2004 Sundancer 340

GTN

New Member
Jan 4, 2020
24
Seattle/Tacoma
Boat Info
2004 340 Sundancer
Engines
6.2 Mercruiser
Hey there everyone! First of hopefully many posts. Just purchased a 04 340 Sundancer and am interested if anyone has a tried and true maintenance schedule they follow to keep their boats safe and seaworthy. I am a TOTAL greenhorn to the whole boating lifestyle. This is my first boat and feel a bit anxious about the awesome responsibility of being a competent and safe boat owner. Any gouge you could provide (tips, predeparture checks, arrival checks, COLREG emphasis spots, etc.) would be gratefully appreciated.
 
Have you captained a twin engine boat before? If you're a "total" greenhorn my first bit of advice would be to have an experienced captain take you out for a few hours before you go out on your own. Get a feel for how she handles and drives around the docks with someone watching over your shoulder.

The best advice I received when transitioning into big boat driving: never approach the docks faster than you're willing to hit them. Simple yet brilliant...:)

And hey welcome!
 
I see you are in the NW. I would be happy to take you out on the water or meet for coffee/beverages, my treat. PM me.

Maint Schedule: There is quite a bit to stay on top of, but most of us do a fall heavy maint program so that the spring is easier. This an abbreviated version of my list:
  • Fall is yearly oil/filter change of the blocks and genny, new plugs for the block and genny, fuel filters for the blocks and genny, impeller change for the mains and genny, inspection of the block exhaust manifolds (have to take quite a bit of it apart for the impellers anyway), genny zinc, inspection of the batteries. Check the strainers.
  • Spring is for cleanup, wax, windlass maint, and inspection of the batteries. Check hoses. Check the strainers.
If the boat is new to you, I think you'll want to look into each of these for peace of mind.
And you will also have to decide whether you want to go with a diver for zincs and bottom clean, or have it hauled and zinc'd on land. Zincs are about every 6 months in the Sound (depending on how 'hot' your marina is).
Bottom paint is 3-5 years in the Sound (lasts closer to 5 years if you use the boat more).
And finally, open the engine hatch before and after each time you run the boat.

Boat Handling: Agree with the tip on working with a captain. And I would strongly advise that the first mate accompany you on this. After that, nothing beats heading out and doing practice touch and goes. And the advice about docking slow but with purpose is spot on. I never dock any faster than I want to get my wallet out.
On my boat delivery, the selling broker included hands on training. I had come from twin outdrives, so the advise was to dock without the wheel (transmissions only), and put a hat or a jacket on the throttles at first as a reminder that in normal circumstances you should not need them docking (In a panic some that are new accidentally hit the throttle instead of the transmission and hell breaks loose). I thought it was good advise until I was completely comfortable.
 
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Congratulations on your new boat and welcome to Club Sea Ray! Like you, we bought our first boat this past September (delivered in October) and we have received great advice from the community here.

To help me be prepared every time we are planning to go out, I pulled together a pre/post departure checklist that may help you. CSR Community, please feel free to comment on the list.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your new addition soon!

Happy boating,
Kevin
 

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Congratulations on your new boat and welcome to Club Sea Ray! Like you, we bought our first boat this past September (delivered in October) and we have received great advice from the community here.

To help me be prepared every time we are planning to go out, I pulled together a pre/post departure checklist that may help you. CSR Community, please feel free to comment on the list.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your new addition soon!

Happy boating,
Kevin
Should include a check of the bilge and oil/coolant levels.
In addition to reviewing PFD locations to new guests, I would add review MOB procedures and well as instructions for the head.
Also on the before you leave list, if there is a heater left on make sure there are no obstructions and that the setpoint is correct.
 
Have you captained a twin engine boat before? If you're a "total" greenhorn my first bit of advice would be to have an experienced captain take you out for a few hours before you go out on your own. Get a feel for how she handles and drives around the docks with someone watching over your shoulder.

The best advice I received when transitioning into big boat driving: never approach the docks faster than you're willing to hit them. Simple yet brilliant...:)

And hey welcome!

Yes..a total greenhorn!!! Although my boat is less than 12 meters I have been studying the Rules of the Road and the USCG white book that I will carry on board. Brokers that we bought from (Gig Harbor Yachts Amy and Scott) will be giving us some one on one instruction.
 
Congratulations on your new boat and welcome to Club Sea Ray! Like you, we bought our first boat this past September (delivered in October) and we have received great advice from the community here.

To help me be prepared every time we are planning to go out, I pulled together a pre/post departure checklist that may help you. CSR Community, please feel free to comment on the list.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your new addition soon!

Happy boating,
Kevin

Wow..awesome checklist! I will definitely print and laminate it for the boat..thanks!
 
Should include a check of the bilge and oil/coolant levels.
In addition to reviewing PFD locations to new guests, I would add review MOB procedures and well as instructions for the head.
Also on the before you leave list, if there is a heater left on make sure there are no obstructions and that the setpoint is correct.

Thank you very much for all of the insight..much appreciated! I have printed TusNuas checklist and will add the bilge and oil/coolant right after the raising the engine hatch!
 
Everyone forgot to tell him to bring a wallet full of money then refill it every time he goes home. This is part of my maintenance schedule. Lol Just keep reading the forum and you will learn a lot. Great boat!
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm a new boater as well. I bought my first boat ever last year, and I'm still not comfortable behind the wheel. So far its a stress machine to me but the season was my first, and had some mechanical stuff to get done before we really got involved and it abbreviated the season. So next year will be the year I get comfortable operating it, or so I hope. Congratulations on buying a boat and welcome. I'm following while looking for tips for myself as well.
 
Should include a check of the bilge and oil/coolant levels.
In addition to reviewing PFD locations to new guests, I would add review MOB procedures and well as instructions for the head.
Also on the before you leave list, if there is a heater left on make sure there are no obstructions and that the setpoint is correct.

Good adds! thank you.
I do have to ask...kind of embarrassed but, what do you mean by make sure there are no obstructions and that the setpoint is correct?
 
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Good adds! thank you.
I do have to ask...kind of embarrassed but, what do you mean by make sure there are no obstructions and that the setpoint is correct?
No worries at all.
Obstructions: I do one last check to make sure the electric heater hasn't been accidentally flipped to face a wall, and that no one has left a towel over it. Both have been caught on the final check before locking the door, thank goodness.
Setpoint: When I am away, the heater is supposed to operate in the low heat output mode, with the heating setpoint at about 40 degrees. I do not want to heat the boat to 70 with no one there.
 
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Hey there again everyone..thanks so much for all of the input and support! Have a question about taking delivery of the boat..on sea trials the boat was hauled out and we found one of the cutlass bearings to be bad. Should I remove and replace both? Also, the boat has been in Lake Washington all her life. Zincs looked good but should I replace all of them with aluminum anodes as they are better for the salt?

Again, thanks for all of your input!
 
Hey there again everyone..thanks so much for all of the input and support! Have a question about taking delivery of the boat..on sea trials the boat was hauled out and we found one of the cutlass bearings to be bad. Should I remove and replace both? Also, the boat has been in Lake Washington all her life. Zincs looked good but should I replace all of them with aluminum anodes as they are better for the salt?

Again, thanks for all of your input!

Welcome aboard and good choice of boat ;)

I use all AL anodes in salt and have been happy so far. Check out boatzincs.com for more information or even call them if you have a question.

As far as the Cutlass bearing goes, i would try to negotiate having a both done as part of the post survey dealing unless it was previously disclosed. Even if they will only cover one you may wish to neg with tue mechanic to do both while working on the boat for a discount.

-Kevin
 
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Welcome aboard and good choice of boat ;)

I use all AL anodes in salt and have been happy so far. Check out boatzincs.com for more information or even call them if you have a question.

As far as the Cutlass bearing goes, i would try to negotiate having a both done as part of the post survey dealing unless it was previously disclosed. Even if they will only cover one you may wish to neg with tue mechanic to do both while working on the boat for a discount.

-Kevin
I second this from boatzincs.com . All AL here also.
 
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Welcome aboard and good choice of boat ;)

I use all AL anodes in salt and have been happy so far. Check out boatzincs.com for more information or even call them if you have a question.

As far as the Cutlass bearing goes, i would try to negotiate having a both done as part of the post survey dealing unless it was previously disclosed. Even if they will only cover one you may wish to neg with tue mechanic to do both while working on the boat for a discount.

-Kevin


Right on...thanks!
 
I have been doing a lot of reading on Rules of the Road and the COLREGS. Do most people abide by them? I know there is a lot of room out there but I also KNOW that I will run into situations that will come down to decisive action on one, two or more vessels...pretty intimidating to say the least. I want to be a competent, but polite, mariner so any information about how to operate in the Puget Sound; any hot spots or places to pay extra attention to. I will hopefully be mooring at the TYC and hoping they have Coast Guard seminars. Anyway, just wanted to put it out there.

Thanks to all of you..
Greenhorn Greg
 
TYC is a good location. Most of the folks there in the sound do follow the rules. Just be wary of the rule of tonnage. The ships bound for the port have ultimate right away and they count on it.
With the normal boat traffic, the big trick is to ‘over indicate’ your turns. Show the opposite boat more of your side than necessary.
The one item not followed is the use of the horn. In the northwest, almost nobody uses a car horn, and it’s the same with boats. Most waterways are wide so it’s not a big deal.
 
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Thanks..much appreciated!! I have never heard people sounding the horn leaving the dock/berth but wasn't sure..I'll probably do it to follow the intent of the rule and see how it plays out. Rule of tonnage is a good one..does that fall into vessels restricted in her ability to maneuver?? I am probably over thinking everything but that's just how it is with me. Again, appreciate the advice!!
 

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