How to start a SeaRay 260Da

[businessjett]

Hello,

I just bought a 2004 260DA. Here in Australia the are called a 275.

Oddly. Due to boarder closures I can’t use it. I am in Qld & it’s in NSW. So I am going to let my wife’s brother use it for know.

I’ve not even driven it. Ha

I was wondering if anyone has a check list for starting and stopping.
For example

Switch to start battery
Start the blower ( for how long )
Put the leg down
Check the engine oil
Start the engine
Turn on the bildge
Turn on chart plotter .
Check fuel gauge
Check the fresh water leve

I’ve never had a vacuflush. Is there a process for that ?

any tips and advice would be really appreciated. Especially from anyone that owns the same or similar model .

Thank you

 

[Espos4]

That’s a good start.

4 minutes is a good run time for the blower.

keep the outdrive down all the time. Storing it in the “up” position flexes the bellows and could allow barnacles to attach inside the expanded area.

 

[WinkBuilt]

Congrats.

Is this your first boat?

I don’t have that model, but, just about all boats go through the same procedures.

I have an 87 Sorrento 23.

Once she’s in the water:

Turn on blower

Lower outdrive

Stow any loose gear (towels, shoes, etc.)

Double check that battery selector is on our starting battery for us it’s either battery one or all.

Couple pumps of throttle out of gear. And fire her up.

Since the boats old and we’ve just started running her this season I spend a couple mins at the dock with a high idle. Approx 2000 rpm before settling into neutral. If I know we will be out at dark, I’d check the anchor and navigation lights at this time.

Any bells and whistles past this point are optional.

I prefer to check fluids between runs and handle before we launch next.

Hope that helps.

Post pics!

 

[89P270]

Is the boat on a trailer? If so, keeping the outdrive up while in transit is a must. Once you are parked for extended period, or while full time on the water, yes, keep it down. Here is one I just came up with for the 270DA I have that's also on a trailer. Revise accordingly if your's stays on the water -

Check battery status at home before leaving for Ramp - Maybe even blip the engine(s), check fuel guage
If you have halon bilge supression, check for green rather than red light. Adjust accordingly
Activate water pressure system (which should activate vacuflush) and look for leaks -At this time check fresh water and black water levels.
Check for safety gear (horn, throwables, vests, extinguishers) -VHF/cell
Check for weather
Check bilge plug in place
Check trailer plug, trailer brakes (I have electric), lights, tire pressure, ect to make sure functioning
Remove covers not needed at the water-Ensure lines are present for moorage - In Seattle if you go through the locks minimum two 50 foot lines are required.
Fenders present and ready to attach at the ramp

Beat feet for the ramp!

Make sure bilge/transom plug is in AGAIN before backing in
Remove trailer brake/light plug
Remove straps (bow and 2 stern) before dipping (leave safety chain until wetted)
Attach bow and stern lines/fenders on dock side while in line waiting
Back in to wet the hull - Before floating, stop and remove safety chain at bow. Back down and float off
Walk boat down the dock and tie off to allow room for next boat while someone/you pulls the trailer out and parks
If you have time, open engine hatch and inspect for water intrusion before pulling trailer out to park and start engines looking for soft or hard alarms.
_________________
Now if you are on water the list is the same from here
Engage bilge blowers
Drop the outdrives if not already dropped
Open engine cover look for water in Bilge (if not done above)
No water, no oil leaks start engine(s)
Listen, look for leaks, weird noises. Check fuel gauge, voltage, RPM at Idle Normal 750 RPM?
I can tell you with our EFI engines, its not uncommon to hear the whistle of a soon to be failed
IAC. They are notorious for whistling BEFORE the alarm goes off.
(Any soft alarms? one or two beeps every minute or two is a common alarm for IAC.)
(any hard alarms, put back on trailer and troubleshoot away from the Ramp).
Close engine hatch - Board passengers- have quick safety message of safety gear location for everyone. Tell everyone to sit still until your away from dock.
Check for clear astern, remove mooring lines and walk the boat to end of dock if possible, hop on return to helm, back out of slip or away from dock at Idle
Once out of the dock, turn blowers off and check gauges again. All normal, set trim for getting on plane, and advance throttle to beyond no wake then get going. During the first 15 minutes I always keep an eye on the temp for atypical. Any weird vibrations (ie bent prop etc) look astern, any weird sheen (possible outdrive leak?). All normal, go have a fun day.
I dont worry too much about the VHF because I always have a handheld I charge and bring from home as well as Cell phone backup. Wouldnt hurt to ensure GPS is working well so if you have trouble you can provide Lat/Long position.

Whew, thats just some of the checklist. There are others too. If your going for a long weekend, run the genset at the marina. Check the thru-hull before starting to ensure the valve for water intake is in open position. Same for AC unit. I have burned up my genset impeller by forgetting to open the thu-hull at spring first start up. BaH!

 

[WinkBuilt]

@89P270 thats a good step by step list.