89 300 Weekender UPDATE !!

[ks65609]

Last post in the fall dealt with the marine survey. Sea trial completed very successfully, boat transported to our slip and ready to go.

Love the sound of the big blocks and very impressed with the precise manouvering capabilities using just the shift controls with the throttles at idle.

Lots to learn, quite intimidated with the change to a much larger, wider, heavier boat than our 230DA, but cannot wait to get at it and learn as we go.

Certainly not disappointed with our decision to go with the Weekender and many thanks to all who so willingly helped us along the way.

But don't go away just yet. As I mentioned we have lots to learn.

Ken

 

[88dancer300]

:huh:Big blocks ???? That boat should have a pair of 5.7s in it.

Last post in the fall dealt with the marine survey. Sea trial completed very successfully, boat transported to our slip and ready to go.

Love the sound of the big blocks and very impressed with the precise manouvering capabilities using just the shift controls with the throttles at idle.

Lots to learn, quite intimidated with the change to a much larger, wider, heavier boat than our 230DA, but cannot wait to get at it and learn as we go.

Certainly not disappointed with our decision to go with the Weekender and many thanks to all who so willingly helped us along the way.

But don't go away just yet. As I mentioned we have lots to learn.

Ken

 

[Dasch Boat]

:huh:Big blocks ???? That boat should have a pair of 5.7s in it.

7.4's were a option in 88 when I bought my Weekender.

 

[88dancer300]

Wow, did not know that. That must have had some torque! I bet it was not much fun changing the plugs!

 

[copb8tx]

It's a Weekender with outdrives? In '88 my Weekender was straight inboards. Only the Sundancer had outdrives.

BTW, congrats! Had that boat for almost 10 years and it was awesome.

 

[copb8tx]

Oops, just realized your subject said Weekender but your data at the right said Sundancer. Makes more sense now. Nevermind.

 

[ks65609]

:huh:Big blocks ???? That boat should have a pair of 5.7s in it.

The 7.4s are optional engines as are diesels. Many of the boats we looked at did have the 5.7s. We have been advised the BB do not work as hard and subsequently not much difference in fuel consumption. Much of our boating is in the Trent Canal system so we shall see.

This particular model is direct shaft drive with 17 x 17 props. The Sundancers we looked at all had 5.7s with stern drive and very limited elbow room in the engine bay. I can actually crawl around in this one.

 

[88dancer300]

Yea you can't beat the sound of marine big blocks.

 

[ks65609]

Yea you can't beat the sound of marine big blocks.

Quite a chuckle to it until the canisters fill up and then a nice low rumble. My son thought captain's choice would be a good idea however I really do not want to get turfed from our marina and the present design suits my age bracket just fine.

 

[ks65609]

Yea you can't beat the sound of marine big blocks.

Sorry to be so tardy in responding.

When we purchased the boat we did not commission a mechanical survey as I expected at least a tune up would be in order. I agree changing the spark plugs would be a challenge and for the first time with this boat we had the tune ups professionally done at the marina where we have decided to slip. Another first time for us. So far so good.
I have entered a post in electrical forum that possibly you may be able to help me with. I would certainly appreciate any advice or feedback you may be willing to offer. It is titled " battery switches 1989 300 Weekender "

Thanks
Ken
Battery switches-1989 300 Weekender-twin 454s with direct drive

Battery switches-1989 300 Weekender-twin 454s with direct drive

 

[PostTime]

Congratulations on the weekender. The 454's are pretty bulletproof. Cannot imagine what the top end would be and would hate to see what the fuel burn would be! I would think that your cruise would not be a lot more than what mine is with the 350's. I would think that the big blocks would be loafing along at 18-20 knots. Very rare power option. Enjoy!

 

[The Bill Collector]

My first Sea Ray & previous boat was a 1989 300 Weekender with 454's and boy could that thing scream..... (if you want to pay the fuel bill)

 

[KRB64]

...Love the sound of the big blocks and very impressed with the precise manouvering capabilities using just the shift controls with the throttles at idle.
...Ken

Having never owned or operated a boat with twins I'm curious about the controls. Usually there's a pair on one side with red knobs and a pair on the other with black knobs. How are they arranged? Are the throttles paired together and then the shifters too or is one color the throttle & shifter for one side and the other color the throttle & shifter for the other? Just curious...

 

[Pietro]

Having never owned or operated a boat with twins I'm curious about the controls. Usually there's a pair on one side with red knobs and a pair on the other with black knobs. How are they arranged? Are the throttles paired together and then the shifters too or is one color the throttle & shifter for one side and the other color the throttle & shifter for the other? Just curious...

The two black knobs are for the shifters and the two red for the throttles. So shifters to port and throttles to starboard. In my opinion this is the best arrangement. I do not like the shifter/throttle single lever.
A few boats, not SR, had a different arrangement that I would hate... :smt021

 

[ks65609]

Congratulations on the weekender. The 454's are pretty bulletproof. Cannot imagine what the top end would be and would hate to see what the fuel burn would be! I would think that your cruise would not be a lot more than what mine is with the 350's. I would think that the big blocks would be loafing along at 18-20 knots. Very rare power option. Enjoy!

Thanks for the positive feedback. When we started shopping for a boat of this size and type we were advised the go with the big blocks if we could find one.
The cruising speed is pretty much a direct ratio to engine rpm and we do not get into the secondaries until around 3000. 18-20 is our comfort range but if ever needed the power is there. Up on plane in a flash and you need to have a hand hold. Fuel burn is in the 20-25 gph range. Most of our cruising is on the Trent Canal system with long stretches at very low speed.

 

[ks65609]

My first Sea Ray & previous boat was a 1989 300 Weekender with 454's and boy could that thing scream..... (if you want to pay the fuel bill)

You bet. 3000 rpm and up means 8 barrels looking for all the fuel available. Gas at our marina is $1.45 a liter for non-enthanol. Tanks hold 100 gal each. But if I was not spending money on this it would be something else.

 

[ks65609]

The two black knobs are for the shifters and the two red for the throttles. So shifters to port and throttles to starboard. In my opinion this is the best arrangement. I do not like the shifter/throttle single lever.
A few boats, not SR, had a different arrangement that I would hate... :smt021

Although I am a new to twins I concur. All at idle manouvering that I have experienced is accomplished with the shifters only. To have both shifters together on the port side makes the most sense to me.