New owner, older boat

Robb Watson

Member
Sep 16, 2018
42
Lower Buckhorn Lake, ON Canada
Boat Info
1979-80 360 Express Cruiser
Engines
Twin Mercruiser 454
Hi all.
Just joined the Sea Ray family by purchasing a 1981 360 Express. First boat and my wife thinks we're crazy. Shopped around but kept coming back to this beauty. It has some issues so expect a lot of posts from me!
Robb
 

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There are 2 of them at our yacht club. One is gas and pristine the other is diesel and in rough shape. Both have the tan gelcoat. I like the white on yours better.
 
Those ole girls still have a lot of life in them and they're ready to give you a great time. (Just don't tell my wife I said that!)
 
I'm the same as you, new owner of an older boat. Ours is a '90 Sundancer 310. I've already fixed the docking light on the bow, the black-water level indicator, the trumpet horns (making a new bracket for that). Need to replace the power steering actuator as the current one leaks. Also would like to replace the fabric on the headliner and the seating cushions. Carpet needs to be done too. Blue shag is a bit worn. Rest of the boat is in great shape for its age. Congrats on the "project" purchase.
 
sweet! maker her yours!
 
sweet! maker her yours!
 
Congratulations and welcome to the club! We feel the same as many others on here - older boats just have a little more style. Dive in one project at a time and lean heavily on the members here as their knowledge is second to none.
 
I'm the same as you, new owner of an older boat. Ours is a '90 Sundancer 310. I've already fixed the docking light on the bow, the black-water level indicator, the trumpet horns (making a new bracket for that). Need to replace the power steering actuator as the current one leaks. Also would like to replace the fabric on the headliner and the seating cushions. Carpet needs to be done too. Blue shag is a bit worn. Rest of the boat is in great shape for its age. Congrats on the "project" purchase.
Yes, we have to re-upholster all of the outside seating. Everything on this boat has been jury rigged by the last owner so I've got to bring it all back up to original. My wiring skills are mediocre at best but I'd much prefer to flip a switch to turn on the blowers rather than have it hooked up directly to a battery! The whole dash has to be re-wired as well... there goes my Christmas holidays!
 
Yes, we have to re-upholster all of the outside seating. Everything on this boat has been jury rigged by the last owner so I've got to bring it all back up to original. My wiring skills are mediocre at best but I'd much prefer to flip a switch to turn on the blowers rather than have it hooked up directly to a battery! The whole dash has to be re-wired as well... there goes my Christmas holidays!

I'm a maintenance electrician by trade and schooling. I am in the process of updating the switch board plastic and wires to the switches. From what I have been told, you need to have crimp connectors instead of twist type (like what most homes will have). I have been using a terminal block with crimp rings and screws. This way I know what is being powered by what battery (label it and draw it out). I found that making a rude schematic, I was able to create a better load balance on the items I wanted to power up. The previous owner did an awesome job on the up-keep of our boat. I just need to "make it mine" as another poster mentioned. Once I figure out how the ceiling fabric is held up, that will be updated. Guessing it may be stapled or small nails into the hull. Carpet is coming out this fall once the boat is in dry dock.

Best of luck with the boat.

Tom
 

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