Calling all 360 DA owners

[Just For Fun]

For those of you with 360s, I'm a bit confused in the differences between the 360 and the 380 of similar years.

From what I can see in each one's Owner's Manuals, the beam is the same, the weight for the 380 is about 800 lbs more than the 360 and the actual length... Confusing.

The 380 is billed as a "38'"but with the measurement is to the end of the "standard swim platform" it's listed as 39'. On the 360 - also from the rear of the "standard swim platform" - it's listed as 39'. Obviously there must be a difference in the length of the "standard platform." Their beans are the same at 12'6".

Did any of you 360 owners look at the 380 - of similar years - when/before buying your 360? Reason(s) for choosing the 360?

I'm also going to post this question on the "Official 380 Forum" but - obviously - slightly differently, to get their opinion.

Thanks.

 

[JohnnyR222]

Interesting reading many of the comments about others who have been looking at the 340 and by accident, found the 360. I'm kind of in the same boat (pun intended!!)

I've looked at the 330 and 320 and than - due to a boat broker's listing - at a 340. Instantly fell in love with the 340!!! I've been making offers on several 340s and finding more and more of them coming on-line for sale, weekly. All seem to be happy owners, it's just that time for them.

Then... as I continue my search for more 340 out of my immediate area... I see this 360 Sundancer (I believe it was a 2003. WOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!! Instant love... ... ... ... again. DAMN!!! Am I soooooooooo fickly!!!!

In doing some research, it appears that the 360 ran from about 2002 to 2006. Then, I guess, the 380 took over that position. My intent is NOT to succumb to "two-foot-itus." But I'm loving what SR did with about 2' of length and 6" in the beam.

But I have several questions for you owners:
1. I totally understand that the 8.1s are... the engine of choice. But did it come with a diesel option? Good option or not? I'll be doing only ocean cruising.
2. Did the different/advancing production years have any major upgrades worth having? Waiting for a 2006 rather than and earlier year.
3. For those of you in the warmer climates like NV or AZ, etc. with current temps in the 100+ area, is the A/C unit in these boats sufficient to cool you down to about 75 degrees? Or do you need additional cooling units (portable)?
4. In looking at some pictures, it appears that the shower - while not separate from the commode - has a movable and wrap-around glass/plastic enclosure. Am I correct?
5. Interesting that the 360 (Waterline to top of Spoiler 9' 5") sits lower than the 340 (Waterline to top of Spoiler 10' 4")

I'd appreciate any additional and positive suggestions and or directions. But, NO, I don't want to go anything larger!!!

Thanks.

Get the 360 it’s the complete package, 1…yes it was an option but very hard to find. 2…not sure….3 the a/c cranks! It was 90s here for the month and it was ice cold,people said too cold. 4. The Bat Shower is awesome! Wraps around you and keeps everything dry. We are in love with our 2003 360!

 

[cliffkujala]

Hello All.

New to me 2003 Sundancer 360 closed about a week ago. Looking forward to some good times with this boat. I have read this entire thread from the beginning and greatly appreciate all the information I have acquired.

My boat has what seems to be a common failure of the galley freezer. Was hoping I just needed to replace the MPS-50 power adapter, but when I removed my freezer the setup didn't match what some others have described. Previous posts mentioned that they found the power adapters on the bulkhead. Mine are attached the the fridge and freezer. Has anyone seen a setup like the photos below?

Edit: I removed the power supply, and mine is a Mobitronic MPS-35, not MPS-50. Has anyone seen this power supply on their freezer/fridge?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

 

[cliffkujala]

the freezer probably only has an inverter problem. Its possible you lost the refridgerant or the compressor but not likely. If you unscrew the trim around the freezer, you should be able to slide the freszer out. You will see a power wire going to an 6” black inverter box mounted on the bulkhead behind the freezer. The inverter is plugged into a standard 120vac outlet behind the refridgerator. The voltage supplued to the freezer is a standard 12vdc. Check it with a voltmeter. The inverter is also a switch. When you are on shore power it supplues 12vdc by inverting 120vac. When you are disconnected, the inverter also has 12vdc coming from your battery bank. Disconnecting shore power automatically switches the power. Testing voltage at the back of the freezer in both conditions should have that 12 volts. If you don’t have 12 vdc then the inverter is bad. They are typucally about $150 and take 5 minutes to swap out. The toughest part is getting back into the opening and reaching the inverter

If voltage is there, try jumpering 12vdc directly to the compressor to see if it runs. If it runs, it might be a small control board. Once again, a cheap fix. I will try and find links to the parts I used to repair my freezer

Hello @Phasma did you ever post the list of parts you used to repair your freezer? I don't remember seeing it on this thread. Maybe it is posted somewhere else?

 

[Timeflys]

We have an 2002 vintage and the plastic cabinet latches that are starting to fail. I have found this which looks similar:

https://southco.com/en_us_int/c3-810

Has anybody else replaced this and found a correct latch which works?

 

[Tripsdad]

We have an 2002 vintage and the plastic cabinet latches that are starting to fail. I have found this which looks similar:

https://southco.com/en_us_int/c3-810

Has anybody else replaced this and found a correct latch which works?

I have not needed to replace any but looks like it could work.

 

[cliffkujala]

We have an 2002 vintage and the plastic cabinet latches that are starting to fail. I have found this which looks similar:

https://southco.com/en_us_int/c3-810

Has anybody else replaced this and found a correct latch which works?

https://www.mcmaster.com/12855A12/

I can't find them in white like the OEM latches, but OEM was Southco C3-810 and that is what I received when purchasing them in black from McMaster Carr.

 

[DB360]

Hello All.

New to me 2003 Sundancer 360 closed about a week ago. Looking forward to some good times with this boat. I have read this entire thread from the beginning and greatly appreciate all the information I have acquired.

My boat has what seems to be a common failure of the galley freezer. Was hoping I just needed to replace the MPS-50 power adapter, but when I removed my freezer the setup didn't match what some others have described. Previous posts mentioned that they found the power adapters on the bulkhead. Mine are attached the the fridge and freezer. Has anyone seen a setup like the photos below?

Edit: I removed the power supply, and mine is a Mobitronic MPS-35, not MPS-50. Has anyone seen this power supply on their freezer/fridge?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

From a post back in Aug 2021,

After replacing that AC/DC control module box MPS35, which is nothing more than a step down transformer, it lasting 1 year and a week. About 7 years ago I by-pasted that box and connected the battery wires to the frig directly. These refrigerators need 12 volts. The box just steps down the power from 120v to 12v. Did my freezer about 5 years ago and both running strong. I don't run them when the boat is behind the house here, but if we are loading up days before a trip, then during then trip and when we are unloading the frig & freezer are running this way. Batteries are always being charged. so there is no problem with power at all.

Just my $.02!

D

 

[Scott360dancer]

What is everyone's take on the round shower door in the head? Is this a useful feature? Are there known problem with it sliding or falling out of the tracks? I'm shopping between 340s and 360s and not sure if the door is a must have or a headache.

Hi, I have the 360 for four seasons the last two I’m having a really hard time closing the second door in the head for the shower. It’s very very tight. Does anyone know how to adjust it to raise it up? It seems as if it’s binding in the bottom track.

 

[Timeflys]

Have you tried a silicone spray in the tracks?

 

[cliffkujala]

Transom anode (zinc) bolts and bonding wires. Who has replaced them? Why aren't they studded on the inside so the bonding wires could be serviced/replaced without removing the thru hull bolt. This is a failure of design.

Has anyone found a better bolt option, something that would provide a double nut type installation for attaching the bonding wires in the bilge?

What size are the bolts for the transom anode, and are they stainless steel?

Edit:
Pretty certain they are ½" stainless, but not certain of the length. I'd like to have some new stud setups on hand before I pull the boat out of the water to replace the bonding wires.

 

[see ray]

Hi ,just bought a 05-360. I’m looking for the
cockpit sun pads or pad that completes
the U shape cockpit seating. if you’re not using yours
and willing to sell I’d be interested in purchasing it.

 

[Bottom Line]

We have an 2002 vintage and the plastic cabinet latches that are starting to fail. I have found this which looks similar:

https://southco.com/en_us_int/c3-810

Has anybody else replaced this and found a correct latch which works?

I found the white ones several years ago from Flounder Pounder.

 

[Chaz_360]

Hello All.

New to me 2003 Sundancer 360 closed about a week ago. Looking forward to some good times with this boat. I have read this entire thread from the beginning and greatly appreciate all the information I have acquired.

My boat has what seems to be a common failure of the galley freezer. Was hoping I just needed to replace the MPS-50 power adapter, but when I removed my freezer the setup didn't match what some others have described. Previous posts mentioned that they found the power adapters on the bulkhead. Mine are attached the the fridge and freezer. Has anyone seen a setup like the photos below?

Edit: I removed the power supply, and mine is a Mobitronic MPS-35, not MPS-50. Has anyone seen this power supply on their freezer/fridge?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Responding to post # 1803 - I have a 2002 Sundancer 360. The existing power supply was an MPS-35 and it was mounted to the bulkhead on the port side - it was NOT attached to the freezer as shown in your pictures, so perhaps the freezer design was changed at some point. I replaced it in May 2022 with an MPS-50 based on some research I had done that that basically the 'larger' MPS-50 would work better. And it did for a short while....but now I am back to it only working on 12 VDC and it won't run on the 120 VAC circuit. I have not taken everything apart again to determine if the new MPS-50 actually failed or if my installation skills were just lacking LOL.

Including a picture of the back of my freezer (looks different than your pictures) and also the best picture I had of where the MPS-35 was originally mounted (In this picture, I had already removed it, but you can see where the mounting holes were right above the thru hull fittings)

 

[cliffkujala]

Responding to post # 1803 - I have a 2002 Sundancer 360. The existing power supply was an MPS-35 and it was mounted to the bulkhead on the port side - it was NOT attached to the freezer as shown in your pictures, so perhaps the freezer design was changed at some point. I replaced it in May 2022 with an MPS-50 based on some research I had done that that basically the 'larger' MPS-50 would work better. And it did for a short while....but now I am back to it only working on 12 VDC and it won't run on the 120 VAC circuit. I have not taken everything apart again to determine if the new MPS-50 actually failed or if my installation skills were just lacking LOL.

Including a picture of the back of my freezer (looks different than your pictures) and also the best picture I had of where the MPS-35 was originally mounted (In this picture, I had already removed it, but you can see where the mounting holes were right above the thru hull fittings)

View attachment 152695View attachment 152696

Thanks for the info. I would wager that your MPS-50 also failed. I ended up just eliminating the AC/DC switchers completely, and plan to just run the fridge and freezer on 12v only.

 

[cliffkujala]

Hi ,just bought a 05-360. I’m looking for the
cockpit sun pads or pad that completes
the U shape cockpit seating. if you’re not using yours
and willing to sell I’d be interested in purchasing it.

I am also looking for the cockpit sunpads. I also did not get the extra pad for the couch bed in the salon. If anyone has photos of what those two areas look like with the pads in place that would be great. I may just have a local upholstery shop make me new pads.

 

[see ray]

I am also looking for the cockpit sunpads. I also did not get the extra pad for the couch bed in the salon. If anyone has photos of what those two areas look like with the pads in place that would be great. I may just have a local upholstery shop make me new pads.

I have this cushion,and the bow sun pad but do not have the cockpit sun pad cushions

 

[jsed]

Odd question......
Behind my helm seat, there is a curved access panel caulked to the curved fiberglass. Panel is roughly 12" x 12".
Any idea what is behind this panel? There is a small drain hole (half-round) at the base of this cover, and water that drains from the side windshield, down to the helm floor, goes to this hole. I am planning to remove the panel the next time I'm out there, but am curious as to what to expect before i do.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Chaz_360]

Odd question......
Behind my helm seat, there is a curved access panel caulked to the curved fiberglass. Panel is roughly 12" x 12".
Any idea what is behind this panel? There is a small drain hole (half-round) at the base of this cover, and water that drains from the side windshield, down to the helm floor, goes to this hole. I am planning to remove the panel the next time I'm out there, but am curious as to what to expect before i do.
Thanks in advance.

Curiosity got the best of me about a month ago and I opened that panel to see what was there. I went in there looking to see where the water that enters that small drain hole gets routed to, and best I could tell it just runs along the floor to the starboard side. Here are two pictures - one looking to the starboard side (you can see the bottom of the insulated 'ice bucket') and one looking down & slightly to the port side. There is not much of anything back there. My boat is a 2002 360 Sundancer.

 

[Chaz_360]

I am also looking for the cockpit sunpads. I also did not get the extra pad for the couch bed in the salon. If anyone has photos of what those two areas look like with the pads in place that would be great. I may just have a local upholstery shop make me new pads.

Here is a picture of the two cushions on my 2002 360 Sundancer. There are 4 straps on each cushion, each strap has one snap on it. The snaps attach to the bottom of the tables.