bcbcrus
New Member
- Jun 8, 2007
- 12
- Boat Info
- 340 Sundancer 1984
- Engines
- 454 Mercruiser w/Borg Warner V Drives
Long Story but it’s fixin’ to get fun again. We have a '84 340DA we purchased around labor day 2006. When we bought the boat I knew one of the engines was weak but got a good deal and crossed my fingers. Sure enough on about the 5th trip out, the engine started hammering and smoking like crazy. I had already decided if it went south, I was not going to attempt another repair but was going to replace the engine with a Jasper rebuild. Well, being on the Arkansas River in Little Rock, we are under whelmed with mechanics. Our dock had a repair shop, but lost their mechanic who could have done the job. After a year of waiting and 2 new mechanics, I finally decided 3 weeks ago to take it to the marina around the corner. I would have done it sooner, but the river was horrible this year and there is no way I would have chanced it on one engine. The mechanic there who had done good work for me in the past, told me he would not only have the boat out in a week, but would save me substantial $$ over other quotes I had received. Well as boat repairs go, Jasper proceeded to send the wrong engine not once but twice. They sent the standard rotating engine rather than the counter rotating engine I need. The correct one showed up yesterday and I'm supposed to have the boat back in the water this Thursday. YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now all that said, I am ready to get back on the update process we have been planning. So far, we have not done much knowing this big repair bill was coming. With the timing, I now have all winter to work on the boat as our weather allows the boat to stay in the slip year round and we use it. Here are the things we have done and are planning:
Have Done:
Installed a 15" LCD on a swing arm. We can see the TV from anywhere on the boat and can swing the arm out and watch on the bridge.
Installed a new stove top.
Installed a new transmission cooler.
Repaired the macerator pump.
Installed a new barrel shape gas grill. Force I think is the model.
Slightly tinted the windows, which I'm thinking was a mistake as it really reduces vision for night cruising.
Wish List:
New exterior upholstery with Sea Ray styling. A local shop did another guys boat and it turned out sharp.
New interior upholstery and bubour(sp??) carpet (light color). Boat is pretty dark inside and we want to lighten it up.
Repair leaking fresh water tank in conjunction with the carpet install. Appears I'm going to have to rip it all out to get to the tank.
Install Lowrance LCX-28C-HD with networking. I know very little about this but the research makes it all look pretty cool. Main thing is I want to see if I can hook the thing up to the LCD since I can see that screen from the bridge.
All new gauges and switches.
Need to figure out the wiring from the charger to the battery. The current setup does not look right to me.
New stereo system and speakers with surround sound inside.
I'm sure there is alot more but that is all that comes to mind now. With the new engine, I am excited about the boat again and will post pics as we progress. Sorry for the long post, but I want this boat to get second looks and like I say, I'm excited again and can't wait till Thrusday. It's supposed to be 90 and sunny with a beautiful weekend coming. Taking a 4 day weekend to spend on the boat.
Now all that said, I am ready to get back on the update process we have been planning. So far, we have not done much knowing this big repair bill was coming. With the timing, I now have all winter to work on the boat as our weather allows the boat to stay in the slip year round and we use it. Here are the things we have done and are planning:
Have Done:
Installed a 15" LCD on a swing arm. We can see the TV from anywhere on the boat and can swing the arm out and watch on the bridge.
Installed a new stove top.
Installed a new transmission cooler.
Repaired the macerator pump.
Installed a new barrel shape gas grill. Force I think is the model.
Slightly tinted the windows, which I'm thinking was a mistake as it really reduces vision for night cruising.
Wish List:
New exterior upholstery with Sea Ray styling. A local shop did another guys boat and it turned out sharp.
New interior upholstery and bubour(sp??) carpet (light color). Boat is pretty dark inside and we want to lighten it up.
Repair leaking fresh water tank in conjunction with the carpet install. Appears I'm going to have to rip it all out to get to the tank.
Install Lowrance LCX-28C-HD with networking. I know very little about this but the research makes it all look pretty cool. Main thing is I want to see if I can hook the thing up to the LCD since I can see that screen from the bridge.
All new gauges and switches.
Need to figure out the wiring from the charger to the battery. The current setup does not look right to me.
New stereo system and speakers with surround sound inside.
I'm sure there is alot more but that is all that comes to mind now. With the new engine, I am excited about the boat again and will post pics as we progress. Sorry for the long post, but I want this boat to get second looks and like I say, I'm excited again and can't wait till Thrusday. It's supposed to be 90 and sunny with a beautiful weekend coming. Taking a 4 day weekend to spend on the boat.
