OFFICIAL 250 DANCER THREAD

Hi everyone, my name is Kirk. I'm a new member and recently purchased a 1995 25' Sundancer. I posted in the newbie forum prior to buying the boat and received some great input. My one concern was the size of engine for this boat. I stated that I wanted to accommodate 6-8 people for cruising and use it for tubing also. I received mixed reviews. After talking to the surveyor I decided to buy. We had the boat out this past weekend for 3 days and we absolutely love it. Power was of no concern and we had plenty of room. This boat seemed to plane nicely only using the prop. The only concern I have is the occasional listing from side to side. I tried to distribute the weight evenly but was still hard to trim the boat. We did notice the boat seems to list to the port side quite often. As we played with the trim tabs going about 25 mph we had the boat level then all of a sudden it would list to the starboard side scaring the **** out of us. Any suggestions? We also noticed the trim tab controls are reverse. The right control on the dashboard would operate the port side trim tab and left control would operate the starboard trim tab. Is this normal? Was thinking of getting automatic trim tabs. Any comments.
 
Justforfun said:
Hi everyone, my name is Kirk. I'm a new member and recently purchased a 1995 25' Sundancer. I posted in the newbie forum prior to buying the boat and received some great input. My one concern was the size of engine for this boat. I stated that I wanted to accommodate 6-8 people for cruising and use it for tubing also. I received mixed reviews. After talking to the surveyor I decided to buy. We had the boat out this past weekend for 3 days and we absolutely love it. Power was of no concern and we had plenty of room. This boat seemed to plane nicely only using the prop. The only concern I have is the occasional listing from side to side. I tried to distribute the weight evenly but was still hard to trim the boat. We did notice the boat seems to list to the port side quite often. As we played with the trim tabs going about 25 mph we had the boat level then all of a sudden it would list to the starboard side scaring the **** out of us. Any suggestions? We also noticed the trim tab controls are reverse. The right control on the dashboard would operate the port side trim tab and left control would operate the starboard trim tab. Is this normal? Was thinking of getting automatic trim tabs. Any comments.
Click to expand...

The trim tabs are wired properly. When you want the right side go down you need the left trim tab to go down to do that. The auto trim tabs are a great upgrade.
 
Justforfun said:
Hi everyone, my name is Kirk. I'm a new member and recently purchased a 1995 25' Sundancer. I posted in the newbie forum prior to buying the boat and received some great input. My one concern was the size of engine for this boat. I stated that I wanted to accommodate 6-8 people for cruising and use it for tubing also. I received mixed reviews. After talking to the surveyor I decided to buy. We had the boat out this past weekend for 3 days and we absolutely love it. Power was of no concern and we had plenty of room. This boat seemed to plane nicely only using the prop. The only concern I have is the occasional listing from side to side. I tried to distribute the weight evenly but was still hard to trim the boat. We did notice the boat seems to list to the port side quite often. As we played with the trim tabs going about 25 mph we had the boat level then all of a sudden it would list to the starboard side scaring the **** out of us. Any suggestions? We also noticed the trim tab controls are reverse. The right control on the dashboard would operate the port side trim tab and left control would operate the starboard trim tab. Is this normal? Was thinking of getting automatic trim tabs. Any comments.
Click to expand...

I think I mentioned th boat being finicky about using the tabs, mine will do the same thing. I am used to it now and I noticed with 8 people on board it did not have the listing iissue. You will love the boat and if you do the auto tab thing make shure you post the results on this thread.

oh, some pics of your boat too.

LK
 
Hi Alwhite,

I am trying to get use to it. The boat seems to list to the port side initially. When I do play with the tabs and get the boat level, it seems to list to the other side as the speed is increased and especially when I throttle down. Its scary!

Love the swim platform on your boat. Where did you buy them?

I want to do so much to this boat but want to take my time and not spend all my cash. I will get some pictures up shortly.

A couple of questions if somebody could help:

1. There is a switch on the ceiling just like the dash board switches just as you enter the cuddy on your left by the slide door, what is this for?

2. My dash board gauge lights do not work, any reason why? solution?

3. Does anybody have the auto trim tabs? are they a wise investment? are they safe?

4. Any other upgrades I should consider?

Regards,

Kirk
 
The switches are for the cabin main (turns the dc on to the cabin for the 12v lighting), galley ac & galley dc. (The light above the counter)

swimplatforms.com, great addition, wouldn't get rid of it for anything. Covers the out drive completely.

I added a magma grill mount on the starboard side of the original platform, built some shelving in some of the cabinets, added a tv that we can watch in the cabin or cockpit.

It does freak you out a little when she leans over. You might want to double check to see if both the tabs are retracting fully.

LK
 
Also, if you have the tabs down to fix the listing the faster you go the less tab you need. If you have a tab down on one side and put the hammer down she will really lean over.

LK
 
I was able to get the lights working on the dashboard gauges. Just wiggled a few wires.

I will practice with the trim tabs. I was told to move the tabs up and down together to keep the boat from listing side to side. Kind of seems to defeats the purpose of individual tabs. I am hoping a fellow boater will take me out and teach me.

I still want to look into the automatic trim tabs. Not sure which one to get and how much it is. Any suggestions Phlordia?

Next step is to learn how to use the toilet and fresh water. Baby steps.

Thank you all for your help
 
You didn't get good advice on using both tabs simultaneously, you instincts are correct that it defeats the purpose of independent tabs. Here is a link to some videos on trim tabs and their operation from Bennett who is the manufacturer of your trim tabs. http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/videolibrary.php?tID=6 Also, are you trimming your out drive up a bit when you get on plane? If you aren't, a lot of your issue is coming from your bow pushing through the water. You need to get the bow up a bit. With 2-3 people on board I trim my out drive up about 25% on the gauge.

You trim tabs are from Bennett so you need the Automatic Tab Control from them. Here is a link http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/autotabcontrol.php?cID=4 The installation is fairly straightforward and the results are excellent. Note that you only use the ATC when you are on plane.

I keep my boat in dry storage so I also have the Automatic Tab Retractor. http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/autotabretractor.php?cID=3

(Tom - I'll PM you my address for the commission check on this, ok?) :grin:
 
Finally getting the hang of the trim tabs, somewhat. My only concern is when I have the boat properly trimmed, what happens when I decide to turn around? Will the boat list excessively in either direction due to the trim tabs being used?

Phlordia, roughly how much was the automatic trim tabs for your boat?

Was thinking of installing an adjustable captains chair in boat instead of the bench. I cant see over the window and I hate standing to see, plus I slide around if I'm on one knee. Any suggestions from somebody who completed this project?

I am still trailering my boat and was wondering if it is ok to power load my boat onto the trailer. Somebody told me it is illegal to power load in Ohio, Is this correct?

Thanks for all the help
 
Understand that the Automatic Trim Tab kit is something that you add to your existing trim tab installation. The kit is under $250 and I highly recommended ordering it from the sponsor of this site BOE Marine. http://www.boemarine.com/bennett-ac3000-auto-tab-control-map-295-26/

If you have the boat trimmed properly it will still be trimmed properly when you turn around. It sounds as though you are still experiencing some significant listing. Did you try raising the outdrive to get the bow higher out of the water? The ATC is a great product but it isn't going to solve the problem with the boat listing abruptly, you need to learn how to trim the boat properly.

I would think hard about tearing out the existing seating in favor of captains chairs. It would be a lot of work and would potentially adversely affect the value of the boat.
 
I will definitely purchase from a sponsor on this site.

I was able to control the listing using the trim tabs. Was afraid if I turned around rather quickly the boat would react differently with the tabs set rather than the tabs being retracted all the way. I do feel more comfortable.

I was just going to put one captains chair to navigate and leave the rest alone. I would rather sit in a secured chair instead of sliding around or standing. I am 6'3" and when I sit I look right into the top of the windshield. Hate it!
 
So you would leave the fiberglass base and install a top to it to mount your seat? Would you leave the seat back in place? They are kind of built in on that model of boat, Just be really careful about doing anything that might extremely lower your re-sale if you ever trade up.

LK
 
Phlorida said:
If you have the boat trimmed properly it will still be trimmed properly when you turn around.
.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. If you trimmed the listing to counter the wind, it will require resetting the tabs once on your new course. And of course if the weight in the boat shifts. Passenger movement.
 
We just sold our 97 250 Sundancer and both of these issues were things that I probably would have upgraded at some time. Everything that I've read on here has indicated the ATC is a great addition, and that was on my eventual to do list.

As for the cushion, I was thinking of having a local canvas shop improve the driver seat cushion. A lot of boats, including my new one, have a seat that has a flip up bolster so you can sit up higher. I was thinking of having that cushion replaced with one with a seat that flips up. That way the look of the seat would be close to the same for resale value, but it would have been more practical. I never followed through to see if that was possible, but it seems like it should be.

Mike
 
Phlorida said:
I would think hard about tearing out the existing seating in favor of captains chairs. It would be a lot of work and would potentially adversely affect the value of the boat.
Click to expand...

+1. Especially on the work to value ratio.
My sun pad cushion stays on the helm seat/bench. Its a perfect fit and color match & my wife really likes it when she is at the helm. At least give this a try before you start trowing money & time at a seat upgrade.
 
Yes I would leave the seat base intact and add the captains chair some how. I would love to try the sun pad but my boat does not have one. Maybe I should have a booster seat made instead of the captains chair. Would be cheaper.

I think I might add the Auto trim tabs and I really love the extra swim platform.

I do not want to put too much money into this boat since I'll probably move up in the next couple of years. Baby steps.
 
You guys are already costing me money, lol, I just ordered the ATC for my 250 (although she is yet to get on plane, lol). Any pics of where the control panel is mounted on your boats?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,253
Messages
1,429,342
Members
61,130
Latest member
VaBreeze
Back
Top