Official 330 Sundancer Thread

Hello all. Anyone ever repack rudder stuffing box while in the water? 1995 Sundancer 330. Is it possible to do? We are a month or so away from putting it up for the winter. It can probably wait, but the bilge runs more often than I would like. Any pictures and instructions would be greatly appreciated. BTW...new to the forum...absolutely great resource. Thank you in advance. If this topic has already been covered, please re-direct.
 
Try this; http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/stuffing_box&page=2 Since you will also need a spanner wrench to loosen and tighten the packing nut. So to add to this does anyone know where you can buy the preformed sized spanner wrenches? The adjustable ones are just too hard to adjust and lock the wing nut down when standing on your head in the engine compartment.
 
330 DA Docking

I have a new slip neighbor that kind of fills my shared two boat slip at the marina. I was kind of shocked when I first saw how little room I have to get in and out, but this video I took is a real testimonial to how easy a vDrive boat is to handle once you have a feel for what it does and how it reacts. Despite a tight slip I have no worries. My 330DA handles like a dream in close quarters.

Full disclosure, the wind was light that day making it a pretty simple solo landing. I guess having the main dock at my starboard helps a bit on backing in too. Anyway, the real interesting part is at the end. You can see how tight the slip is with an older 350DA beside me. Barely room for the fenders.

[video=youtube;q3t-tIJteTI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3t-tIJteTI&list=UUsvHJHFsgtjdz7bBFiDWJGA[/video]
 
Still working on this trailer purchase. What a pain. Does anyone have bunk specs (or know where to find) for a 95ish 330 DA with inboards?
 
I figured I would drop this in hear for reference...

Heater Defroster Replacement on a 1996 33 Sundancer.

The Heater Defroster is located under the helm seat, it is accessed by removing the carpeted Trim Panel located in the stowage compartment in the back of the aft facing cockpit seat. The panel on my boat was held in place with 2 screws. The Heater Defrosted in screwed to the floor at 4 locations, 2 are quite accessible, the other 2, not so much. Not impossible but not that easy to get to. The are two water lines and two air ducts that are attached to the unit. I had to cut the waterlines to get them off and had to work the air vents off as well. There are 3 screws that hold the blower in place, these screws need to be removed and the blower can then stay in the compartment, eliminates the need to cut any wires. The heater defroster can now be removed, once removed from the boat the core needs to be extracted. the core is inside an aluminum housing that is screwed together, once apart the cores slides out of the aluminum box. I took the core to a local radiator shop and had them re-core the unit. The cost, $80. When I took the core out I had noticed flock tape around the perimeter, no sure what this is for (Better Seal, Squeak and rattle) but I had some laying around and wrapped the outside with flock tape prior to installation back into the aluminum box. The Core was a tight fit, use due care when reinstalling to core to avoid any damage. Once back together the reinstall on the boat was a bit more challenging. I would recommend placing the air duct hoses on prior to screwing back into the floor. I had dabbed some silicone in the screw holes and placed the unit back into position. The unit has a rubber pads in the area where it is mounted to the floor, I started the screws in the four location and the rubber held them in place. I had all the screws started with the exception of number 4 (totally blind), this screw was a challenge and took some time to locate and install, There were a few “F” bombs when trying to get the screw started, it just would not go. Not willing to accept defeat I eventually got the screw installed, I have the cuts and scrapes on my hand to prove it. The air ducts were also a bit of a challenge, but not impossible. Would have been easier if I had installed prior to screwing the unit to the floor. I had cut the hoses to remove them so they were no too short. I removed the hose from what I am going to call the actuator valve, I believe this valve opens and closes allowing the hot water from the engine to pass through the core. The hose was approximately 10 inches long. I then cut the other hose approximately 4 inches shorter and added an extension. Then attached both to the unit. I then placed some tie straps in a few key locations to keep things neat.

The unit is a Heater Craft ACU-Heat 200-H Series.

Hopes this helps the next guy looking to fix a Leaky Heater Defroster. I have pics as well that I can send via email.
 
Rumrunner, you are the man! I need to fix my leaky cockpit heater and was looking for this info. When I finally start the project I'll probably contact you for some more tips. Thanks for posting!
 
I just bought a 1992 330 Sundancer a week ago and have a few questions.

I am new to cruisers and have not had an onboard waste system before. When I push the switch to check the waste tank, are the bars supposed to light up when full to show the level, or just the empty or full lights. Please walk me through this.

Second, do make the dining area into a sleeping area, how do you support the cushions that go in the table area (2).

Thanks in advance for the help. I have the owners manual, but it is very incomplete in these areas.
 
Lawnman, welcome aboard!!! Great site, you’ll love this.

I’m not 100% sure on a 1992, but I can help on the waste system. When you push the switch, it will light up more as the waste fills up. Also, if you have a discharge system that dumps overboard (macerator), close the seacock and remove the handle, you will get a ticket if the Staties stop you.

As for the dining area, you either will use the table or filler boards. But on mine (1998 300DA) under the cushions has a pullout section that supports the bedding cushions, but it also has a board support that locks into a groove under that. Look around the boat and find all the parts, even goofy things you might not have any idea what they are and try things out. I wish I could be of more help, but I found the “support" in a locker and was wondering for 3 weeks what heck it was for! After a couple adult beverages at the dock, I had insperation, and it works great.

Where are you on Texoma? I’m on the OK side, at Catfish Bay Marina, up by the Roosevelt bridge.

Matt
 
Matt, currently the boat is at Grandpappy's, I will be moving it over to Mill Creek, where my previous boat is and where I grew up. I have been on Texoma since my birth in 1975.

It has the clean water stickers on it already, but, I am trying to figure out the waste system, defiantly don't want problems there.

I figured there was supposed to be a board to support the cushions, but it must have disappeared over the years, I went through all the lockers and could not find anything useful.
 
Lawnman TX said:
Matt, currently the boat is at Grandpappy's, I will be moving it over to Mill Creek, where my previous boat is and where I grew up. I have been on Texoma since my birth in 1975.

It has the clean water stickers on it already, but, I am trying to figure out the waste system, defiantly don't want problems there.

I figured there was supposed to be a board to support the cushions, but it must have disappeared over the years, I went through all the lockers and could not find anything useful.
Click to expand...

Here is what the support board looks like on my 97 330DA;
DSC_1288.jpg
 
Lawnman TX said:
Matt, currently the boat is at Grandpappy's, I will be moving it over to Mill Creek, where my previous boat is and where I grew up. I have been on Texoma since my birth in 1975.

It has the clean water stickers on it already, but, I am trying to figure out the waste system, defiantly don't want problems there.

I figured there was supposed to be a board to support the cushions, but it must have disappeared over the years, I went through all the lockers and could not find anything useful.
Click to expand...

Very cool! Texoma is great. I had my boat brought to Grand Pappy’s when it was put in, nice place.

Matt
 
Creekwood, thanks for the picture, nothing like that laying around my boat. I have a groove for a board to set on, but no board or support. My cushions don't have a board on them either, so I am guessing I need to make a template and cut out a sheet of plywood.

Jason
 
If you are handy with a jigsaw and sand paper, you will be able to make it work!

Matt
 
Lawnman TX said:
Creekwood, thanks for the picture, nothing like that laying around my boat. I have a groove for a board to set on, but no board or support. My cushions don't have a board on them either, so I am guessing I need to make a template and cut out a sheet of plywood.

Jason
Click to expand...

Mine was stored in the storage under the dinette seat itself, but because it is slick melamine it had slid into the back and out of sight. Take a close look in the storage under there yourself. It may actually be in the same place on your boat.
 
Creekwood said:
Mine was stored in the storage under the dinette seat itself, but because it is slick melamine it had slid into the back and out of sight. Take a close look in the storage under there yourself. It may actually be in the same place on your boat.
Click to expand...

Ditto

i had no idea what it was for about a year!
 
Lawnman TX said:
Matt, currently the boat is at Grandpappy's, I will be moving it over to Mill Creek, where my previous boat is and where I grew up. I have been on Texoma since my birth in 1975.

It has the clean water stickers on it already, but, I am trying to figure out the waste system, defiantly don't want problems there.

I figured there was supposed to be a board to support the cushions, but it must have disappeared over the years, I went through all the lockers and could not find anything useful.
Click to expand...

I have a 92 and the support for the bed that also doubles as a table top for the small table, is located underneath the front vberth cushions on top of the ac unit. Hope this helps

Ken
 
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