420/44 DB Owners Club

Another new to me boat question. What are the 3 thru holes forward of the bilge pump in the attached picture? I think the one on the left is the Raymarine transducer. Not sure on the others.
Dont mind the grime, that area is spic and span now.

Judging by my setup, the one in the center and the one to the STBD side are transducers that supply data (speed, temp and depth) to Tri-Data. I'm assuming you have tridata display. The one on the PORT side, is most likely a new transducer, which could have been installed to replace one (or both) that failed.
 
What's your guys process for bleeding the steering? I added some fluid to the sea star fill at the steering wheel and cycled the wheel back and forth many times. I continued to add fluid until topped off. I got a couple ounces in the system. I still have about 8.5 to 9 full turns of the wheel. Is that normal? The steering also seems like it requires too much effort. However I do not have any reference as this is my first rudder type boat.
 
That’s how I filled mine. If there is air in the system the wheel is very stiff then free stiff again. The rudder also barely moves. I think I’m about 4 turns left and right from center.
 
I am considering replacing the removable carpet in the salon with hardwood / laminate. I am wondering if anyone has undertaken this. Things that complicate the process a little:
- Engine room hatches would need to be trimmed around.
- Additional weight of wood may necessitate stronger engine room hatch pistons.
- How to finish the carpeted area at the sliding door.
- The steps to the galley would also need to be done. There would be a strip of carpet where it wraps around the carpeted wall on the port side of the steps.

Anything else I am missing?
 
Don’t recall who but I know someone on here did exactly that. I believe they made the floors removable. Based on the thickness of wood you may also reduce how far the hatch will open against the sofas. Also you need to address the latches for the ER. I know our hatches are not 100% flush with the rest of the floor so if yours are the same you’d have to level them for a seamless finish. If I were to do it I’d make the floor removable as mentioned. Maybe incorporate some strong magnets to keep it in place and avoid clapping or squeaking. But not sure how this would hold up with the vibrations etc.
 
I am considering replacing the removable carpet in the salon with hardwood / laminate. I am wondering if anyone has undertaken this. Things that complicate the process a little:
- Engine room hatches would need to be trimmed around.
- Additional weight of wood may necessitate stronger engine room hatch pistons.
- How to finish the carpeted area at the sliding door.
- The steps to the galley would also need to be done. There would be a strip of carpet where it wraps around the carpeted wall on the port side of the steps.

Anything else I am missing?
I did mine last year, I made a couple of removable panels clad with engineered mahogany wood planks.
PM me for details if you like
IMG_1266.jpg

IMG_1252.jpg

.
 
Don’t recall who but I know someone on here did exactly that. I believe they made the floors removable. Based on the thickness of wood you may also reduce how far the hatch will open against the sofas. Also you need to address the latches for the ER. I know our hatches are not 100% flush with the rest of the floor so if yours are the same you’d have to level them for a seamless finish. If I were to do it I’d make the floor removable as mentioned. Maybe incorporate some strong magnets to keep it in place and avoid clapping or squeaking. But not sure how this would hold up with the vibrations etc.

I thought about the hatch hinges as I laid in bed last night! Forgot about the latches though. Removable is a good ideal. Hadn't considered that...
 
I did mine last year, I made a couple of removable panels clad with engineered mahogany wood planks.
PM me for details if you like
View attachment 88182
View attachment 88181
.
Awesome, thank you! I knew someone must have done this already. I was thinking about using a sub-floor of some kind and vinyl. Gluing to the fiberglass was definitely making me feel uneasy. I will definitely PM you in the near future for more details.

How are your panels secured?
 
Awesome, thank you! I knew someone must have done this already. I was thinking about using a sub-floor of some kind and vinyl. Gluing to the fiberglass was definitely making me feel uneasy. I will definitely PM you in the near future for more details.

How are your panels secured?
The two main panels are simply screwed to the fiberglass deck with #12 CS oval head screws and then I put matching decorative dowel plugs over the screws which I pop out when I remove the panels. I went with wood to get the best match without too much effort. I imaging you can find vinyl that will match fairly well too. In the area under the entertainment console I pieced in a separate panel to make removal possible.
Carpe Diem
 
Curious if anyone has temporarily removed the sofa bed from the Salon in the quest for more storage. Only my 9 year old has slept on the sofa and he prefers to sleep on it as is without folding out the bed. Seems less likely that anyone would use the fold out bed and we could use the additional storage. Just curious its worth it.
 
Curious if anyone has temporarily removed the sofa bed from the Salon in the quest for more storage. Only my 9 year old has slept on the sofa and he prefers to sleep on it as is without folding out the bed. Seems less likely that anyone would use the fold out bed and we could use the additional storage. Just curious its worth it.
I permanently removed the useless POS
two weeks after I bought the boat and have not missed it one ioda.
It was the most uncomfortable thing ever. If on the rare occasion we need more sleeping space the bridge filler works great.
Carpe Diem
 
What's your guys process for bleeding the steering? I added some fluid to the sea star fill at the steering wheel and cycled the wheel back and forth many times. I continued to add fluid until topped off. I got a couple ounces in the system. I still have about 8.5 to 9 full turns of the wheel. Is that normal? The steering also seems like it requires too much effort. However I do not have any reference as this is my first rudder type boat.

Sea Star has a kit and a procedure to fill and bleed the system. If you fill the reservoir to the top without bleeding, it will spill oil on a hot day.
 
I permanently removed the useless POS
two weeks after I bought the boat and have not missed it one ioda.
It was the most uncomfortable thing ever. If on the rare occasion we need more sleeping space the bridge filler works great.
Carpe Diem


Ha! You are correct on the comfort part.....The foam is awful in the cushions. I was going to replace it, but not since we have it listed......

Bennett
 
The drain hose makes several bends coming out of the pan and is probably where your clog is. I tried a snake but wound up cutting the hose open to remove. Once you get it open you can flush it into the sump until it is clear.
An update on my experience with the non-draining drip tray and metal border on the galley floor.

Acetone worked brilliantly (thank you Bennett) with a bit of elbow grease.
Before:
upload_2020-7-16_20-2-3.png

After:
upload_2020-7-16_20-2-53.png



And the blockage that prevented the condensate drain in the salon from draining turned out to be IN the drip tray itself on the aft side. In order to make this observation, I had to open the starboard cockpit locker that borders the entertainment center and remove the forward board that gives access to the after drainhole. For the benefit of those who haven't seen this area opened up, here's the view I had:
upload_2020-7-16_20-9-18.png

I used a wet vac to remove debris from the tray and cleaned the holes at the drip tray and in the "moat" that surrounds the tray to direct flow/overflow into the tubing to the sump, and then used the compressed air suggestion and a nozzle to force any residual debris through the lines. Photo of the air compressor and nozzle here:
upload_2020-7-16_20-13-30.png


I then poured about a half gallon of water into the tray and ran to the sump container in the forward hallway to confirm flow through the salon AC tubing. Sure enough, it was draining and some debris was also forced through into the tank. Should be good for a while. Thanks team!
 
0BB46922-517B-498C-8C80-E72450DC7393.jpeg
Ha! You are correct on the comfort part.....The foam is awful in the cushions. I was going to replace it, but not since we have it listed......

Bennett
So I removed the bed today and found that I should make up some type of support for the cushions, no big deal. I did also notice a hatch. How beneficial is this for doing work on the port motor? The hatch is removable but the sound insulation is untouched. Wondering if it’s worth cutting it out to see the access I get. Wonder if this was done to allow the aftercooler core to be removed without the housing.
 
View attachment 88526
So I removed the bed today and found that I should make up some type of support for the cushions, no big deal. I did also notice a hatch. How beneficial is this for doing work on the port motor? The hatch is removable but the sound insulation is untouched. Wondering if it’s worth cutting it out to see the access I get. Wonder if this was done to allow the aftercooler core to be removed without the housing.

There is an identical hatch on the Starboard side. I think they give access to the top of the fuel tanks-maybe sending units. I think they are too far outboard for engine access. Just my thoughts....

Bennett
 
There is an identical hatch on the Starboard side. I think they give access to the top of the fuel tanks-maybe sending units. I think they are too far outboard for engine access. Just my thoughts....

Bennett
Bingo! definitely for fuel tank access only. As to the supports for the seat bottoms, probably a good idea. I did not use any over the past five years and have just recently noticed a slight sag in the seat bottoms. I think I'll fashion something as I use the space for containerized items. I have all of my spares and repairs kits in totes that stack neatly and some salon comforters stored there so having a couple of dividing supports won't affect access. You will come to appreciate the extra storage for certain.
CD
 
There is an identical hatch on the Starboard side. I think they give access to the top of the fuel tanks-maybe sending units. I think they are too far outboard for engine access. Just my thoughts....

Bennett
Ah...makes sense. Never noticed the one on the star side. Admiral has long since filed that sofa with "stuff". At least now i can balance out the weight with the fold out bed removed.
 
An update on my experience with the non-draining drip tray and metal border on the galley floor.

Acetone worked brilliantly (thank you Bennett) with a bit of elbow grease.
Before: View attachment 88512
After:View attachment 88513


And the blockage that prevented the condensate drain in the salon from draining turned out to be IN the drip tray itself on the aft side. In order to make this observation, I had to open the starboard cockpit locker that borders the entertainment center and remove the forward board that gives access to the after drainhole. For the benefit of those who haven't seen this area opened up, here's the view I had:
View attachment 88514
I used a wet vac to remove debris from the tray and cleaned the holes at the drip tray and in the "moat" that surrounds the tray to direct flow/overflow into the tubing to the sump, and then used the compressed air suggestion and a nozzle to force any residual debris through the lines. Photo of the air compressor and nozzle here:
View attachment 88515

I then poured about a half gallon of water into the tray and ran to the sump container in the forward hallway to confirm flow through the salon AC tubing. Sure enough, it was draining and some debris was also forced through into the tank. Should be good for a while. Thanks team!
Just where is your AC unit located? I have two, one under the salon entertainment center and the other under the V Berth forward. Yours looks to be behind an access door somewhere. EDIT I think I just figured out that you are working thru the cockpit starboard locker with the forward bulkhead removed. I have never accessed mine that way. It would take an hour to remove all of the cleaning and waxing products I have stored in there to get to the bulkhead to remove it:D. I just go in thru the cabinet door in the salon when I need to service the unit.
CD
 
Last edited:
Just where is your AC unit located? I have two, one under the salon entertainment center and the other under the V Berth forward. Yours looks to be behind an access door somewhere. EDIT I think I just figured out that you are working thru the cockpit starboard locker with the forward bulkhead removed. I have never accessed mine that way. It would take an hour to remove all of the cleaning and waxing products I have stored in there to get to the bulkhead to remove it:D. I just go in thru the cabinet door in the salon when I need to service the unit.
CD

I think his is exactly where yours and mine are-under the entertainment center. He took out one of the "walls" in the storage compartment in the cockpit to the left of the sliding door when you exit the salon....

at least that is what it looks like to me....

Bennett
 

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