340 SUNDANCER THREAD

That would be the textbook answer.

However, I use 120' of chain and 100' feet of rode (just in case). My primary motivation was that the windlass likes the chain much better and I often anchor stern in to a sandbar that is in a fairly tight channel. I got tired of the morons wrapping my rode in their props, had it cut twice, so that problem is now solved :smt038. The surprise benefits are that the boat planes much faster, runs on plane with less tab down, and the fuel burn gph/mpg cruise are the exact same. The only downside is anchoring offshore, which I rarely do or in the Keys when there is a swell. In that case I deep anchor onto the rode or use a "V" rode to the chain tied to the bow cleats to absorb the shock.
 
I plan on replacing my ice maker, which is DC only with a top side fridge ac/dc. My question, do I need to also install a converter or will the required wiring be there already since the boat came factoring both ways. 2004 340 new body style.
 
my DOG HOUSE said:
That would be the textbook answer.

However, I use 120' of chain and 100' feet of rode (just in case). My primary motivation was that the windlass likes the chain much better and I often anchor stern in to a sandbar that is in a fairly tight channel. I got tired of the morons wrapping my rode in their props, had it cut twice, so that problem is now solved :smt038. The surprise benefits are that the boat planes much faster, runs on plane with less tab down, and the fuel burn gph/mpg cruise are the exact same. The only downside is anchoring offshore, which I rarely do or in the Keys when there is a swell. In that case I deep anchor onto the rode or use a "V" rode to the chain tied to the bow cleats to absorb the shock.
Click to expand...

You make a good point. I was going to bring up the extra weight, but if you are willing to give that up for other worthy benefits thats your call.
 
Thanks for the feedback - the windlass does indeed prefer the chain, and we do tend to have a boatload of people in the stern, so more weight in the bow will be welcome. I guess i need to install a washdown next to clean off the muck that is prevalent in most of our anchorages!
 
Bodkin Creek George said:
Any way to add more chain to an existing rode?
Click to expand...

Hey George,
Looking forward to some responses on that. I've been told no by two folks in passing, but none were authorities on the subject. I was looking to add more chain to extend the first 50' of my rode (extra weight for the bow and also just prefer having chain over line). The issues brought up were that a join in the chain becomes the weakest link, and also any sort of fastener would get stuck in the windlass. Hopefully someone has a better idea on how to make it work.
 
Last edited:
...I often anchor stern in to a sandbar that is in a fairly tight channel. I got tired of the morons wrapping my rode in their props, had it cut twice....
Click to expand...
Just a side note here on this point..I see this sort of comment not infrequently on fishing-oriented sites. No one can tell how much rode another might have out. Sure, as a passersby we could use the Pythagorean Theorem and the angle the rode appears to be off the bow to determine where the rode is...but...that seems to be expecting a bit much. Anchoring stern in to a sand bar in a tight channel is asking for trouble if you let out a lot of rode. We can't expect other boaters to know what we've done when what we've done is under water, so calling them morons...well...it's a bit like saying "hey, why don't you watch where I'm going?"
 
JimFromMD said:
Hey George,
Looking forward to some responses on that. I've been told no by two folks in passing, but none were authorities on the subject. I was looking to add more chain to extend the first 50' of my rode (extra weight for the bow and also just prefer having chain over line). The issues brought up were that a join in the chain becomes the weakest link, and also any sort of fastener would get stuck in the windlass. Hopefully someone has a better idea on how to make it work.
Click to expand...

I added 75' of chain to my existing 25' of chain using a smash link. It has worked well for the past three summers... Including holding in gail force winds...
 
JimFromMD said:
What is a smash link?
Click to expand...

135707.jpg
got it at WM
 
rcknecht said:
I added 75' of chain to my existing 25' of chain using a smash link. It has worked well for the past three summers... Including holding in gail force winds...
Click to expand...

I once saw a video of a boat that was ground on a beach and had some 200' of rode out (low tide!). What was interesting is that there were labels at 10' increments to know how much had played out. I haven't seen this before - does anyone mark their chain and/or rope for length? if so, how?
 
Tomco said:
I once saw a video of a boat that was ground on a beach and had some 200' of rode out (low tide!). What was interesting is that there were labels at 10' increments to know how much had played out. I haven't seen this before - does anyone mark their chain and/or rope for length? if so, how?
Click to expand...


I painted my chain just at '75... Even in 3' of water I put out 75' so, I only needed the one make... At a 100' it turns to rope, so that's my second mark...
 
Yes, we had our chain marked at every 10' when we bought the new boat (part of the contract/agreement)...I personally painted chain/rope in my 340 at same interval...gives you a visual reference on how much rode scope is played out...my thoughts...
 
So we have a few questions on the 340 and used purchasing. Our 2007 240 was damaged in the hurricane and we are in the process of selling it (almost there but not officially done yet!). So we are in the market for a 2004-2014 340 Sundancer. Realistically we are looking at a 2004-2006 340 which would be in our price range. We are not looking older than 2004 because we like the newer layout with three bucket seats up top and other features, etc.

Here are our questions:

1- We have seen 340's on the market with engine hours as low as 250 to as high as 600 for 2004-2006 models. Assuming the engines are well taken care of, what is normal wear and tear for a boat in the northeast or in general and when do marine gas engines (8.1 Horizons only for us) need to be replaced? I read somewhere 1500 is the average engine life for marine has engines.

2- Generators. Is 5kw a good size and is 600 hours too much for a 2004 model? I also read marine generators (moist are Koehler I'm looking at) can last 5,000 hours if taken care of.

3- What is the average selling price for a 2004 340 with 8.1's? 2005? 2006?

4- What should we be especially careful looking at in a 2004-2007 model 340 Sundancer when starting our search?

5- Any other info is much appreciated! We are basically only looking at the 340 at this time as we have ruled out most other models by now.

We are very close to selling our boat (still waiting on our check from salvage company who agreed to purchase it). Once we do, we may ramp up our search including looking at boats up and down the east coast, etc.. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Michael
 
Michael, Carter Chapman has a great freshwater 340... I am not sure if it is still available, but it would be a great boat... The hours are not as important, as how well a boat has been maintained. I have found that too few hours on a boat, sometimes equate to poor maintenance. If your not willing to pay for fuel, your are probably cutting costs on the maintenance. There is no published hours that you can expect, it is dependent on how well a boat is maintained.

If I were you, I would look first for the few diesel 340s... There was one in Jacksonville earlier this year. A 340 withe diesel would get amost 4-5 times the fuel economy of one with 8.1s. Next, I would expand my search to fresh water boats like Carter's boat. I would also want to make sure, if I bought the 8.1s, that they had the Aluminum risers/elbows replaced. The Al exahuast had early failure problems...



M&M's_Beach_House said:
So we have a few questions on the 340 and used purchasing. Our 2007 240 was damaged in the hurricane and we are in the process of selling it (almost there but not officially done yet!). So we are in the market for a 2004-2014 340 Sundancer. Realistically we are looking at a 2004-2006 340 which would be in our price range. We are not looking older than 2004 because we like the newer layout with three bucket seats up top and other features, etc.

Here are our questions:

1- We have seen 340's on the market with engine hours as low as 250 to as high as 600 for 2004-2006 models. Assuming the engines are well taken care of, what is normal wear and tear for a boat in the northeast or in general and when do marine gas engines (8.1 Horizons only for us) need to be replaced? I read somewhere 1500 is the average engine life for marine has engines.

2- Generators. Is 5kw a good size and is 600 hours too much for a 2004 model? I also read marine generators (moist are Koehler I'm looking at) can last 5,000 hours if taken care of.

3- What is the average selling price for a 2004 340 with 8.1's? 2005? 2006?

4- What should we be especially careful looking at in a 2004-2007 model 340 Sundancer when starting our search?

5- Any other info is much appreciated! We are basically only looking at the 340 at this time as we have ruled out most other models by now.

We are very close to selling our boat (still waiting on our check from salvage company who agreed to purchase it). Once we do, we may ramp up our search including looking at boats up and down the east coast, etc.. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Michael
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Ron, we were actually in touch with Carter and he has a beautiful 340 available! We haven't officially sold my 240 to salvage yet so I'm still just looking online or local while we wait to see how everything plays out. Once it's official we will definitely get serious and most likely we will take a ride down to Atlanta to see Carter's 340. Thanks for the advice!
 
M&M's_Beach_House said:
So we have a few questions on the 340 and used purchasing. Our 2007 240 was damaged in the hurricane and we are in the process of selling it (almost there but not officially done yet!). So we are in the market for a 2004-2014 340 Sundancer. Realistically we are looking at a 2004-2006 340 which would be in our price range. We are not looking older than 2004 because we like the newer layout with three bucket seats up top and other features, etc.

Here are our questions:

1- We have seen 340's on the market with engine hours as low as 250 to as high as 600 for 2004-2006 models. Assuming the engines are well taken care of, what is normal wear and tear for a boat in the northeast or in general and when do marine gas engines (8.1 Horizons only for us) need to be replaced? I read somewhere 1500 is the average engine life for marine has engines.

2- Generators. Is 5kw a good size and is 600 hours too much for a 2004 model? I also read marine generators (moist are Koehler I'm looking at) can last 5,000 hours if taken care of.

3- What is the average selling price for a 2004 340 with 8.1's? 2005? 2006?

4- What should we be especially careful looking at in a 2004-2007 model 340 Sundancer when starting our search?

5- Any other info is much appreciated! We are basically only looking at the 340 at this time as we have ruled out most other models by now.

We are very close to selling our boat (still waiting on our check from salvage company who agreed to purchase it). Once we do, we may ramp up our search including looking at boats up and down the east coast, etc.. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Michael
Click to expand...


Michael,

Just sent you a PM.
 
nowakezone said:
Just a side note here on this point..I see this sort of comment not infrequently on fishing-oriented sites. No one can tell how much rode another might have out. Sure, as a passersby we could use the Pythagorean Theorem and the angle the rode appears to be off the bow to determine where the rode is...but...that seems to be expecting a bit much. Anchoring stern in to a sand bar in a tight channel is asking for trouble if you let out a lot of rode. We can't expect other boaters to know what we've done when what we've done is under water, so calling them morons...well...it's a bit like saying "hey, why don't you watch where I'm going?"
Click to expand...


This is where I am talking about. It is not hard to miss the rode, but now with all chain I really don't care so much. :smt038


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_1O9UAak_E
 
Last edited:
On a 2006 340 with 8.1L the fuel gauge indicator in the stbd cluster is pegged at E. The other 3 gauges in the cluster do work. All gauges in the Port cluster work. The fuel indication for both tanks does show fuel in the Smartcraft system. Any ideas what I could check for the gauge in the cluster?

Thanks - Mark
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,375
Members
61,133
Latest member
Willbeckett
Back
Top