Official 370 Sundancer thread

randerson said:
My 1995 370 is a great boat and I think it is one of the best models they ever built. I have a question about steering, I know there have been many other posts regarding mechanical steering but some are too generic as they may not relate to my boat. The only flaw is that Searay built these with mechanical steering in 1995 with Hydraulic as an option. Mine has mechanical. It is pretty stiff (always has been) but I'm not sure what it should be like. I know it is stiffer than hydraulic, and much stiffer than power steering. I've disconnected the cable at the rudder assembly and it steers easier (I can use 1 hand to turn the wheel) but how easy should it be?

So my question is: I don't mind replacing it but do not want to so unless it needs it. MM quoted me 4-5 hours of labor plus parts, plus service call. Again it's not about spending the money and I want it right. But I also don't want to replace something that not's needed.

I know this may be hard to answer but I am hopeful that some of you other 370 owners with mechanical steering can give me some insight. Or mechanics. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Andy-

This is one of the pet peeves that I have had with the mechanical steering, my steering is pretty stiff as well, have yet to take it apart but my guess is the end result would be similar to yours. Not sure if it is possible to grease the rudder shafts or something to try and make it a little easier, or upgrade to hydraulic steering somehow.
 
SCFinch said:
Andy-

This is one of the pet peeves that I have had with the mechanical steering, my steering is pretty stiff as well, have yet to take it apart but my guess is the end result would be similar to yours. Not sure if it is possible to grease the rudder shafts or something to try and make it a little easier, or upgrade to hydraulic steering somehow.
Click to expand...

Scott,

Thanks for your reply. I thought I should give an update to my steering issues.

I hired a mechanic to replace my steering cable. It looked like was going to be too much work for me to tackle.

We determined that it was the cable by disconnecting at the rudders. Steering was much easier. Rudders also were checked, they too, were eliminated as the cause for stiffness. I am so glad I hired someone, it would have taken me a long time to figure out how to most efficiently do this.

The helm seat had to be removed. I have the cockpit heater assembly (option in 1995) that had to be removed which is mounted in the storage area under helm seat. The screws for the helm seat are removed from the mid-berth. Once the helm seat was slid over about 1 foot to port, the cup holder and storage unit can be removed along with the woofer. This is where the steering cable access was most important, the mechanic cut the old cable and removed. The new cable has to feed through the switch panel first then down the starboard side of the boat.

He removed the entire steering assembly and, of course, the new cable doesn't marry to the old rack and pinion steering assembly. Because I have the tilt assembly, we needed to replace the steering assembly there as well (thankfully I could keep the tilt mechanism or that would have added another $300) to the bill.

All in all the mechanic did this in about 8 hours of time. He had to leave to get parts and came back to finish the next day. The steering is SO MUCH better. I should have done this years ago.

Total cost: $1150. Well worth it and peace of mind!

PS I decided against upgrading to hydraulic steering as I couldn't justify the cost. If I were planning on adding auto-pilot, I might have considered it.
 
New Bow sunpad for the first mate and her guests!! 063A.jpg
Can't wait to get this boat launched. :smt038
 
New sink and faucet in the cockpit...the white bowl was discoloring and we hated the white faucet. The plastic was starting to yellow just a little bit.066a.jpg
 
Aw Geeze Wolf...now you've given me another project for next week! Did the now cushions last year with a cover. Now I'm thinking the admiral will love that sink and faucet...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Another subject.
I know I saw it on here before but cannot find it now.
someone replaced there cockpit sink faucet with a taller type.
anyone remember where the post was? Or where I can purchase one?
 
Try Great Lakes, I purchased one last year. The one I purchased is only for cold water and whats nice is the spout folds down.
 
Try Great Lakes, I purchased one last year. The one I purchased is only for cold water and whats nice is the spout folds down. It was orig posted by Gyrospiro.
 
cjcray said:
Thank you!
Great Lakes What?
Click to expand...
I just checked their web site and they are not showing it anymore. It is a Fontana Faucet Model 97260-CP. I just googled fold down faucets and found it on Replacement Boat Part.com. Its listed as Compact Fold Down Faucet. Hope this helps.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I will look for the faucet.

heres wishing everyone a great boating season!!

My 370 finally gets Slashed on Friday!!!

Chuck
 
Wow Chuck, don't know if I would be so excited if someone was "Slashing" my boat!
 
cjcray said:
TheWolfTC
where did you get the faucet and sink
Click to expand...

I ordered the faucet from FP Marine...https://www.searay-parts.com/ part # 942888 Scandvik cold water folding faucet, price $122.00 (pricey but a very nice product). I ordered the sink from www.trailerrvparts.com part # SSOV-22 13" x 10", price $45.00.

Sorry it took so long to reply..I missed that you asked the question.

The faucet was easy the bowl took a little extra effort. It was a real bugger getting the hold down clips on under the sink due to such a tight spot on the front side. I had to pull my fridge out and access the final screw from that side through an access point between the two cabinets so to speak. But it was worth the effort since it looks so much better.

Bill
 
After a Long, Long, Long winter a tremendous amount of remodeling and cleaning, a little engine work, new parts and pieces here and there.... we finally were able to float it in the waters of Lake Michigan!!! (Water temp 46.3 degrees...brrrrr). Of course I had to go down and view it tonight to see how the underwater lights came out. Sorry for the graininess of the images...iPhone is not a high tech camera (funny to say that considering we had nothing like it 15 years ago...lol)
The lights look great and shine back about 25-30 feet depending on the angle of view. The perfect ambiance for what I wanted around the dock.
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums...pgrades/Underwater Lights/010_zps8e99e022.jpg

Good luck to everyone else launching for the upcoming season!
Bill (The WolfTc)
 
Hey Gang...
I just wanted to pass along an endorsement to all of you that may be in need of any metal fabrication work. Dale....aka "MasterFab" on Club Sea Ray recently made me a custom set of dinghy davits for my swim platform. I want to tell you that they are AWESOME and the work was excellent. I needed two custom plates machined to fit the weaver davit plate slide on system and he came through. I simply drew up what I needed to scale and faxed him a detailed drawing of the items...3 weeks later, voila, they arrived and were perfect!!! The 3 weeks was because I decided to send it to him when he and everyone else were launching their boats...LOL...Also, the fact that they had some custom attributes to it added some time.

Dale has a great blog on a re-fitting of his 340 Sea Ray...Seriously, if you want to see some amazing work and have confidence in ordering something from him...here you go!!! http://searay340restoration.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Dale, my dinghy is easily pulled up onto my swim platform via the new dinghy assist units you fabricated for me!!
 
It was my pleasure, Bill. Thank you for the kind endorsement!

Dale
 
Having a problem with the fwd Cruisair A/C unit on my 1995 370 Sundancer. Low A/C code flashing after unit trips out. Turn the unit off and back on sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt....Thoughts?
 
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