280 Sundancer newbie questions – part II

[Presentation]

Part I is here
http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=3691&highlight=

After spending our second weekend onboard we have some new questions / observations.

Here are some more newbie questions:

#1) Goo on the top of the table in the cabin.

We clean it off and it keeps coming back, very sticky goo. I figured out where its coming from. On each side of the table are cushions. The cushions are held on via Velcro. When we make the table into a bed for the night we take the cushions off and set them on the table. The goo is on the back of the cushions. We cleaned the cushions. The next night the goo is back. On the part behind the cushions is the ‘hook’ part of the Velcro. These white strips are stapled and glued on. The glue is oozing out the sides and getting on the back of the cushions.

Has anyone else experiences this? How did you clean it? I am thinking of trying ‘goof-off’ but am worried about damaging the material.

#2) Waste tank fullness meter. We empty the tank. The meter lights up “Empty†as it should.

After a dozen or so flushes the meter says nothing at all.

By me looking at the tank, when the tank reaches about 70% full the meter lights up to say “1/2â€

Next you can fill the waste tank until crap is coming out the vent hose yet the “Full†will never light up.

Anyone else experience this? Any fix?

#3) Anchor windlass. Right as the rope meets the chain the windlass slips. Choices are to go up there and give it a pull, making sure you don’t get a finer pinched or lower and retry it repeatedly until it grabs on its own.

Anyone else experience this? Any fix?

#4) The cabin needs another 12V outlet somewhere on the port side. I may have this done or try to figure out how to do this myself. Two good spots would be where the current 120V outlet is or by the table area. Of these two I’m thinking the current location of the 120V outlet must have some room there.

Has anyone else tried this modification?

#5) this one, only the larger framed members with a 280DA will appreciate. I have to get my body in an awkward position to wipe my bottom after taking a poo. If I was left handed I don’t think it would be an issue but I’m right handed and the sink / counter is right there next to my, um, right side of my ars.

I know the fix on this one. Stop eating. I will not have to take so many poo's plus will eventually fit in the head better.

We have been enjoying the boat. We like it a lot. We LOVE the extended swim platform that is larger then the other Sundancers of this size. Its our favorite feature.

 

[Dave S]

Your vacuflush tank indicator acts just like mine and judging from the comments from another post somewhere else here on the board it sounds like that is common. I have never wanted to test the full light on mine to see if it works. :smt018 I empty mine as soon as possible when the half full light comes on because the tank really looks like it is 3/4 full at that point anyway. :smt101

I can't help you with your other problems except to suggest you learn how to be ambidextrous when you use the head. :wow:

 

[jg300da]

Make a habit of visually checking the waste tank level whenever you are in the bilge, which should be often to check fluid levels etc. We pump out whenever it is above 1/2 full.
As for the windlass, if the rope is the correct diameter, then check the spring loaded finger. It should hold the line snugly against the take-up spool and the transition from chain to rope should be smooth. These springs break easily and many here have already replaced them.

 

[marqbloq]

Regarding #4: I had the same issue with my 280 and expect it to happen on the 320 after some wear and tear. You have to tighten the finger on the windlass, that will take care of the transition point and let it contiue in the hole.

M

 

[Bridog]

Next you can fill the waste tank until crap is coming out the vent

#5) this one, only the larger framed members with a 280DA will appreciate. I have to get my body in an awkward position to wipe my bottom after taking a poo. If I was left handed I don’t think it would be an issue but I’m right handed and the sink / counter is right there next to my, um, right side of my ars.

Doug, This is indeed a testament to how close we are at CSR. If you ask a question like that on Boatus.com you might get yourself in a little trouble. :smt043 Nice to know your that relaxed with us. Take about 6 Amodium AD's before you go boating and you will have nothing to worry about. :thumbsup:

 

[280 SeaRay]

#1 - I have never made the dinette into a berth..... but did remove the cushions.... no goo.... sorry to hear this.

#2 - Mine seems to be a little more accurate than you describe.... but very much not right on. I think (they seem) they were designed to read properly on a completely flat (level) table.... so.... I guess you could determine the angle off level the boat sits aft.... and make a wedge to level the tank as a suggestion. I personally pump out after each outing..... while I understand it is a "holding" tank..... holding raw sewage in a tank in a hot environment that is going to sit any length of time is just not for me..... it takes only takes 20 min of my time to pump out (including a couple of refills with a hose and pump again)..... I have found that 4 adults staying onboard for 4 days and nights can only seem to fill it half way.....

#3 No slippage on mine yet.... I am hoping there never will be.... but I am dreaming....

#4 no mods like that (but sounds fun).... whatcha going to use the 12v outlet for?

#5 A position which is closer to standing than sitting may prove beneficial in the last chapter of this story. From your 6' 1" 285lb fellow 280 owner.


I agree with you 100% the platform and it low position relative to the water is superb.... we just got back from a 3 day outting on our local lake.... and I spent many many hours on the platform ... as it is the easiest place for me to roll into the water. :thumbsup:

 

[gerryb]

1) No problem with the goo. However, the velcro on the large port cockpit seat cusion has come unglued in a couple of areas. I'm now looking for the best way to reattach. I like to keep the cusion off the 'glass every now and then to keep mildew down.

2) Yeah, the guages give you a rough sense of what's going on down there but I don't rely on them. The full indicator does work on ours - one time for that was enough...

3) slippage on mine (at the very same point) started about a year ago. I have pulled it up manually but it's on the list of things to look at in the near future. I think the anchor rode is partly to blame as it starting to look a bit haggard.

4) no real need for this on ours. we do use them to charge various items and have found the 2 already on the boat to meet our needs.

5) not yet a problem. I will say that for me, the 'sit-n-wipe' technique is much preferred to the aforementioned and recommended 'stand-n-wipe' technique. But now that I think of it, the head must have been designed by a lefty...

 

[Turtlesboat]

I knew God made me a lefty for a reason. :thumbsup:

 

[Four Suns]

I can't comment because I don't have a 280...

But I think the moderators should kick you all off for talking about how to wipe your butt. Where are the moderators? Hello? anyone out there? Kick these guys off!..... back to boatus for me.

 

[Luckydogs]

#2 , since we're on the topic, my gauge does not work at all. I have read where the sensors down in the holding tank sometimes get debris coated on them and foul up the gauges. Any sugestions, thanks.

 

[Presentation]

#2 , since we're on the topic, my gauge does not work at all. I have read where the sensors down in the holding tank sometimes get debris coated on them and foul up the gauges. Any sugestions, thanks.

Have you filled 1/2 way with water plus some dish soap then drive around then pump out?

Dish soap because it does not foam up.

 

[StevenA]

3) slippage on mine (at the very same point) started about a year ago. <snip> I think the anchor rode is partly to blame as it starting to look a bit haggard.

4) no real need for this on ours. we do use them to charge various items and have found the 2 already on the boat to meet our needs.

On #2, I'm good for maybe 12 flushes before mine goes to 1/2 full to DO NOT FLUSH. At that point I usually give it 1-2 flushes more in emergency cases only.

On #3, ditto I have had this problem on my '03 DA since I bought it in April. I have been told to soak the rode area in fabric softner as a fix if the rope is too stiff. :smt017

On #4, well on my 'um '03 DA I only can find One 12v outlet below the steering wheel foot area. I would love to install a second one down below somewhere myself. :smt017

 

[Presentation]

On #4, well on my 'um '03 DA I only can find One 12v outlet below the steering wheel foot area. I would love to install a second one down below somewhere myself. :smt017

There is one in the cabin behind the TV.

 

[StevenA]

There is one in the cabin behind the TV.

Thanx, I just noticed that 12volt plug while I was removing my tv from the mount to start my LCD tv mount project.

 

[teekster]

Depending on what you are using it for, you can use a splitter from Radio Shack on your 12v outlet.

I really miss the swim platform on our 280. the 340 sits way up in the air and is not nearly as nice. Your feet barely make it to the water when dangling off the edge. :smt089

I never noticed any goo from the seat cushions.