the 350mag doesn't have to labor as much, weighs about the same, fuel economy about the same.....answer is 350mag is the better choice for that boat if you have a choice :grin:

 

[BrianR]

Re: Help!!!

Hey fellow 300 owners.
change of topic if I may.......
l am looking at installing Seadek on my the swim platform. There is another thread on quality etc on the forum, however, my question is, is our swim platform the same as the 320?
i ask because if you go to their site, they have templates for all different makes and models of boats. Of course they don't the 300.
The one I saw that closely resembles the 300 is a template for the 320 Sundancer. http://www.seadek.com/p-191-sea-ray-320.aspx
i don't get out to the boat until this weekend to measure and wondered if anyone had this info ahead of time.
thanks in advance.

 

[ZZ13]

Re: Help!!!

Hey fellow 300 owners.
change of topic if I may.......
l am looking at installing Seadek on my the swim platform. There is another thread on quality etc on the forum, however, my question is, is our swim platform the same as the 320?
i ask because if you go to their site, they have templates for all different makes and models of boats. Of course they don't the 300.
The one I saw that closely resembles the 300 is a template for the 320 Sundancer. http://www.seadek.com/p-191-sea-ray-320.aspx
i don't get out to the boat until this weekend to measure and wondered if anyone had this info ahead of time.
thanks in advance.

Brian, I just measured the 320 in the slip next to me and its platform is bigger than ours. Also has a different style/size center drain piece.

 

[ZZ13]

Re: Help!!!

Hello everyone,
I am seriously considering an '05 300DA with the 5.0s and Bravo-II sterndrives. I was actually able to speak to one of the prior owners about the boat, who also happens to be a CSR member, but would like to gather more input based on how different owners ran the boat.

My questions are about the 5.0/B-II combination, how well the boat planes, handles, etc. I have heard this could be a bit underpowered with a few people on the boat. Can anyone offer any additional comments or experience with this setup?

Thank you!

JimFromMD gave me a ride on his boat last weekend which has the 5/0L/BII combo. We had three of us on the boat and full gas tanks. I couldn't tell a darn difference between its performance and my 5.7L/BIII version. Got on plane just as well (if not better), cruised at the same RPMs and speed and was burning about the same fuel per hour.

 

[rcon]

What's the dry weight of your 2000 you're getting those speed/burn rates on, Jim? My '93 w/ 4.3l has maxed out WOT at 27kts, but cruises around 18kts @ 36/3700rpm. 4 bladed aluminium props.

 

[JimFromMD]

What's the dry weight of your 2000 you're getting those speed/burn rates on, Jim? My '93 w/ 4.3l has maxed out WOT at 27kts, but cruises around 18kts @ 36/3700rpm. 4 bladed aluminium props.

Hey rcon... I assume you're talking to me as Jim? (If not... ignore this... LOL) Just to be clear I'm in a 2005 300DA, but here's the stats I sent to the guys at Hill Marine. 4-Blade stainless props on the way to try out. Hopefully here mid next week to compare.

Boat - 2005 Sea Ray 300 DA
Beam - 10'5

Current Props - 3 Blade Aluminum 17.75" x 21P
Twin Mercruiser 5.0L EFI - 260 HP each
Bravo II drives - 2.20:1 ratio verified

Medium load with flat seas:
Hull = 12500 dry per spec sheet
Nearly Full Fuel - ~170 gal
Nearly Full Water - ~40 Gal
2 people - 400lbs total


Minimum Plane RPMs w/no tabs - 3250
Minimum Plane Spd w/no tabs - 20.2 kts

RPMs @ Solid Plane & levels out - 3600-3650
Spd @ Solid Plane & levels out - 25kt

Max RPM - 4875
Max Spd - 36.5kt




Also here's the discussion on 4 blade vs 3 Blade.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/51518-4-Blade-Vs-3-blade?highlight=4+blade


James

 

[rcon]

Cheers.

That EFI, 2 cylinders and 0.7l displacement make all the difference.

We can hold plane around 3600 (17/18kts), proper leveled out at 4000 (22/23 kts). Burning approx 1gal/NM. Of course I also suspect my tachos could be reading 1-200 rpm high so things might not actually be so high.

I get the impression I use tabs wrong tho.

I hardly ever trim
I almost always use "bow down" as i assumed this was the most effective plane speed.

Is there a good how to around here for proper tab use? I've google'd a bit for outboards, but they usually trim a lot too and it doesn't seem relevant.

 

[jkim1990]

I get the impression I use tabs wrong tho.

I hardly ever trim
I almost always use "bow down" as i assumed this was the most effective plane speed.

Is there a good how to around here for proper tab use? I've google'd a bit for outboards, but they usually trim a lot too and it doesn't seem relevant.

Check out the Bennett trim tab forum. There are a couple of good sticky forums that describe tab use. I learned quite a bit from them myself.

http://clubsearay.com/forumdisplay.php/65-Bennett-Trim-Tabs-Vendor-Forum

 

[ZZ13]

Took my first long cruise (long to me) in the 300DA this past weekend. Only two were on board and water tank was 1/2 full. I reset the fuel used and trip data at the start. I have Smartcraft programmed to use GPS SOG, not pitot speed. The whole trip was at cruise between 3300-3400rpm other than a couple of short no wakes to marinas/fuel docks. At the end, Smartcraft said I had gone 171 miles, used 130 total gallons (about 65 gallons on each engine) and it thus calculated my mpg at 1.3. How accurate is this stuff? 1.3mpg seems a little high for twin 350Mags pushing 13000lbs. Do you all see these kind of mpg numbers on your 300DA? I assume it figures miles traveled by speed and time. I read it monitors the fuel injectors to get fuel used.

The reason I asked is I pumped in about 60 gallons of fuel per tank before and during the trip and ended up with fuel gauge readings about 25 gallons less than what was in it before the first fueling. Which would put me at about 80-90 gallons of fuel used per tank. I guess if the fuel gauges are 10-15% conservative and the fuel used is 10-15% optimistic, then this would work out about right and put me in the 1.1-1.2mpg range.