1994-1996 370 Express Cruisers

Very nice Garmin installation.

I tried the digital route with Navman before they went out of business then the head unit quit working and I threw it and the sensors away. I went analog with the Floscan setup and attached the optical sensors on the fuel line as it makes its run along the stringers to each engine (from the stern of the boat ......I'll see if I have a picture).

If I had to choose today.....I would take a close look at Garmin they have done a good job of integrating components.
 
So....somebody asked me about fixing the flip up doors above the salon seating area. These doors have always been a pain because it is a fight to put things in and take them out when the door is constantly closing.

Problem solved.....gas struts $14 (for a set of 4....you only need two but you need the extra hardware) on Ebay.

I tried a number of gas struts and anchoring locations. In the end, I went with a different design for each compartment using the same struts 100NM (I tried 50NM but they just didn't have enough pressure). The two compartments have different inside heights which restrict anchoring locations.

IMG_3458.JPG IMG_3459.JPG IMG_3476.JPG IMG_3477.JPG IMG_3478.JPG
 
So....somebody asked me about fixing the flip up doors above the salon seating area. These doors have always been a pain because it is a fight to put things in and take them out when the door is constantly closing.

Problem solved.....gas struts $14 (for a set of 4....you only need two but you need the extra hardware) on Ebay.

I tried a number of gas struts and anchoring locations. In the end, I went with a different design for each compartment using the same struts 100NM (I tried 50NM but they just didn't have enough pressure). The two compartments have different inside heights which restrict anchoring locations.

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I had asked you that when we were emailing back and forth after I ordered the interior color samples.

Did you buy all of your parts off of eBay?
 
Ed,

This is what I ordered: https://www.ebay.com/itm/232069856126?rmvSB=true

The left cabinet was able to use the flat connector and a 90 degree connector to attach the strut.

The right cabinet required two 90 degree bracket connectors which is why it is worth the money to buy a four pack because you can use a 90 degree out of another pack.

A sharp awl is needed to pierce the surface of the door and the inside of the cabinet. You need a short phillips head screwdriver to put the screws in.

I tried several attachment points. The right side is probably traditional for strut applications however...without a second 90 degree bracket you can't attach it.

I went with a different design on the left side because I didn't want the strut blocking putting long items in the cabinet. It's up to you....you can replicate the right side design into the left cabinet. When you do it....you will really be grateful that you got enough brackets with the 4 pack of struts.

For $14.53 and 30 minutes of work.....it is a great upgrade. Thanks for motivating me to solve it. I looked at a number of hinges but they required refitting the door and cabinet to make them work. I also tried a set of 50NM struts because I was concerned about too much pressure but the 100NM are perfect.
 
Happy Summer Ya'll. Hope everyone's boats are running smoothly this year! Was curious to get some numbers from you guys as to top speed and cruising RPMs. I don't have a fuel flow meter so i am still trying to figure out my sweetspot. It seems to run best at 3100-3200 rpms and i range from 23-26 MPH at that range. I top out at 36MPH. Everything seems to be running smoothly but was thinking about moving to a 4 blade prop but not sure if performance will be any better. What are you guys running with in terms of props and what numbers are you putting out.
 
Good timing! I finished a tune up a few days ago and took my boat out with four adults, 30 gallons in the water tank and 3/4 fuel in both tanks. Smooth water and little wind.

3100 rpms
26 mph
35 gallons per hour (17.5 per engine) on the Floscan Fuel gauge.

props are: 17x17 three blades, original props were 17x16 three blades.

My best fuel economy is between 3100 and 3200.

That is a 1-2 mph improvement over last year which I attribute to the extended trim tabs and drop fins.

I'm not sure what the impact of four blade props would be.
 
Nice! What do you top out at?

Any other updates/upgrades in the works for you? My neighbor a few boats down had to rebed all is bow rail screws as it was leaking into his cabin. He has a 93 390 express. Not sure if thats something i should consider on mine as preventive maintenance. I'd rather rebed now before the leaks come. Have you had any issues with bedding of any bow rails, cleats, etc? Only issue i've had is window behind the mirror in the bathroom which was a bitch to get to but easy to fix and i had to recaulk where the arch meets the sides of the boat.
 
I have not had a chance yet to go to WOT this year. We have had so much debris in the river it is hard to stay at cruise. Hopefully it will get better in the next few weeks.

The leaks I have had have been in the portholes (yes the hidden one behind the medicine cabinet which put water into the GFI receptacle) and the windshield. The windshield is a new development which leaked water from the headliner next to the CO detector in the galley. I replaced the rubber in the frame slot at the bottom of the windshield 5 years ago and the leak actually was above that. The rubber that surrounds the glass was pulling away from the glass. I used black rtv to seal it. All seems good now.

The hatches are on my list to rebed this year.
 
Having issues with my “Good Automatic Windlass) Model CFD
Everything sounds normal but when there is any strain on the rope the it doesn’t pull the rope in. I usually motor forward while I’m pulling in my anchor but this weekend i had issues pull it straight up out of the mud which has never been an issue in the 3 years i’ve Had this boat. Is there any adjustment i can make? Internally on the windlass? I don’t see anywhere to make adjustments from the underside of it in my rope locker
 
It is a frustrating device sometimes. There are a set of cogs which engage and disengage when you use it. Over time the cogs stop working properly or are broken. In operation, when you push down.....the cogs release to drop the anchor providing limited resistance. When you press up, the cogs re-engage and pull the line back into the locker.

If you use the winch to pull up a set anchor....that's where the cogs can be broken.
I usually break the anchor free by hand before I use the winch just to keep the strain off the winch.

https://www.goodwindlass.com/repairservice/repairservice.htm
 
Good has an excellent repair/rebuild service. I send my windlass to them every 5th winter to have it cleaned, serviced and adjusted. Only once in 22 years has it failed and that was on my last trip before winter. There were some weak tension springs which they replaced while they had it in NJ.
 
First I would like to say: I would love to have a thread just for the 370! That would be great. I have the 370 Sundancer with the 7.4's and I installed the Fox Marine Engine Gateways for fuel burn / consumption. Plus and play. Comes right off the engine computer so it has the most accurate information you can get. NMEA 2000 hook up directly into my Head unit. The original tack's are a piece of garbage and never read right. With the Fox Marine system I have digital tack's, fuel burn for each engine, combined GPH burn and engine load right on the head unit. Really love them. Link below for you to check them out. Cost is less than the flow scan system and more versatile.

http://fox-marine.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=81
Pm and can take pics and send of the unit in action.

Hope this helps,
Barry
 
Has anyone replaced the gasket around the windshield vent window? Mine is totally deteriated and gone. Can't seem to find anything like it.
 
We no longer own a 370 Express. One thing I wonder about is storage space for clothes when doing extended cruises. Ours was a 1993 but the '94 looks to be the same layout. Did storage ever improve on the later models?
 
We no longer own a 370 Express. One thing I wonder about is storage space for clothes when doing extended cruises. Ours was a 1993 but the '94 looks to be the same layout. Did storage ever improve on the later models?
I have two closets on my 95 in the forward berth rather than just one on the port side and a tv on the other side like some do.

This gives me plenty of storage for clothes and I store a bunch of stuff on the floor of each closet as well they are both farily deep.
 
Has anyone replaced the gasket around the windshield vent window? Mine is totally deteriated and gone. Can't seem to find anything like it.
This is on my list to do in the fall mine leaks a little if it rains hard. Just going to go to my local sea ray dealer and hope they have the right materials for the job
 

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