Official 370 Sundancer thread

For anyone with an earlier model 370 that is missing the optimal seat that goes next to the bar sink in the cockpit, there is one up for auction on eBay. It includes the cushion.
s-l400.jpg

Cockpit seat

i'm not selling it, but spotted it there and posting this for anyone who can use it.
 
I had my 96 370 hauled from Rochester, NY to Cleveland without taking off the radar dome and had no problems
 
After going through a lot of time and trial and error thinking that I had a vapor lock issue with my engines, realized that the problem was the low speed mechanical fuel pumps. Replaced them on both engines and that cured the problem and runs great in any and all weather conditions.
 
This is my first post on CS so if I'm doing this wrong just let me know. We have a 1997 370 and have owned it for 9 years, absolutely love the boat! We have recently considered making a change or keeping and one of the things we would like to add down the road is a washer/ dryer combo. Has anyone done this? If so, please point me in the right direction for more info. Thanks in advance for your help!

Joel

Hey Joel, I didn't want to think that you were being ignored, but it seems you posted to this thread at a time of high traffic and your post got skipped.

To answer your question, I have not come across anyone who has done what you suggest and I am not sure where you could even put such a unit. Some larger boats have them, but the 370 is only so big. Would the need be so great that you couldn't get to a laundromat? Some marinas also have them available for use at the marina as well.

Gene
 
So here I sit today doing the emails, texts and calls to arrange haul out for the upcoming winter season. I know, it's only the 2nd week of September but for once in my life I'm attempting to be ahead of the rush. I found some interesting things about doing this on my own with independent small business people.

2 years ago, through the onsite dealer, shrink wrap for our 95 370 was $900. This year, doing the arrangement myself, with the same contractor, it's $630. Hmmm....

Winterization of the 454's, AC, gennie and rv system with my private mechanic will be $600. Last year he charged $800 but that included a new fart filter and stuff. Dealer winterization 2 years ago was $1200.

Haul out with a private hauler, using the same trailer he launched me with in 2014 will be $150 including blocking and stands. Dealer haul out with the lift would be $320 as they charge 8 bucks a foot and consider AMFM a 40 foot boat.

While I realize dealers have higher overhead, I find our particular dealer difficult to deal with and consistent with high prices and over charging. They lost my business in 2014 when recommission in spring along with just an over paint of anti-fouling, no sanding hit $4,100. (I supplied the paint) I didn't pay that by the way. I fought them long and hard and ended up paying what my calculations told me and what I budgeted for which was $3K.

This year I'm coming out of the water as I stayed in last year. Survey is due this spring so I'll do an extra hull polish and clean in the spring.

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about haul out even though it's not for a month yet. AMFM comes out the week of October 10 and that's good with me. This weekend looking great and we'll be out there.

Here's a pic of AMFM, in the water, on December 27th. It kinda hurt to see her like this but she was no worse for the wear 2 weeks later when the snow left.

1902728_942554455825410_8504446344651944805_n.jpg

And two weeks later...

12646695_959628104118045_4959857380390648255_o.jpg

Mark
 
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Hey Joel, I didn't want to think that you were being ignored, but it seems you posted to this thread at a time of high traffic and your post got skipped.

To answer your question, I have not come across anyone who has done what you suggest and I am not sure where you could even put such a unit. Some larger boats have them, but the 370 is only so big. Would the need be so great that you couldn't get to a laundromat? Some marinas also have them available for use at the marina as well.

Gene

Thanks for getting back to me Gene, I was starting to think maybe you guys didn't like me:)
You are correct the need is not huge as most marina's have a laundry facility either on site or nearby. The reason we are considering it is in preparation for a Great Loop trip down the road. We are in the rough planning stages for that and would like to do it in about 5 years. Thanks again for the reply!

Joel
 
For those in the Cleveland, Ohio market, my son is in the detailing and shrink wrap business, (Krystal Klear Detailing). He would shrink wrap a 37' Sundancer complete with the frame, vents, etc. for $481.00. If interested you can e-mail me at propdev110@aol.com
 
For those in the Cleveland, Ohio market, my son is in the detailing and shrink wrap business, (Krystal Klear Detailing). He would shrink wrap a 37' Sundancer complete with the frame, vents, etc. for $481.00. If interested you can e-mail me at propdev110@aol.com

You should drop that up in the Great Lakes thread as well......
 
Anyone have issues with a fuel pump on 7.4 EFI? I have a 97 370 with a no start on my port engine. Cranks over, good spark etc. I removed the fuel filter and it was only about half full with gas. I emptied it, put it back in place, cranked the engine several more times, removed the fuel filter again and it was still dry. Engine ran perfect two weeks ago.
Thoughts and any recommendations on how to diagnose. Is it even the fuel pump???
 
Anyone have issues with a fuel pump on 7.4 EFI? I have a 97 370 with a no start on my port engine. Cranks over, good spark etc. I removed the fuel filter and it was only about half full with gas. I emptied it, put it back in place, cranked the engine several more times, removed the fuel filter again and it was still dry. Engine ran perfect two weeks ago.
Thoughts and any recommendations on how to diagnose. Is it even the fuel pump???

Still hot where you are?
Fought it for 5 years because "EFI engines don't vapor lock" was the mantra. Mercury finally released a bulletin that suggested they do, and adding secondary fuel pumps to each engine would mask it. No cure. Did that, and have not been skunked since. Now, if it's no start cold, that could very well be the primary fuel pump. Luckily, the Port engine is pretty easy to get to. Try the Starboard...... if you are 2 feet tall, and 30 lbs.
 
I had a failed primary fuel pump problem... Shortly after I bought my 1997 370, the starboard pump, which was an automotive part replacement, failed. I replaced it with the correct marine part and it's working fine 3 years later. I've not experienced any issues to date with the port primary pump (knocking on wood). Last year, I started to have a variety of serious engine issues culminating in putting a Jasper re-manufactured long block on starboard with new Mercruiser intake and exhaust manifolds on port and starboard. Before all was said and done, I also replaced both port and starboard "cool fuel" secondary pumps due to insufficient fuel pressure.
 
Chip, I am curious in what you are referring to as the primary fuel pump and the cool fuel secondary fuel pump. In a stock setup, the primary fuel pump is the only pump, which is the cool fuel II setup under the block with a heat exchanger in the loop as part of the raw water circuit (raw water pump to transmission oil cooler to fuel cooler to oil cooler to heat exchanger if fresh cooled, then manifolds, risers, and out the exhaust). Adding a "Secondary" low pressure "boost" pump before the fuel water separator was the Merc Bulletin recommendation for masking vapor lock. Is that where you found the automotive fuel pump?

Here's an interesting bulletin on troubleshooting the pumps for lurking DIY'ers
http://www.marinemechanic.com/merc/distributors/mercurymarine/sterndrive/electricfuelpumptesting.pdf
 
I'm using "primary" and "secondary" in reference to fuel flow from the tank to the engine. The small electric pump that is the subject of this thread is "first in line" so I referred to that as "primary" and the cool-fuel as secondary. I was unaware of the service bulletin and was told that the addition of the low-pressure pump was Sea Ray specific but apparently not.

Here's a link to a photo of the failed pump and its replacement: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ainwc7bwdofkzse/Fuel Pumps.jpg?dl=0

Installation of these low-pressure pumps is easy - at least on a 1997 370. Follow the fuel line back from the engine fuel filter toward the tank and you'll find the pump attached to the stringer. Compared to changing the cool fuel assembly, changing the low pressure pump is a walk in the park!

Hope this helps.
 
I have a question and a comment. If anyone is looking for replacement light and vent switches and trim pieces, they are manufactured by Vimar and available on a few sites, easily searchable.

I'm looking for a trash can that fits the cut-out in the galley. The original parts list gives a part # for a rubbermaid basket, but its only a sea ray part number. Anyone find one recently that they could share?
Thanks!
Mike
 
Swim Platform Ladder?

Hi all....

The collapsible stainless steel ladder on the swim platform of my 1997 370 is failing due to some small non-stainless guides that have deteriorated. Ideally, I'd just like to replace the failing parts but I cannot find any manufacturer information to track them down. There is a small label on the bottom of the ladder but it's illegible.

Anyone know who makes the ladder or where parts for it might be available? I've tried the usual candidates: Great Lakes Skipper and SeaRay-Parts.com without success.

If parts are not available, is there a suitable replacement for the original swim platform ladder? TIA...
 
Swim Platform Ladder?

Hi all....

The collapsible stainless steel ladder on the swim platform of my 1997 370 is failing due to some small non-stainless guides that have deteriorated. Ideally, I'd just like to replace the failing parts but I cannot find any manufacturer information to track them down. There is a small label on the bottom of the ladder but it's illegible.

Anyone know who makes the ladder or where parts for it might be available? I've tried the usual candidates: Great Lakes Skipper and SeaRay-Parts.com without success.

If parts are not available, is there a suitable replacement for the original swim platform ladder? TIA...

Are you talking about the plastic 'catches'? I have been trying to replace those as well if so as mine have worn down and my ladder 'spits' a bit when underway. I actually emailed the company a few weeks ago and they wanted pictures of what I was talking about but I keep forgetting to take a picture (will probably become a winter project). Anyways here is the info for the company and our ladders. Please let me know if you have any luck getting these as I need them too.

www.ggschmitt.com
info@ggschmitt.com
Old part #L08E3103, New #L08E3105.
 
Catch? Guide? The part I am referring to is in a channel on the side of the ladder that keeps the ladder straight as the steps expand or collapse.

After writing my message last night, I too found and wrote to www.ggschnitt.com but no reply yet. I'm about to go away for a week but when I get back will post some pix here and, if I get a response from Schmitt, will send the pix to them as well.
 

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