Assorted 240DA Questions

Mattwalker

Mattwalker

New Member
Dec 30, 2012
58
Melbourne Australia
Boat Info
1998 Sundancer 240
Engines
6.2l 320HP Mercruiser with Bravo 3 Sterndrive
Hi All,

I have a few questions about my new boat and was looking for some expert advice please :)

Can anyone tell me what this lever is for please


Its the yellow lever in the centre of the left of the picture

IMG_3620_zpsdcbeeafb.jpg



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Is the oily / shiny surface on the water in this pic normal under the engine?

IMG_3619_zpsbe94b5d4.jpg


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What is this?

Is it the macerator? does this require me to use the yellow lever?

IMG_3622_zpsd523ee10.jpg


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I thought this might help with the previous questions

IMG_3625_zpsd02da355.jpg


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These I guess are to stop losing the pins that hold the Bimini on - where could I get more of these or are the repairable?

IMG_3635_zpse29770b6.jpg


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This is beside the back seat - any idea what it may be for? There appears to be nothing inside it...

IMG_3638_zps4471bf52.jpg


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I would love to have a remote electric anchor winch fitted - has anyone done this and if so what model did you use and was it successful?

This is what I have currently. Will it work with this current setup?

IMG_3640_zpse4425f2c.jpg


Cheers,

Matt
 
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It's not a macerator, but looks like just a direct overboard discharge system. Macerator would have a holding tank. If you turn that key above your portapoti that should engage the direct pump out. Only do that if you have the yellow lever open. I had the same problem with those pins and got them from the Searay distributor over here. I can't remember the name of the place. As soon as I can remember I will post. U can always install a windless its more how much do you want to pay. :)
 
I plan to install a Lewmar prosport 550 windlass on my 240 ...if I keep it
about 600usd at Westmarine.
 
The fixture by your back seat seems to be were you mount your running light with a long pole attached. You must have this light in while running after dusk till sunrise. The light should be stowed in the engine compartment over the engine in two black mount s.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
The fixture by your back seat seems to be were you mount your running light with a long pole attached. You must have this light in while running after dusk till sunrise. The light should be stowed in the engine compartment over the engine in two black mount s.
Click to expand...
Totally missed that question. Good one Xplicitlnck. :)
 
spikeitaudi said:
It's not a macerator, but looks like just a direct overboard discharge system. Macerator would have a holding tank. If you turn that key above your portapoti that should engage the direct pump out. Only do that if you have the yellow lever open. I had the same problem with those pins and got them from the Searay distributor over here. I can't remember the name of the place. As soon as I can remember I will post. U can always install a windless its more how much do you want to pay. :)
Click to expand...

Now I remember where I got those pins:http://www.greatlakesboattop.com
 
Picture 1:

Looks like a normal ball valve. Handle sideways (as shown in the picture) valve closed.
Handle turned 90 degrees so it is inline with the plumbing, valve open.
As stated earlier, it's probably a waste discharge, which may be illegal depending on where you do your boating.

Picture 2:

Oil is flamible, and it should not be there. Figure out how it got there and clean it up.

Picture 3:

The key on the wall operated the vacuum system to draw the waste into a holding tank. The key was turned on, a vacuum was drawn and when the lever on the toiled was pressed, the waste was sucked into a holding tank.

Your system may be different.

Picture 4:

Those are keepers for the pins. Mine wore out as well. I looked for replacements, but never found any. I took them all off and bought a couple extra pins just incase one goes missing. Honestly, I like it better without the little wire keepers. It looks cleaner.

Picture 5:


The hole with the black rubber flap is for a rear white light. There should be a pole about 3 feet long with a white light on the end of it somewhere on the boat. Look in the pockets and under the engine hatch.

This light should be used between dusk and dawn and when anchored. Your light switch is a 3 position switch. One way is running lights and anchor light, center is off, the other way is just anchor light.

Picture 6:

What you want is a windlass. I've never retrofitted one, but I'm guessing you're looking at more than $1k. It can be done though.

Picture 7:

I've notice you've neglected to show us the whole boat. Gratuitious pictures are welcomed!

Picture 8:

See picture 7. :D

Happy Boating!
 
The whitish-colored pump you have there on the starboard side of your engine isn't exactly a "macerator", but it does serve the same purpose. You could have an actual macerator there, but in this case you have what is called a "transfer pump", made by SeaLand/Dometic (you'll need to know this for future reference when replacing the rubber duckbill valves inside it). A "macerator" works like a blender, whereas a transfer pump doesn't do as much "chewing up" as it does "mashing" or "gumming it".

The way your system works is that the T-pump draws the waste (activated with key) out of the porta-potti and discharges directly overboard, through the seacock (yellow handle). No holding tank in this boat - the bottom of the porta-potti serves as the holding tank.

EDIT: Oh, if you don't know when the duckbills were last replaced, put that on your to do list.

For those pins, you likely have the style that has a little ball in the end. There's a better style that has a small "flip lever". It does a much better job at staying in as the pin's ball is under spring pressure which weakens over time.
 
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There should be no water, much less floating oil due to its flammability, in your bilge...as stated earlier, get it out of there and find where both are coming from if you dont already know.

The oil may be from a current leak, an earlier leak, or may have been from a previous "spill" that wasn't totally cleaned up...and the water/sheen is just making it easier to see.
 
Thanks guys!

I have also found these stuffed in the boat:

IMG_3643_zpsa5a457e7.jpg


IMG_3645_zpscd97bd6d.jpg


IMG_3644_zps8b2c7f5a.jpg


It looks like I am missing:

1/ The top cover

2/ Some of the poles

Could someone please tell me what I am missing in order to order the right bits.

Also is it possible to order just the top or would I be better to purchase the whole lot?

Cheers,

Matt
 
The first two pictures of canvas laying on the ground is part of the original camper canvas. These are the aft piece and side pieces. You'll need the second bimini (top) which would attach to those (4) open bimini mounts on your gunwale. Try Great Lakes Boat Tops in the US, or have someone local make it.

3rd picture? No clue - that's something the previous owner (or "some" previous owner) added. It'd be best to ask that person.
 
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