Just bought a 2004 220Select and have some questions

[cagnoli]

Hello there,
I just bought a very clean 220 Select with the 350MAG and B3 outdrive. Overall, I'm very impressed with the boat, however, I have a couple of questions.

1) When I open the engine compartment, there is a rather large open area with the bilge pump in it. Does anyone think that putting a cooler holder, and a decent sized coleman cooler in there would be okay? There is a gelcoat wall between the engine, and the bilge area.

2) While I like the idea of adding a second battery, as the family likes to jam with the factory installed system, I'm not keen on the price. Will one of those portable jump jobs do in a pinch to get the boat running if the battery runs down on the stereo? (How long would it take to run the battery down, with the factory system?)

3) Running with the Bimini up? Good idea at WOT? Seems to look a bit stressed. I don't imagine it happening very often, but I figured I'd ask.

4) Fueling at the dock - Any issues with fueling the boat from the dock with 5 Gallon cans? 4 bucks a gallon at the marina is a bit stiff, but if it isn't a good idea to bring a few 5 gallon cans with me each time I take the boat out, I guess I'll suck it up and pay the extra 90 cents a gallon for the fuel.

5) Lastly, since I'm thinking of adding the cooler holder, and potentially a few extra cleats, is there a special procedure, or depth to drill and mount on the Gelcoats?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[chuck1]

1st off Welcome Aboard :thumbsup: . Post some pics of your boat in the virtual marina :smt024 .

I'll try and answer some, but I'm sure somebody will jump in with some info on the others one.

2) While I like the idea of adding a second battery, as the family likes to jam with the factory installed system, I'm not keen on the price. Will one of those portable jump jobs do in a pinch to get the boat running if the battery runs down on the stereo? (How long would it take to run the battery down, with the factory system?)

Should be able to run radio for hours without any problem. Yes the price is high for the switch, but much cheaper than a tow or worst case a spark from the jump :huh:

3) Running with the Bimini up? Good idea at WOT? Seems to look a bit stressed. I don't imagine it happening very often, but I figured I'd ask.

I've never had a problem doing it. Now if you running into a full 20-30+ wind may want to drop it.

4) Fueling at the dock - Any issues with fueling the boat from the dock with 5 Gallon cans? 4 bucks a gallon at the marina is a bit stiff, but if it isn't a good idea to bring a few 5 gallon cans with me each time I take the boat out, I guess I'll suck it up and pay the extra 90 cents a gallon for the fuel.

May want to check with you marina. Most of them will not let you do it except at the full dock.

5) Lastly, since I'm thinking of adding the cooler holder, and potentially a few extra cleats, is there a special procedure, or depth to drill and mount on the Gelcoats?

Do a search on Gelcoat in the fiberglass/repair area. Some good ideas about working on with Gelcoat. I use the run the drill backwards trick when I'm drilling into Gelcoat. Works great.

Hope this helps some.

 

[comsnark]

heheeh. Fueling boats with cans. heheeh

Actually. . I have a 280SS with a 100 gallon tank. I have on occassion scooped up my jetski cans and dump 17 gallons into the tank. Usually once at the start of the season, once at the end, and I once did it because I was going out with a 1/4 tank after the fuel dock was closed.

At other times. . .fueling at the dock generally looks uncool, and is a hassle, so I don't bother. Especially since the cans don't make a big dent in the overall fuel load. Also. . .how are you handling the cans? You don't want gas cans in your trunk with food -> and you certainly don't want the cans on the boat with you. When I fill up my jetskis. . I invariably end up smelling of gas, and the ladies don't like it.

Do you trailer your boat? If you do. .. stop at the local Exxon and fill the boat. I see that done all the time.

Bottom line: Use the fuel dock. Or the gas station. Don't mess with cans.

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Why do you need more cleats?
________________________________________

Bimini: My bimini wants to turn into a kite whenever I have more than 30mph wind across the bow. Running 35mph with a 10mph tail wind is ok. Running 25mph with a 10mph headwind is not ok. You will learn when you need to take it down.

_________________________________________

Just how much is a spare battery anyway? For $100-$200 I would do it. (I bet your dealer would charge $500, :smt013 )

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Cooler in the engine compartment? Isn't it rather hot in there?

 

[SearayPaul]

I have a 240 Select and put the big cooler in the starboard area in the engine compartment. Seems to work fine for us. I would not want to do this with out an electric hatch. I love any mechanical advantage that is available as opposed to manual labor.

The built in cooler on the port side does not have much insulation and will melt down long before my big cooler will.

Welcome and enjoy your 220

Paul

 

[comsnark]

Hello there,
I just bought a very clean 220 Select with the 350MAG and B3 outdrive. Overall, I'm very impressed with the boat, however, I have a couple of questions.

BTW: The 220 select with 350Mag and B3 was one of the reasons that I realized that the the Crowline 275 CCR with 350Mag/B3 (or even the 496mag/B3) was not going to be the boat for me!

 

[Dave S]

Do not add extra cleats unless you know what you are doing.

If you intend to use them to tie off the boat, they need to be be reinforced from the rear with backing plates or you run the risk of cracking your upper deck if the ropes ever get put under a load. If you are just looking for mounting spots for fenders, there are other alternatives to cleats. Maybe you could explain why you need extra cleats and we can make some recommendations to you.

 

[kev88]

I invariably end up smelling of gas, and the ladies don't like it.

If the ladies don't like it have them pay for the difference in the price per gallon :grin:

I often use cans - no mess and with the money it saves not too worried about the "coolness factor"

Kevin

 

[ehaze]

2) While I like the idea of adding a second battery --
take a look at this post: Link to post
if you are going to sit on the water for an extended period of time jammin' the radio it might be worth the $ to get the extra battery.


4) Fueling at the dock --
Do you have the trailer? i just take my boat up to the local gas station and fill up. seems worth the effort to save $40+.

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Welcome to the board. Glad to have you here. :smt038

Item 2 - You can do a second battery pretty much on the cheap, go to a local inland battery store like "Battery Source", they have 27 and 31 marine starter and deep cycle batteries for 30 to 50 percent less than West Marine or your dealer. They also have the 2 battery on/off switch and battery holder. It's not hard to hook up.

Item 3 - Running on the water with the bimini up is ok at crusing speeds. IE - 25-30 mph. You want to go any faster than that you burning up fuel because the bimini will act as a sail. Never run the highway with your bimini deployed. If you don't have the secondary support pole like the sundeck boats have I would recommend you lay it down will towing. Get a couple of towels and wrap around the poles so they don't scratch up your gelcoat or seats.

Item 4 - Most marina's have a anti self fueling policy for a couple of reasons. So do your fueling either at the fuel dock or on land. I personally leave my boat pretty much empty during the season so that I fuel up just before launching at where ever I am going. That way I don't tow 50 gallon's of fuel.

Hope this helps, and again, welcome. :grin:

 

[cagnoli]

WOW! Thanks for the responses

You guys are fantastic.

I don't have a trailer, I opted to keep it in the slip, and store it at the marina in the winter. (Besides, I don't think my Nissan Maxima will tow it

I'll try the cooler near the engine area, just not sure if I should put something in there to keep it from sliding back into the bilge pump.

As for the cans of fuel, I wasn't sure if there was a static discharge issue.

Thanks!

 

[Gunn]

I installed an additional cleat on each side of my boat to hang fenders, etc. I used the bolt-through kind which won't pull out (easily).

I installed a second battery on the cheap too. Bought an Ultima battery ($$$) and a switch. Then bought 30ft. rolls of red and black marine battery cable off of Ebay. Bought all the connectors and heatshrink at West Marine. Sold the cable I did not use on Ebay and basically ended up with zero cost on the cables!

I read the recent issue of Pontoon and Deck Boat (it was sent to me free) and they had survey results of "how do you fuel your boat?". The largest percentage was from cans, something like near 40%... (I use cans too). I've looked at those 29 gallon hand-truck style tanks, but wonder how they heck I would -unload- it from my truck when its full??! :huh:

 

[HavingFun]

I installed a second battery on the cheap too. Bought an Ultima batter ($$$) and a switch. Then boat 30ft. rolls of red and black marine batter cable off of Ebay. Bought all the connectors and heatshrink at West Marine. Sold the cable I did not use on Ebay and basically ended up with zero cost on the cables!

What size battery cable did you use? 0 gauge?

 

[RedGST]

I have an 06 model - 220 Sel...

1. Yes, I did something similar.
I actually put 2 of the 20? gallon totes in there (to carry odd / end items). In order to keep them from moving toward the back, I mounted a slightly thick piece of plastic (from Menards) to the divider by the engine, and into the bottom. I used small (1/2") screws... as to not puncture anything

2. I too was interested in running the stereo... so I went ahead and installed a second battery (underneath the 'jump seat' - basically at a "T" to the other battery.) The whole setup (multi switch, new battery, tray, bond) all ran under $125. Definitely worth it.

3. Be careful with the bimini... our 'receiving points' were 'screwed' into the window frame - and doing about 35mph... they ripped right out of the frame. (this was with it closed!) (My SR store 'riveted' them back in.) Like others mentioned above, its advised to stay under 20 mph with it open

Hope that helps.

(I dont have any pictures of my totes or extra battery... I might try and get some this weekend... as I try and figure out how to install a subwoofer!)

 

[Gunn]

What size battery cable did you use? 0 gauge?

I think it was 4 gauge Marine battery cable.

>Sorry about all those spelling mistakes above; sheesh, you can tell I was in a hurry. :smt021

 

[wish2fish]

Re: WOW! Thanks for the responses

You guys are fantastic.

I'll try the cooler near the engine area, just not sure if I should put something in there to keep it from sliding back into the bilge pump.

Thanks!

Welcome!

That is the second time you mentioned the bilge pump. My bilge pump is under the motor. I think you are referring to the tilt/trim pump at the back of the boat. (got a picture?)

Why don't you use the dash cooler? I know its not the best cooler but it is nice and convenient for drinks. I don't like having a cluttered boat and could imagine bringing more than what I need.