Official 370 Express Cruiser Thread (1997-2000)

Take it out, have it sand blasted and powdercoated.
 
ITS SUPER RUSTY , IM GOING DOWN TO BOAT TOMORROW TO POKE AROUND ON IT
 
Hi guys, maybe you can help me out I’m looking at a 1997. 37 Xpress WTH 3126 diesels 420hp ! Is there any problems with the boat coming up on plane with a running attitude? I would think because of the straight in boards, the diesel engines and the hull design, that this boat should come straight up out of the water without any problems at all with out losing sight, can anybody give me any information on this?
I know this might be a stupid question. The boat is in Bristol condition everything is upgraded and he’s had a Cat diesel mechanic. Doing all the service and the maintenance on the boat. Does anybody have an idea what something of this vintage would be worth on the market? I did do some market analysis, but the prices are all over the place.
 
see ray said:
Hi guys, maybe you can help me out I’m looking at a 1997. 37 Xpress WTH 3126 diesels 420hp ! Is there any problems with the boat coming up on plane with a running attitude? I would think because of the straight in boards, the diesel engines and the hall that this boat should come straight up out of the water without any problems at all or losing sight can anybody give me any information on this?
I know this might be a stupid question. The boat is in Bristol condition everything is upgraded and he’s had a Cat diesel mechanic. Doing all the service and the maintenance on the boat. Does anybody have an idea what something of this vintage would be worth on the market? I did do some market analysis, but the prices are all over the place.
Click to expand...
Mine is a 1998 with 3116 350HP. I have no problems getting up on plane, though these hulls do tend to plane out a bit nose high. You can use the trim tabs to bring it down for better visibility, at the expense of extra drag.

As far as value, not sure what to tell you there, since it's been 7 years since I got mine. The condition, add-ons, etc will make a big impact, but having solid maintenance records will definitely make the biggest impact. I think a likely range for that year and engine combo could be around $120k, but I'm no expert on it.
 
THANKS , it does have fully updated electronics, extensive service records, and cockpit air, I can’t believe they offered this boat with cockpit air, but it does have it. And the boat is 100% freshwater .

GnrlPatton said:
Mine is a 1998 with 3116 350HP. I have no problems getting up on plane, though these hulls do tend to plane out a bit nose high. You can use the trim tabs to bring it down for better visibility, at the expense of extra drag.

As far as value, not sure what to tell you there, since it's been 7 years since I got mine. The condition, add-ons, etc will make a big impact, but having solid maintenance records will definitely make the biggest impact. I think a likely range for that year and engine combo could be around $120k, but I'm no expert on it.
Click to expand...
 
see ray said:
THANKS , it does have fully updated electronics, extensive service records, and cockpit air, I can’t believe they offered this boat with cockpit air, but it does have it. And the boat is 100% freshwater .
Click to expand...
Cockpit air sounds like a luxury! Living in the PNW, I'm looking at adding a diesel heater so I can have cockpit HEAT during the winter. :) Freshwater is always good too, but it's really all about the maintenance and condition in boats of our generation. Hope it works out for you, keep us posted and send pictures if you can get them.
 
see ray said:
Hi guys, maybe you can help me out I’m looking at a 1997. 37 Xpress WTH 3126 diesels 420hp ! Is there any problems with the boat coming up on plane with a running attitude? I would think because of the straight in boards, the diesel engines and the hull design, that this boat should come straight up out of the water without any problems at all with out losing sight, can anybody give me any information on this?
I know this might be a stupid question. The boat is in Bristol condition everything is upgraded and he’s had a Cat diesel mechanic. Doing all the service and the maintenance on the boat. Does anybody have an idea what something of this vintage would be worth on the market? I did do some market analysis, but the prices are all over the place.
Click to expand...
Just went through the process, purchasing a 1999 370 EC with 454 Horizons on Lake St Clair. This was a lightly used boat (725 hours) in excellent condition, updated electronics, needing some interior updating. I had put two others under contract over the last year or so that failed surveys. This boat had been winter stored inside heated for the last 15 years and while not perfect, surveyed very well. I came from a flybridge boat and was a bit concerned about running angle and visibility with an express. I obviously have limited use so far with this boat, but I was pleasantly surprised with how it performs. It planes out nice and flat and settles at a nice angle for visibility at cruise without too much tab. The 420 HP 3126 should be a pretty quick boat. As far as pricing goes, my surveyor provided me with comps and the BUC info for fresh and salt water boats, gas and diesel. The boat I bought was valued at $97k which is what I paid and my insurance company accepted it. Surveyor's estimate of diesel boats in comparable condition $20-$25k more. Good luck!
 
Thanks for all the replies, the one thing I have reserves about is that with these diesels, they said he had the upgraded electronic shift, which is just a thread to stick so similar to an I/O s . The boat does have 212 inch Garman touch screens. He uses the one for navigation and the other one for the engine systems monitor. He also has a huge slide out drawer cockpit fridge and it’s always been serviced for the past eight years with a company called T diesel in Catawba Ohio . Very highly reputable Diesel company all the dealers in pretty much everybody out this way use him. The boat also has an oversized Vitus bow thruster.
I’m having slight reservations about the electronic shift. I am used to using the four controls like all the other Sea Ray‘s. I’ve had . well we’ll see where this all goes any more info for me that I could need to look at I’d greatly appreciate by the way, everything works even an upgraded stereo and flat screen TVs, and all the caulking under the windshield And the screw covers and everything have been taken care of and replaced. The boat is basically turnkey.
 
see ray said:
Thanks for all the replies, the one thing I have reserves about is that with these diesels, they said he had the upgraded electronic shift, which is just a thread to stick so similar to an I/O s . The boat does have 212 inch Garman touch screens. He uses the one for navigation and the other one for the engine systems monitor. He also has a huge slide out drawer cockpit fridge and it’s always been serviced for the past eight years with a company called T diesel in Catawba Ohio . Very highly reputable Diesel company all the dealers in pretty much everybody out this way use him. The boat also has an oversized Vitus bow thruster.
I’m having slight reservations about the electronic shift. I am used to using the four controls like all the other Sea Ray‘s. I’ve had . well we’ll see where this all goes any more info for me that I could need to look at I’d greatly appreciate by the way, everything works even an upgraded stereo and flat screen TVs, and all the caulking under the windshield And the screw covers and everything have been taken care of and replaced. The boat is basically turnkey.
Click to expand...
These boats dock like they are on rails. I wouldn't worry about the shifters
 
Boca_Vincent said:
Finally wrapped my stereo upgrade that I mentioned last fall! New Fusion RA670 head unit, dumped the old class AB clarion amp in favor of an Alpine 5 ch to power the helm area which has 4 new JL 6.5s and the sub. Added the second Alpine amp and JL m8s for the aft as a 3rd zone since there was no sound back there. Since I had to cut a new face panel for the head I also added usb charging, a standard 12v, and a port to access the usb & aux inputs of the fusion. Currently using 2 of the wireless remotes for Zones 2/3 up top which work great. Sound is now incredible, so pretty pleased with everything.
I still have a wired fusion remote to decide what to do with. I attached and pulled the cable for it which is Nmea 2000. I don't have any Nmea backbone yet, so that will be a future project along with an MFD upgrade. Thinking of putting the wired remote over on the port side arch since it can also function as a data monitor once added to Nmea.
Will be cleaning up and securing the cables and wiring in the cabinet, haven't done that yet as I am figuring where to add a small inverter, just enough to run a salon TV. Or if I can find a decent DC model, I would just go that route.
View attachment 113745 View attachment 113746 View attachment 113747 View attachment 113748
Click to expand...
I have a question about the original equipment Clarion set up. I posted this earlier today in the Electronics QA forum:

Good Afternoon: I have my new to me 1999 370EC. It has the original Clarion with 6CD changer. Did some research here and the M508 was suggested as a good "plug and play" upgrade. I have a number of projects and upgrades planned for this boat and wanted a simple solution to get Bluetooth, etc. until the big stereo project. I am a lightweight when it comes to the electronics side, but the hardware part seemed fairly easy. All connections were made (every wire from the existing bundle was crimped into the new per the M508 diagram). Got the 6-8 pin adapter for the helm remote which works. Separate plugs for the sub-woofer plugged right in. FM antenna plugged right in. Unit powered right up. Here is my question. I assumed that the front to rear balance would be between the cockpit speakers and the cabin. Instead, when I fired it up, the front to rear was between the V-berth and salon speakers. Nothing out on deck. Sub-woofer on deck works as expected. Did I miss something obvious? Thanks, Leigh

The thoughts of a couple of the guys who replied is that there is a second amp powering the cockpit speakers that needs to be connected up. My boat is completely original, so nothing has been added. Only amp I see is the Clarion under the galley counter which powers up. Sounds kind of dumb, but I can't say whether the cockpit speakers were working before. Only thing I used the existing system for was to listen to the local sports channel while working on the the boat inside the shed. The sub was on (I could tell it was blown). So for those of you that have upgraded: Is there a second amp? Is there a fuse somewhere protecting the rear speakers that could be blown? Something else? Keeping it simple hasn't worked out so far! Thanks!
 
Hi Lhs. As I recall from what I pulled out of my cabinet, there was only 1 amp originally there… the big clarion unit. The PO of my boat had already replaced the head unit with an older fusion model (which I then replaced) so I can’t speak as to the factory design of the balance setup.

I’m not very familiar with the M508, but it does say 2 zone capabilities so you should be able to split it as you asked, between the interior and exterior areas. I can tell you from my experience that I did away with the v-berth speakers altogether as I find it useless. Not really wanting music right at my head if I am trying to sleep. The head unit internal amp should provide plenty of power for the salon speakers. It does for me on the new fusion.
 
Boca_Vincent said:
Hi Lhs. As I recall from what I pulled out of my cabinet, there was only 1 amp originally there… the big clarion unit. The PO of my boat had already replaced the head unit with an older fusion model (which I then replaced) so I can’t speak as to the factory design of the balance setup.

I’m not very familiar with the M508, but it does say 2 zone capabilities so you should be able to split it as you asked, between the interior and exterior areas. I can tell you from my experience that I did away with the v-berth speakers altogether as I find it useless. Not really wanting music right at my head if I am trying to sleep. The head unit internal amp should provide plenty of power for the salon speakers. It does for me on the new fusion.
Click to expand...
Vince: What I have is the original Clarion under the sink. Got a couple ideas and will report back. Thanks!
 
We made the Memorial Day West Marine sales mailer.
Although I'm thinking would have been better suited for the maintenance page.
And no sitting on the transom flip! (or whatever you call that thing)
20230517_175636.jpg
 
Boca_Vincent said:
Hi Lhs. As I recall from what I pulled out of my cabinet, there was only 1 amp originally there… the big clarion unit. The PO of my boat had already replaced the head unit with an older fusion model (which I then replaced) so I can’t speak as to the factory design of the balance setup.

I’m not very familiar with the M508, but it does say 2 zone capabilities so you should be able to split it as you asked, between the interior and exterior areas. I can tell you from my experience that I did away with the v-berth speakers altogether as I find it useless. Not really wanting music right at my head if I am trying to sleep. The head unit internal amp should provide plenty of power for the salon speakers. It does for me on the new fusion.
Click to expand...
Got it figured out. Everything is working. The original head unit and amplifier had combined channels splitting on the input side of the amp. Had to experiment with a couple combinations using the RCA outputs from the new head unit. Thank you for the insights.
 
Rear L seating for 97 370 EXPRESS , has anybody ever made an attempt to get the L-shaped seating for this boat in the aft cockpit or did you have one made? Or has Seaway ever given you the manufacturer that made those seats bases for this boat? I cannot find anything in the parts manual about this optional seating, and thought that maybe somebody was making them for Seaway or possibly you may have had these made, also thought about looking at salvage yards but they mostly wanna sell them The whole boat.
IMG_0621.jpeg
IMG_0620.jpeg
IMG_0622.jpeg
so I’m sure someone wanted to find the seats at some time sure like to be sent to the right direction again maybe you had them made.
 
Lhs3422 said:
I am considering the same install for the TV. How did you guys run your power cord? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I installed an outlet in the corner faced up behind the backrest and powered it off the Bathroom outlet. I ran the cable under the steps over to the bathroom.
 

Attachments

  • Snip.png
    Snip.png
    440.4 KB · Views: 60
Has anyone replaced their gel batteries with another option? I've got 8G8Ds and my starboard one has tested poorly and needs replacing, but I figure if I change one, the other isn't far behind (tested slightly better). Looking for options...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,170
Messages
1,427,739
Members
61,079
Latest member
capeharj
Back
Top