A Florida based 1987 390 Express Restoration

[MasterFab]

Two other things I forgot to mention. Al, I know you are concerned with the condition of your shafts, since they've been run for so long with packing, and you did mention they have some wear on them. One of the great things about a Tides, or PSS, design is that there is a limited amount of adjustment as to the location of the seal. First, you have some small amount of flexibility during installation as to the positioning of the rubber boot on the shaft log. Not a lot, since you don't want to push the boot too far onto the log, and thus lose flexibility, or conversely leave it too far off the log, compromising robustness and clamping area. But there is some "wiggle" room. Also, the boot can be trimmed a bit before installation, to alter the seal location. This is a trick often used when the assembly is replaced, so the seal rides on virgin shaft.

The final item that pushed me towards Tides on my boat was the easy availability of a similar design rudder post seal assembly. They are a bit pricey, but with the limited access I have to my steering gear, they were worth the price of admission. No packing to replace or adjust, no drips, and far less drag. They also have an internal self lubricating bushing, which provides a little bit more support for the rudder post, and I like that.

Dale

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Thanks to all for the posts regarding the shaft seals. You guys went above and beyond with your arguments. I inspected my shafts and found that they are smoother than I thought in the seal area so I am going to get the tides seals. Expensive but as I always say: "It only costs a buck more to go first class!"

See my first blog post on Dry Land testing of the A/C units.
http://searay390ec.blogspot.com/2013/06/dry-land-air-conditioner-test.html

 

[Dr MicroChip]

See my blog on installing the lower trim tabs and side fins.
http://searay390ec.blogspot.com/2013/06/upper-and-lower-trim-tabs.html

 

[douglee25]

That new setup looks like it should work well.

Doug

 

[Tabman]

See my blog on installing the lower trim tabs and side fins.
http://searay390ec.blogspot.com/2013/06/upper-and-lower-trim-tabs.html

View attachment 30436

Very Cool! Good work!

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[MasterFab]

Could you paint them purple instead? That's my favorite color.....

Dale

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Could you paint them purple instead? That's my favorite color.....

Dale

No Problem!

 

[RTD0102]

That would turn some heads! HaHa

 

[electricaldoctor]

Could you paint them fuschia instead? That's my favorite color..... :grin:

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Could you paint them fuschia instead? That's my favorite color..... :grin:

I aims to please...

 

[electricaldoctor]

Was just kidding, but thanx just the same. You can now return to your regular scheduled programming. :smt021

 

[Dr MicroChip]

So I finally got all the cushions out of storage. I have 40 yds of Sunbrella furniture fabric ordered. Question:

The zipper shown in the photo below. It zips the back cushions to the bottom cushions. Is the zipper really necessary? Do any of you actually zip them together?

 

[Dr MicroChip]

Also got my big honkin' swim platform from SwimPlatforms.com! Nice!! Cost me $500 to ship it in from Arizona. I wonder what Pietro paid to have one shipped to ITALY!!?? Sure did come in a big box! It was wrapped in bright orange carpet.

 

[douglee25]

So I finally got all the cushions out of storage. I have 40 yds of Sunbrella furniture fabric ordered. Question:

The zipper shown in the photo below. It zips the back cushions to the bottom cushions. Is the zipper really necessary? Do any of you actually zip them together?

View attachment 30940

View attachment 30941View attachment 30942

I don't own a 390, but I would presume the zipper might help the cushions from sliding around unless they were secured in some way to the backside. They might also prevent trash from slipping down between them.

Doug

 

[Pietro]

No zippers on my cushions and they do not move at all (original design).

 

[hottoddie]

Maybe the zippers were added to keep the cushions together when the dinette is converted to a bed. Just a guess as mine do not have zippers either.

 

[fwebster]

The zippers are original, not added. The salon couch has no back structure so the shape of the back piece also acts as the structure and the zippers are there to keep the cushions in place. If they aren't there, the back cushions tend to collapse and slide under the back of the person who leans back for support while seated.

The salon seating is not that comfortable on the 390EC in the first place. This might be a good opportunity to rethink the design and build a proper back that uses large upper cushions that are fastened to the top of the couch/side & back wall.

 

[seamentmixer]

where did you get the cushions made?

 

[Dr MicroChip]

where did you get the cushions made?

The cushions in the photo were made by Sea Ray in 1987. I just got 40 yds of Sunbrella upholstery fabric delivered and I am sending them out to an 80 yr old master upholsterer to redo them all. He did a great job on my vinyl seats last year.

 

[seamentmixer]

Could you tell me how you restored the dashboard?