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

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

Tom, That's good to know. I'm kind of leaning towards the Mente because of the ease of install. The Bennett system is more complicated to install so it would have to be put off until the next time the boat is out of the water for sure. The only benefit I can see to the Bennett system so far is the ability to get them on the phone if there is a problem or I have a question. But the Bennett system is fairly new and I haven't gotten any real user reviews of it.[/QUOTE]

John,

I wasn't sure about the support either, but then shortly after I received them I got an e-mail from Peter Ostberg (the owner of Mente Marine) asking me how I liked them and if I had any questions. I explained that I wouldn't be launching until late April and hadn't had the opportunity to try them out yet. Sure enough he e-mailed me again in early May to see how things were going. I had a few questions on functions, and he responded very quickly and took care of all my questions. I like the fact that there's virtually nothing to go wrong since it's really just a keypad. I hope you're enjoying your new boat!

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

TNT8808 said:
John,

I wasn't sure about the support either, but then shortly after I received them I got an e-mail from Peter Ostberg (the owner of Mente Marine) asking me how I liked them and if I had any questions. I explained that I wouldn't be launching until late April and hadn't had the opportunity to try them out yet. Sure enough he e-mailed me again in early May to see how things were going. I had a few questions on functions, and he responded very quickly and took care of all my questions. I like the fact that there's virtually nothing to go wrong since it's really just a keypad. I hope you're enjoying your new boat!

-Tom
Click to expand...

That's good to know. Looks like you can only order from them directly over in Europe. Wish they at least had a US distributor and support number. But the ease of installation is very tempting.
Other than the aftercooler zinc nightmare, I'm in love with this boat.
 
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Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

No "Y" valve for waste tank?
When taking a ride in the ocean I like to take the opportunity to dump the waste tank. Was just in the bilge looking things over and although the seacock is easy to see, I didn't see a "Y" valve for diverting waste coming out of the tank from the dockside pump out to the discharge seacock.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I don't have a "y". Tank. One foot of hose. Macerator. 3 foot of hose. Seacock. Pump out is a separate hose from tank to deck. My boat is one model older than yours but I doubt it differs that much.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Anyone replace the mattress in the master with a 6" or 8" memory foam? If so, which one did you use? Walmart has some choices for a little over $100, but not sure how they would work out.
Wife finds the present mattress uncomfortable and I don't want to spend a fortune on a custom mattress because I think her main problem with it is that it is sitting on the hard surface with no box spring, and I don't want a topper.
We have a pull out sofa in our guest room at home that has a memory foam and she thinks that one is pretty comfortable.
I've cut regular foam for cushions with an electric caving knife before with good results and would rather just get an inexpensive memory foam and cut it to size so if she still thinks it's uncomfortable sitting on top of the hard surface in the master stateroom I'm not invested in it too much.
I'm looking for something that will be easy to cut with an electric carving knife and won't absorb moisture in the marine environment.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

JVM225 said:
Anyone replace the mattress in the master with a 6" or 8" memory foam? If so, which one did you use? Walmart has some choices for a little over $100, but not sure how they would work out.
Wife finds the present mattress uncomfortable and I don't want to spend a fortune on a custom mattress because I think her main problem with it is that it is sitting on the hard surface with no box spring, and I don't want a topper.
We have a pull out sofa in our guest room at home that has a memory foam and she thinks that one is pretty comfortable.
I've cut regular foam for cushions with an electric caving knife before with good results and would rather just get an inexpensive memory foam and cut it to size so if she still thinks it's uncomfortable sitting on top of the hard surface in the master stateroom I'm not invested in it too much.
I'm looking for something that will be easy to cut with an electric carving knife and won't absorb moisture in the marine environment.
Click to expand...

whichever thickness you decide to get I would suggest getting at least a 4 lb. density foam mattress.....the higher the density rating the more resistant it will be to flattening out under the weight of your body.....

all foam mattresses are not created equally as it relates to quality, comfort, and durability.....I bought a 4 lb. density king size mattress that was 4" thick delivered to my door for around $100.....best $100 I spent on the boat to date....

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

JVM _ we used a Costco King 3" topper and cut it with an electric knife to fit our former 410's fwd stateroom. It worked great. To open the stbd closet fully, we had to compress a corner, but other than that it was a good solution.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

carterchapman said:
JVM _ we used a Costco King 3" topper and cut it with an electric knife to fit our former 410's fwd stateroom. It worked great. To open the stbd closet fully, we had to compress a corner, but other than that it was a good solution.
Click to expand...

JMV, we did the same as Carter. Had the same closet door challenge too. The topper slept well but also slides toward the stern when underway and has to be re-positioned. PITA! If i had to do again, your idea of replacement has my vote.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I am going down my list of things to do and have on it to replace the starboard impeller. Yes the harder of the two. Question can I use the nice impeller puller T handle on that side or will it not fit... With my luck I suspect it won't fit and I'll be buying a bolt at HD to wrench it out.

BTW, you all have me scared to work on it with the recent stories of mis-formed keys, impellers binding, and keys being lost down the intake!!! We have plans in another week and that engine has been running slightly warmer then the port, so wanted to start with an impeller change...

To date to prepare I've read all your input on accomplishing this simple maintenance task and have acquired the following:

Machinist File
Mercruisier Extreme Grease for O ring
Sherwood Impeller with O ring
Sherwood Impeller tool
Wire ties and Soap to wrangle the sucker back in
Spray liberally with PAM, Bump the engines so key way is on top to avoid the dreaded dropped key
Watched Various You Tube videos on the topic
Spare Beer and Advil

I replaced the head filter last weekend, I was amazed I was able to get behind that port engine. Luckily my daughter's boyfriend was down to lend a hand as I don't know if I could have wiggled myself out and back in if I had too!!! While down there I kept pushing this coil of hose off the fitting and wondering what the heck it went to... After I was finished I realized that it was from the transom shower! When I have to recharge that sucker (went with the Big Orange filter replacement), I'm removing the shower and getting at it that way! Has anyone tried that? I am also following Franks advice and relocating it with some extra hose and putting it on the side of the tank. Rusty that has got to be the worst location EVER for that maintenance item. But I'm sure I'll find more as time goes on!!!

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

Cliff, Sounds like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. Can you tell me what brand and who you ordered it from?
Carter, I'd rather try a replacement rather than deal with a topper shifting around. My daughter uses one in her college dorm, and I tried it out when visiting her and didn't like it.
Tom, I've been thinking about how I'm going to tackle the impellers this fall too and I think I'm just going to pull the pumps out, bring them home, and do them on the bench in my garage for the first time. I'm seriously considering buying at least one new one too, and keeping the one it replaces as an extra.
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

JVM225 said:
Cliff, Sounds like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. Can you tell me what brand and who you ordered it from?
Carter, I'd rather try a replacement rather than deal with a topper shifting around. My daughter uses one in her college dorm, and I tried it out when visiting her and didn't like it.
Tom, I've been thinking about how I'm going to tackle the impellers this fall too and I think I'm just going to pull the pumps out, bring them home, and do them on the bench in my garage for the first time. I'm seriously considering buying at least one new one too, and keeping the one it replaces as an extra.
Click to expand...


I know this suggestion is not cheap, but it is the best upgrade I did to our 410. I puchased a custom mattress from a boat mattress manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale and it is the most comfortable mattress we have ever had. I went to their factory and tried all their choices and wound up choosing the second most expensiv one. My wife and I sleep on our boat every weekend and many, many nights during the week. Before we got this mattress, my wife prefered being in our bed at home. So going away or using the boat as a floating condo, we love sleeping on the boat. I made the template myself, and it came out perfect. Their service was impeccable. A woman at the factory sent me a few pics as they were manufacturing it.

With respect to you keeping the old impeller as a spare. If I was you, I would buy a new impeller as a spare. Why install an old impeller, forcing you to shortly after install a new impeller. Not the 410da DIY job I would want to do twice, especially on the starboard side!
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

Dani-Lu said:
I know this suggestion is not cheap, but it is the best upgrade I did to our 410. I puchased a custom mattress from a boat mattress manufacturer in Fort Lauderdale and it is the most comfortable mattress we have ever had. I went to their factory and tried all their choices and wound up choosing the second most expensiv one. My wife and I sleep on our boat every weekend and many, many nights during the week. Before we got this mattress, my wife prefered being in our bed at home. So going away or using the boat as a floating condo, we love sleeping on the boat. I made the template myself, and it came out perfect. Their service was impeccable. A woman at the factory sent me a few pics as they were manufacturing it.

With respect to you keeping the old impeller as a spare. If I was you, I would buy a new impeller as a spare. Why install an old impeller, forcing you to shortly after install a new impeller. Not the 410da DIY job I would want to do twice, especially on the starboard side!
Click to expand...

I'm hesitant to invest big money in a mattress without my wife trying it out because I think that it's more the lack of a boxspring that she doesn't care for than the current mattress itself. Honestly, I think the current mattress is fine, but she"s got to be happy.
She was very comfortable sleeping on our old 300 and that berth was made up of just foam cushions. That's why I want to give the memory foam a shot first.
Regarding the spare: Sorry for the confusion. Didn't mean spare old impeller. Meant pump. I'm considering replacing at least one of the pumps with a new pump, and keeping an old pump as a spare. I may even just get two new pumps this Fall and start with a clean slate.
I'm big on preventative maintenance and spare parts.
I'm still getting rid of spares from my old boat, and I've got enough spare parts stored for my 68 GTO that I can probably restore another one.
 
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Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

JVM225 said:
Cliff, Sounds like you did exactly what I'm looking to do. Can you tell me what brand and who you ordered it from?
Click to expand...

I got it off the internet....don't remember the vendor....I asked the Admiral and she didn't remember the vendor but she did remember it was closer to $200 instead of $100......my memory is getting bad.....sucks to get old.....

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

Has anyone installed a Garmin 740/741 in the electronics row of a 400DA dash?

I have an old Raytheon GPS and a plotter that I decommissioned years ago but I don't know how to fill the space they consume. I'm tired of looking at them.

I'm considering a couple of GMI-20's, but the price-point on them is insane for what they do. ($550) I can get a 740 for a lot less or a new 741 for a little more than one GMI-20. That would give me a bigger/secondary screen, redundant GPS etc. One of my concerns is that when someday I replace the burlwood panels I'll put one in the electronics row, but I wonder if the 740 will look oversize compared to the panel...
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

CliffA said:
I got it off the internet....don't remember the vendor....I asked the Admiral and she didn't remember the vendor but she did remember it was closer to $200 instead of $100......my memory is getting bad.....sucks to get old.....

cliff
Click to expand...

lol! I know that feeling.....
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

image.jpg
RollerCoastr said:
Has anyone installed a Garmin 740/741 in the electronics row of a 400DA dash?

I have an old Raytheon GPS and a plotter that I decommissioned years ago but I don't know how to fill the space they consume. I'm tired of looking at them.

I'm considering a couple of GMI-20's, but the price-point on them is insane for what they do. ($550) I can get a 740 for a lot less or a new 741 for a little more than one GMI-20. That would give me a bigger/secondary screen, redundant GPS etc. One of my concerns is that when someday I replace the burlwood panels I'll put one in the electronics row, but I wonder if the 740 will look oversize compared to the panel...
Click to expand...
i installed two. I will get a picture tomorrow
 
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Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

CliffA said:
I got it off the internet....don't remember the vendor....I asked the Admiral and she didn't remember the vendor but she did remember it was closer to $200 instead of $100......my memory is getting bad.....sucks to get old.....

cliff
Click to expand...
Ya, tell me about it. This past Monday nite I drove home from the boat(125mi) with only my fog lights, my headlights weren't working. The next day I checked fuses, bulbs, and stuff, couldn't find anything wrong. I took it into the GM dealer and it didn't take them long....somehow I had bumped the snowplow/truck light switch to snowplow, never thought to check that.:smt021

In two years I'll be as old as my father when he came down with alzheimer's. Now every time I forget something I wonder, is this one a normal one or.........:wow:
 
Re: 410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread

I recently purchased a 2001 410 Sundancer with 3126 Cats. Everyone in our marina is running either Cummins 480ce's or QSC 500's. My question is compared to the Cummins the CAT pump very little water out out the side discharge when idling. If you bump it up to 1k rpm's there is a little more flow but still not as much as the Cummins. My temperatures run at 165 when running 1000 rpm -1500rpm and when on plane at 2400rpm they are rock steady at 180. Is this normal?

I pulled the cover and looked at the impellers and they looked good.

Thanks Jeff
 
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