Great trip!

[Dave M.]

I returned Sunday from a weekend getaway to Lake Pend O'Reille in Idaho. Met up there with Sundancer and his family, and got a ride in his 'new' boat. We had a very nice time, and what a great boat he has. Wish mine would get up and go like his 300 DA!

Had a few little problems with my boat. The steering wheel became almost impossible to turn in the cold weather, so it spent almost all the time tied up to the dock. The rear facing anchor light would not come on, no voltage at the mast connector, so I have some electrical problem to resolve. The boat still has a bit of a leak, so kept taking on some water. I could not verify the emergency bilge pump would really come on, so turned on the switch controlled one a time or two the first night. The second night I decided I would just risk going down with the boat in the cold lake like a good captain is supposed to do, so got a good nights sleep.:thumbsup:

On the way back to the launch ramp to pull out, I discovered the PU keys were not on top of the cabinet above the microwave where I clearly remember putting them. Searched the whole boat, no keys anywhere. Decided they must have fallen down behind the cabinet, there is room for things to fall down there is you check closely. Normally I have a spare set in the PU, and I knew the rear sliding window was not locked, so I docked the boat, climbed in the window, and sure enough, I was back in business; keys were there.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Sundancer's son helped me load the boat, and I struggled with the impossible wire rope trying to get it to unwind enough to reach the bow eye, standing on the trailer tongue. Did not quite make it, and fell in the water. It was not as cold as I expected, and then the hooking up of the cable was much easier. So I just pitched my wet shoes in the back up the PU, and finished loading and tying down in my soggy socks and pants. Figured I earned it.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Just noticed while getting my tooth brush a few minutes ago that there is a set of PU keys in my shaver/toothbrush/toothpaste travel case. I'm sure the ones I drove home with are still in the PU in the garage. Now I am absolutely positively sure I must have Alzheimers. :smt100

What a great trip! I just doesn't get any better than this! :smt038

 

[Dave S]

Aside from your problems with the boat and a few anxieties with the lost keys, sounds like you had a great trip. How long of a haul is it to that lake in Idaho?

 

[chuck1]

I was going to post a good message, but I forgot what I was going to say, :huh: o-ya where is the pictures.:grin:. Sound like you had an interesting time. What is it they say about Alzheimer's, the only good thing is you have a brand new adventure every day.:lol:

 

[Dave M.]

I was going to post a good message, but I forgot what I was going to say, :huh: o-ya where is the pictures.:grin:. :lol:

I worked a bit on getting a nice one of Sundancers boat to post, but then discovered this site works differently than the old one, and I don't know the proper formating for this one. Plus I started to get uneasy posting a picture of his boat without asking him first.

Sound like you had an interesting time. What is it they say about Alzheimer's, the only good thing is you have a brand new adventure every day.:lol:

I love that one! But my wife would tell you I have been losing my car keys for 40 years. :smt009 it wasn't just by accident that there was a spare set in the truck, and the back window was not locked. I try to keep it that way, but I was rather stressed about the thought of being stuck up there without keys. I knew they had to be on the boat somewhere, but really thought they had disappeared down behind the fridge. Better organization and more keys are in order, but that is why you do shakedown trips.

The trip is about 5 hours each way. Just checked the PU, the trip odo. says 495 miles RT. And keys are in the ignition.:grin:

Another problem I did not mention is that it seems Sundancer can out accerate me towing up a hill, even though he is pulling a 300 and I only have a 270. :smt013:smt013 Now I am gonna have to buy a new PU, and I suppose it will have to be an automatic so the turbo doesn't spool down between shifts. This is really going to cost me. :smt089

 

[Dave M.]

Here is my go-straight boat at Buttonhook dock on Lake Pend O'Reille.

 

[Sundancer]

OK, I'm just catching up on this thread! I've been traveling and haven't had a second to get caught up! The trip was awesome and I left my pictures at home. So, feel free to post the ones you have Dave!

Dave was a lifesaver catching up with me as we entered Spokane to let me know that my middle tire on the right side was shredding and leaving a tire crumb trail. I was able to pull over, drive to the next exit and then limp into Spokane on the backroads. I made it another 5 miles on what was left of the tire. I parked near the Les Schwab tire store that had my spare. Looks like I've got another one ready to shred as well. At least I can get one a month between now and the San Juan trip! That ought to spread the cost out a bit! The middle tire was on the shady side where it's black, the bottom paint is black and the trailer is black and so are the rims and tires so I couldn't see anything or feel anything. Without Dave, who knows what would have happened!

I think if I trailer with a group of boaters, we'll make it mandatory to change the lead vehicle so that we can check things out as we pass each other. That way you can check tires, signs, tiedowns, boats etc., without having to stop. It might help prevent problems without stopping and gives you a nice way to inspect someone else's trailer without losing time. I think I might have to invest in an infared thermometer because I always feel the tires and axles. When I get back to the truck my hands are all dirty.

We took a couple of trips around the lake to see the Mountain Goats hanging by their toe nails (?), the secret Acoustic Research facility (Well, I guess it's no longer a secret?) and Bayview. Dave showed me the finer points of his Chartplotter and convinced me that I should probably invest in one. His boat has a heater which kept HIM warm in the open cockpit during our ride! Fortunately he was able to steer using trim tabs and having us lean to the left or lean to the right! The more Dave drives, the less weightlifting he'll need to do!

I wasn't racing up the hill, I was just trying to stay out of the way of that Cummins! The hill is kind of odd. You slow down for railroad tracks where the speed limit is 35 and about 100 yards later at the bottom of a long hill is a sign indicating the speed limit has risen to 55. I had local knowledge and that gave me the upper hand and allowed me to spool up the turbo while Dave was downshifting. My only other defense is that the Allison has 6 or 7 (I can't remember but I believe it's 7?) gears to keep it in it's powerband. If we could match that Cummins up to the Allison, we could start our own truck company and make millions! I don't think you need a new truck Dave. Yours looks pretty good and that metallic blue is very nice looking! It would look great pulling my blue boat!

When I get home, I'll find those pictures and see if I can attach them. The weather was great, the company was great and the boats ran fairly well! It was a nice end of the year cruise. Next year, we'll have to visit down in Dave's neck of the woods!

 

[Dave M.]

Here is Sundancer's 300 DA. You can click the pictures for a full screen size image.



Another view from near shore. The trees are turning color.



And a view from the front. Still dew on the windows, the sun is just beginning to peek over the top of the mountains.

 

[Sundancer]

Great pictures Dave! What a great weekend! The weather cooperated, the fall colors were in the air and the mist on the lake made it rather spectacular!

It's an old boat, but has classic Sea Ray lines! I just hope it runs well next Summer as we cruise through the San Juans! It's going to be a long winter!

 

[MXer478]

Could you guys let me know what you're using to show these photos? They work great, I can't seem to upload (always too big) or have any luck with photobucket.com. Thanks:thumbsup:

 

[Dave M.]

Could you guys let me know what you're using to show these photos? They work great, I can't seem to upload (always too big) or have any luck with photobucket.com. Thanks:thumbsup:

You are right, the photos are large. I assume you are clicking on the photos in the thread and viewing the full size image. The photos in the thread here are about 60k, and the full size ones about 300k. Two of the full size images linked to above are 1800x1350 pixels. I don't know of anyone that will host them for free. The ones I posted are on web space I have purchased from HostMonster. I get a lot of space for $5/month.

The images are edited, cropped, scaled, and so on using the Gimp. Then the edited files I transfer to the host using gftp. Then it is just a matter of linking the images in the posts here. When you have your own web space then the photos don't get downsized, resampled, compressed even more, and so on.

 

[Sundancer]

I couldn't add the thumbnails and had problems posting the pictures. I have a feeling it's due to the hosting site. Anyway, here is a gallery of pics from last weekend. I'll try again when I'm not so pooped!!


http://pictures.aol.com/galleries/jtsmlarson/2f10e55XIRRJRdQu2LbEiZaiyohmIZEo6Dr6v4xQp5Fd3Ig=

 

[Sundancer]

Working on the pics.....

 

[elreyos]

Wonderful Pictures!

 

[Nehalennia]

Dave, you better get that steering figured out before the trip next summer. Don't worry I'll give you a reminder.

Also, Great pictures.
Sundancer,
I really like the new boat.

I keep forgetting there are other forums links other than "general discussion" and forget to check in here.
Great pictures and can't wait to meet you guys!

 

[Sundancer]

Todd:

Just click on the "New Posts - 24 hours" in the top right when you log in and you'll see all the new posts, regardless of the forum. I save a lot of time bouncing from forum to forum that way. I think it works! Someone thought it wasn't picking up one of the forums, like winterizing or something but I think it's been fixed.

Thanks for the compliment on the new boat! It's old school, but we like it. We're anxious to meet you and the rest of the group next summer. At least you'll be able to USE your new boat this winter! Yours will be a great boat when it's all cleaned up as well. When the kids leave, we'll probably downsize to a 260 that's loaded. They are popular for a reason and I'm sure yours will serve you well until you upgrade to that 340!

 

[Dave M.]

Dave, you better get that steering figured out before the trip next summer. Don't worry I'll give you a reminder.

Todd, the steering cable is 'in the mail'. Should be here within a week, and it is an easy thing to change.

Then I have to tackle what will probably be an upper swivel pin and steering arm replacement. :smt100

 

[Sundancer]

Todd, the steering cable is 'in the mail'. Should be here within a week, and it is an easy thing to change.

Then I have to tackle what will probably be an upper swivel pin and steering arm replacement. :smt100

At least you have all winter and a nice warm place to work on it! I'm sure it will be a piece of cake to fix. Was the cable just worn out and the lubricant dried out or non-existent?

 

[Bridog]

Great pictures guys! Sundancer, I love your 300DA....sharp. What's your performance like with the 350's? Are they inboards? Brian

 

[Sundancer]

Great pictures guys! Sundancer, I love your 300DA....sharp. What's your performance like with the 350's? Are they inboards? Brian

Brian:

It's not a NEW boat like yours, but it's the Old School style of Sea Ray. I'm sure the newer 300's are far superior to this old garbage scow! ;-)

Performance? I push those two little black thingies and it goes fast! It corners better and requires way less use of the trim tabs than our 250 DA. It planes quicker and easier than the 250 as well. The 250 had the 454 Magnum and was a great boat, but the 300 DA is just far superior in the way it accelerates from a dead start and the way it corners. As far as docking, I'm still a newb with twins but using the old rule that you never approach anything faster than you want to hit it seems to work. The only time I had trouble and my inexperience showed was when I was trying to dock on the leeward side of the dock and couldn't figure out how to leverage the twins to my advantage. I ended up putting my son on the dock to tie off the nose while I backed up to bring the stern in. It probably would have been easier if I had just docked normally. I had to stop and think about it and the wind pushed me away and towards another boat. I just couldn't seem to walk it toward the dock as fast as I was blowing away. The rest of the time, the docking sequence using the twins just makes perfect sense and it was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

I'm a little underpropped right now and the top speed is just over 39 mph with the rpms approaching 5,000. So, I think I need to try the other set of props to see if the speed increases a bit. I think I'm about 400 rpm over the limit, so more pitch might bring the speed up a mile an hour or so while reducing the RPM's. I don't need any more speed and may decide less pitch is better around the dock and for cruising. We bought it in September and only got two weekends on it before we winterized it, so I'm still getting used to it. When we moved from a 19 ft to the 250, things were bigger and better. This move has us feeling the same way. More space, better performance and more fun. From all the information I've read, the fuel burn won't be much more with the twin 350's than it was with the 454 magnum. It's not like I'm buying it for mileage anyway!

I had never seen a 300 DA. I was familar with the 280's and that's what we were looking for. This one popped up right under our nose and was a real winner. The only thing it needs is a good tune-up next spring and a seal on the port Alpha. the tune-up might add a mile an hour to the speed too I'm not sure. The other advantage is that it's as wide as I can go legally (11 ft) without needing pilot cars fore and aft when we travel down the road. I'm blown away that we can afford a boat this nice and feel extremely fortunate to be in it! Now I just have to sell the 250 next spring to free up some real estate in the yard and cash for some new trailer tires, a dinghy and I MIGHT even splurge and get one of those chartplotter things for the San Juans. I still think there might be business renting GPS units preprogrammed with standard tourist routes for different areas of the country? I only need it one week a year!

 

[Dave M.]

At least you have all winter and a nice warm place to work on it! I'm sure it will be a piece of cake to fix. Was the cable just worn out and the lubricant dried out or non-existent?

It is not really possible to tell. I think the lubricant is just dried, but it is possible it has a broken strand about 4 feet from the helm end. The way it is made you just can't service it. Also I don't want to take the risk of assuming I know what is wrong and trying to fix it with lube. So far that has not worked anyway. I have it quite a bit more free that what you saw, but it is still not what it should be. New cable is only about $130 with shipping.

When I get the new one, and it is installed and working, then I will probably do an autopsy on the old one.