Casting a line From Vancouver BC

[FourGone]

Hello from the slowly defrosting great white north!. Well actually its not that far north. But is was white this year!

And what a great resource this forum is for a new old Sea Ray owner. It took some time, but we finally landed on a name for her - FourGone - becasue they are! Well mostly gone, but boomerangs come to mind.

We bought this 2001 260 Sundancer last January '07, (only 130 hours on it and very clean) and had a great year cruising around the Vancouver waterfront, Howe Sound, Indian Arm and up the Sunshine Coast. And no green water over the bow on this baby! What I mean is that once you get outside the Vancouver harbour it can get pretty lumpy and the old boat often took a good chunk of water over the bow if we happend to be out in a blow.

I've made a few minor mods to the comfort and functionality - added rod holders for the downriggers, put a step in the bilge so I don't have to dance around the seacock and bilge pump, rebuilt the helm door with new starboard panel from SeaRay to accomodate my Garmin, VHF and relocate the trim tab switches. And a good coat of new bottom paint to keep the little creatures at bay.

Still on the agenda is running a power windlass - anyone have some good ideas on running the cable from batteries to anchor locker? (Sea Ray won't share the info - legal reasons they say)
And from reading the forums on anchoring, I'm suprised at how many go with such short chain - rule of thumb we are taught in Power Squadron is 1' chain per foot of vessel - I have 28' chain and 270' nylon rode. But then we often cruise in areas where its hard to find safe bottom in less than 30' to 50' and bottom depths can reach hundreds of feet.

Hey, thanks for reading this far. Looking forward to learning and sharing boating knowedge on the boards.

 

[Sundancer]

Welcome to the board! Vancouver is a place we'd like to visit by boat someday. I've spent a lot of time there and had a blast. I'd like to take the family back and the boat seems like a good way to explore the area.

I'm sure you will enjoy the 260 especially in the islands. We're headed there for the first time this year after dreaming for 20 plus years about doing it! We're cruising to Victoria and the San Juans with some other Sea Ray owners.

 

[Nehalennia]

Gregg,
Welcome. I'd like to see some of the pictures you have of your projects. We just bought our 2000~260DA on Dec 1 of '07. Right after we bought it with only 94 hours the Previous owner installed a new O/D and we had our dealer addd FWC and a local canvas shop repair the vinyl windows. I've been busy myself adding heat and transducer for upcoming GPS.
We'd love to meet up with you as we head up to Canada often but have not yet traveled to Vancouver by boat.
We have been up the Sunshine coast several times, frequenting My Aunt and Unlce's Island North of Pender Harbour.

We'll also be joining Suindancer and others on a Rendezvous July 18-Aug 3-08.

You're welcoime to join us, but you'll want to read that threas thoroughly.

 

[Nehalennia]

Gregg

Also, look here for the windlass info.
The line about legalities sounds like BS ....but check this out
260DA Owners manual

Look on pages 27 and 35.


Again best of luck

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Go to the Lewmar website and download one of their installation manuals. It is very specific and has lots of good info on how to and size of wiring, etc...

Once you get past this page: Lewmar windlass descriptions

You can go to one of their model windlasses and download the installation info (with pictures)... :thumbsup:

 

[FourGone]

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Spokane, there are a few good launches for trailer boaters in the Vancouver Harbour area - Port Moody public dock is four lanes wide, though parking is a bit scarce. There is one near the heart of Vancouver at the entrance to False Creek, and a few on the North Vancouver side, assuming you are OK with the salt - just hose down the hull and a good engine flush if you don't have fresh water coolig, will keep the internals Ok.

Doug, thanks for the Lewmar link. I've been to that site, and looked at a model at the Vanc boat show. Its on my short list. My challenge is getting the cable from the battery past the mid cabin, breaker panel, kitchen stove & sink assembly and into the bow. Then some more back to the helm for the switches.

Todd, glad to hear you enjoy the sunshine coast - some great places up towards Pender Harbour. Gibsons is one of our favorite marinas. We are looking to get over to the Gulf Islands as well this year, but no definate plans - maybe the rendezvous...

A hint for the GPS transducer - I mounted mine ( a Garmin 172C Fishfinder) as a "shoot through the hull" installation. I used the transom mounted transducer from my previous boat, and after testing its through the hull function (Garmin has instructions on the web) set it in a bed of epoxy in the bottom of the bilge - the very bottom is straight fibreglass, no core, and it works like a charm. I described it a bit in another post as well.

Pictures, yes I will need to take some pix of the various projects and upload to the site.

 

[FourGone]

Gregg

Also, look here for the windlass info.
The line about legalities sounds like BS ....but check this out
260DA Owners manual

Thanks for this link - I had the other one from the SeaRay site, and this addes to the collection. Tells me the port side is the preferred route. It's gonna be a challenge!

:thumbsup: but it'll get done!

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks for this link - I had the other one from the SeaRay site, and this addes to the collection. Tells me the port side is the preferred route. It's gonna be a challenge!

:thumbsup: but it'll get done!

I've also e-mailed my Service manager as well at Lake Union SeaRay, as he's aways been great about dishing out advice and won't have a problem. I'll let you know what he says.

 

[FourGone]

I'll look forward to any info - I still need to see me dealer as well - M&P Mercury - as they are pretty good about this stuff as well.

 

[Nehalennia]

you got it. We're nearly twins.....so I'll do what I can