300 Sundancer questions.

JimFromMD said:
Congrats on the good news and hopeful purchase. I missed your post earlier, but I have the dual fridge configuration (cabin and cockpit). I also carry a cooler for ice, and larger items / bigger bottle beverages. I usually keep it next to the aft seat in front of the cockpit door while underway, and in front of the helm seat when rafted up or at a marina. I've also used it as an extra seat back there, and Bill (ZZ13)'s wife Laura made me a nice cushion for it. She also made a really nice filler cushion for the gap between the backrest and horizontal seat surface of the aft-facing bench seat behind the helm. It looks great and is a nice addition.

As for access to the foredeck, it's pretty easy to get around the gunwale "sidewalks". A friend has a 270DA with walkthrough windshield which is a nice feature, but without the sidewalks, it can be a challenge when trying to raft up and access their spring cleats or walk a line forward. A combination of the two would be even better, but with space at a premium, I prefer having the sidewalks.

Instead of a bigger investment in a "backup" gps/ff, consider using what you have on board already along with an iPad/tablet with charting app. Garmin BlueChart Mobile and Navionics are both great apps with a ton of capability (except the FF part.) Then bank up for the on-board upgrade in one fell swoop. Just a thought.
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That is a great idea, however, I found a clearance deal on a small 4" lowrance so I'm only out a few hundred bucks and it will always be a good back up.

I am already planning on an upgrade though, I want to fill the main screen space with the biggest touch screen that will fit, thinking 10 inches maybe?
 
Deal is done! Well, not officially until Monday, but I will be able to clean it and put all my gear on this weekend. Will be taking some days off during the middle of the week to take her on a maiden trip to practice some slow speed maneuvering when the marina isn't busy.

First order of business after that is to install my Lowrance GPS on Ram Mount, hopefully wiring/dash access won't be too difficult. Then, replacing the outdated Clarion Stereo/CD changer mounted above the main power panel. Thinking about leaving the CD changer and just replacing the Clarion. Too bad, it is a brand new unit with the clear protective tape still on the cover, just doesn't have an Ipod connection.

Oh, and definitely have to mount my rod holders and find out how to get into that secret compartment to store the camper top panels. :)
 
Bridog said:
So Pug, did you find the secret storage compartments yet. ;)
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I know where it is but not how to access it. Hoping someone will find it in their hearts to let me in on the secret before Monday so I not have to waste too much time trying to find it. :) If I remember correctly, it is the best place to store the camper pieces. Definitely don't want those sitting out in the open down below.
 
The one I'm thinking about is in the cabin and too small for canvas. It's better suited for storing super secret type stuff like decoder rings, X-Ray glasses, etc.
BTW...I stored my entire canvas in the aft facing storage compartment behind the Captains bench.
 
Gotcha, I didn't think about putting it there. I have all my life vests in that spot. I read through this entire thread about a week ago and I thought I read that someone used the secret spot for it. It'll work out.
 
Do you have the factory installed premium sound system? If you have a subwoofer under the captain's chair and component speakers (separately mounted tweeter and mid-range speakers) in the cockpit, then you do. It also includes a second amplifier for driving the subwoofer.

Also, I rarely used canvas. I had a full cockpit cover with support poles that I used when I wasn't at the boat. I was able to roll up the canvas tightly and store it in the secret compartment.
 
We have two fridges, so cooler is not needed for us, although, lately as my kids get a bit older, it seems we have more visitors, and they bring there own beverages, so we have been leaving a cooler on the boat. With that said, we've run fridges all day with no issues.
I'm a big guy as well and getting up front is not a big deal....
Congratulations....your gonna love the 350 mags!
 
ZZ13 said:
Do you have the factory installed premium sound system? If you have a subwoofer under the captain's chair and component speakers (separately mounted tweeter and mid-range speakers) in the cockpit, then you do. It also includes a second amplifier for driving the subwoofer.

Also, I rarely used canvas. I had a full cockpit cover with support poles that I used when I wasn't at the boat. I was able to roll up the canvas tightly and store it in the secret compartment.
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I'll double check the speaker set up but I think it is as you describe. I'm hoping to just be able to remove the main clarion unit and swap it for an updated one, but things are usually never that easy.

I am in a covered dry stack so I will leave everything up and just store the back panels.
 
pugnacious33 said:
I'll double check the speaker set up but I think it is as you describe. I'm hoping to just be able to remove the main clarion unit and swap it for an updated one, but things are usually never that easy.

I am in a covered dry stack so I will leave everything up and just store the back panels.
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You shouldn't have a problem. The two v-berth speakers are wired directly to the Clarion XMD3 (I think that is what you have) on the same connector as power, ground and amp turn-on. For premium sound system you'll have an amp and associated crossover boxes under the v-berth that drives the four cockpit speakers. The amp for the subwoofer is right behind the Clarion head unit (at least it was on mine), behind the switch panel.
 
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She's mine, took her out for a short trip yesterday, all went well. I found her to handle surprisingly well around the dock, as long as I am slow and deliberate, using short bumps of the shifters, I could pretty much get around without the wheel. Ok, here is my first list of items, I'd greatly appreciate some feedback.

1. The solenoid on the gen sticks, I have to flip the choke into the on position to get it to start, but once it is warmed up, all is good. Not a major problem at this point as I can flip it when I do my daily check of the engine room.

2. Docking. My major issue here has more to do with how my marina is set up. The larger dry storage boats are not started and moved to another area, they are just dragged forward into a line on a short dock. On a slow day it is not a problem but when the boats are stacked and traffic heavy this will be a problem. I will probably have to practice using spring lines eventually here. I know it is hard to give advice here without a visual, I will try to post an overhead shot of the marina later. Edit, here is a pic. When I arrive, my boat is usually in the yellow position. By request, I will see if they will put me in the red. But as you can see, on a poker run weekend, this gets a little hairy.

marina_zps5fe6nox6.jpg
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3. The battery and charging system still confuses me a bit. All batteries are new but at least one battery was dead, we think this happened while all the recent work was being done. The emergency start feature got everything cranked and charged quickly. I will buy a tester and make that part of my daily check. As soon as I turn on the batt switches, the cockpit fridge begins running and runs all the time I assume unless I turn the dial to "off", is that correct? If I am out for a long day trip and never run the generator, will the running refrigerator drain my batteries? Or just one of the four batteries? How about the stereo? And if I do run the generator, the battery charger will automatically recharge everything, correct?

A few other things.

4. I'm very impressed with the power of the anchor windlass. I only needed a few short forward bumps to help it along, otherwise, it made quick work of pulling anchor.

5. The Raymarine c70 works great but the low resolution and slow speed is a problem, since I am used to the newer generation HD stuff. At one point, the unit froze up because I was zooming too fast. I need to make plans to upgrade sooner than I originally planned. I love the dash access panel below the steering wheel, I noticed that for the first time yesterday.
 
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Pug, the breaker panel with the battery switches on it tells you which things are powered by each battery pair (two batteries wired in parallel). You have a port battery pair that starts the port engine and a starboard battery pair that starts the starboard engine. Plus, the breakers above the port battery switch list the items that the port battery pair powers in addition to starting that engine, and the same with the breakers above the starboard battery switch. In your case, the port battery pair does power the cockpit fridge when 120V power is not available to the fridge. FYI, the fridge has two separate 12v inputs. One directly from the boats 12V power grid and a second from a transformer that is plugged into a 120V outlet behind the fridge. So if the engines aren't running, and the generator isn't running and you are not on shore power, then the port battery pair will slowly drain down from the items listed on those breakers. I can't tell you how long that will be.

Regarding the anchor. The seller (a Sea Ray dealer) told me not to use the windlass motor to pull the boat forward to lift the anchor as it will eventually burn out the motor. So I alway just went to the bow and pulled the anchor line by hand to create the slack in the line. I used the foot switches to pull up the slack in the line. Some do that from the helm and drive the boat forward to keep the slack as they pulled the anchor from the helm switches. Sounds like that's the method you used.
 
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An anchor question..... I assume I have the windlass that was originally installed (lofrans?), if I wanted to replace the chain/rope combo with chain only, is there a specific type and size I would need? I think it currently has 5/16 chain and 9/16 rode. The rope tends to link up and mess up the line in and out operation, plus I have read that the extra weight helps performance. Also, is it best to buy chain locally due to shipping weight?
 
Bob a Buoy said:
An anchor question..... I assume I have the windlass that was originally installed (lofrans?), if I wanted to replace the chain/rope combo with chain only, is there a specific type and size I would need? I think it currently has 5/16 chain and 9/16 rode. The rope tends to link up and mess up the line in and out operation, plus I have read that the extra weight helps performance. Also, is it best to buy chain locally due to shipping weight?
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I'm not sure of the chain size, however we have found that the extra weight of additional chain (we added 35 meters) is helpful for stability and the overall ride/performance of the boat
 
Ignore this post, solved the issue but can't figure out how to delete whole post....
 
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Hello all! Just thought I'd introduce myself! We bought a 2004 Sea Ray 300 with MCM 5.0L bravo III's (Blue Hull). We didn't get out much this last season because as soon as we got her and renamed her "OffLine" I put her in the shop. Btw my first docking handling two screws went great, didn't hit anything lol.
The last owner didn't take very good care, but Offline has low hours on both engines and the generator, less than 200.We did have a survey done, so most of this wasn't a surprise. But due to the lack of use and maintence I've got my work cut out for me in the spring. I've already winterized offline, so I can do much maintence or repair without undoing the winterization. So some of the repairs already done: Replace port side fuel tank, Replaced bravo III lowers and trim sensors, Replace Bilage pumps, Replaced and upgraded zincs, new bottom paint, painted uppers and clear coated for more protection, oil changes, new batteries, and some other stuff.
So now that she is winterized I'm working on cleaner her up and stocker her for spring. I've been reading through this forum and have some good ideas on what I want to do by spring! I want to install the magnum grill on the swim platform with a clip on table, upgrade the stereo and DVDs players, build a new dining table, and maybe by next season redo the floor in the cabin.
My family and I are looking forward to spring, I have two boys (8) and (1), so any advice there would be great. The wife has a bad habit of over packing lol.
Any advice on what to look for in spring, quirks, things to keep on hand, must have upgrades, etc it will be welcomed. Also I pretty sure I found the secret compartment in the starboard aft, and a nice small hiding spot port aft, but I saw on here someone mention mid cabin... And I don't know if I'm doing it wrong, but I've pulled, lifted, tugged, but haven't found away to where I think it would be if there is a mid cabin. Is there anything behind there? If so how do you open? I don't want to break anything if I'm wrong lol. Feel free to PM, and just let me know there is a way, or that's not the spot starboard mid..lol

Thanks all!
PS hoping to get photos up soon :)
 
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There is no storage mid/cabin aft. You found the right compartment. One interesting aspect of my 04 300DA was that the previous owner made a bed extension that lengthened and squared off the port side of the bed. It made an almost regular queen size. The two of us could sleep fore to aft (not at an angle) with plenty of room. Somewhere back in this thread are some pictures.
 
ZZ13 said:
There is no storage mid/cabin aft. You found the right compartment. One interesting aspect of my 04 300DA was that the previous owner made a bed extension that lengthened and squared off the port side of the bed. It made an almost regular queen size. The two of us could sleep fore to aft (not at an angle) with plenty of room. Somewhere back in this thread are some pictures.
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Well that's good to know, now I don't have to tear up the mid cabin lol. I did see that extension in an earlier post. Definitely something I May try!
 
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