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Announcing delivery of a new 240 Sundancer

5.2K views 29 replies 20 participants last post by  Jack F  
#1 ·
Greetings all... I thought I would announce our new addition.
:grin::grin: We took delivery of our new 2009 240 Sundancer yesterday (2/27) in Tacoma WA. She is great. Everything checked out well and the new options were installed as we hoped. Here are the pics.... http://picasaweb.google.com/dsrvashon/240Delivery#

We bought the boat at the Seattle Boat Show. She has a 5.0 L EFI with fresh water cooling, a Bravo III and the Seacore option. Also included are the Vacuflush head, a cabin/cockpit heater, a Garmin 540s GPS Chartplotter, camper canvas, tonneau cover, wet bar, bottom paint but no trailer.

I am still learning about the systems but jazzed about the features of the Smartcraft system and the Garmin GPS. A wealth of info from those systems. The only problems found thus far is a leaking drain in the galley (needed to tighten the sink drain pipe), missing v-berth support, fluid levels that are not up to max level, and a switch (next to the cabin light switch) which we cannot figure out what it controls (outlets?).

We cruised home at a variable rate but planed easily around 3000 rpms and cruised at 30 mph at 3600 rpm. The system says it is using around 10-11 gph at 28-30 mph. A yes, the trim tabs are working well

I hear spring is on its way!:smt038.... can't wait.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Very nice, you will enjoy it. I see they added an anchor roller to the 2009. The only tricky part is not busting the nav light. Those are some nice numbers you are turning but I would have my tach checked if you are hitting 30 mph with 3600 rpms. I usually can cruise around 27 mph gps at 4100 rpms under a minimal load.
 
#5 ·
We loved our 240! Congrats! Its a great boat that you'll build endless memories on.
 
#7 ·
Nice new toy, congratulations! And the pictures you posted are very good.

I am also interested in how your rpm/speed/fuel consumption checks out during you next trip - your readings so far are excellent compared to mine.

Also interested to hear which props you have on it - mine are 20 pitch, but I intend to investigate going higher for increased fuel economy...TBD

Enjoy the new water toy!
 
#8 ·
Congratulations. What a pretty boat! You have got to be just ecstatic! More info though...what was your boating history and what factors were important to making this your choice?
 
#19 ·
Congratulations. What a pretty boat! You have got to be just ecstatic! More info though...what was your boating history and what factors were important to making this your choice?
JediJD.... yes we are a bit excited (read giddy) and anxious for the boating season to get into gear.

As for the factors leading to choosing a 240 dancer.... we had just sold the sailboat because I was spending more time maintaining the 1988 boat than crusing on it. We just couldn't afford the time (weeks) away to get anywhere and enjoy the water. So when looking over the possibility of power boating, we discussed the pros/cons with our kids, who were looking at a 280 Dancer, and began checking out the Sea Ray vs others. The 260 cockpit layout was our first choice but the in the end, the 240 was much lighter allowing a smaller engine and it had the Bravo III with Seacore. We planned to keep it wet in a slip all year so salt water protection was key for me. We also checked out the Regal 256 with a Volvo Penta that had composit parts and a auto de-salinazation flush that I was impressed with. In the end, the service from the local dealer sold us on the 240.

I got calls from the sales rep (Ben) at Lake Union Sea Ray about every other day leading up to delivery, keeping me updated on status of the boat. Now that is what I mean by service!

Thanks
Dave
 
#9 ·
The only problems found thus far is a leaking drain in the galley (needed to tighten the sink drain pipe), missing v-berth support, fluid levels that are not up to max level, and a switch (next to the cabin light switch) which we cannot figure out what it controls (outlets?).


I hear spring is on its way!:smt038.... can't wait.
I think one switch controls the main "on/off" of all the cabin lights, the other I think allows you to manually turn off one or the other berth lights separately.

Congrats!
 
#13 · (Edited)
Hey there... thanks all for kind words. As for the pitch of the props...you got me there. I assume what ever the standard is. But next time out, I will check my speed and RPM with both the GPS and Merc Smartcraft systems.
But during the sea trial (no bottom paint) we were reading 28 mph at 3600 rpm and 10.1 gph. We added fuel and the bottom paint so I was expecting a little decrease in those numbers. What are you all experiencing?

I added another couple of pics on the web to show how we installed the heater controls on the dash and Garmin. The heater is mounted under the helm seat with air intake at the foot of the seat. There is a big void there and access is gained through the false wall under the wet bar. The heater vents are on the side of the helm toward the companionway door with flex tubing pull out so we can move the vent to the windshield for defrost. Then cabin vent is along side the hanging locker.

As for the switch... I am now wondering if it is not connected. No it is not controlling the main cabin lights, the reading lights or the companionway light. I intend on trying the receptacles in case it controls them.

What have you found best cleans the leather seats?
 
#14 ·
Half-Off I think is correct now that I think about it. The main cabin light switch controls both front and rear berth (you can manually turn them off at the source). The second switch is the courtesy step light. You just can't see it because it has a dome over it and during the day you would never see it. I leave mine on all night now that I think about it so my wife can find her way out if needed.
 
#15 ·
Kurt and Half off's boats are wired like mine. One switch for cabin lights, one switch for night light under the entry steps. Enjoy the boat.
Wait I just read leather seats! Naw, have to be vinyl. Anyways, my friend, a mercury tech. and boat extrodinare tells me the best thing to use is, "Vinyl Touch" by Castle. Works for me.
 
#18 ·
Thanks.. I will go down to the boat at night and check out that switch. Funny the guys at the dealer couldn't tell me.

As for the Vinyl... you are correct. What was I thinking? I must have just read that the Sea Ray is the BMW of the boating world so I assumed the leather. :smt101 I got the vinyl cleaner (Meguires) along with other cleaners and etc. This starts to really add up outfitting a new boat. Alot to be said for buying used!

Also.... I just talked with the dealer and the props are a standard 20 pitch that come with the Bravo III.
 
#17 ·
Congratulations! There is nothing quite like the smell & feel of a new boat. You guys will have many great days and nights on your boat and a lot of great memories to look forward to.

Enjoy it in good health!:thumbsup:
 
#20 ·
Enjoy!

We turn about 3500RPM at 26MPH so your numbers seem pretty comparable; at that speed we burn about 10GPH.

As others have mentioned I think you'll find that other switch is for a light under the steps into the cabin.
 
#21 ·
Congrats on your 240... :smt038
That's funny we were also missing our v-berth support.
We over-nighted on ours several times last yr... great-times!!
Looking at your pictures has me really missing my 240... come-on April 15th!!!
 
#22 ·
Congrats! You are going to love it...

I concur that the other switch is most likely your step courtesy lights (night light?). Flip them at night and you'll see what we mean.

Enjoy!
 
#23 · (Edited)
Congratulations on your purchase.

I am concerned about something in this photo.

Its possible Mercury made a change so please use this information to start your research.

Late 2003 Mercury added additional anode protection to the BIII drive. This included adding a anode behind the props.

I do not see this anode in your photo.

It could be missing or the design of the sea core system may be different.

Does anyone here know if he should have a center anode behind the props?




Image
 
#25 ·
Late 2003 Mercury added additional anode protection to the BIII drive. This included adding a anode behind the props.

I do not see this anode in your photo.

It could be missing or the design if the sea core system may be different.

Does anyone here know if he should have a center anode behind the props?
Presentation.... thanks for the concern....
I asked about that after seeing the cone zinc on a SD on the sales floor. I talked at length with the service manager and he told me I could put one on if wanted but it is not needed on these BR3s. He said it is not needed due to SS shaft and SS props...same metals and also because of the mercathode system..
Does anyone know of anything different? Again, I am in salt water.
 
#26 ·
You definitely need the prop anode.

If not, take a look at Todd's thread and see how much damage salt water can do to the bravo 3 if not maintained properly.

I am sure someone will find that thread for you.


By the way, congrats on a beautiful boat! Is your garmin gps unit have an internal antenna?
 
#29 ·
You definitely need the prop anode.

If not, take a look at Todd's thread and see how much damage salt water can do to the bravo 3 if not maintained properly.

I am sure someone will find that thread for you.


By the way, congrats on a beautiful boat! Is your garmin gps unit have an internal antenna?
Hey thanks! Now if we can get some sun, we can take advantage of the newness...

I have contacted Sea Ray and Merc about the zinc. Again, my drive has the Seacore system but as it is in salt water, I want maximum protection. I will let you all know what I hear back.

As for the Garmin, yes it has an internal antenna and I opted for the 540s which has the depthsounder. It works great! Shows not only where the nearest Starbucks is but how to get there! :thumbsup:

Later
Dave