Official 380 Thread

searay495 said:
Thank you Juggernaut1. I was thinking about diesels in a sedan bridge. For me, I know these motors as they are in my 340. Diesels, while more efficient and probably stronger, have "a lot going on" that would require a huge learning curve for me. And I rely on a mechanic for a lot of things, and diesel mechanics are big $$$. At any rate, most of our traveling is local except for a couple of overnighters which are 3-4 hours away. Seems like your happy with the boat overall. If you or anyone else can think of anything, I all ears.
Thanks!
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Yes very happy with the boat over the last 15 months of ownership and is perfect for my wife and daughter & I. Most of my cruising is coastal so coming from a 16.4ft runabout it rides like a limo in the chop.

We live on the boat 80% of weekends and over the summer holidays. The separate shower doubles as storage for luggage. I also prefer the separate front birth. Like you I'm more comfortable with the 8.1's than diesels. The 38 also allows reasonable access between the motors for maintenance etc. Given your intended usage the 8.1's will be fine.

I have an Achilles LEX96 on the front bow when doing overnighters (it fits perfectly and still allows the front hatch to be opened) and the Yamaha 6hp fits in the port side locker. I hope to eventually install davits on the back swim platform.

There's a heap of potential storage space at the back of the bilge where the integrated swim platform is. I hope to do something with this space in the future to keep spares and fluids.

I find the bow thruster handy mainly when exiting the dock (obviously its handy to use when coming in as well when needed) as I use it to push the front of the boat off the finger jetty then just put it in gear to exit the pen. I also like the auto pilot for those longer journeys and in quartering or following seas. So there's a couple of features I would look out for. I also have radar but have never used it - except to turn it on when docked to see if it worked.

Tdady said:
Just my $.02 but I always felt that the center transom entry on the "newer" 380 broke up the seating/conversation area too much. I think that the "older" 380 (yes I'm biased) as well as the '05 390 has a much better layout. Again just my 2 cents!! Good luck with your search. Tim
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Understand where your coming from - my wife and I prefer to lounge on the port and starboard seats facing back out of the cockpit to the view - I'm not sure the typical U shaped seating would allow this - horses for courses.
 
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I'm planning on replacing the 8.1 Mercruiser engine impellers on my 2003 380 Dancer. Anyone know of anything tricky or hard about it? Besides thier location? Thanks in advance.
 
Eric, I changed my impellers at the end of last year and within 2 weeks the port engine pump started leaking from the shaft seal. I ended up having to replace the entire pump. My suggestion would be to check for any play in the shaft and if possible just buy a spare pump to keep on the boat. I rebuilt the old pump and now keep that as my back up. Tim
 
Since I posted that I found this very good detailed write up:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/26440-How-to-Change-Impellers-in-8-1-s-with-Pictures


Tdady said:
Eric, I changed my impellers at the end of last year and within 2 weeks the port engine pump started leaking from the shaft seal. I ended up having to replace the entire pump. My suggestion would be to check for any play in the shaft and if possible just buy a spare pump to keep on the boat. I rebuilt the old pump and now keep that as my back up. Tim
Click to expand...
 
Does any body know where I can find an electrical drawing for the ac units. The unit in the salon doesn't turn on the cooling pump?
 
Hi folks. Just finalized the purchase of a 2006 380 Sundancer. I must admit I will miss my 340 as she was very good to me!! She arrives tomorrow, and I was hoping to replace the grill that covers the horn. It is a white plastic piece that looked pretty brittle and worn. Does anyone know where to get one, or possibly a stainless one?
Thanks,
Mark
 
Autopilot 7000+ - Anybody know if there is a fuse or where it might be found? Autopilot went dead suddenly and looks like it has no power. Rocker switch lights up but no response from the display on dash. Thinking it is just not getting power. 2001 380 DA
 
Hello all....has anyone replaced the bulbs in the cockpit and on the hard top to LED's? If so, could you please tell me the size?
Thanks
 
Thanks Doc o Rock. I saw them, but instead of changing the whole fixture, I was going to just replace the bulb.
 
Hey guys
Talk to me about wiper blades. I do not have windshield washers, just the wiper arm. Hard to find quality automotive blades (I'd prefer the type without the metal that holds the blade in) that will fit into the existing arm - I don't have that u-shaped extension on the arm like cars have. Just a thing with a bold and nylock nut that passes thru the hole in the blade assembly.

I'd like to find one like this that fits .....
wiperblade1.jpg



but all I can find are ones like this...
e75d2f2f-54a5-4fb8-ab77-50c9af7e3a10


If you look at both of these you'll see the hole through which I need to pass the bolt to hold it to the existing arm.

THANKS!
 
I was able to find the plastic version at Walmart, I believe they were Raindance wipers.
when Walmart didn't have them, I would buy them from a bus supply website.

Many of the Trawlers use the same wiper. They cover them with the windshield covers to keep them out of the uv sunlight. They last much longer if you can keep them out of the direct sun. I also apply rain dance to the pilot house Windows, which minimizes the need to use the wipers.
 
I'm having a hard time finding a place who can make the camper canvas/frame for our new-to-us 01 380.

This looked to be the ticket: http://rnr-marine.com/Canvas.shtml

But, it seems like they don't cover this boat.

Thoughts?
 
Any local canvas guy can make you whatever you want custom. Probably not going to be as inexpensive as places that have them pre-made.
 
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