New to boating

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Member
Jun 14, 2018
45
Hudson Valley, NY
Boat Info
1999 310 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 357 MAG Bravo4V
Bravo 3 Drives
Hello all! I'm new to boating and just purchased a 2000 Sea Ray 240 Sundancer. Any advice on new boat ownership? I am looking to travel on the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley NY.
 
Welcome! My advice - get out and enjoy that boat! If you're not familiar with boating or haven't taken a class it might not be a bad idea to find a captain to show you around.

And a general rule of this forum that must be followed - post pictures of your boat or it never happened!
 
Yep, get out and use it. Being new, get in the habit of leaving the dock whenever you can. I see so many boats sit at the dock all season unused, and I think it's because the owners have found a routine of not going out and using it from the beginning.

A course is a good idea if you're totally new to the water, you'll learn navigation and safety which is super important especially boating in your area.
 
Read as much as you can on this forum. There is so much good information on here that goes back through years of experience building for all of us. Don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. This is a great forum with very helpful boaters. (Just don't ask about portable generators - I am not kidding -- Don't ask, just read)
 
Thanks! I appreciate the advice. I did take a boaters safety course prior to purchasing boat. Looking forward to being out on the water.



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welcome! ..if need be, try and fix it yourself.. tons of help here and YouTube

Pics a must! enjoy!
 
Thanks, Happy Dayz! Worked on a couple small problems today that I knew was not working when I purchased the boat. A/C blower was not working. Found motor was seized. Freed up by removing ductwork and reaching in blower section (with power off of course :) and spinning motor squirrel cage. Also noticed no water pumping out of side of boat. Checked filter (clean). Disconnected pump outlet line and a bunch of nasty crap came out of line. A/C blowing nice cold air now.
 
Thanks, Happy Dayz! Worked on a couple small problems today that I knew was not working when I purchased the boat. A/C blower was not working. Found motor was seized. Freed up by removing ductwork and reaching in blower section (with power off of course :) and spinning motor squirrel cage. Also noticed no water pumping out of side of boat. Checked filter (clean). Disconnected pump outlet line and a bunch of nasty crap came out of line. A/C blowing nice cold air now.

Nice. You have the right idea. Just get in there and do it. It will help you learn the boat and save money at the same time.
 
Enjoy the heck out of your new boat. Words of wisdom, go very very slow in close quarters. Watch your wake even in 5 to 7 knot areas. Know that you are responsible for wake damage or others safety.
 
+1 on the recommendation to take a boater safety course. I had 10 years boating experience before taking the Power Squadron class (20 years ago) and still learned a ton. There are so many concepts that, if taught correctly will serve you for the rest of your life. If you don't learn them you will bang around and cause problems for everyone around you, and never even realize it.

They have online training now, but I think the give and take with a live instructor is worth the time and cost investment.
 
Congratulations on your new Searay! A lot of great advice has already been given, one really important thing that you must know. Learn everything about anything on your boat. Don’t wait until something breaks, learn your systems, your engines, everything. You’ll find that you will be saving thousands of dollars, just like you saved lots of money when you fixed your AC. Also, shop for parts online. There are many web sellers selling OEM replacement parts for a fraction of what the big brick and mortar boat stores and WM sells for.

As another member said, get out and use the boat at every chance you get. Your season is short, about 26 weeks.

Enjoy!
Bow Tie
 
Welcome and good luck. Be sure to go up to Dobbs Ferry and see my brother in law at Rochambo Wines.

Get out there and enjoy. Take your time and learn safe boating
 
Congratulations on getting into the wonderful world of boating. My limited words of wisdom:

Don't be rushed, its a leisure sport, half of the problems at the dock I've come across were of my own doing.

Grab a mooring ball, or some other floating object and practice approaching, coming about and retrieval, etc. Should you ever need to do this with a person in an emergency, you'll appreciate the practice. Heck, if you're planning on watersports, it'd be good to do this before you're dealing with loved ones.

Have fun!
 
Thanks! Good advice. 1st time pulling into marina/dock, the dock master talked me into backing up into slip. It was a little difficult because of current but i managed. It was great that other boaters at marina helped with securing boat onto slip. Fixed another problem. Shower bilge pump would not shut off. Moved float swith up/down multiple times but pump would not shut off. Turned off breaker and picked up and installed float switch. All working now.
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