The official pre-clinton era sr sport cruiser thread

There can be NO replacement :grin:.

I was just wondering what the boat looks like. The 345 was an '88 model year and there are not too many on the market at any one given time (14 currently). This happens to be the only one I found on the Chesapeake. I get weekly emails from Yachtworld whenever a new one of these babies goes on the market. I love watching the weekly value of my boat sink like a rock!
 
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Jim
As to how she handles in heavier seas. We regularly plow through 2-3 footers in Barnegat bay, many times just due to the obscene amount of boat traffic that turns the bay into a turbulent bathtub fraught with wakes from everything from center consoles to 50 footers. This is a fairly heavy boat at 16,500 lbs dry and it tends to plow through stuff like that fairly easily. It gets annoying when you are overtaken (and that happens a LOT). Then you get tossed around a lot, but that happens to all boats - it just seems more annoying when you're high up.

We've also been out on the Atlantic taking 6 footers head on and from astern. The boat handled both situations very well. I'll never be comfortable in 6 footers but I never felt out of control or unconfident. With the head on heavy seas, I didn't bother to drop speed and we took them at about 16 knots. Pounded a bit and cavitated both props a couple of times but that's just the nature of a boat with pockets. I did NOT take any spray on the bridge that day but probably b/c the wind was not really whipping.
 
Ron, thanks for the reply. I found this boat at Norview and she had never been listed as they had some management issues. The general manager a friend of mine became the broker. We looked at several other boats there and then the 1988 345. Doug wasn't even sure it was for sale said he thought it was. Joan and I fell in love with the spaciousness and layout of her and Doug found out it had been for sale for over a year so the offer was made.
The boat spent most of its life on the Appomattox River (fresh water) until three years ago then she was moved up the Ches Bay to Deltaville. During the trip she lost the port engine and trans which the old owner had replaced only to get her to DVL to sit in a slip for a year then on the hard for a year for sale.
Now the details port engine and trans 60 hrs, starboard engine 540 hrs genset 520 hours. All mechanical systems except both blowers and fresh water system pump came up and worked. I have replaced all of those. Vac head and santi system all ok both heat pumps had been replaced. The dinette has been removed and replaced with a sofa which we are going to replace with a futon. As far as a table I am going to move the ice maker to under the down sation and the central vac starboad aft to beside the salon door which will give me a space to build and install a drop leaf table in the X entertainment center with a flat panel TV on top of it. I think that way the table can fold down and out of the way until its needed. I have had the bottom soda blasted and found about 6 spots which have been repaired on both chins. I guess they may have been blisters but they are solid. Both sides have been buffed and waxed and the shine came back to almost new. She has four blade wheels and all struts and rudders are in good shape. I am going to repack both shaft logs before the splash. Canvas is ok for at least one if not two seasons but someone has taken off the radar arch so I will have to try to find one or buy a pipe arch as I want my radar back and she has no anchor light. The only decent electronics is the auto pilot so that's going to hurt but at least I get to pick what I want. Well that's where I stand with her I guess the only thing to tell you is what she cost. I paid 20,000 for her and figure I will have about 30 in her when I finish. I am not as sure as I was it is such a good deal but I will see it thru.
The wife and I are looking forward to all the upcoming festivals this year as long as fuel cost dont go to 4.00 a gal.
Fair winds and calm seas to ya Jimmy
 
Wilie-C Deltaville is a sleepy little town but the first weekend in Nov. we have the Urbanna Oyster Fest which if you have never been is a real blast. It starts on a Friday and ends midnight Sat. If you get the chance its worth the try. They have lots of bands, a neet fire engine parade and of course lots of ches bay oysters. I used to get a slip but have found it more fun just to drop the hook in the harbor and dingy to shore. They have a free dock for dingys and slips are hard to get and very expenseive. If you decide to run down let me know and I can give you lots of info about the area. Fair Winds Jimmy
 
Jim
$20K sounds like a good deal! I'd rather be able to get all new electronics than replace functioning OLD stuff. It still hurts in the wallet but at least you can pick and choose what you like.

As you may know, Our boats have different interior layouts. The '89s became "340s" and went to a galley UP with a raised dinette. Down two steps to port there's a second stateroom where your galley is. The head and forward stateroom are identical, as is pretty much everything else on the two model years.

That's too bad abt the radar arch. Wonder why someone would remove it??

Coupla questions if you don't mind...
What did they repower with (Merc, Marine Power, rebuild??); I'm guessing you have the original Quicksilver genset?; do you have the lower helm option? I'm dying to hear her docking manners w/ the 4-bladers. These boats are notorious for being real hard to control in closed quarters maneuvering, particularly with a bit of a cross wind. If you're coming off a express-type cruiser style boat, I'd highly recommend that you go out in the open and practice backing down on a buoy or something fixed. I did that eventually, but only after making a spectacle of myself in a warm summer day under the watchful eye of my entire marina!

Sorry abt all the questions but I've been hanging around this and the previous SR message board for almost 5 years and you're the first person to come along with a boat like mine - so I'm giddy! Love to see some pix as soon as you get em.
RON


Sorry abt the million questions
 
Ron I real happy to reply. I think the engine is a long block not sure whos as the heads were not painted. The genset is the old onan mcck 6.5 which had a locked up starter when I looked at her the first time but I took it off and had it rebuilt and re-installed and ran it for the sea trail before I bought her. I can tell you all manifold risers are new as is the genset riser. Manifolds on both engines and gen set are fresh water cooled. On the sea trail engine temps stayed at 145 even at wot oil press was 55lbs and she ran out at 4200 which I think is a little low but the bottom had a 1/4"of old paint and the props were just scraped off. Doug and I were a little dissapointed as we had full tab down and had to get into the four barrels to get her up which we expected but when we pulled her back to 3300 she seemed a little slow(gps junk not working). I hope the rough bottom is a big part of that as I expected about a 18 to 20 knot cruise at that rpm. I was/ am hopeing for about 3/4 gal a mile as I tended to run my Wellcraft about 1500 miles a year.The Wellcraft I repowered with the 8.1 496 mpi and she is a stern drive boat 26knot cruise at 17 gph 3300 rpm. Now with the four blade wheels she took a bit of rpm in reverse to stop and turn but I thought it was due to the tunnels. She has the down helm but I can only see a use for it in wide open water due to visibility or lack there of. Now as far as the arch I have no clue you know some people.She was on a small river next to Richmond so I dont feel she had a lot of sea time a slip qween if you get my drift. The bridge sofa is also missing but it gives ya one heck of a dance floor. I will custom build one and have my canvas girl make the cushions.
You can ask any questions you have got lots of time this week as I am with the wife in San Diego. She has been in meetings for two days so I just sit and surf for anything I can find for my new mistress. One question for you, would you have a line on 1 3/4" boot strip.
 
At WOT you should spin 4400-4600 according to spec. You may be sluggish getting up and out if the boat isnt' tuned. Also, are you sure your tabs are working? There's a breaker on the dash that needs to be on. I found that without 8 seconds of tab prior to flooring it, the boat has trouble getting her rear out.

I have NEVER averaged 0.75mpg at cruise speed (I have floscans and a functioning GPS). AT BEST, I've gotten 0.71mpg and I make it my business to stay out of the secondaries and try to travel light (1/2 - 3/4 fuel and a few gallons of water). If you plan to run > 3500rpm (to get your 20 kt cruise), you'll be closer to 0.65mpg. I found the sweet spot to be about 3350RPM making about 19mph. Opening up all the canvas on the enclosure helps as does a nice following wind (I'm not kidding).

I'm about to do a full tune up on both mains b/c I noticed a marked increase in consumption last season (4th year on current wires, rotor and distributor). I also had some crap on the bottom.

I don't think you mentioned - do you have the lower helm?

Onan Genny? That is NOT original. These boats all came with Quicksilver. You're lucky. At least parts aren't that hard to find.
 
Ron sorry for the delay getting back to ya that jet lag thing. Yes she has a down satation but I see very little use for it as you cant see much, so only can be used in open water is my thought. do you have a line by chance on 1 1/4 boot tape.
 
Agreed about the lower helm. My dad had it on his boat when I was a kid. That was the days before bridge enclosures and isinglass and we still NEVER ran the boat from there.

Sorry - you did ask me that earlier and I forgot to respond. Check this recent thread. Shawn (NorCal Boater) is the king of restriping our old boats. IT looks like he responded via email to Wilie but you could always PM him. If you don't hear back, I'll shoot him an email for you.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15889&highlight=striping
 
I didn't realize there were different size striping on the boat. All mine was undoubtedly replaced by the PO but I really don't know what size it is.

Quick search around and couldn't find anything but 2" and 3/4". Wow.
 
Jim
Nosed around Yachtworld and did a nationwide search on the 345. Found 12, 6 with Westerbeke, 2 with Onan and 4 that didn't mention anything about a genny. I wonder what year they started with the Quicksilvers. I'm starting to realize that parts for marine generators cost a premium whomever he manufacturer is. But at least WB and Onan are still in business!
 
Ron as I understand it Onan was bought out by Cummins and the parts are high dollar. I checked the cost of a starter and found NAPA had a reman for $345.00 sooooooooooo I took mine to an old biker guy who owns a rebuild shop and he got it apart and cleaned it up and fixed it for $10.00. I offered him 40 and he finally took 20. What a deal for me a. I turn most all of the wrenches on my stuff and am not afraid to at least take a wack at it. I have two restored cars ones a V-12 jag lol so I have made lots of contacts on engines paint work and the like. All I need is time to get my ol girl straight. I figure in about 6 to 8 mons she should be a lot better as the last guy just didnt do anything much to her. I know I will need lots of info from you and others at this site and thats the wonderful thing about the net. There are great people like you and others who freely share the knowledge. Thanks again for all your help
 
Shawn got back with me about the pinstripes, to tell me he would get back to me when he got home from PA. I'm gonna get the 2in because the extra 1/4" doesn't bother me. Mine look so bad anything would look better. How come we didn't get Onans? At least then we could get parts! He can give you a list of the colors available and suggestions as to where to get them. Don't let him sell you a swim platform!:smt043:smt043Just kidding Shawn!:thumbsup:
Jim, don't pump up Ron's ego, he's really a pain in the butt who likes to fawn over Sedan's. I guess you two are new best pals! HAHA!
 
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Sea-Dal said:
Oh by the way Willee do you know where I can get another swim platform I want to bolt it to miy existing one so its really big
Click to expand...
I've heard someone makes a 18' extended platform, only problem is, it seems that at the rear they poke up at about a 30 degree angle. For me it would be perfect. Since mine is an EC I heard you can have a really aft cabin. All you need is a queen sized inflatable mattress and some bungee cords. It really takes you back to nature. Make sure the seas aren't too large or you need plastic sheets!
 
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