I own a 2004 340 Sundancer and would like to modify the helm seat. My biggest compliant with this boat is the restricted visibility over the bow while sitting on the seat with the bolster in the down position. Typically I place a cushion or two on the seat but this is an uncomfortable option. I would like to install some sort of seat mount that would give me the option of vertical and horizontal adjustment of the seat. Does anyone have this problem? Keep in mind the boat is run correctly and I am six feet tall.Any advice would be appreciated. I really think SeaRay skimped out on this one.
340 Sundancer,Helm Seat
- Thread starter ras737
- Start date
Hi ras737 We have a 2003 340 owned since new. Always thought visability was great sitting at the helm, our boat has very little bow rise even when it comes on plane. Something else has to be going on? (the 340 has been traded this past month on our next boat, boat dealer sold the 340 in one week, they have a good rep.)
Ras,
The captains of all 3 340's we travel with all stand when under way.... I agree the seating could be better... Plus its not centered behind the wheel.
Good luck trying to find a fix. I often sat on the bolster during long trips...
Rob
The captains of all 3 340's we travel with all stand when under way.... I agree the seating could be better... Plus its not centered behind the wheel.
Good luck trying to find a fix. I often sat on the bolster during long trips...
Rob
On my 410 DA I raised the seat by about 4" to improve visibility forward while sitting at cruising speeds. The upholstered seat was mounted to a stainless steel base about 12" square. I built a box of 1"x4" hardwood, epoxy coated it and covered it with marine grade vinyl to match the seat. The box was bolted between the seat bottom and the stainless base. I also used a small plastic step stool to rest my feet as they no longer reached the deck while seated. The seat already had adjustment so I didn't need to mess with that.
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- Mar 2, 2000
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- 59
- Messages
- 162
Ras,
My 320 had a verticle adjustment to the seat post, yours does not?
I'd call Sea Ray and ask them for a retrofit seat pedestal that has the verticle adjustment.
Call customer relations in Meritt Island and ask for Rusty. He'll tell you what you need to know.
Jim
My 320 had a verticle adjustment to the seat post, yours does not?
I'd call Sea Ray and ask them for a retrofit seat pedestal that has the verticle adjustment.
Call customer relations in Meritt Island and ask for Rusty. He'll tell you what you need to know.
Jim
At the factory each boat should be tested and a wedge is inserted on the hull, in the tunnel, even with the transom. My boat always ran best with the tabs fully extended, so by puttiing another 3/4" wedge on top of the old one, now I don't need the tabs under normal conditions and am getting much better performance and GPH.
Just trying to share some proven experiences here.
You fabricate a wedge, out of plastic, fiberglass, etc., for the top side of your tunnels and ran them all the way across the upper part of the tunnel right to the edge of the transom. Removed the bottom paint and epoxied them in and repainted. It gives the stern lift in turn brings the bow down.
By installing these it allowed me not to have to use the tabs to maintain a level plane (at which you get your best performance). I have gained speed and gph. Hope that helps!
You fabricate a wedge, out of plastic, fiberglass, etc., for the top side of your tunnels and ran them all the way across the upper part of the tunnel right to the edge of the transom. Removed the bottom paint and epoxied them in and repainted. It gives the stern lift in turn brings the bow down.
By installing these it allowed me not to have to use the tabs to maintain a level plane (at which you get your best performance). I have gained speed and gph. Hope that helps!
I would have to disagree with a blanket statement that a "level plane" will give you the best speed/gph. I did many fuel runs with my previous 380DA equipped with smartcraft for instaneous GPH, a WAAS enabled GPS for speed and a buddy on board to record and calculate MPG (the most important number if you are talking about efficiency). On a very calm early morning time of day, before winds and boat traffic, on a local River at close to slack tide I did numerous runs to find my sweet spot in ideal conditions. On the 380DA, with no tabs (fully retracted) the boat would run with a bow up attitude. Nothing extravagant, and very managebale, but bow up none the less. If I applied any tab down, which would bring the bow down and "level" the vessels fore/aft attitude, my RPMs would decrease, and the MPH would decrease; hence, the MPG would also decrease. So, what I am saying is, that a level attitude doesn't automatically give you better efficiency.
Just to clarify, I did these runs with the same dillegence that was instilled in me by my Chemistry professor's.....accurate measurements give accurate results.....boy does that saying give me nightmares.....but wait a minute....we were talking about seat hieght....were'nt we....[:-boggled]
Just to clarify, I did these runs with the same dillegence that was instilled in me by my Chemistry professor's.....accurate measurements give accurate results.....boy does that saying give me nightmares.....but wait a minute....we were talking about seat hieght....were'nt we....[:-boggled]
