Official 400EC thread

[h_gerry]

Question for 94/94 express owners. What does the switch on main panel that says indirect lights control? When I try to turn it on, it seems to have a short.

I will check when I get on the boat but if memory serves me correctly it is for the lighting that illuminates the floor at the stairs and in the master cabin

 

[Fastphil]

Thanks,good place to start.

 

[h_gerry]

Thanks,good place to start.

I was correct. The indirect breaker controls the floor lighting in the main cabin and the valence lighting in the master cabin.

 

[Fastphil]

Got it. Found one bulb shorted. Fix the problem. Next question, there two black double wall switches. One on the salon wall to the left of sliding exit. The other is in main birth. The upper one on each turn on lights. The bottom on each do nothing. What are they suppose to do?

 

[h_gerry]

Got it. Found one bulb shorted. Fix the problem. Next question, there two black double wall switches. One on the salon wall to the left of sliding exit. The other is in main birth. The upper one on each turn on lights. The bottom on each do nothing. What are they suppose to do?

The lower switch on each panel controls the indirect lights. On my boat, the lower switch turns on a small courtesy light on the steps to the cockpit. The lower switch in the forward stateroom controls a set of rope lights that run under the valences below the windows.

 

[Fastphil]

Thank you for your input. It all makes sense now. Just ordered all new interior lights. Should be good to go. Thx again

 

[BostonPaul]

Getting ready to launch in a few weeks and discovered that the hydraulic steering cylinder is leaking and needs to be replaced. Has anyone replaced their cylinder and what is the best way to get to it so it can be removed, replaced and bleed.

 

[h_gerry]

Getting ready to launch in a few weeks and discovered that the hydraulic steering cylinder is leaking and needs to be replaced. Has anyone replaced their cylinder and what is the best way to get to it so it can be removed, replaced and bleed.

I had a leak in the steering cylinder of my boat when I first got her. I was able to use a repair kit with new seals to rebuild the cylinder and have not had a problem with it since. I was able to reach it fairly easily when the generator was removed from the boat because it was being replaced. With the generator in place it is difficult to get back there to it.

 

[Searaybio270]

Dinghy Question - If this is already on the Official 400EC thread -
I have the 1996 400EC and have had a dinghy for about 11 years but never on this boat as my FIL had it for the last 7 years. Having said that how are you traveling with the dinghy. It is an older model type and I think it is 8.5ft long. I plan to use it and I have to store the motor as well. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[h_gerry]

Dinghy Question - If this is already on the Official 400EC thread -
I have the 1996 400EC and have had a dinghy for about 11 years but never on this boat as my FIL had it for the last 7 years. Having said that how are you traveling with the dinghy. It is an older model type and I think it is 8.5ft long. I plan to use it and I have to store the motor as well. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have been storing mine folded up on the lower swim platform and tying it down in place. It is like using the Weaver davits, without the davits.You can see it in this picture.The motor is a small 3.5hp Nissan with an internal tank that fit (just barely) under the gunnel behind the ladder to the side deck in the cockpit (by the transom door where the water spigot and dockside water connections are).

I had originally wanted to store it flat so that I could keep the motor on the dinghy but when I tried to position some Hurley davits I bought, I found that the boat would be sitting so low to the water and so far aft that the stern wave when coming off plane would have wound up hitting the bottom of the dinghy. I worked with Dale (Masterfab) and was going to come up with a system that would have held the dinghy in the horizontal position about 2’ above the lower platform to keep it out of the stern wave. The mounts would have needed an electric winch to pull the dinghy up onto the davits. It was a great idea (Dale’s ideas always are J) and would have been a wonderful addition to the boat, but I could not justify the cost at the time. So, I remove the motor and just pull it up onto the platform and swing it over. As they say, works for me so far……….

 

[Searaybio270]

Thanks for for the input and the visual. It may be what I do as well. Joe.

I have been storing mine folded up on the lower swim platform and tying it down in place. It is like using the Weaver davits, without the davits.You can see it in this picture.The motor is a small 3.5hp Nissan with an internal tank that fit (just barely) under the gunnel behind the ladder to the side deck in the cockpit (by the transom door where the water spigot and dockside water connections are).

I had originally wanted to store it flat so that I could keep the motor on the dinghy but when I tried to position some Hurley davits I bought, I found that the boat would be sitting so low to the water and so far aft that the stern wave when coming off plane would have wound up hitting the bottom of the dinghy. I worked with Dale (Masterfab) and was going to come up with a system that would have held the dinghy in the horizontal position about 2’ above the lower platform to keep it out of the stern wave. The mounts would have needed an electric winch to pull the dinghy up onto the davits. It was a great idea (Dale’s ideas always are J) and would have been a wonderful addition to the boat, but I could not justify the cost at the time. So, I remove the motor and just pull it up onto the platform and swing it over. As they say, works for me so far……….

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Well, started my fridge replacement...the sliding door comes off super easy.
I discovered that the "trucks" it slides on are worn out,broken and falling apart.
The replacements are unavailable but, FPmarine has the new (different) trucks that'll require new rails too....joy.
Not sure, if I want to dissemble the headliner and half the deck to gain access to install new rail.
Might fabricate new trucks to fit the old rail.....good thing it's still friggin cold up here.
to be cont.......

 

[h_gerry]

Well, started my fridge replacement...the sliding door comes off super easy.
I discovered that the "trucks" it slides on are worn out,broken and falling apart.
The replacements are unavailable but, FPmarine has the new (different) trucks that'll require new rails too....joy.
Not sure, if I want to dissemble the headliner and half the deck to gain access to install new rail.
Might fabricate new trucks to fit the old rail.....good thing it's still friggin cold up here.
to be cont.......

Mark, do you have any pictures that you can share of the door removal? I figure I will be there sometime soon too.

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Mark, do you have any pictures that you can share of the door removal? I figure I will be there sometime soon too.

I'll get some pics as it progresses but, my door is different than yours..changed later in 1995-96.
It'll be a week+ before I have time to address the situation.

 

[h_gerry]

I'll get some pics as it progresses but, my door is different than yours..changed later in 1995-96.
It'll be a week+ before I have time to address the situation.

Thanks Mark. I did not realize that the door changed. It looked the same in the pictures I have seen. Good luck with it.

 

[pm4_1613]

I'll get some pics as it progresses but, my door is different than yours..changed later in 1995-96.
It'll be a week+ before I have time to address the situation.

I'm interested in this too. I have a 1995 like you and pictures/parts would be great!

 

[pm4_1613]

On another topic, anyone have an autopilot installed? Any recommendations on brand/model? This would be a brand new install. Anything apart from the AP and its components that would be required for my boat?

 

[Air O'Nautical]

On another topic, anyone have an autopilot installed? Any recommendations on brand/model? This would be a brand new install. Anything apart from the AP and its components that would be required for my boat?

The hydraulic steering system on the 400EC makes this a straight forward install.
Plenty of room in and behind the dash, ER, storage compartments in the cabin for anything.

If it's a new install..I'd match whatever other equipment you have to make it as simple as possible. Haven't heard of any brands being bad... If I was buying all new everything it would be Garmin but, am happy with my Raymarine too.

 

[k1ng73]

Hey Mark,
Wanted see if you knew the light bulb model for the two ceiling salon bulbs. Also looking for any suggestions or replacement gauges. I have a 96' EC.

Thanks

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Hey Mark,
Wanted see if you knew the light bulb model for the two ceiling salon bulbs. Also looking for any suggestions or replacement gauges. I have a 96' EC.

Thanks

Cant help on the ceiling bulbs...my 1995 doesn't have them.
Gauges are available from FPMarine.com, look at the Legend series.