Official 370 Express Cruiser Thread (1997-2000)

What do you guys have going for cockpit speakers?
I am mapping out the stereo upgrade now. Current set up has an old fusion head unit in the ac/dc panel and wired remote on the dash. It pushes the 4 speakers in the berth/salon area. Then the original clarion amp is powering 4 speakers in the cockpit (1 at each helm seat, and a pair on the arch). there is also a fusion 10in sub on the captain side which seems to barely have any punch at all.
The main concern is getting more sound to the aft area. I am looking at the area by the side steps (pictured). Have any of you cut here to place speakers? We have the surface area for an 8.8in , not sure of the depth clearance. Any alternatives? Thanks.
20201012_160518.jpg
 
That would probably work, Vince. My only concerns would be access to the space and then what is behind there. On the port side, the shore power and city water hookups are around there, not sure what else is there.

I've been contemplating adding grab rails just up from that location since I'm tired of people grabbing my canvas when they board the boat. There's a panel that looks like it comes off (a few screws and some caulk) on the outside of the boat at the base of the radar arch, which would likely give you some access just above that area.

If you go that route, let me know how you get along, since the grab handles are probably near the top of my winter project list!

Kevin
 
Yeah, was hoping maybe somebody else had already ventured into that space. Thinking I'll pull apart that deep drop line outlet and try to look and fish around. Those outlets were a mod at some point so there's got to be access to run the wires.
As for the arch, you have no grab rails? They definitely come in handy. See enlarged pic on what I have. The smaller one is more useful for boarding and I don't think would be too hard to install. There is access on the inside of the arch right at that level, which is where I have a speaker placement now. But it looks as if it may have been cut post production as there is another panel attached. I'll try to grab a pic of that this weekend.
20200827_081101.jpg
 
Are you talking about removing the Vent cover with the 4 slots? If so, the toughest part of that is cutting the sealant, and cleaning all the sealant off when you put it back on. Once you remove it, there is a black cover under it that needs to be removed as well. the Open spot underneath is really just a box connected to the blowers. I do recommend cleaning this out and making sure the drain is open to the back deck. I added a second drain in the front of the box to drain the box when I'm low on fuel. This helped a ton as I was getting water in the bilge after a heavy rain. Also, make sure you seal the box edges from the inside to seal it from leaking into the bilge. Other than that, there is no really access to the area you are looking for.
 
Thanks Vince, I don't have a grab rail there, I'm guessing yours is aftermarket. I was thinking I would put it lower, because my canvas covers up where yours is located. Mine would likely go on the inboard part of the louvered vent area, I would have to remove that to gain access in order to drill and back plate the grabs.

West, thanks for the details, it doesn't sound like that difficult of a job. My caulk needs to be replaced there anyway, it's still intact but just looking dirty, so that would be my excuse to do the grab installs at the same time. My wife really wants it done because she's tired of yelling at guests when they come on board and grab the canvas. :)

Kevin
 
Looking for Advice regarding the switches on the back deck
20201212_130130.jpg

Has anyone devised a way to protect these switches from accidental bumps to turn them on? While out fishing, I bet I turn off the cockpit lights 10 times a trip because the crew bumps the switch while reeling or netting fish.
Just curious what others have done.

Also, what does everyone have on their list for winter projects?
For me, besides re-caulking and re-bedding a few areas, my only upgrade this year is XM Satellite weather / Radio connected to my Raymarine systems I'm not looking forward to running the RCA cable from the helm to the radio head in the galley. Anyone done this? Tips?
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
 
West32 said:
Looking for Advice regarding the switches on the back deck
View attachment 96740

Has anyone devised a way to protect these switches from accidental bumps to turn them on? While out fishing, I bet I turn off the cockpit lights 10 times a trip because the crew bumps the switch while reeling or netting fish.
Just curious what others have done.

Also, what does everyone have on their list for winter projects?
For me, besides re-caulking and re-bedding a few areas, my only upgrade this year is XM Satellite weather / Radio connected to my Raymarine systems I'm not looking forward to running the RCA cable from the helm to the radio head in the galley. Anyone done this? Tips?
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Click to expand...
Absolutely agree with bumping into the switch happens to me all the time I was thinking of making two small brackets on the outer edges of the plate as a bump guard From aluminum but haven’t done enough research on it yet
 
Hello,

New to the forum and recently acquired a 1998 370 EC with Hardtop and Cat 3126 TA's. Have only completed the sea trial and really looking forward to the summer!

Looking for assistance regarding the original Clarion M5170. I have the user guide, but not the install guide. I am going to upgrade the head unit and want to make sure I get the connection correct. Does anyone have a copy of the install guide? Or a picture of the wiring diagram?

Thanks!
 
Tracvision TV mount,

I am thinking about installing a compact Tracvision Sat TV dome. I currently have a Furuno radar dome on my radar arch setting on a 5" forward leaning pedestal, I am intrigued about the best setup for our kind of boat to have the radar dome and the satTV dome in one integrated mounting unit. Anybody try this yet?

Thanks,
 
West32 said:
Has anyone found a solution to people bumping into the switches on the back of the boat? When we are out fishing, I am always turning off the cockpit lights or the bilge lights.

View attachment 101687

I found this online and was thinking about trying them.
https://www.iowa80.com/vehicle/univ...UAZVI_b9CsiJFHBqhjNLI6BXzpt9shOAaAozYEALw_wcB


View attachment 101688

Thoughts?

Let me know
Click to expand...
That’s not a bad idea I was thinking about fabricating some flat aluminum stock on the edges and in between the switches still kicking around what to do because I deal with the same thing
 
joeyleggz said:
How do those mount?
Click to expand...
+1 to that question. I've wanted to have something similar, I've had the Bilge light switch get bumped before and it drained my battery over a long weekend. I notice that your Bilge light switch is illuminated, mine isn't, so maybe that would be a good place to start for me anyway.

Seems like a low cost trial item if it's only $8.99 for a set of 3, if you go for it, let us know how it works.
 
Well, I ordered the rocker switch covers and they don't fit....

I'm going to try and see if I can find a piece of aluminum at the Surplus store and mount across the top of the switches. If it looks ok, I'll make it permanent. That way someone can lean against the switches and they'll hit the aluminum instead of the switches. I'll take a pic when I'm done if it works....
 
West32 said:
Has anyone found a solution to people bumping into the switches on the back of the boat? When we are out fishing, I am always turning off the cockpit lights or the bilge lights.

Let me know
Click to expand...

My 1997 370 EC has a factor Hatch Lock Out toggle on the dash. You need to hit that first before the hatch button on the transom is live. Assuming you don't have one of those...Why would they ever get rid of that feature?
 
Scottwind said:
Hello,

New to the forum and recently acquired a 1998 370 EC with Hardtop and Cat 3126 TA's. Have only completed the sea trial and really looking forward to the summer!

Looking for assistance regarding the original Clarion M5170. I have the user guide, but not the install guide. I am going to upgrade the head unit and want to make sure I get the connection correct. Does anyone have a copy of the install guide? Or a picture of the wiring diagram?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Was the boat in Jersey? Beautiful boat! I was looking at that one online for a bit. I just bought the one out of
Connecticut
.

What type of speeds are you getting with those Cats?
 
Hi Everyone,

Just picked up a 1997 370 EC with 454 MPI's (340 HP) Boat is in great shape with the normal gremlins for this age of boat.


What have people replaced the icemaker under the helm seat with? Just a door and more storage, or something more interesting? I like the Boat Outfitters tackle boxes as I had one on my last boat, but haven't found the right size yet.

Is there a DIY way to check the pressure of the Cruiseaire system? Mine is pretty noisy and I'm now getting a LO/PS errors on the panel. However, this could be due to the cold water in Mass I am currently in when running in heat mode.

With a new unit at $1900, to me, it doesn't make much sense to pay a service guy a few hundred to check/repair a 24 year old and still end up with a 24 year old unit... when I could just drop a new one in.

Lastly, anyone have a current vacuum bag that fits the Beam Canister vac? I found some very old ones in the boat, but can't seem to find any info on the.

Thanks for the help!
 
Katama7 said:
Was the boat in Jersey? Beautiful boat! I was looking at that one online for a bit. I just bought the one out of
Connecticut
.

What type of speeds are you getting with those Cats?
Click to expand...
Yes, I did buy it in NJ. Definitely happy with it so far, but have not had a chance to really get it out on big water to test speeds and efficiencies, etc. Heading for an overnight trip on the 15th so I will have a long run to determine best operating parameters.
 
Scottwind said:
Yes, I did buy it in NJ. Definitely happy with it so far, but have not had a chance to really get it out on big water to test speeds and efficiencies, etc. Heading for an overnight trip on the 15th so I will have a long run to determine best operating parameters.
Click to expand...

Thanks Man, Definitely post some numbers. Always love to see real-world numbers with different power packages. I just did a 130 mile run from CT to the Vineyard, but haven't filled the tanks back up to get some true economy numbers. Ran about 3500 RPM at 23-25 kts. Was fairly rough in sections.
 
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