Newbie - 300 Weekender - Moved from GD - oops

Nassau Weekender

New Member
Apr 13, 2009
76
Nassau, Bahamas
Boat Info
1988 300 Weekender
Engines
Merc 350 FWC, Borg Warner Velvet Drives, Straight Shafts, Onan 4KW
Hi folks,

Just bought a 1988 300 Weekender, 350s FWC, and all the other stuff plus extras. Had a good survey. It just seemed ideal for the money I wanted to spend on my first boat for crusing the Bahamas (I live in Nassau) .

However does anyone have any tips etc on specific maintenance, so or donts. My background is motor/truck engineering. Which is one of the reasons I when for the old carbed 350's. (Very basic and the fuel is pretty bad, diesel even worse).

The thing is it doesnt have is a genny. one was factory installed but it crapped out and the previous owner never replaced it. What size and spec Onan should it be and what are my alternatives. I would like to restore offshore power at some time in the near future.

Many thanks

Stu
 
Hi folks,

Just bought a 1988 300 Weekender, 350s FWC, and all the other stuff plus extras. Had a good survey. It just seemed ideal for the money I wanted to spend on my first boat for crusing the Bahamas (I live in Nassau) .

However does anyone have any tips etc on specific maintenance, so or donts. My background is motor/truck engineering. Which is one of the reasons I when for the old carbed 350's. (Very basic and the fuel is pretty bad, diesel even worse).

The thing is it doesnt have is a genny. one was factory installed but it crapped out and the previous owner never replaced it. What size and spec Onan should it be and what are my alternatives. I would like to restore offshore power at some time in the near future.

Many thanks

Stu

Hi Stu.

Congrats on the new boat. Shower sump on these boats have to be checked from time to time. They can get clogged up wth hair and dirt. After using the shower make sure you run the water for a few minutes after your done this does help. Just in case you don't know, the shower sump is located under the steps leading to the cabin. Lift the steps up and out and you will see it. If you have A/C, keep the filter clean, (located under the cabin bench seat facing aft). When you start your A/C make sure it's not set on high, set it at about medium then turn the cold air up a bit at a time should you need it colder, the compressor has a tendancy to ice up if you don't. Check the A/C intake filter in the engine room as well periodically and as it's surrounded by a clear bowl it's easy to see if it needs to be cleaned. Check you raw water intakes regularly as well, you don't want these to clog up as this will cause your engines to run hot. There is some of the basics but there is more. Take the time to read your manual as this will be helpfull to see what esle needs to be done for maintainance. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the info.

My AC has been upgraded to a 16,000 btu unit and my intake strainer is under the steps going down into the cabin. But it was blocked with grass when I got it. The water around Boca on the ICW is er,,,,, not very clear/clean.

Hopefully when it gets to Nassau I should have less clogging/strainer issues as the water here is crystal :thumbsup: Or at least if they do get blocked you can seen they are blocked during a quick dive under the boat without have to be 3 inches away from them. Not that I would ever want to swim in the ICW :smt009
 
Do you have any pics of your new rig?? Over Spring Break, I purchased the same 1988 300WE from southern FL. Big boat isn't it? However, I'm willing to bet, I've got a bit more work ahead of me. My genny is still there and fired up the other day. The hose from the strainer that goes to the AC which is located in the sump under the stairs on mine is disconnected. Have to figure that one out.
 

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