Official 390 E.C. Thread

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Thanks for the kind words. I learned a lot from the kind folks here.
Pietro , Doc, Dr Electric , Doug , Hottoddie. and plenty more i'm probabl forgetting
Frank W, used to own won also

the shafts on the boat are 1.5 you should look for zincs for that dia shaft.
I installed two per shaft since I stay in the water all winter.

the stock Props are 19dia 18 pitch. if your out of the water have them scaned and balanced at a local prop shop.
the trim tabs use a 4" zinc it looks like a muffin top. when u install it mount it so the muffin part is facing up so there is less drag on the water.
I purchased the trim tab location kit and plan to install over the spring. it gives the location and how much tab ur using. I plan on adding a second set of tabs at that time.
if you go the through the 390 treads u will see lots of people made this mod due to the boat is under tabed

hope this helps
Saverio
 
That's funny....though I've been answering to a lot of questions, I really didn't know what to say about zincs! :grin: ...I've always ordered the yard to put new ones as the ones already on the boat...
 
To answer your question on anodes, the correct zincs for a 1988 390EC were

Hull: Camp # B-12

Trim Tabs: Camp #R-3 or R-4 depending upon the size you want.
Note: the correct anode for the trim tabs is actually called a "rudder zinc" and provides a lot more protection then Tab zincs.


Sea Ray stopped using shaft zincs a long time ago. My experience with them has not been good as my boats usually throw them off the shaft after about 6 months. I haven't ever used shaft zincs on my present boat and after 17 years, I have no pitting or corrosion on the running gear.

Also, since you are in fresh water, you will need to convert the CAMP part numbers which are for zinc anodes to another company's number who sells magnesium anodes. For example, here is a magnesium hull anode with the same specifications as the CAMP B-12 from another company:

http://www.boatzincs.com/ZC-406M.html

Hope that helps.............
 
Frank

really no shaft zinzs????
I was also considerings adding the tool that cuts fishing line and other debri from getting wrapped around ur shafts. I cant think of the name right now any comments on those?

Do you also believe in painting the props and running gear.

I refuse to paint my newly polished props.

I also have to apologige for my spelling and grammer
cant load spell check on my work PC

Saverio
 
I can't speak to bigger tabs, but build a Pietro tab like I and a few others have done. Best money I've ever spent on the 390, performance wise.
 
No shaft zincs. I'm following the recommendations of both Sea Ray and Mercury's propulsion engineers who say they are not necessary. I ran a 390EC for 9 years and I"ve had my 450DA for 17 and my only experience with shaft zincs is that they are more trouble than they are worth. This gets to the rest of your question as well.

I do paint all my running gear, tabs, rudders, struts, props.......all underwater metal except transducers and bonding plate gets primes, acetone wiped and painted with at least 2 coats os a hard bottom paint. BUT......I am in salt water that is very warm grows everything, including slime and my boat is only hauled out of t he water for 3 days every February to check the bottom and touch up the paint as needed. Whether or not you paint anything, everything or everything except the wheels depends totally upon your use, your water, the propensity for bottom growth to adhere and your pocket book. Not painting does not work where I am. The same issue affects my conclusion on shaft zincs. If the anode sacrifices any metal at all, I sling them off....and they are gone when we pull the boat out for its bottom maintenance. in all the time I"ve had boats in the warm Gulf water, in a marina with about 100 slips, I have never seen any pitting or corrosion on the running gear. So, I don't spend the $$ on shaft zincs.

The line cutters you mention are called "spurs". If you ever pick up line then you might consider spending the money. I have only once picked up a line and it was easy to remedy by crawling under the boat and unlooping it off the strut so I don't have enough exposure to worry about adding them.
 
Ok will save the funds
thanks!!!!

Sorry forgot u 390X
im doing the same as Doc Micro adding the second set inbetween the tunnels.

I also going to add two sets of drop tabs for both sets of tabs
 
Can anyone recommend a Marine Surveyor in the Norfolk, VA or Southern Maryland area that is familiar with the 390 EC?
 
Has anyone replaced their holding tank with a larger one. If so will it fit through through the rear hatch?
 
What size is yours now? Mine is 30 gallons and was replaced before I bought the boat 4 years ago. 30 seems to be plenty.
 
I looked mine up it is a 20 gallon holding tank. it would be nice to go to a bigger tank.
 
Does anyone know the owner of a 390 EC named Donna Cay II based in Cape Coral Florida?
It is for sale and I have been trying to get ahold of the listing broker for quite a while with no response.

If anyone knows the owner please puit them in touch with me.

Thanks,
Milt
T28(at)wafres(dot)org

 
Saverio said:
there are so many for sale on boat trader
its kind of scarry how the prices are falling on some of them
Click to expand...

There’s a reason the prices are falling. There are a lot of 390EC’s (1984-1989) on the market.
When you get past the pretty photos and complimentary verbiage in the marketing ads, many of these boats have real problems.

A lot have run out engines or gensets or both. Many (saltwater boats) have been converted to raw water cooling. Several have rotted stringers, severe interior damage from leaking windscreens and windows or leaking sinks/showers. A few have fuel tank leaks and some have bottoms that look like a teenagers face with severe acne. Unfortunately (unless you are a buyer) the price of the nicer boats is being drug down by the many on the market with problems.

In many cases you can find a nice early 90s 400EC for the price it would take to purchase one of the 390s and get it in reliable seaworthy condition.
What is really scary is the state of the brokers marketing these boats. I have decided on a 390 or 400EC.
Trying to look at several (meaning 2 or more boats) on a single trip to a region or state is proving to be near impossible.
It often takes a week or more to get some brokers to even call back after multiple attempts to contact them. Their office staffs, appear to be at best lethargic even uncaring whether you see the boat or not.
Many when you finally get through to them find it inconvenient to show the boat when you are in the area. Many think it not unreasonable to ask you to come back (a 12 hr. drive) next week. God forbid they get someone else to show the boat. In some cases I am having to resort to search out the boat owner to be able to see the boat.

I really feel sorry for the sellers. They have listed their boat with someone and think it is being marketed when actually it is being ignored or shown only at the whim of the broker.

Granted many brokers are decent, honest, and hardworking but the few bad apples really make a boat search a difficult, expensive, and less than enjoyable experience.
 
Ok so back to the question I have a 20 gallon holding tank has anyone installed a bigger holding tank?
 
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