48 DA Owners Club

[ocgrant]

Found the sanitation hose on Amazon for $371 50 foot roll. Thinking I am going to put this off until winter since I went down there in the back of the engine room today to scope it out. 100 degrees in there now in Florida heat.... Frickin tight back there also...

 

[arplante]

Hi all, first time poster, long time follower here. Thanks for the great knowledge shared by everyone here! I've had fun reading all 35 pages of this thread and have been making a very long list of information to guide our search and ownership of a 48. As I mentioned, my wife and I are beginning the process of searching for a 2006-2008 48 Sundancer. Curious what people's thoughts are about going with the digital shifters on the '08 models versus the cable shifters on the '06-07 models? Has anyone had any problems with the digital throttles that would make them prefer the cable throttles over the digital? I deal with large construction equipment for my day job and while electronics certainly make life easier, they can also make it very frustrating- especially when you throw them into a maritime environment ;-) Thanks for the advice all!-Andrew

 

[TNT8808]

During our search a few years ago the shifters had no bearing on which boat we ultimately chose. We chose the '08 based on condition, options, hours, interior finishes, etc. We had previously owned an '01 410DA with separated throttle, and shifters and they always operated flawlessly. I had never even operated a boat with ETS prior to purchasing our 48DA, and the only thing that took me a bit to get used to was the short throw of the combined shifter/throttle in close quarters. What really helped me was learning to utilize the low idle feature when needed. With only a little practice I can now put this boat just about anywhere. I do sometimes use my thrusters, but mainly because I have them...and hey why not.

-Tom

 

[Zach312]

During our search a few years ago the shifters had no bearing on which boat we ultimately chose. We chose the '08 based on condition, options, hours, interior finishes, etc. We had previously owned an '01 410DA with separated throttle, and shifters and they always operated flawlessly. I had never even operated a boat with ETS prior to purchasing our 48DA, and the only thing that took me a bit to get used to was the short throw of the combined shifter/throttle in close quarters. What really helped me was learning to utilize the low idle feature when needed. With only a little practice I can now put this boat just about anywhere. I do sometimes use my thrusters, but mainly because I have them...and hey why not.

-Tom

I would echo Tom's comments and wouldn't let this option dictate what year of boat you choose. With that being said I have used both set ups (split throttle/shift on our 38 and 40 and ETS on our 47 and now 48) and do really like the ETS. I find it really easy to control all shifting with one hand has the 'shift' is only about a one inch bump fwd or back to but it in gear. Also use the thrusters I can't say they are needed but nice to have for small adjustments and making getting in and out of the slip easier.

 

[rwvw415]

I agree what Zach and TNT with that said I have the traditional split set up with shift and throttles as I grew up using that set up and did not want to go through the learning curve with a new set up. I have used them on a buddy's 55 Sundancer and while out like them on the water I must say they create stress for me around the dock, probably just because I am not that used to them. In the grand scheme of things I really do not think it matters as the 48 Sundancer is a great handling boat on the water and around the dock. After a few days of getting used to how it handles you will look like a very experienced captain.

 

[ocgrant]

Hi all, first time poster, long time follower here. Thanks for the great knowledge shared by everyone here! I've had fun reading all 35 pages of this thread and have been making a very long list of information to guide our search and ownership of a 48. As I mentioned, my wife and I are beginning the process of searching for a 2006-2008 48 Sundancer. Curious what people's thoughts are about going with the digital shifters on the '08 models versus the cable shifters on the '06-07 models? Has anyone had any problems with the digital throttles that would make them prefer the cable throttles over the digital? I deal with large construction equipment for my day job and while electronics certainly make life easier, they can also make it very frustrating- especially when you throw them into a maritime environment ;-) Thanks for the advice all!-Andrew

Welcome aboard... As a new owner of the 48 and coming from ETS on my previous boat and going back to 2 sets of sticks was not my favorite choice but no big deal for me. For first timers I would have to say it is probably safer having 2 sets of sticks, less chance of "jumping" the boat with throttle. For me in the future I may convert this over to full ETS set up just because I am comfortable with both and probably more lazy to move over and use the other sticks. BTW they are not cables on the trans sticks, they are electronic so converting is really no big deal just need to buy and install the kit.

I think the bigger issue you need to look for is the maintenance history and condition. When I got mine I looked at a few boats and found in South Florida there are a lot of party boats here so lipstick on a pig is how they sell them. I wanted a "good bones" boat as I am not afraid to do some work work but didn't want a beat up POS. I was lucky and found a low hours 2 owner that sat as they were "out of town" and didn't use it. I know how boats are when they sit so my expectations were I would be doing a lot of little things. I live in south Florida so we boat year round, I am at the boat every week and use the crap out of her but she is cared for really well.

Good luck and look forward to hearing about yours.

 

[JB MARSHALL]

I have owned our 48 with ETS since 2015 and have never had a problem. They are very smooth and easy to operate. I also like the synchronized throttle button as well as the low idle switch as mentioned earlier.

best of luck on your search for a 48. Due your due diligence and surveys with both boat and engine experts.

JB

 

[Jerroz]

You should be able to find them on Amazon. I believe they're called plastic hole plugs, and mine are white.

Would you mind sending the Amazon link? or maybe the size? I need a few white ones as well.

 

[TNT8808]

Would you mind sending the Amazon link? or maybe the size? I need a few white ones as well.

Please look at the post just below mine (#420). Ocgrant actually found, and purchased them in white. Perhaps he can provide you a link.

Thanks,

-Tom

 

[ocgrant]

You know I

Please look at the post just below mine (#420). Ocgrant actually found, and purchased them in white. Perhaps he can provide you a link.

Thanks,

-Tom

I ordered a bunch of different sizes and still have not got around to popping them in yet. I will be at the boat some time this week and get that bag out and do that so i can give you the right one to order.

 

[ocgrant]

Anyone have the paint code for the Sea Ray Oyster bilge color? I don't want gel coat I just need the paint code. I want to do some touching up on the wood under the gen-set and batteries boxes.

 

[TNT8808]

Anyone have the paint code for the Sea Ray Oyster bilge color? I don't want gel coat I just need the paint code. I want to do some touching up on the wood under the gen-set and batteries boxes.

I don't, however when I "remodeled" my battery box shelf I took a sample into our local Benjamin Moore paint store, and they color matched it perfectly.

-Tom

 

[Jerroz]

You know I

I ordered a bunch of different sizes and still have not got around to popping them in yet. I will be at the boat some time this week and get that bag out and do that so i can give you the right one to order.

Ocgrant - thank you that will be much appreciated.

 

[ocgrant]

Ray / RWVW415

Love the picture in your profile. I almost could't find the 48DA thread now that it has a pic...LOL

 

[rwvw415]

Thanks that was taken on the 4th of July a couple of years ago outside of our club. We do a big fireworks show on the water.

 

[JB MARSHALL]

Need help chasing a lighting issue:

Finally able to get onto the boat to start my spring maintenance. I plugged in the batteries to start charging them up and turned on lights throughout and when I tried to turn on the main salon cabin lights nothing came on. There are 4 switches at the top of the stairway, the bilge lights work, cockpit courtesy lights work, the main salon light and the indirect lights do not work. So I think I have a bad ground wire somewhere. So the question is, does anyone know where the ground wires would be for these lights? Has anyone experienced this issue that good shed some light on this situation.... ha ha, I couldn't resist adding a little humor.


Here is the update on this issue:

I did not find where the problem was or is but have determined it to be a bad ground somewhere. So I have run a new ground wire from one of the light above the power panel to the DC ground terminal behind the power panel and now I have lights again. This was very strange as everything was fine when I completed my winterizing and 5 months later I lose a ground.

 

[ocgrant]

Ocgrant - thank you that will be much appreciated.

Well I went to the boat both sizes i ordered and thought they were was wrong. Just ordered what I think is correct and they will be here next Wednesday but let me test them and confirm before I tell you "these are the ones"

 

[ocgrant]

Ok spent Saturday on the boat with the Fam and boy was it crazy busy in Ft Lauderdale!!! They opened the ramps so 1000's of boat flocked to the water but the ocean was lumpy and Sand Bars were off limits so everyone headed for anchorage. Harbor patrol was busy keeping everyone 50 feet apart.

Flushed the toilet Saturday and smelled horrible so new it was time to replace the filter. I am old school and if I can save a buck I will ($50 bucks to be exact). I learned this from an old timer to take the old filter (PVC pipe) and cut it, remove 2 inches and install PVC fittings from Home Depot, put some screen on both ends and fill it with carbon you buy for a few bucks at the pet store. Now it is serviceable and can refill it a couple times a season and save hundreds $$$ of bucks over the next few years. Super simple and less than $10 in parts.

 

[arplante]

Thanks for the advice guys. I was not aware about the low idle option with the ETS. Once this current situation lifts, the wife and I are going to start looking at what is available. Have a long checklist just from this thread alone about things to look for.

 

[ocgrant]

Thanks for the advice guys. I was not aware about the low idle option with the ETS. Once this current situation lifts, the wife and I are going to start looking at what is available. Have a long checklist just from this thread alone about things to look for.

Good luck on your hunt. If you make it to South Florida let me know. I would be happy to give you a tour of mine and all I have done. There are a couple of nice ones for sale here and a bunch of junk also, if you come accross one down here let me know as I might have looked at it.