410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Dale

Thanks for the info. I am also happy about the additional run time too. I am ordering another one for the other sump box (410 DA has two).
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Rick -

I installed a Water Witch in my mid-cabin sump last year. We have been very happy with it and like the extra run time as well.

Another tweak I made was to rotate the sump compartment such that the switch was toward the aft side of the compartment. The reason - in case the water level is just below the switch activation point during boat rest, then during transition to plane, the water naturally flows aft and will then activate the switch rather than overflow the sump container. Originally the float switch was located toward the forward end of the sump box and water had the tendency to overflow.

I mounted the Water Witch a fair amount higher than the photos show. If I recall, the activation point was when the water reached the center point of the lowest sensor rather than contact with both or the top sensor as I had expected. If you desire to minimize pump cycling, you may want to test for the activation point prior to the permanent mounting of the switch.

Good luck and enjoy a dryer bilge.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Another tweak I made was to rotate the sump compartment such that the switch was toward the aft side of the compartment. The reason - in case the water level is just below the switch activation point during boat rest, then during transition to plane, the water naturally flows aft and will then activate the switch rather than overflow the sump container. Originally the float switch was located toward the forward end of the sump box and water had the tendency to overflow.

That's a great idea. Unfortunately, I don't have enough slack in the hoses to reposition mine. I have one of the last Rule mercury switches though, which is the only reliable component of my sump.

I made a "cool mod" a few years ago and haven't regretted it. Like the 410, the 400 has 2 sumps, and IMO, unecessarily so. The aft sump handled the salon condensate and aft "shower", but no-one can really take that shower seriously. I removed the aft sump entirely and pointed the aft shower drain hose to the salon hold bilge pump. I routed the salon condensate drain hose to the remaining sump, along with the fwd condensate and main shower. No capacity problems, and one less miserable sump to maintain.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

That's a great idea. Unfortunately, I don't have enough slack in the hoses to reposition mine. I have one of the last Rule mercury switches though, which is the only reliable component of my sump.

I made a "cool mod" a few years ago and haven't regretted it. Like the 410, the 400 has 2 sumps, and IMO, unecessarily so. The aft sump handled the salon condensate and aft "shower", but no-one can really take that shower seriously. I removed the aft sump entirely and pointed the aft shower drain hose to the salon hold bilge pump. I routed the salon condensate drain hose to the remaining sump, along with the fwd condensate and main shower. No capacity problems, and one less miserable sump to maintain.

I am planning on replacing both of my sumps as I hate the setup and frankly slipped and stepped on one with the hatch open. When I replace I am going to install a cross-over so if one backs up it will flow into the other. This is a simple item that should have been standard in these boats. I will post pictures when I get around to doing this. If my sumps had no issues, I would simply retrofit the original ones to have this ccapability. Super easy and will provide redundancy.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I think my cockpit ice maker is about to die. I'm not sure if I should replace it with another ice maker or get a fridge instead. What are everyone's thoughts on the pros/cons of ice maker vs. fridge and what manufacturers do you recommend? Is the factory In-Line a good brand or should I look for something else?
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I think my cockpit ice maker is about to die. I'm not sure if I should replace it with another ice maker or get a fridge instead. What are everyone's thoughts on the pros/cons of ice maker vs. fridge and what manufacturers do you recommend? Is the factory In-Line a good brand or should I look for something else?

Everyone has an opinion on that. I use the ice in the ice maker.

I use it in my drinks and I use it to top off the cooler. I also dump the water tank weekly and refill using a little bleach. Since I like my drinks cold with ice in a cup, I rarely drink out of the can. Even if the bag ice melts, I can keep the cooler pretty full. I think it makes about 24 pounds a day or something like that.

On the other hand, if you grab a bottle or can of ________ (fill in the blank with beer, soda, water) and chug it down, a fridge might be a better selection for you.

http://www.u-line.com/products/marine-rv/marine-rv-sp18b.html

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|60753&id=60898
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Rick:

Did you drill holes in the wall of the sump pump to mount the Water-Witch?
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I am planning on replacing both of my sumps as I hate the setup and frankly slipped and stepped on one with the hatch open. When I replace I am going to install a cross-over so if one backs up it will flow into the other. This is a simple item that should have been standard in these boats. I will post pictures when I get around to doing this. If my sumps had no issues, I would simply retrofit the original ones to have this ccapability. Super easy and will provide redundancy.

I considered that too. Even now, I plan to drill a hole near the top aft-facing edge of the box and run some acrylic tubing from the box to the bilge pump area so overflows are less messy.

I had 3 reasons for not installing a cross-over:

-cost
-I only had 1 mercury float switch
-cross-contamination. Without a lack of shower drainage being served by the aft sump, it stays significantly cleaner. Linking boxes would contaminate the aft box, increasing my least-favorite maintenance task.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Yep. Drilled a pilot hole and gooped it up with Boatlife, screwed the SS screw in and called it a day.

I thought about 5200 and once I am satisfied that it works as designed, I may go that route, but, the holes aren't leaking after a half-hour of testing.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Yep. Drilled a pilot hole and gooped it up with Boatlife, screwed the SS screw in and called it a day.....

You did that 'before' you cleaned the box out? Keep an eye on that sumbitch and get back to us....will ya?
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

You should have no problem with the Boatlife. I used that stuff all the time in lieu of 5200. It works just as well above and below the water line, plus you can actually separate things and don't need a special solvent to clean it up.

Doug
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

You did that 'before' you cleaned the box out? Keep an eye on that sumbitch and get back to us....will ya?

I cleaned off the side I stuck the water witch on. I did not clean out the rest of the sump until the next day after the Boatlife had cured.

Take me a picture of YOUR sump and post it.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I cleaned off the side I stuck the water witch on. I did not clean out the rest of the sump until the next day after the Boatlife had cured.

Take me a picture of YOUR sump and post it.

And then after that, maybe you two can post pictures of the inside of your backside undies so we can see your skid marks.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I thought you fell off the face of the planet...
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Everyone has an opinion on that. I use the ice in the ice maker.

I use it in my drinks and I use it to top off the cooler. I also dump the water tank weekly and refill using a little bleach. Since I like my drinks cold with ice in a cup, I rarely drink out of the can. Even if the bag ice melts, I can keep the cooler pretty full. I think it makes about 24 pounds a day or something like that.

On the other hand, if you grab a bottle or can of ________ (fill in the blank with beer, soda, water) and chug it down, a fridge might be a better selection for you.

http://www.u-line.com/products/marine-rv/marine-rv-sp18b.html

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|406|60753&id=60898

Thanks Rick. I assume the SP18 is the model that fits into the cockpit space? I know you just replaced your fridge; have you replaced the ice maker too? Are there any issues with installation I should be mindful of?
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Thanks Rick. I assume the SP18 is the model that fits into the cockpit space? I know you just replaced your fridge; have you replaced the ice maker too? Are there any issues with installation I should be mindful of?

I don't recall the exact model number on the icemaker. It looks more like a B195WH. I did replace the actual icemaking unit inside the box. Mine started leaving some metal flakes in the ice.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/U-Line-Genu...267?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bef25543

The actual icemaker box comes out by removing 4 screws in the corners. It has a 120v plug in a receptacle and the water line. If it takes you longer than 5 minutes to remove the box, you're doing something wrong.

Pull it out and throw a measuring tape on it and them look at uline's web site.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Like Rick said, ice maker vs. fridge is a personal preference. I have a cockpit fridge, but really wish I had the ice maker as I'm a mixed drink guy. On an unrelated note, I FINALLY got some good shots of my boat to share with everyone... enjoy!

View attachment 26425View attachment 26426View attachment 26427
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Beautiful boat Bryan! Did you just take those? I was directly in front of that Pacemaker on C dock last wkd.

Did your boat never have electronics?
 

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