Official 1980's Weekender/Sundancer 300 thread

Drifter22ft said:
How about this for a charging system minn Kota 3 bank 45 amp charger with blue sea auto charging relays and bluesea switches View attachment 92059
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Rumor has it I have a blue sea on my boat somewhere. I'm sure they've changed since they were put on my boat either as original equipment or if added later on. I don't see anything that looks like what you have, but I need to go do some digging! I'd love to understand more about how mine works. I had my starboard showing 16 volts after it had been charged all night and I was idling around. I shut down, restarted and did NOT rev them up thinking that wouldn't kick the exciter on the alternator. After a few minutes, it crept back up and stayed for about 30 minutes, then back down. I don't remember seeing that behavior before. It was confirmed on the GPS and separate voltmeter so I don't know if I need to have it checked or old alternator / regulators checked.
 
Drifter22ft said:
I want to to install solar next anybody do that yet was thinking flexible panels on my Bimini Top
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I just ordered some cheap crap to try out. It's a flexible panel rated up to 780 watts and a controller. I'm guessing I only need about 200 to 400 to stay charged on a daily basis. I don't know how efficient this one will be. I won't get it and install it until next year the way things are going here. I just figured it might keep up with my fridge, phones and some music every day. I wanted flexible so I could put it on the bimini hoping that shades the bimini and it doesn't get so hot. We'll see!
 
Drifter22ft said:
Can you send me the link that you got it from that’s a lot of watts and where do you plan to put it
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Drifter,

I ordered it off Wish, which is a Chinese outlet. Some of there stuff is sold on Amazon for much more and some of it is just cheap crap!! That's why I called it that when I mentioned it in the thread above. The solar panel is flexible so I'm thinking I will put it on the bimini or the fore deck. Even at 50% efficiency for 2 to 4 hours a day, I should get enough to keep up with the fridge. I still have the original Norcold DE-251 from 1989 that runs way more than it should. I might replace that this year (or just pull it out and clean the coils after 31 years?) or get a Lewmar Pro Fish 700 and 200 feet of G4 chain instead! I'm not sure which way to go, but the controller could also keep a separate anchor windlass battery charged too! I think the total was under $60 and that's why I figured it was worth a look. If it's junk and doesn't work, I'll accidentally have it fly off while driving home or lose it in a wind storm! I'm supposed to get it in November! Glad I ordered it early! My expectations are low! I have some panels on an Arctic Fox travel trailer. There are 3 and during a week out, I rarely need a generator(It's used primarily to run the A/C). I think they put out about 300 watts, so I would expect similar charging with the boat. The difference being it's spinning in the wind/current and not positioned properly for the sun. That's why I figured way less efficiency. We'll see!
 
Does anyone have any recommendations for canvas repair or manufacture? Looking at options for my 87 Weekender 300. I'm in South Florida.
 
Does anyone know where to get the window front hatch both the small ones and the big one the lock and hold up arms
 
Does anyone have a mechanic recommendation in South Florida with experience with our older Sea Rays? I keep getting replies from shops saying they don't work on boats so old.
 
Captain Sly said:
Does anyone have a mechanic recommendation in South Florida with experience with our older Sea Rays? I keep getting replies from shops saying they don't work on boats so old.
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what issue are you having that they won’t touch?
 
dwna1a said:
what issue are you having that they won’t touch?
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I actually hadn't mentioned any particular issue. Was looking for a mechanic to make an inspection and draw up a long term maintenance plan.
 
Captain, I wish you luck. Even the guy that does major repairs here said he wouldn’t. If yours is like mine (2,000 hrs) keep up with the recommended PM, complete tuneups, risers and manifolds, things of that nature.

old boats break
 
looking for any info on how to remove side windows in cabin to replace the flocking 1986 300 weekender. Do they screw in what causes them to bow out. I know there is chats on this but cant find how to remove the window.
Thanks Marty
 
Are you trying to remove the glass or the frame? The glass, actually plastic, can be removed by first removing some of the bottom FLOCKING by prying it up out of the track. Once removed, the glass will drop down and can be extracted from the frame. Then remove the top section. Clean the track and spray some WD40 on the new piece and feed it into the top track. Then reinstall the glass. Now feed in the new bottom section. Sounds harder than it is.
 
Scorpio, have you replaced the blinds on those same two sliders? Do you remember where you got them from if you did?

windshield screw covers are next. Any suggestions on how to do those would be greatly appreciated
 
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I AM TRYING TO REPLACE THE FLOCKING. SO WHATEVER HAS TO HAPPEN TO DO SO. ALSO MY WINDOW ALUMINUM HAS BOWED OUT FROM THE BOAT 1986 300 WEEKENDER
 
DuckHead, Scorpio has done more to his 300 than you or I.

im doing the same thing now. My FLOCKING came in today. Scorpio’s method worked great. Many thanks to him! As for the bowed frame, sounds as if the screws failed. Remove the rubber gasket that runs in a channel of the aluminum frame and you will find the failed screws. I would highly recommend you only remove enough of the gasket to get to those screws. I have not been able to find that rubber gasket.

I’ve trusted the words of advise on our 300’s to a few members here, Captain Rusty, who most likely was on the line when ours were built, FW who is selling his stunning boat, Lucky, that started this thread, and SCORPIO!

Just Saying.
 
Just got two one hundred flexible solar panel will put them on the Bimini with magnets I think with that and a 200ah battery I should be able to run my refrigerator without much problem it run at .7 to 2.8 amps and the solar panels will make about 11 amps so it should work any ideas or anyone else using solar
 
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