390 Sedan Sportfisherman, how many built

[fighterpilot]

How many of the Sedan/Sportfisherman 390s were built during the 1983-1986 time frame in which they were marketed? Of those that were built how many hand lower helm? Trying to find one with lower helm. Have found two thus far but no lower helm. Also want the 3208 engines. Thanks

 

[kostond]

Subscribing!!!

 

[fighterpilot]

Not sure what you mean by subscribing, but I note you have a 390 sedan. Would appreciate any advice for me in my quest for one. Were there any trouble spots on them, prone to water intrusion, or rot? Could you pilot from the lower helm. (I'm not worried about logs but other boats I need to see). Note you have Volvos not the Cat 3208. What is your cruise and RPM. Thanks.

 

[tdschafer]

If I'm not mistaken I believe he recently bought that boat. He probably meant he is subscribing to this thread as he has the same boat and I would imagine is as interested in these model boats as much as you are. :thumbsup:

 

[kostond]

Fighterpilot, Todd hit the nail on the head! I bought my boat in October. I've basically only been on seatrial so my experience is really limited. I am subscribing to the thread because I have a lot of the same questions you do. Through the search function I found and reached out to some fellow 390 sport fish owners. Only a few replied. Here is the thread:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37806

I can tell you the volvos on my boat run like a top. Not as fuel efficient as say a Yanmar, but during the sea trial the flow scans were reading 24 gph combined running @23 knots or 26 mph at 2300 rpm. I think she topped out @ 28 knots 2830 rpm. Don't remember the gph at wot.

I would imagine the 3208's would have similar numbers since they have similar hp ratings.

My boat had the side windows found in the guest stateroom and head glassed over. The po told me he was told it was pre-emptive. I understand the side windows can leak on old boats regardless of make.

I am told that the 390 sedan is identical to the 390 express cruiser below the rub rail. If I am not mistaken these boats are quite susceptible to a crosswind especially when docking. Mine has bow and stern thrusters which should help.

All the 390 sedans I have seen for sale have the lower helm with exception of mine. I read from another post that you are concerned about the Florida heat. Can't blame you. At no wake speeds visibility is not an issue. If I had to guess at planing speeds visibility should be acceptable.( I stayed on the bridge during seatrial)

Hope this helps. Good luck

Nick K

 

[fighterpilot]

Nick K., thanks for the reply. I have found but two sedans for sale now. One, no lower helm, and the other has Detroits. Are the Volvos in pretty tight or can you work around them? One gentleman i talked to said needed more nose down trim. His boat has 4 tanks and he wouldn't fill the aft most tanks to try to keep the nose down when on plane. Interesting because i want to run from the lower helm. Our traffic where I am isn't too bad and I have never seen a log so if i can see other boats and the channel markers i will be ok.

 

[kostond]

The Volvos are inline 6 cylinder engines. I believe the Cats are a v8's? Obviously I have a little more room between the engines. My engines have the oil relocation kit, so the filters are inboard on both engines. The hardest thing to get to is the "water impeller" on the starboard engine because it is outboard and on the low side(kind of have to stand on your head) I am not familiar with the Detroit diesels. It would depend on the engine model.

I have read your comment before concerning boat trim. The guy I bought my boat from said that he normally did not top off all 4 tanks. He said he didn't see the point of carrying all that weight around. With full fuel tanks and water tanks I can't say I disagree. With the improved fuel economy of diesel engines I can travel the same distance as a gas engine 390 with less fuel.

My limited experience on the new boat makes me think i wont have too much problem with "bow up" trim. During our sea trial we had 6 people on board and the aft fuel tanks were both 3/4 full. He used trim tabs to help get on plane quicker but than backed them off quite a bit. I plan to use the front tanks for the mains and 20-30 gallons in the aft tanks for the genny. I actually have the ability to "transfer" fuel between the front and aft tank using the main engine while its running. I'll know more once I get the chance to play.

One thing that I think will make a difference is the cruising speed of a diesel boat compared to a gas boat. Not sure of the exact numbers but I believe the gas boats cruise around 17-18 knots and top out at approx 23-24 knots. My boat cruises at 20-23 knots and tops out at about 28-29 knots.

Did the person who told you they had problems with nose down trim have a boat with gas or diesel engines? I am guessing he had gas engines and didn't have the "umph" to push the boat on plane.

Nick K

 

[fighterpilot]

The boat was a diesel, the 3208 cats. He just used one of the aft tanks for Gen. fuel like you are going to do. Glad to hear you can back off on the trim. I only look at diesel boats. Some have extended tabs, but I think keeping the aft most tanks empty or with minimal fuel for the genny is the big swing factor on trim problems. At your cruise speed what is you NMPG. Probably less than 1 to 1. What is the HP of your engines? Are they the newer computer driven models? There is no doubt that diesel is better than gas in this area, hence never considered gas. My first two boats were diesel. Unfortunately, I don't think 200 gal. is enough fuel for us on a good fishing day.

 

[kostond]

He had 3208's. That's interesting. I'll know more once I start cruising this summer. Again, everything I have described is what I observed on the sea trial.

From what I remember she was burning 1 nmpg. I'll know more once I bring her home from NJ this spring.

Nick K