36 Sedan Bridge Owners

I

In Pursuit

New Member
Dec 11, 2007
10
Atlanta, Georgia
Boat Info
36 Sedan Bridge 2007
Engines
8.1 Horizons
To discuss, share experiences as well as suggest options, modifications and improvements (this boat has more untapped potential than most Sea Rays)

Not to debate if this boat (or any boat) demands diesels or if gas is good enough (the answer seems too obvious to those on both sides of the debate)

For anyone that owns a 36 Sedan Bridge (please no armchair captains or even experienced captains that own other boats)
 
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Great boat....and yes, some improvements can be made on the boat with slight design changes.
Wetpaint (another 36 Bridge owner) and myself drew up a list of about 20 things that can be slightly modified on this boat, and forwarded them to Sea Ray...so it should be interesting to see if any of those changes make the 2010 model.
The list included everything from adding some cupholders in the cockpit to changing the location of some of the light switch panels to changing the design of the bridge canvas, and more. I would be curious to see what changes other users would make on this boat, and then compare those to our list.
 
Andrew......I will Echo what Brian said.....I will be more than happy to send you the letter if you would like....e-mail me at jahern@ahernpainting.com. I have as options, diesels, bow and stern thruster, sea ray navigation plus raymarine radar. I love the two screen set up as i travel a lot at night and in pea soup fog........I added underwater lights, hurley davit system, upgraded all the TV's to samsung and one size larger for all 3 tv's........if i were to pick 5 things that would make the boat better......Larger scupper in cockpit for better drainage, extend the hardtop the length of bridge and get rid of canvas, take the head pump switch off the light panel in the head, put two drawers under master bed in lieu of their very, very creative storage that is there now (easier), add outlet at dinette for laptop....As a general searay comment...The caulking on all their boats do not withsatnd the elements and the backing on the outdoor snap in carpets do not last....All and all I am very happy with the boat. I will sell it to you!!!
 
I boat on Lake Lanier outside Atlanta, Georgia. My boat is powered with Horizons with DTS and is equipped with a bow thruster, all chain rode (more on that combination later), hardtop, cockpit seating, underwater lighting, and Raymarine electronics (E120 with radar).

So far I've added an iPod adapter to the stereo and I am working on adding storage under and behind the galley steps and in the bilge (probably where your stern thruster batteries are located). The all chain rode (extra weight) combined with the bow thruster (less buoyancy) created a bow down attitude and to counter that, a second, bolt-on swim platform was added which also adds tremendously to the usable cockpit space while on the hook.

I have a number of other potential projects that I'll post as I get closer to starting and I am curious as to what projects other owners have planned or completed to improve the boat.
 

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Some mods I have done. Flexiteek to cockpit and steps on stairs see attached
 

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Fitzroy said:
Some mods I have done. Flexiteek to cockpit and steps on stairs see attached
Click to expand...
Sorry to interrupt, gentlemen... Fitzroy, I can't seem to see your pictures other than in the thumbnail format. I'm intrigued by this concept... can you post larger pics? Thanks.
 
Where did the extended swim platform come from?? How did they get rid of the compartment on the hull\platform where the ladder was before? I have heard the product development folks canned this idea b/c of scooping up tons of water into the cockpit when coming off plane? Have you had this experience? I need one of those platforms. If you don't want to answer online PM me please.
 
I will post pictures as soon as I can get the sizing correct. Flexiteek is quite common in Austrlia. The new products looks exactly like teak and not much difference in price compared to 9mm thick teak planks. The extended swim platform is from sea ray I think I bought the boat new from the dealer and they had it on the boat. There are a couple of 36's with them in sydney. It is not a hydraulic platform but a fixed platform. The original swim ladder is glued down and filled with sikaflex. There is a new setup on the platform mid point. Since I have covered it with flexiteek you cannot see the old swim platform.
 
Overextended - The platform does not pull up any water coming off plane and in fact has a little less "wake wash" than the last two Sea Rays (2000 340 DA & 1998 270DA) I have owned that both had bolt on platforms. Having said this, regardless of the boat, don't leave a mat on a low (12-24" above the waterline) platform, go for a ride, quickly drop off plane and expect that the mat will be there when you arrive.

As Fitzroy's signature photo shows, the bolt on platform on the 36DB (375DB non-US) is a factory option in some markets and I have heard rumors that it would be an option on the '09 US model, however, Sea Ray's website does not show it at this time. On my boat, the original swim ladder lid and opening were glassed over and the original diamond non-slip pattern remains.

Regarding the source and installation, I can give you the details offline.
 
I hope this works out, attached pictures, I will post pictures of the bridge steps and starboard steps next posting. Had it professionally installed it took quite a few days for the preperation work approx 4 working days. You cannot see from photos but it has the same texture as teak and is easy to clean simply hose off.
 

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Looks like a really nice install.....It looks from the picture that they installed a shoe type molding around the perimeter......You don't have to say, but what was the cost? Does the surface get too hot? Do you have pets (claw test)? Thanks for the pictures and post the ones of the steps and bridge....
 
OK I think i have this photo thing under control. A few people have requested photos of various bits so here it is
1. extended platform with rail and tray for BBQ
2. Bridge steps
3. Teak table in bridge
4. Vent covers
 

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Although those vent covers look great, you are doing great disservice to your engine room ventilation. The engineers spend a lot of time to get the proper ventilation to the engine room, as well as so the engines can "breathe". They also take engien room depression readings to achieve the proper venting. You are probably starving your engines for air as well as increasing your engine room temperature tenfold. Aditionally it vents fumes as you are underway, you could be causing a very unsafe condition in your engine room.
 
A good way to test if you have any air starvation is to look at your boost pressure readings with and without the vent covers on. I have some minor air starvation issues on my port engine and I don't have any covers (port boost is a few inches of Hg less than starboard unless I open the engine room hatch).
 
Fitzroy said:
OK I think i have this photo thing under control. A few people have requested photos of various bits so here it is
1. extended platform with rail and tray for BBQ
2. Bridge steps
3. Teak table in bridge
4. Vent covers
Click to expand...

Intrested in your dingy mount. Can you provide some details?

Thanks,

Mike
 
I lot of time thought and calculation went into the vent covers. The fact is there is more air entering through the new vents than old. The surface area at the bottom is 1.5 times the surface area of the old vent openings. In addition they are angled to enhance air intake actually accelerates the air into engine room. I have checked before and after boost pressure and they are the same I have also monitered engine room temp and it is the same.

The davits are weaver http://store.weaverindustries.com/
 
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That's a beautiful installation.
I've heard that Flexiteek gets extremely hot in the summer (esp in a sub-tropical clime like FL) and you can't "barefoot" on the deck. Is this an issue for you?
 
Cannot comment 1st hand on the heat issue. I had it installed in our winter we are in spring (sept - nov) had a few 30 C days and no issue. In summer it will average 30-35 c and I will be able to comment. I did not cover the ext swim platform until I was able to make this assessment. There are a few boats at my marina with flexiteek and there are mixed comments about the heat some say it is fine other say it gets hot same as teak. What I say for sure is that it is easy to maintain the kids spill drinks food etc and it does not stain I simply hose it off much better than carpet. My main reason for using this product was the weight factor and maintainability. Every product has a plus and minus it depends what works for you and what you want to achieve
 
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