New SeaRay owner (Sundancer 250) with some basic questions

[searay250]

Hi all, new Sundancer owner here. Hoping that I can get some sundancer-specific questions answered from the community here Happy to be part of the sea ray owner's club!

1) Anything quirky I should know about the boat? Seems like a stupid question but asking things like this has saved me some real headaches in the past.

2) I would like to add just one or two rod holders, maybe flush mount, or maybe mounting a rail along the gunwale for rail-mounted. I've seen people add flush holders just in the gunwale, anyone done this? Is it strong enough to just add a flush holder into the gunwale?

3) This one is a little more specific, but my rear transom door is there, but the little doorstop thing that the door rests against is missing. It looks easy enough to just make one, but what is it made of? Have any of y'all made one? Looked at some photos and it could be wood, or plastic, or maybe glassed wood or something. Or are they cheap to buy somewhere? I don't even know what they're called.

4) Any must-do upgrades? Things you've found to make a huge difference in comfort, functionality, etc. on the Sundancer?

5) What are y'all doing about backup power? I'm thinking about relocating my swim ladder over in front of the transom door and adding a kicker to the other side (where the swim ladder is now). Good idea/bad idea? Anyone have any brackets they particularly like? Or DIY?

Thanks, everyone! Looking forward to contributing here.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
There have been a lot of 250's sold but finding someone on iBoats with the same model is rare but not impossible.

Post some pics of what your looking at and I can move the thread to the general area so it gets more eyes on it

 

[searay250]

Welcome
There have been a lot of 250's sold but finding someone on iBoats with the same model is rare but not impossible.

Post some pics of what your looking at and I can move the thread to the general area so it gets more eyes on it

Thanks @alldodge! That makes sense, now that I'm looking back through this forum, I can see how more eyes would be on a general forum.

Maybe I'll just modify all of my questions to be more broad and more applicable to lots of different boats:

1) Anybody happen to have a searay Sundancer 250 and know of any quirks? Seems like a stupid question but asking things like this has saved me some real headaches in the past.

2) I would like to add just one or two rod holders, maybe flush mount, or maybe mounting a rail along the gunwale for rail-mounted. I've seen people add flush holders just in the gunwale of glass cruisers, anyone done this? Is it strong enough to just add a flush holder into the gunwale? I was originally asking this about a Sundancer 250 but I bet a lot of glass cruisers are similar. If nobody knows about Sundancers specifically, I'll take general advice on how to tell if a gunwale is strong enough . Or if anyone wants to set out the pros and cons between flush mount, surface mount, or even mounting a rail on the gunwale so I can add rod holders or also other things.

3) This one is a little more specific, but I have a rear transom door. The actual door is there, but the little doorstop thing that the door rests against is missing. It looks easy enough to just make one, but what is it made of? Have any of y'all made one? Looked at some photos and it could be wood, or plastic, or maybe glassed wood or something. Or are they cheap to buy somewhere? I don't even know what they're called. Here's a photo from a YouTube video that shows the piece:



4) Any must-do upgrades for cruisers generally? Things you've found to make a huge difference in comfort, functionality, etc., especially on a Sundancer?

5) What's the right way to handle backup power on these cruisers with a swim platform? I've seen swim platform kicker mounts, are these considered a good idea or a bad idea? I have a transom door on the port side that I don't want to block and a swim ladder on the starboard side. I'm thinking about relocating my swim ladder over in front of the transom door (port side) and adding a kicker to the other side (where the swim ladder is now--starboard side). Good idea/bad idea? Anyone have any brackets they particularly like? Or DIY?


Thanks all! And thanks @alldodge for moving the thread to somewhere better

 

[alldodge]

Installing flush mount rod holders shouldn't be much of an issue if the width is available

The door stop is made from some kind of plastic. Don't know where you can find something that thick but @Scott Danforth might.

Many have installed kickers but don't think it will be much of a backup. If seas are calm you can move but much of a wind and there will be issues. The boat is a bit heavy

 

[searay250]

Many have installed kickers but don't think it will be much of a backup. If seas are calm you can move but much of a wind and there will be issues. The boat is a bit heavy

I see. Thanks for this. I guess I didn't really think it through beyond going.... well... one of my last boats was a 18 ft byliner capri, I think it was right around 2000 pounds with fuel/gear/etc. and I used a little 2.5hp kicker for trolling, and once I had to use it as a backup motor to get in when my main died. I was about 5 miles out and it took a while but I got back in (against the wind, somehow)! In my head, I see brackets rated up to 20hp, so I figure... I should be able to get a 6000 pound boat in as a last ditch effort with a 20hp.

But maybe you're right. I just kind of guessed about the math there, and I also wouldn't hang a 20hp off a swim platform. Do you think it's not worth it, or would maybe like a 10-15hp be a reasonable backup if I just need to get a few miles and I'm okay going really, really slowly? I would almost always be going against the wind, if that matters.

If it's just not worth it... are people just out there with no backup? Or just like a tow subscription? I mean hopefully I never need it but I just feel so much better with some kind of backup power... I trust my engine but you just never know. It's too bad electric motors aren't in a good place to serve as backup power quite yet.

Thanks

 

[JimS123]

2) I would like to add just one or two rod holders, maybe flush mount, or maybe mounting a rail along the gunwale for rail-mounted. I've seen people add flush holders just in the gunwale, anyone done this? Is it strong enough to just add a flush holder into the gunwale?

3) This one is a little more specific, but my rear transom door is there, but the little doorstop thing that the door rests against is missing. It looks easy enough to just make one, but what is it made of? Have any of y'all made one? Looked at some photos and it could be wood, or plastic, or maybe glassed wood or something. Or are they cheap to buy somewhere? I don't even know what they're called.

5) What are y'all doing about backup power? I'm thinking about relocating my swim ladder over in front of the transom door and adding a kicker to the other side (where the swim ladder is now). Good idea/bad idea? Anyone have any brackets they particularly like? Or DIY?

2. I have put dozens of pole mounts on many boats. My personal preference is the "Fish-On" (brand) and they make several types of mounts. My Boston Whaler has 4 of them mounted on rails. My SeaRay has flush mounts on the side deck at the gunnels. Both are capable of merely holding a pole, or even long line trolling at 1.5 mph. If I were to ADD a rail It would be thru-bolted. If you are HEAVY trolling then maybe a more secure setup would be needed. The advantage of this brand is that they easily dismount and can be stored when not in use.

3. I have often made brackets and backer boards. What you have is most likely UHMW. Buy a small piece of 1" stock and cut it to size. Round the corners and sand it smooth. Countersink the holes and use SS screws. I usually find the best prices and selection on E-bay.

5. In 1970 I had engine problems (for the second time) and I ended up buying a kicker. Never had a problem again........until 2020 in the midst of Covid. M 1-year old SeaRay engine died. We were in the Upper Niagara River, drifting downstream, with Niagara Falls in sight. My kicker could have brought us home, but I probably would have run out of gas before we got there. What it DID do was get us to shore out of the current where we could safely anchor. SeaTow was a godsend. Since my insurance was with BoatUS, the $350 tow was free.

IMHO, the best brackets are made by Panther, and for your boat I would recommend a 9.9 hp 4-stroke on a retractable bracket. If you don't have a flat transom, but DO have a swim platform, then a surface mount (like mine) would be an awesome addition. (why do you want to relocate the ladder? Having the motor in front of the door provides better usability)

I'll look for some pics and post some if I find them.

 

[JimS123]

Pics...

 

[Scott Danforth]

The door stop is just HDPE (starboard). Contact your local plastics shop

 

[searay250]

IMHO, the best brackets are made by Panther, and for your boat I would recommend a 9.9 hp 4-stroke on a retractable bracket. If you don't have a flat transom, but DO have a swim platform, then a surface mount (like mine) would be an awesome addition. (why do you want to relocate the ladder? Having the motor in front of the door provides better usability)

Thanks! This is really helpful. Are the panther brackets retractable? And the reason I was thinking I would relocate the swim ladder is because I worry that an outboard would get in the way of loading or people using the swim platform. I figured that the swim platform could just go into the water for loading or when someone wanted to hang or walk on the platform through the transom door. I guess I assumed that having an outboard in front of the swim platform would make the transom door more usable. I guess I assumed that the corner of the swim platform away from the transom door would get less use?

But I hear you about the outboard being usable!

The door stop is just HDPE (starboard). Contact your local plastics shop

Thanks! Will do

 

[JimS123]

Thanks! This is really helpful. Are the panther brackets retractable? And the reason I was thinking I would relocate the swim ladder is because I worry that an outboard would get in the way of loading or people using the swim platform. I figured that the swim platform could just go into the water for loading or when someone wanted to hang or walk on the platform through the transom door. I guess I assumed that having an outboard in front of the swim platform would make the transom door more usable. I guess I assumed that the corner of the swim platform away from the transom door would get less use?

But I hear you about the outboard being usable!


Thanks! Will do

Panther makes both types. Mine is fixed, which is what I wanted and needed because of the swim platform. But if you have a swim platform, a retractable won't work.

If the ladder is behind the door, leave it that way. If not, don't move it because having the motor behind the door will make the motor easier to use.

UHMW and HDPE are almost the same thing. Either will do for you. I prefer the former because it's stronger and works better for my purposes.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Pics...


View attachment 407853

View attachment 407854

View attachment 407855

I had one of those 5 HP Merc motors with integral tank as a kicker on a 19 foot sylvan. Used it on HP restricted lakes. Wasn’t fast but moved me around.

 

[Scott06]

Thanks @alldodge! That makes sense, now that I'm looking back through this forum, I can see how more eyes would be on a general forum.

Maybe I'll just modify all of my questions to be more broad and more applicable to lots of different boats:

1) Anybody happen to have a searay Sundancer 250 and know of any quirks? Seems like a stupid question but asking things like this has saved me some real headaches in the past.

2) I would like to add just one or two rod holders, maybe flush mount, or maybe mounting a rail along the gunwale for rail-mounted. I've seen people add flush holders just in the gunwale of glass cruisers, anyone done this? Is it strong enough to just add a flush holder into the gunwale? I was originally asking this about a Sundancer 250 but I bet a lot of glass cruisers are similar. If nobody knows about Sundancers specifically, I'll take general advice on how to tell if a gunwale is strong enough . Or if anyone wants to set out the pros and cons between flush mount, surface mount, or even mounting a rail on the gunwale so I can add rod holders or also other things.

3) This one is a little more specific, but I have a rear transom door. The actual door is there, but the little doorstop thing that the door rests against is missing. It looks easy enough to just make one, but what is it made of? Have any of y'all made one? Looked at some photos and it could be wood, or plastic, or maybe glassed wood or something. Or are they cheap to buy somewhere? I don't even know what they're called. Here's a photo from a YouTube video that shows the piece:
View attachment 407841


4) Any must-do upgrades for cruisers generally? Things you've found to make a huge difference in comfort, functionality, etc., especially on a Sundancer?

5) What's the right way to handle backup power on these cruisers with a swim platform? I've seen swim platform kicker mounts, are these considered a good idea or a bad idea? I have a transom door on the port side that I don't want to block and a swim ladder on the starboard side. I'm thinking about relocating my swim ladder over in front of the transom door (port side) and adding a kicker to the other side (where the swim ladder is now--starboard side). Good idea/bad idea? Anyone have any brackets they particularly like? Or DIY?


Thanks all! And thanks @alldodge for moving the thread to somewhere better

There is a forum called club sea ray you may find more specific info to your model there. There are a few guys on the site that work at sea ray dealers so know all the issues

https://www.clubsearay.com/

 

[Scott Danforth]

5) What are y'all doing about backup power? I'm thinking about relocating my swim ladder over in front of the transom door and adding a kicker to the other side (where the swim ladder is now). Good idea/bad idea? Anyone have any brackets they particularly like? Or DIY?

I would just get tow boat US towing insurance. because iff things break, you will be a really really good distance from home.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome . . .

A friend of mine has a Sundancer 260 (IIRC), he had the next size up a while ago but sold it and bought the (slightly) smaller one. They are pretty decent boats . . . many of them are under powered with the standard power.

What model year is your boat?

As mentioned, Club Searay would be a good source for model specific stuff, and iBoats is probably better for engine issues, structural issues, and general knowledge.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome . . .

What model year is your boat?

I found you over there at CSR

1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 250

Mercruiser 5.0L TBI w/ Bravo II

 

[JimS123]

I had one of those 5 HP Merc motors with integral tank as a kicker on a 19 foot sylvan. Used it on HP restricted lakes. Wasn’t fast but moved me around.

I don't use the integral tank. It also has a remote tank fitting and I have a 3 gallon. It will push my SeaRay at 6 mph, which is the no-wake speed in the Erie Canal.

 

[Scott Danforth]

A Sundancer 250 with only a 5.0 is under powered.

They were underpowered with the 5.7 magnum

 

[searay250]

Panther makes both types. Mine is fixed, which is what I wanted and needed because of the swim platform. But if you have a swim platform, a retractable won't work.

If the ladder is behind the door, leave it that way. If not, don't move it because having the motor behind the door will make the motor easier to use.

UHMW and HDPE are almost the same thing. Either will do for you. I prefer the former because it's stronger and works better for my purposes.

I see. Thanks!

I would just get tow boat US towing insurance. because iff things break, you will be a really really good distance from home.

Yep, this is another option. I like the idea of being able to get home on my own power but towboats is definitely on the table if there's no good outboard configuration.

I found you over there at CSR

1998 Sea Ray Sundancer 250

Mercruiser 5.0L TBI w/ Bravo II

Yep 5.0 w/ a b3. Seems underpowered, I agree...

A Sundancer 250 with only a 5.0 is under powered.

Yeah, this is not ideal.... Luckily I tend to run light, but I do wish it had a little more to it :/

 

[JimS123]

Yep, this is another option. I like the idea of being able to get home on my own power but towboats is definitely on the table if there's no good outboard configuration.

You really need both.

If you insure with BoatUS, Towboat is free. They have very competitive rates. Many other insurance companies include towing insurance as well.

The kicker may save your life. The insurance will get you home.

 

[tpenfield]

Having your boat towed without a towing membership or good insurance coverage can get crazy expensive.

I have SeaTow (and have used it) which is predominant in my area.