Contract on a 1996 33 Sundancer ? Water in the cabin area..

[Davepnola]

I currenlty have contract on 96 33 Searay, when I was looking at the boat today, I noticed water in 2 compartments in the cabin.
The first spot was in the center of the floor where 2 small rectangel compartments and small bilge enclosed in plexiglass compartment. These compartments were also carpted. The broker said it was carpeted from the factory for sound deading purposes ?
Is that true ??

The next compartment was under port cushion of the aft cabin. It had about a inch of water. The broker said he though water came from when they cleaned the carpets and cushions. ( I am not so sure )
I know that we have been having a lot rain lately !

The boat was in clean shape though , I did see 2 cockroaches.
I did not tell my wife about the roaches.

Any suggestiosn would help. Thanks in advance:

 

[fwebster]

Sea Ray has the mid-sized express/sundancer style of boat figured out and they are usually very dry boats.

SInce the majority of water you found seems to be under the floor in the main salon near the shower sump, I suspect the float switch or pump is not working correctly and the sump has overflowed. Corroded butt splices where the pump and switch connect to the hor and ground leads is a common problem. If parts are involved, the pump is about $125 and the float switch is about $30. Figure an hour's labor.

Another source and the likely one for water in a side compartment is an open or leaking side window or port.....and a leaking stanchion could also cause a leak.

Yes, the carpeted compartments are standard and I'm sure it helps with sound deadening, but since there is expandable foam under the floor of the cabin as well, I suspect the carpet is there because Sea Ray choses to finish off their boats in a quality way.

One thing you really should check on this boat is the deck coring. Most of the deck is a cored construction and , depending upon year, some of the deck hardware was not bedded very well. Anytime water can enter the core, it can rot since it is end grain balsa wood. You surveyor should take moisture readings around any hole or opening that has been cut in the drck for hatches, windlass, rail sctanchion mounting screws, etc.

The mid-late 90's 330DA is a great boat........hope your survey works out.

 

[Davepnola]

Thanks for the reply, this boat has 934 hours on original engines, it is the 454 v drive motors fresh water cooled and 1500 hours on the genset. It was used , boat cleaner than most other boats I have seen. Any other suggestions would be appreciated?

 

[boatmailster]

Re: Contract on a 1996 33 Sundancer ? Water in the cabin ar

I currenlty have contract on 96 33 Searay, when I was looking at the boat today, I noticed water in 2 compartments in the cabin.
The first spot was in the center of the floor where 2 small rectangel compartments and small bilge enclosed in plexiglass compartment. These compartments were also carpted. The broker said it was carpeted from the factory for sound deading purposes ?
Is that true ??

The next compartment was under port cushion of the aft cabin. It had about a inch of water. The broker said he though water came from when they cleaned the carpets and cushions. ( I am not so sure )
I know that we have been having a lot rain lately !

The boat was in clean shape though , I did see 2 cockroaches.
I did not tell my wife about the roaches.

Any suggestiosn would help. Thanks in advance:

to me looks like leaking portholes
dry water in compartments and spray porthiles with garden hose for about hour if no water shows up you should be good

 

[rumrunner]

Exactly what fwebsater said. This happened to me last week. The switch in the shower sump goes bad. It took me a while to believe that that much water could come from the "enclosed" sump box. I took the cover off and was playing with the switch I actually got the switch to stay on with no water in the sump. The replacement used was an Atwood Float Switch, Model 4202, Approx $30.00. I replaced the switch and have had no issues. I have net seen any water in the bildge and even notices the sump kick on and pump the water out of the boat (first time witnessed since I owned the boat)

The 33 Sunsdancer is an awesome boat good luck with ouyr purchase!

 

[330DA]

There are a number of ways that water can get into that area.

There are limber holes from the locker under the mid-cabin seat to the floor locker where the shower sump is located. The head compartment drains to this sump box. The A/C condensate also drains to the shower sump. Make sure the hose clamps are tight. In addition, the hose nipples from the sump box should be checked to make sure that they are not cracked or leaking.

In addition, the locker under the port side of the mid cabin has an aft limber hole. The freshwater tank is located under the aft cushion in the mid-cabin. Check to see that it is not leaking and the inlet hoses are OK. Water could come from there also.

 

[Davepnola]

Contract on 33 Sundancer ?

Well looks like that boat fell through, but I have an accepted contract on a boat in Clearwater Florida . 97 model at better price and looks super clean.
Would anyone drive this type of boat accross the Gulf from Clearwater Florida to Destin Florida ? It is only 200 miles or so ??
What kind of range say at right over plane would you get in the open Gulf ? Would I need to bring a bladder tank for extra fuel, just incase ?
Thanks for your replies Dave