Official 350 Thread

Welcome aboard Vince! That Florida sun is definately hell on the gelcoat. But you get to boat 365 days/yr so thats a decent tradeoff IMO. Gotta love those diesels. Boat must cruise like a dream. I had an acquaintance who had the 350 Express (with 7.4's) and loved the boat. It was immaculate when they sold it. What are you doing with the proposed canvas? Are you going full camper, raising the windshield glass, keeping the the sloped back? I had mine done 9 years ago and the thing cost me $3700. I can only imagine how much a new setup would cost nowadays. OUCH... LOL.
 
wavedancer37 said:
Sounds like what you did is exactly what I had in mind. Now the search continues for the components,lol. Looks like we are going to try that new bottom paint called zyrex that a thread has been started on. Im impressed with the improved overall performance of this stuff. Im all about spending a little extra for the long haul if it lasts and works if you know what I meen. Ill post in the spring how the project went...
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I never understood why they put the stereo down below, and that far away from the door. My first boat it was right inside the doorway which was ok, but arms not long enough now :)

So I also put a stereo up top in a Sony water proof flip door housing. This just runs the outside speakers, and I also did the boozoka under the back seat. Self powered, easy to hook up, and actually sounds pretty darn good for what it is.

Canvas would be my next project I suppose, but the original is holding up pretty well considering we are under cover and only use it a couple times a year, when we can't beat the rain back to the slip. Fair weather boaters for sure.
 
Hey, thanks Mark. Yeah the weather has been great here recently, 70 and sunny on Sunday which made for a good day topside polishing off rust on the ss rails for 4 hours!
Not much cruising yet as I am not registered - just got the bill of sale in the mail on Sat, so I'll be taking care of that this week. Just one 4 hour trip down the ICW to get her home. Then cleaning ever since. She was repo that had been sitting for awhile so lots of TLC up front. The diesels are cherry with 940 original hours which is what got me.
About the canvas: I found 4 panels of isinglass (sp) shoved under the mattress storage that are absolutely perfect. They combine to raise the front/side windshields. I also have the sloped back section which is in good shape with exception to a rotted and cracked center window, and the track / zip connectors to the radar arch. The problem is... no framework, and no forward top to tie the windshield back to the arch. The metal guys just came out last week and I am waiting on the quote for that. Then I can have the canvas measured up. The Miami boat show is this week so most of the industry is working on all those 100' Azimuts floating around. Go figure! I'll keep you posted on how I make out.
 
Vince... Thats really weird why the framework wasnt still attached to the windshield... they must have trashed the bimini top or it got ripped off somehow? oh well. its a repo and must have been a steal to buy so "you get what you get" LOL... Love to see some pix if you have them. Someone has to start on of those 350/370 resoration threads.

see ya!
 
Well may be in luck with the restoration thread....well somewhat. After alot of thought and the possible promise of a new job I have decided to keep the 350 and do some work. Teak floor downstairs, new upholstry (maybe the sunbrella if I can) and new canvas. The canvas I am more excited about than anything. I have camper now and kinda will still have but with the forward and back bimini like the newer style. Will be interesting to see it turn out. I have currentley started another stereo upgrade and moving the amps to a new location. Pics will follow soon but I can promise you it will be LOUD....total of 10 speakers and 1200 watts should be sufficent. Stay tuned....or as long as the money still comes in.....oh and one last thing COME ON SUMMER :)
 
Yeah Dustin... 1200 watts, I should be able to hear you from here! Did you already map out your new system? That is one of my February projects as well, so please keep us posted. Are you putting speakers in the arch? I just got a pair of 6.5 inch JBLs in today and they look way too deep to fit in the arch, but maybe with a spacer. If not I will just keep them for the cabin. I'm also leaning towards the fusion head unit but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Let me know what you think, I am especially interested in where the sub can go as the rear bench seems like it might be too low profile.
Thanks.
 
Yeah I am excited about hearing the finished product. I have not seen the Fushion I will check it out. I am using all Clarion myself. I have used both JL and Clarion but I am running componet 6.5's and wanted an all white look. JL had black trim on the speakers so I passed sadley. I have figured out where everything goes it will be fun running the rest of the wires. The subs will be mounted along with horn tweeters where the access panels are for the fuel filler hoses. Very careful measurements and will custom make the panels since the original one were a bit two small to house the 10" Phoenix Gold dual coil. I already have installed the mid's and tweets yes there are a pair mounted in the arch. I custom fabricated spacers to fit the mids in the arch. 3 1/2" spacers wrapped in fiberglass painted white. They look great and don't stick out bad. I will take pics of the work I have done this weekend and upload for you. All amps will be mounted with led lit fans in the hanging closet by the mid-cabin. Will be very clean and all in lumex (I'm anal about exposed wires). Downstairs will be a separate system suround sound for tv and XM. I am going wireless as well with the complete stereo so will have XM IPOD and internet radio while out of the slip. It is about to melt my brain with the wiring. I opted to place the subs where I did cause the bench seat has to be removed when I get into engine room and just seemed like a hassle. I will post some pics of everything this weekend of the work. I am held up on the new deck right now or else I would be shaking water this weekend. That and I am doing all the work myself so I am taking my time. Still in a battle over which upholstry I will use and the canvas I can't wait to get done but I have to save for that. Will be alot of custom stuff using my old canvs hardware and stuff.....Man you have diesels....LUCKY....
 
Boca_Vincent said:
Yeah Dustin... 1200 watts, I should be able to hear you from here! Did you already map out your new system? That is one of my February projects as well, so please keep us posted. Are you putting speakers in the arch? I just got a pair of 6.5 inch JBLs in today and they look way too deep to fit in the arch, but maybe with a spacer. If not I will just keep them for the cabin. I'm also leaning towards the fusion head unit but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Let me know what you think, I am especially interested in where the sub can go as the rear bench seems like it might be too low profile.
Thanks.
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hey where about in S.Florida are you my neighbor is from Sarasota and we go down sometimes he keeps a Portafino there at his condo and a 98 370 up here. Last time there we anchored out at Longboat Key for the day....Not sure but they may have filmed Girls Gone Wild there or they should have been that day. Very beautiful place and very fun. I hope to finish my days out boating there someday.
 
Boca,
I checked out the Fusion. I think if it will work for you it's a nice deck for the fetures....like the way the IPOD hooks up. It is a little plain for me I like buttons and lights. Plus I need all the RCA's I can get. I am going with the Clarion M309. Just a breakdown I can run both amps the entire system IPOD my phone CD player CD changer Internet radio and just found out I can run my tv surround sound through it as well. Basically football games will be awesome surround downstaires and the feture to hear it upstaires or not if I want to. For the money and options it was the best suit for me. I just wished it would get hear so I can get to the installation. I have decided the amps and all that goes with it will be mounted to a custo made platform with quick connections so it will all be set up nicely. I am ready for this to be done lot's of work ahead of me. Oh and all of this can be accessed by the in dash remote at the helm. I will have the ability to change from any function with the remote. That was another big seller. This thing will be pretty awesome.
 
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MarkD said:
Vince... Thats really weird why the framework wasnt still attached to the windshield... they must have trashed the bimini top or it got ripped off somehow? oh well. its a repo and must have been a steal to buy so "you get what you get" LOL... Love to see some pix if you have them. Someone has to start on of those 350/370 resoration threads.

see ya!
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Hey Mark, I'll be at the boat on Sunday and try to get some pics up. Yep, with the exception of a couple of brackets the whole front bimini was missing. Not sure what the previous owner was using but I've been pulling this cheap nylon webbing from every crevice so I think there was something poorly rigged up for shade. Anyway, at least now I can have it done right.
 
Dustin thanks for the info. the clarion unit looks really nice and Bluetooth too!. I hadn't planned out a new TV yet but will def want to tie it in to the system for those Sunday afternoons rafted up. I want to make it work through one unit though with the remote on the helm. I was thinking of going with the amps in the overhead dining storage - seems like plenty of space there. I'll take some measurements on those access panels also for the sub. I really want to see how your arch speakers came out with the spacers.
About the location. I'm in Boca Raton, currently have the boat at a friend's house in Lighthouse Point. It's a bit of a hike to get out to the inlet but you can't beat free rent! I'm quite a ways North of longboat key but sounds like it could be worth the trip.
 
Boca_Vincent said:
Dustin thanks for the info. the clarion unit looks really nice and Bluetooth too!. I hadn't planned out a new TV yet but will def want to tie it in to the system for those Sunday afternoons rafted up. I want to make it work through one unit though with the remote on the helm. I was thinking of going with the amps in the overhead dining storage - seems like plenty of space there. I'll take some measurements on those access panels also for the sub. I really want to see how your arch speakers came out with the spacers.
About the location. I'm in Boca Raton, currently have the boat at a friend's house in Lighthouse Point. It's a bit of a hike to get out to the inlet but you can't beat free rent! I'm quite a ways North of longboat key but sounds like it could be worth the trip.
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I originally had one amp in the compartment by the stereo. I wasn't running a cooling fan and had lots of issues with it getting to hot. I would suggest a fan on them tied in through the remote line to the deck so it is on or off when the amp is on or off. I will get some pics of the arch speaker set up this weekend and load them for you. Boca is a great place been there a few times as well as lighthouse. Had a buddy with a big very fast Fountain that lived there for a few years. Planning on getting alot of work done this weekend to the stereo.
 
Got started on cleaning the Isenglass this week. I am using Meguiars #17 with a Porter Cable random orbit buffer with a foam polishing pad and then finishing with Plexus. It has really made a difference. The front windshield extension panels could use a little more attention. I am thinking of trying a slightly more aggressive pad.
 
HGM said:
Got started on cleaning the Isenglass this week. I am using Meguiars #17 with a Porter Cable random orbit buffer with a foam polishing pad and then finishing with Plexus. It has really made a difference. The front windshield extension panels could use a little more attention. I am thinking of trying a slightly more aggressive pad.
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http://www.auroramarine.com/aurora/catalog/01190/index.html

I used this stuff to bring mine back to life and was amazed how good this stuff works. It would work even better with a buffer im sure... Made them softer than new and clear as glass. I was about to throw out the windows and have new ones installed but this brought them all back to life. Simply amazing
 
wavedancer... I havent tried this stuff. Typically I use plexus after a thorough cleaning of all the panels. I have used their "sure step" product in the past and I know that works well for the nonskid. whats in it anyway?

HGM - I am just about to start my panels as well. Last weekend I went to the laundromat and did my bimini & camper tops in those large washing machines. I also have a gazebo top (which I use on land in front of the boat) and it made quick work of a years worth of dirt! I really should have 2 of the back camper canvas side panels redone.
 
I had promised pictures of my front stateroom trim replacement. Not great quality since it was on my phone, but you get the jist:
 

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MarkD said:
I had promised pictures of my front stateroom trim replacement. Not great quality since it was on my phone, but you get the jist:
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Oh Mark I'm glad you posted this. I was just looking this weekend at replacing mine to more update the interior. How do those come off are the thru bolted. Did you do this yourself. I finally remembered to get some pics for Boca this weekend will have to post tonight. looks great btw
 
DustinL said:
Oh Mark I'm glad you posted this. I was just looking this weekend at replacing mine to more update the interior. How do those come off are the thru bolted. Did you do this yourself. I finally remembered to get some pics for Boca this weekend will have to post tonight. looks great btw
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Dustin, All pieces are fairly easy to get at. The vberth front pad is the easiest which is on the back side of the pad. Held in by appx 8-10 ss screws( lifting the matress). The rest of the peices around the vberth are all screwed in with ss screws in between the pleats. Not real easy to get at because the existing fabric grabs on the screws as you are unscrewing them. I really didnt care about damaging the existing material seeing it was getting changed anyways.

As far as the install, well, I havent gotten to that part just yet. imm waiting for a spring thaw before I get back out to the boat. I will post pics of the finish product when I (we) are done....
 
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