SeaDancer first impressions

S

sgs01

Member
Jan 18, 2015
90
Marietta, GA
Boat Info
1982 Sea Ray Vanguard 30ec
Engines
2 Mercruiser 260 direct inboards
I've taken my first few cruises with my SeaDancer. Man alive what a boat! It turns me into a little kid again!

It's on the Tennessee River right now, and will probably stay there. It is fast as everything too! I usually cruise at about 2800 with the twin 350 inboards at about 18kts. The secondaries kick in right at 3000, so it's best to stay below that to the extent that you are able.

Next plans are:

1. Bottom job
2. rationalize the electrical system with new batteries, new battery charger, better wiring organization, etc
3. Water heater install
4. Marine A/C install
5. re-power
6. generator

What does everyone think, ESPECIALLY about putting marine A/C in a boat that doesn't currently have one? I worry about cutting a hole in the bottom for a thru-hull.

Would it be possible to pull water from one of the engine seacocks? Or is that a bad idea?
 
Do you have any photos? I don't think I've ever seen pics of one of those and would like to take a look at some.

Installing a marine a/c unit on a boat that didn't have one is a very expensive proposition.
 
sgs01 said:
I've taken my first few cruises with my SeaDancer. Man alive what a boat! It turns me into a little kid again!

It's on the Tennessee River right now, and will probably stay there. It is fast as everything too! I usually cruise at about 2800 with the twin 350 inboards at about 18kts. The secondaries kick in right at 3000, so it's best to stay below that to the extent that you are able.

Next plans are:

1. Bottom job
2. rationalize the electrical system with new batteries, new battery charger, better wiring organization, etc
3. Water heater install
4. Marine A/C install
5. re-power
6. generator

What does everyone think, ESPECIALLY about putting marine A/C in a boat that doesn't currently have one? I worry about cutting a hole in the bottom for a thru-hull.

Would it be possible to pull water from one of the engine seacocks? Or is that a bad idea?
Click to expand...


If your worried about cutting a hole in the boats bottom...hire someone else to do it.
I do this for people often..it's much easier for me to drill a big hole into other peoples boats ;)
Really not a big deal. Just have the proper backer, if it's not a cored hull it's pretty easy.
Do not T off if the engines water supply, bad idea..

I've also installed AC into boats that didn't have it from the factory. That can be a big job depending on what kind of access you have to the space for the duct work and space available to set the unit somewhere in the cabin and water pump in the engine room.
2-3K if you DIY more if hire it out.
 
Last edited:
Putting in AC on a boat that does not have it, I did that on our 90 280 sundancer. Hired it out to someone else put in a Mermaid AC unit, was an odd brand but there was a dealer close by. Total came to 3860. I would expect that to be about 5200 today!
 
What about a portable AC unit like they sell at appliance stores? Not talking about a window unit. I'm talking about a free-standing unit in the cabin. Yes it would take up cabin space, but $500 beats $5000 any day!
 
Just get a used one that sets over a hatch,they can be had on craigslist for about $500 and will cool you at the dock nicely.
 
sgs01 said:
What about a portable AC unit like they sell at appliance stores? Not talking about a window unit. I'm talking about a free-standing unit in the cabin. Yes it would take up cabin space, but $500 beats $5000 any day!
Click to expand...
You still have to be able to draw in outside are to cool, so you would need to modify the intake hose to fit a window or hatch.
 
I had one with a/c it fits nicely under the steps. I didnt have a generator but it came plumbed with an extra sea cock.
 
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