Official 2003.5-2008 340 Sundancer Thread

buick72 said:
Hi everyone,
we just purchased our first boat 2005 340. We have been out about 15 times this season using iPad and navionics. Considering an upgrade from the c90 to garmin 741. We were not planning on a radar upgrade until west marine explained the farming is not comparable with ray marine radar. Has anyone else done this upgrade and is the radar worth it, we were in some bad fog twice so if the upgrade is nice it's probably worth it for us. Anyone else mount it somewhere dele on the dash and keep the ray marine in place? Thanks
Click to expand...

I have the prior garmin 700 series (basically the same minus the wifi capability) including radar and in-hull transducer for depth. I really like the setup, and find it to be both effective and user friendly. I would have preferred a bigger screen, but at the time, the larger touchscreen models were FAR more expensive than the 700 series. That may have changed. Also, if you run in rough water, it can sometimes be difficult to use the touchscreen. In those situations I counteract that by being deliberate in my movements, and also placing my hand on the unit for stability and touching with just my index finger.

I typically run in radar overlay mode or chart/radar split screen mode. Have not used the fishing mode or "3D" mode more than a few times. If you pre-plot your routes either on the unit or externally (Garmin Homeport on Laptop and transferred via SD card, or BluechartMobile transferred via wifi) the course and route ribbons can eat into your display space. I only use that function when going somewhere new, but I typically also keep my iPad on the helm seat with Bluechart Mobile running for a "zoomed out" view of what is around and the 700 series zoomed in a little tighter. This also makes it easier to pick waypoints on the fly and "navigate to" them.

Hope that helps.
 
JimFromMD said:
I have the prior garmin 700 series (basically the same minus the wifi capability) including radar and in-hull transducer for depth. I really like the setup, and find it to be both effective and user friendly. I would have preferred a bigger screen, but at the time, the larger touchscreen models were FAR more expensive than the 700 series. That may have changed. Also, if you run in rough water, it can sometimes be difficult to use the touchscreen. In those situations I counteract that by being deliberate in my movements, and also placing my hand on the unit for stability and touching with just my index finger.

I typically run in radar overlay mode or chart/radar split screen mode. Have not used the fishing mode or "3D" mode more than a few times. If you pre-plot your routes either on the unit or externally (Garmin Homeport on Laptop and transferred via SD card, or BluechartMobile transferred via wifi) the course and route ribbons can eat into your display space. I only use that function when going somewhere new, but I typically also keep my iPad on the helm seat with Bluechart Mobile running for a "zoomed out" view of what is around and the 700 series zoomed in a little tighter. This also makes it easier to pick waypoints on the fly and "navigate to" them.

Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jim did you upgrade the radar to the Garmin HD? If so did you notice an upgrade from the Raymarine also? If the radar is better I think the upgrade is and easy choice if not we might try to mount the unit on top and keep the raymarine.
 
buick72 said:
Hi everyone,
we just purchased our first boat 2005 340. We have been out about 15 times this season using iPad and navionics. Considering an upgrade from the c90 to garmin 741. We were not planning on a radar upgrade until west marine explained the farming is not comparable with ray marine radar. Has anyone else done this upgrade and is the radar worth it, we were in some bad fog twice so if the upgrade is nice it's probably worth it for us. Anyone else mount it somewhere dele on the dash and keep the ray marine in place? Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes, we replaced our C80 that bit the dust with a Garmin 840xs and also put a 741xs in front of the helm in the stand that came with it (not sunken) which is easier to read when at the helm than looking over for the 840xs. We also bought the radar that's very good to have too with the 741xs. Also if you buy a 741xs and the Bluechart G2 vision card (normally about $240), you can get a $200 rebate if you send to Garmin by 8/30/15. That's a good deal for $40, which is really well worth it, it's so useful. BTW Welcome aboard, enjoy!
 
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Can anyone tell in short how to turn and operate my remote spotlight ? I have been doing some research here with no luck, i do have a new in box remote that previous owner gave me at time of purchase but never explained how to use it..., do i need to pair this new remote ? Does it need to be activated thru a dash button first? Thanks in advance everyone...
 
Hi guys,
I've just replaced all my lights with LED lights (complete replacement not bulbs) and here's the brand and part number list.
Now remember "I come from a land down under" so it took considerable research as everything is metric here and all wrong sizes plus I didn't want to go cheap and have to do it ever again.
I also wanted to be able to plug them straight into the existing cutouts etc
Cabin and cockpit lights

Lumitech Mirage (USA company) SKU:
113119

http://www.lumiteclighting.com/products/recreational-marine/interior-lights/flush-mount-down-lights/mirage

They come in all sorts of variants including warm white and bright white.
I put bright white over the galley and warm white everywhere else
These are IP67 so completely sealed and water proof so you can use them both indoors and out and it keeps everything uniform.
I chose the polished stainless rim and they also look sensational - better than the originals by far.

Large dome lights in the cabin
Hella make a light called a Eurolec 150 which fits perfectly and one variation comes with it's own on/of switch which is handy.
They are a New Zealand company but I believe they have a US arm
Part number 2JA 980 630-611
www.hellamarine.com
Just be careful to make sure you skew screw them slightly to make sure the new screws bite. Other than that a perfect fit.

Courtesy lights in the cabin
This was a challenge but it looks like Hella again have one that fits the existing cutout.
I haven't installed these yet - this weekend's job but they measure up against the originals so I'm not expecting an issue.
Warm white easy fit step Part number 2JA 998 560-401

Navigation lights
There are probably plenty of options for these but the Hella's were a straight replacement - even used the same screw holes!
I went with the white shroud part number 2LT 980 620-911

Anchor/masthead light
This one was doing my head in until I got onto Attwood in the USA.
Everyone over here does 2-wire all round lights and what you need for this is a 3-wire combination anchor/masthead.
I got the 24" to clear the radar etc and it folds down if necessary
This one is in transit from USA as we speak.

I have an extended rear cockpit awning so I'm also going to wire in some LED strip lights on the support bars for the rear canvas covers to give a bit more light over the rear table at night

I'll post some photos if anyone is interested

Hope that helps

Chris
 
Is this anyone on the forum? I responded to the craigslist ad that I am in mn, and was interested in the Bimini as well as shipping, but have not heard anything back.
 
Good morning all.

Being a newbie 375/340 owner done the first project autopilot installation with the great help of Scott/sfergson727.

Then changed the 12 ceiling light bulbs with leds, man what a difference both lighting and battery consumption and heat. When the 12 stock bulbs were lit 10 amps was draining and when leds lit there was 1-2 amps consumption and they are cool to touch. (except the 4 swivel reading lights) Please ignore the mess over the galley countertop.



A strange thing is there are no AC lights in my boat, it is 375 the European equivalent of 340 (however my 2005 315/280 have both DC and AC cabin lights) there is only power fan and DC lights switches at galley which powers the galley ceiling and center big round lights and there isn't a breaker at AC side of the electrical panel for AC lights, also no base in the big round lights or I can't see if there is.





I also want to change the 4 swivel reading lights but seems a little tricky to disassemble and I don't want to break the glass, so what's the trick for it ?

TIA
 
My port engine is burning 2-3 gph more fuel than my starboard engine. RPM's are good, strainers are clear, seawater pumps are new and the genny pulls from the starboard engine. I track my gph closely and past seasons both engines have been in sync in terms of fuel burn rate. Any ideas on the potential cause before I go to my mechanic?
 
Usually spark plugs are the main culprit. That being said, you may just be a victim of too much technology. I am guessing you have the original smart craft instead of vessel view. Vessel view only gives a total fuel burn, and does not break it down from engine to engine as the original SC5000 does.

My friend's 2003.5 340DA also burns unevenly, and at first we were concerned about it. However, the props between port and stbd are pitched differently due counter rotating props, and the necessity for transmission to run in reverse. I suspect this causes an uneven load on the engines, which would cause one engine to burn more fuel than the other. I am not willing to say that is the final answer, but it works for me.......
 
Thanks for the suggestion, wasn't due for a tune-up yet but you never know. I do have smartcraft, but even on former twin-engine boats I manually tracked fuel-burn per engine to monitor performance.
sfergson727 said:
Usually spark plugs are the main culprit. That being said, you may just be a victim of too much technology. I am guessing you have the original smart craft instead of vessel view. Vessel view only gives a total fuel burn, and does not break it down from engine to engine as the original SC5000 does.

My friend's 2003.5 340DA also burns unevenly, and at first we were concerned about it. However, the props between port and stbd are pitched differently due counter rotating props, and the necessity for transmission to run in reverse. I suspect this causes an uneven load on the engines, which would cause one engine to burn more fuel than the other. I am not willing to say that is the final answer, but it works for me.......
Click to expand...
 
Anybody have a good battery replacement suggestion they'd like to chime in on? Anybody plus size?
 
I am using Sears Platinum Marine AGM batteries, group 31. Very happy with them, all five of them...they are pricey, but so far worth every penny. I have no generator, so they power my outlets with an inverter. I forgot one afternoon to switch the outlets back to shore power, and three of them powered my stereo/amp, an AC fan, and the television all night. The next morning, the only way I found out what I had done was when I tried to make coffee, and the coffee maker wouldn't heat. (draws too much power for the inverter)

Some folks might try to tell you that your battery charger can't charge AGM....they are wrong. AGM batteries are lead acid. It is GEL batteries that need a special charger. That being said, the newer Intellipower chargers have settings for all three. Those types of chargers will do a better job charging AGM batteries than a standard charger, but the standard will work fine. The issue is the voltage, as a standard charger charges at 14.1 volts, AGM batteries do better at 13.9 -13.2 depending on how depleted they are. Considering how much you have invested in the batteries, buying the best charger for them (as I ultimately did) might be a good investment.
 
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Advance Auto parts sells Group 31 marine batteries for about half the price what any marine store or marina will charge. I replaced my four batteries with them almost three seasons ago and still going strong.
onthejob said:
Anybody have a good battery replacement suggestion they'd like to chime in on? Anybody plus size?
Click to expand...
 
I'm getting ready to change the plugs in both engines. The manual says AC 41-983's. I've heard that some brands are better than others. What brands do you suggest?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
HELP HELP !!! I have a 07 340 da , is there any access to the second station
before the forward station mounting area on the port side ??? .
My 06 290 had a leather area in the side storage , with a zipper !,,

please tell me there is a easy access to this area ! THANKS JIM.
 
see ray said:
HELP HELP !!! I have a 07 340 da , is there any access to the second station
before the forward station mounting area on the port side ??? .
My 06 290 had a leather area in the side storage , with a zipper !,,

please tell me there is a easy access to this area ! THANKS JIM.
Click to expand...

After staring at this for a few minutes wondering what in the world you were talking about, I have come to the conclusion that you meant stanchion, as in the bow rail stanchion. If that is correct, I believe there is. On my late model 03, the insides of the compartments to each side of the forward berth are zippered to allow access to the stanchions.
 
You are correct the bow rail stanchions WHEW THAT HELPS. Just to be clear I have the new body 340 that came out in late 03 !!!
so it does have the zippered access! My06 290 da had that i bent the rail , don't ASK SO IM GETTING A NEW SECTION WELDED IN BUT NEED TO UN attach that one stanchion


SECTIO
bankyf said:
After staring at this for a few minutes wondering what in the world you were talking about, I have come to the conclusion that you meant stanchion, as in the bow rail stanchion. If that is correct, I believe there is. On my late model 03, the insides of the compartments to each side of the forward berth are zippered to allow access to the stanchions.
Click to expand...
 
lpvanam said:
I'm getting ready to change the plugs in both engines. The manual says AC 41-983's. I've heard that some brands are better than others. What brands do you suggest?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I don't have my old 340's records with me, but here is a thread with your answer...

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/71659-8-1-Spark-Plug-replacement?highlight=champion

Many members have had good service out of the Champions...I would never use the AC's again if I had a gas boat...
 
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