300 Sundancer questions.

I have a 94 300, and had the same problem. My freshwater tank was leaking. It was actually the fitting the the hose from the pump to the tank. I actually cut the wires from the water level gauge, and pulled the tank to see what was leaving. The compartment to the right will most likely have water in it too.

One tip, that water is going to smell like someone died.... I did it after eating clam strips..... Needless to say, I put a chum slick off the back of the boat.

let me know who you make out.
chris


I have been looking at a 94 dancer and after lots and back and fourth my offer was accepted today. However the one issue that I can't figure out is why the carpet in the rear berth is getting soaked. The owner said he couldn't find the leak, and it has been an ongoing issue for him and at his point he just wants to sell the boat b/c be had a new one and not looking to figure out the leak.

He said when he gets to the boat it is always dry inside the bait. However when he goes out, that area always gets wet. I was thinking it's probably something in the bow of the boat that rushes back as the boat moves forward. Could the AC not be draining properly? Anyone have any suggestions?

FWIW- this boat was in my marina for a few years and I've never known it to be underwater, so I believe it is a leak not a case of it being submerged. Not to mention the water stains are only in that back area.

Thanks
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Hi, Chris. Thanks for your response. I asked the marina why the water level sensor wire were cut, and they said they removed the tank twice and never found a leak from the tank. So it wasn't coming from the tank (assuming they checked).


I guess I need to start looking at the pump and hose between the pump and the tank? I didn't see where the pump was when I was looking at the water tank, is it easy to get to?


Thanks,


Michael


btw- I probably should have mentions this first... But I finalized the deal last night. Now I have lots of odds and ends to get sorted and a serious detailing to make her shine again, as well as figure out how I'm going to part with my Pachanga 27.
 
Michael, the fitting was leaking on the bottom of the tank. It was hard to see, only leaked when The pump was on and a sink was on.

the pump is in the same area as the water heater, the compartment right before u walk into the cabin.
 
Thanks Chris. I hope to get to it this weekend and I will let you know how I make out.
 
I have searched around and have not found anything on this so maybe you guys(or gals) can help. Took a trip for couple day up the St Lawrence to Brockville this past week and had a couple problems come up... first as pulling into Abay alarm went off and both engines had low unit oil. oil between stringers... filled up ran at dock in and out of gear followed hoses from both to transom and can not find leak, no oil in water behind boat either... I will address this with the mechanic that just pulled motors and replaced both transom assemblies. put marine diapers between stringers and went on our way after topping off with 110 gallons of fuel. The real problem was trying to leave Brockville and the starter would spin out after just a short turn of the engine. lucky to find a marina real close who had a starter on hand and dropped everything to help us with an install. My starter was real hot after some attempts to start at the marina and the selonoid was burnt/melted so replaced that out to. Also wires were loose and the starter could be "wiggled" so was loose. She started and on our way. Here lays the problem, prior week I had the engine "clunk" when starting but she turned over and I figured it was low voltage as we were on the hook for couple hours. It happened several times but always started, large "clunk!!" then start but acted like low voltage. Not every time but hated it every time it did. After new starter did not hear it next several starts but stopped for a pump out on the way home and sure enough short and quick while starting a little "clunk" then start... voltage was good and sounded it as well. Obviously not hydro locked but maybe flywheel? Bendix(what even is that?) I feel like eventually I will shoot this starter if I don't find the cause, please help. I know this is dragged on but trying to paint the picture. When I returned to our home dock started her 5 or 6 times and no problems?
 
I got the boat all cleaned up (wet sanded, polished, compounded, and waxed) and in the water this week.

I haven't put fresh water in the tank yet, but I'm assuming the only way to determine if my aft cabin leak is coming from the fresh water tank or tank fitting, is to add a few gallons and then check all the fittings?

Also, I noticed that the A/C pan is holding a good amount of water. I used a hand pump and pulled out about 3/4 of a gallon. Should the pan be holding this much water or is it likely the pan is not draining properly? If the pan isn't suppose to hold this much water/ condensation, then I'm guessing that's how the water is getting in the aft cabin. Once th boat get in motion the water runs back and collects there as it's the lowest point.

Does anyone have the schematics for the AC system showing how all the lines are routed. Where that drain line terminates. I'm guessing it has a "t" fitting it into the shower sump, but maybe it's running to the bilge, or overboard. If anyone has schematics, could you please post them, or PM me for my email address.

Thanks,

Michael S.


Sent using Tapatalk
 
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Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and thread but really glad to find it. I have been reading for about 3hrs. today
I am buying a 2004 300 Sundancer! Seems like a great boat. Has 300 totals hours on the original 5.0L Mercruisers. Beautifully maintained boat.

I am having the survey this Wednesday and am wondering if anyone has advice on known 300 DA item/issues I should ask the surveyor to specifically add to his checklist?

Couple other questions I'm wondering about if anyone has opinions, suggestions or thoughts on:
I am in Portland, OR going to moore the boat in a covered slip year round.
Boat does not have A/C/Heater option nor generator but a 3000w aftermarket Inverter. Should I consider putting a heater/ A/C system in?
or..
Should I just get a portable heater?
The boat has a Lowrance Globalmap 7000c - 2004 technology, should I be thinking about upgrading or do you think this will be good enough for a beginner?

Looking forward to being a contributor on the forum.

Jeremy
 
Welcome Jeremy, This thread has been pretty quite lately. I Have not seen a 300 with out a/c heat, thought that was standard. My last vessel had an inverter with out a/c heat or a generator and it was fine. Had three fans installed and worked fine for the most part although I am in the north east and not so hot as our southern counterparts. I have no idea what it would costs to install a/c, Maybe someone else on the forum may have some input. Be sure to check the where the steering arms come through the transom and it is dry. I would also recommend a compression test. I have and am dealing with the downside of not doing both. other than that the survey will cover your systems. If a/c is a consideration and you will be on the hook often you may want to cover the costs of installation and compare costs of the boat you are buying. Welcome to the club! I do love this boat.
 
Thanks green anchors -

Appreciate the feedback. I will make sure to have that checked.
I will double check on the heater/A/C but know for sure it does not have a generator. Cooler up here in Oregon as well and not terribly concerned about Heater and A/C.
We are excited to start this new adventure and will be exploring the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.
 
I have a 1994 300 Sundancer DA with this exact same issue.
Just got the boat recently.
If you have not purchased yet STOP!!!

Is the tank compartment filling with water and overflowing into the forward space? Mine was.
Or is it staying low in the tank area and getting to the carpet thru a bulkhead drain hole?

In mine the water level was so high for so long that water got into the surrounding bulkheads and stringers.
Water entered thru small cracks in the epoxy paint (almost no glas mat near the tops) and thru screw holes into the plywood cores.
The stringers and bulkheads are rotten and now need replacement, not major damage but pretty extensive.
Engine room bulkhead, port stringer, forward bulkhead and a section of the port box stringer.

I have not definitively found the source of the water but;
The utility compartment with the water heater, water pump and holding tank are my prime suspects.
That compartment is slightly higher then the bunk.
So they put a small "sump" area in the rear corner to get the plumbing into the water tank area.
It's sealed with silicone but around the chaff guards, nothing to stop water from creeping in between that and the hoses.

Of course any water leaking into the compartment winds up in this little sump area and then the water tank compartment.
I suspect water heater leak or winterizing the water heater anything leaking or draining "disappears".
I'm sure previous owners thought it was going in the engine room bilge.

Am am starting to work on the bulkhead repairs.
Afterwards I am going to install a solid aluminum plate with water proof thru fittings, sealed.
Also adding a drain in that sump that will connect to the engine room drain.

I will try and post pictures and comments, I was searching for others with this issue.

https://goo.gl/photos/24CaJ6Acs64VW6qs9

Video 1 - Sump area https://youtu.be/mJRGvBMB2kg

Video 2 - Tank area https://youtu.be/Rq8wZGFx7Aw
 
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I spent a good amount of time chasing the leak and came up with a few issues. Fortunately I did not have the same damage you have. However I appreciate you sharing and documenting the fix too. B/c this might save another potential, or existing 300 owner alot of time and money.

First of my issues was the A/C drain line which runs into the shower sump box. The line wasn't properly seated on the sump box. So the A/C line would drain or leak a little bit into the center compartment. The other issue was related to the fresh water system and the water tank. One of the hoses coming off the hot water heater was not properly seated. As you noted above, the section holding the hot water heater doesn't drain into the engin room and it has a low spot for water lines to run into the water tank and any water in that are will also end up running into the are where the water tank is.

It is hard to believe Sea Ray didn't design that area to drain into the bilge and same for the area holding the fresh water tank. I've though about relocating the fresh water tank to the engin bilge area and closing off the low spot where the hot water heater is. That way if it ever leeks, it will be in an area that's properly engineered to disperse the water.

I plan to run a new drain line for the A/C over the winter. It seems like an easy and inexpensive way to prevent any potential leaks due to an aged or dry rotted hose.

Michael.
 
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Anyone have any pictures of the salon converted into a berth, I check out the owners manual, and know you just pull it out. I'm wondering how wide it's out all the way.
All the picture online I can find only show it as a sofa. I'm only looking for 2002+. I'm interested in the cherry wood cabinets with the convo-pit configuration and 300DA
are going for $40-50k, which is a nice price range for that much boat.

NP
 
I did get the boat. 2004 300 Sundancer. It is in great shape and the Survey only uncovered very small items that have been taken care of already.
I have taken it for a spin with my wife as we had to move it from the slip it was in to where we are going to moor it. First time was exciting and a bit stressful. I had to get fuel as well.

We will be mooring in a nice covered slip through the winter here in the Pacific Norhwest and will want to take it out at any sign of nice weather. The previous owners did the same and boated year round. That said, I'm trying to figure out how to best prepare it for winter - any advice?

Also looking at upgrading electronics, stereo, chartplotter, etc., I am a technology guy and everything on the boat 12 years old. Need to get it up to speed. Looking at Raymarine es97, Fusion 750 and an in P79 hull transducer. Wondering if anyone else has suggestions on a setup. I think later I'll look at satellite tv and maybe a way to read the engine data (low priority).

Lots of systems on this boat and fun getting to know an understand everything. Any tips/tricks would be appreciated
 
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Hoping these pictures can be seen, had a hard time from phone. I found this attached to my batteries when winterizing with a zip tie. Cant figure out what it is for. Any ideas?.https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?u...=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local0&zw[URL="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local0&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.3&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local2&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.2&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local1&zw"][URL="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local0&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.3&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local2&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.2&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local1&zw"][URL="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.1&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local0&zw"]https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.3&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local2&zwhttps://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=97ebc34fdc&view=att&th=1581dcc9078147d4&attid=0.2&disp=safe&realattid=1549761964873351168-local1&zw[/URL][/URL][/URL]
 
I could not get the link to open.
 
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