Official 510 DA Owners Group

How we have the task of planning the bucket list run; Bahama and Key West. Got my trusty Garmin and a brand new set of of charts. Of course the minute I spit out a departure date I'm informed of all the non nautical events which require our attendance. Funny, I don't recall us being that popular. But I shall persaver; only been talking about this trip for 10 years.

I removed the satalite tv dome. Hate dragging around systems that have no function. Kind of gives the boat a sleeker, sporty look with out that white bubble on top. As best as I can tell we will have steaming ability at various marinas here in the states and in the Bahamas. The previous ownwer made several trips to the islands; left check lists and assorted documents on the what's and where fors of such a trip.

Of course my initial objective is casting of from home port with a vessel that will make the full run with out mechanical issues. Break downs away from home suck. To that end I've discovered a great deal of shoddy workmanship for which I and the PO paid for. Down right pisses me off. But I digress; point is double check what you think has been done. This boat was described as "professionally maintained by a dedicated Captain with an open wallet". All well and good; bottom line, what was said to have been done wasn't done.

Well back to the chart room and my load out lists. Linda sketched out the "out fits" she was planning to take. By my calculations that will leave me enough space for a speedo and one flip flop. None the less, we shall press on.
 
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Too funny! Clearly don't know you and Linda, but, picturing you in a speedo just made us laugh like crazy!!!

If/When you get a good sense of how those checklists help. Consider posting them. Ilona and I want to do the Bahama's and they will surely help. Likely won't be till next season or later, but, planning from Chicago will be critical. Cheers.

Walter
 
Hello, we are Brian & Terry and current owners of a 1996 370DA and so love this boat. We currently live in TX. However, here in the near future we are wanting to move up to the 510DA and pretty much live aboard. I (Brian), have read that there is a pretty big difference between the 3106 and 4306 Cat's. We are not in it for hauling ass and WOT, this is a journey. Any input on that would be great and of course the Cummings - Pro's - Con's... Reliability and long distance is goal. One thread I read, the guy said that his was doing about 10 knts at idle? That just doesn't seem correct to me.

Walter - From Chicago you'd have to take the part of the "Great Loop" route to get to the Gulf or to the Atlantic. https://www.greatloop.org/
 
You know, I think we're all running about the same in the end. These engines, regardless of which ones, are reliable if maintained and run close. On my Cummins qsm11's I'm getting 32 miles per hour wot or about 27+ knots. Burning about 60 GPH if I remember correctly. Best cruise speed is around 15 miles per hour 1800 RPM and 13 gallons per hour if I remember correctly. This is going to be our first full season and will add a lot more to the Forum. Totally love the boat ours was purchased in a pristine state. I hope we can keep her there

as for the idol there's a slow and fast idle speed switch you can set. high idle is pretty fast but I don't think it's that fast
 
Knotty Desires said:
Hello, we are Brian & Terry and current owners of a 1996 370DA and so love this boat. We currently live in TX. However, here in the near future we are wanting to move up to the 510DA and pretty much live aboard. I (Brian), have read that there is a pretty big difference between the 3106 and 4306 Cat's. We are not in it for hauling ass and WOT, this is a journey. Any input on that would be great and of course the Cummings - Pro's - Con's... Reliability and long distance is goal. One thread I read, the guy said that his was doing about 10 knts at idle? That just doesn't seem correct to me.

Walter - From Chicago you'd have to take the part of the "Great Loop" route to get to the Gulf or to the Atlantic. https://www.greatloop.org/
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I have a very nice fresh water 510 for sale if you’re interested. As far as idle speed, mine goes 8.3 mph with both in gear. I usually idle with one when I’m around marinas and legitimate no wake zones
 
JBraun,

Welcome. thanks for reaching out maybe we'll see you on the lake this year. what's the name of your boat and where do you normally hang out
 
Jbraun..Thanks for the offer but it will be a year or so before we upgrade. What is your idle RPM? On our current 370DA at 8 knots we are at about 1800 RPM.


Jbraun2828 said:
I have a very nice fresh water 510 for sale if you’re interested. As far as idle speed, mine goes 8.3 mph with both in gear. I usually idle with one when I’m around marinas and legitimate no wake zones
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I will tell you that with the idle adjustment switch I can get normal idle down to about 1000 RPM's. when I been kick the slow idle switch on comes down to about 600. At that level there is more noticeable engine cavitation. it is slower though. first week of April her back in the water and I will do some testing an actual speeds
 
WalterCarl said:
I will tell you that with the idle adjustment switch I can get normal idle down to about 1000 RPM's. when I been kick the slow idle switch on comes down to about 600. At that level there is more noticeable engine cavitation. it is slower though. first week of April her back in the water and I will do some testing an actual speeds
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Walter, similar to a semi truck. Totally understand now.
 
Knotty Desires said:
Hello, we are Brian & Terry and current owners of a 1996 370DA and so love this boat. We currently live in TX. However, here in the near future we are wanting to move up to the 510DA and pretty much live aboard. I (Brian), have read that there is a pretty big difference between the 3106 and 4306 Cat's. We are not in it for hauling ass and WOT, this is a journey. Any input on that would be great and of course the Cummings - Pro's - Con's... Reliability and long distance is goal. One thread I read, the guy said that his was doing about 10 knts at idle? That just doesn't seem correct to me.

Walter - From Chicago you'd have to take the part of the "Great Loop" route to get to the Gulf or to the Atlantic. https://www.greatloop.org/
Click to expand...

The 510 is a big boat. My previous boat was a 400DA. Could pretty much handle her all by myself. The difference in handling and docking requirements are significant.
 
I currently own a 2003 Regal 3880. Very nice boat for the SF Bay. I have a feeling she won't be my final boat and I have found myself drawn to the 2001-2002 Sea Ray 510. A few questions. I love the visibility of a flybridge boat but want to get away from stairs long term. Question, how does the 510 perform at slower cruising speeds? 18mph? Will she plane at those speeds or is the bow so high you can't see and it's uncomfortable for the guests/crew? I am no longer a speed demon like I used to be and found myself pretty happy at 18mph to get from place to place.
 
waynepj3 said:
I currently own a 2003 Regal 3880. Very nice boat for the SF Bay. I have a feeling she won't be my final boat and I have found myself drawn to the 2001-2002 Sea Ray 510. A few questions. I love the visibility of a flybridge boat but want to get away from stairs long term. Question, how does the 510 perform at slower cruising speeds? 18mph? Will she plane at those speeds or is the bow so high you can't see and it's uncomfortable for the guests/crew? I am no longer a speed demon like I used to be and found myself pretty happy at 18mph to get from place to place.
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When my boat was in dry bock I installed drop fins on the trim tabs. The boat now rides pretty level, least enough to make a difference. Visibility is also much improved over the previous nose high deck angle. If not already installed it's defiantly worth the investment the next time she comes out of the water.
I cruse around at 18 knots, no problem staying on plane. Plenty of power to bust out to 30 but 18-20 knots is where she rides best. Handling is great with plenty of response to rudder inputs. Fact she is noticeably more responsive than my 400DA.
You will not be disappointed in the 510DA, it's a heck of a machine. Just be ready. Is surprising how a couple feet here and there makes a diferance in how you have to do things.
 
stephens013 said:
When my boat was in dry bock I installed drop fins on the trim tabs. The boat now rides pretty level, least enough to make a difference. Visibility is also much improved over the previous nose high deck angle. If not already installed it's defiantly worth the investment the next time she comes out of the water.
I cruse around at 18 knots, no problem staying on plane. Plenty of power to bust out to 30 but 18-20 knots is where she rides best. Handling is great with plenty of response to rudder inputs. Fact she is noticeably more responsive than my 400DA.
You will not be disappointed in the 510DA, it's a heck of a machine. Just be ready. Is surprising how a couple feet here and there makes a diferance in how you have to do things.
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I like the idea of drop fins for more level, slow speed planing, cruising. I am going to research this further. Are drop fins preferred over just bigger trim tabs?
 
waynepj3 said:
I like the idea of drop fins for more level, slow speed planing, cruising. I am going to research this further. Are drop fins preferred over just bigger trim tabs?
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Bigger tabs are an issue on to itself. I added 30% tab area and drop down fins to my 400DA. Really flattened the deck angle on the boat. Just have to check with Bennett ( (954) 427-1400) to see what they recommend for you particular application. They will also give you the part number of the drop downs. For my 2001 the fins do just enough.
 
Hydrodynamically, the drop fins force/hold more water on the tab making your current tab more efficient/effective. Obviously, a larger tab + drop fins will be even more effective.
 
carterchapman said:
Hydrodynamically, the drop fins force/hold more water on the tab making your current tab more efficient/effective. Obviously, a larger tab + drop fins will be even more effective.
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When I first queried Bennett as to the drop fins added effecency they spit out a 10% inqcrese in over all effectiveness. These days they are not as hard on performance numbers. Like I say, it's a modification that has a real pay back. When I asked them about increasing trim tab area hey told me no more than 30% area increase. Like I say, that was then and this is now.

In use on the 400DA I used full deployment getting on plane then backed off as required. On the 510DA I leave then down full all the time. Seems to be just enough.
 
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Final suggestion on this big tab thing, double check the attachment points and hard wear. That's screws holding the piano hinge to the transom as well as the attachmets points of the actuators. Most times the actuators will be fine but inspect before putting her back in the water. Putting the drop down dose not add that much additional working weight to the system so just a goo once over should give you piece of mind. When I added additional tab area the whole piano hinge mounting system was cleaned, screw holes reglassesed and upgraded hard wear installed. Really a small effort should one go that far.
Anyway, that's all I got.
Good good luck with your project
 
carterchapman said:
Hydrodynamically, the drop fins force/hold more water on the tab making your current tab more efficient/effective. Obviously, a larger tab + drop fins will be even more effective.
Click to expand...
I think I will apply this to my Regal 3880 which is bow high...
 
Just posted a request for information about the inside of the ac duct work. I keep getting little chunks of dried up insulation from the of the ac plum. The dead insulation is getting spat out from the circular defuses in the salon codling. Just not sure how to take those circular defuser things down with out really messing up all the over head aupostery.
Any one with an idea or two?
 
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