410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

I hate to admit it...but the season is quickly ending for us northerners. So what does everyone have planned for their rigs for this upcoming off season?

I'm looking forward to an easier wax process this year. I spent the entire season compounding, polishing and waxing last year. I got nothing else done on my boat. This year I plan to only wax below the rub rail and only polish/wax above. This should me save a whole lotta time. Time to do what? Hmmm....

  1. I'm strongly considering installing wood floor this winter. After seeing how great some of you guys have made it look, I'm nearly convinced it's worth the effort. For the money (DIY) it's probably hard to beat this project in terms of updating the look of the interior.
  2. I may bite the bullet and replace my cabin fridge. My '97 Norcold is still running...but on borrowed time.
  3. I may also change out my salon AC unit. Still running, still cold, but getting louder each season.

I probably won't do all three, maybe two. We shall see how the winter progresses.

So how about you guys?

This is my exact BIG item list, with the fridge being the first priority. Unfortunately, I already did the AC unit when it failed this year.
 
Can you guys please stop talking about Fridges and A/C units. Mine are all original and I'm knocking on wood every time I think about them. I'm not sure what I'll get her this off season since I got her new lighted arch emblems and a stainless steel Lewmar anchor already. She already knows that she going to get wheeled out in the spring, as I have that done every year. I just don't have the knack for it to do it myself. I might pull the trigger on the Fox Gateways. I've told myself for 3 years straight that I was going to do that, but haven't done it yet.
I scheduled my haul out date last weekend for Oct. 17th.:(:(:(
 
Can you guys please stop talking about Fridges and A/C units. Mine are all original and I'm knocking on wood every time I think about them. I'm not sure what I'll get her this off season since I got her new lighted arch emblems and a stainless steel Lewmar anchor already. She already knows that she going to get wheeled out in the spring, as I have that done every year. I just don't have the knack for it to do it myself. I might pull the trigger on the Fox Gateways. I've told myself for 3 years straight that I was going to do that, but haven't done it yet.
I scheduled my haul out date last weekend for Oct. 17th.:(:(:(

I keep knocking on wood too. But with my luck if I don't replace these things proactively I'll be the guy to lose a fridge/AC on my one big trip for the summer. That's generally how my luck works out...
 
I keep knocking on wood too. But with my luck if I don't replace these things proactively I'll be the guy to lose a fridge/AC on my one big trip for the summer. That's generally how my luck works out...

exactly my thought. We're likely to be on a 2+ week trip, with two kids under 5, a full freezer, and it'll die
 
Aside from the usual polish and sealant...

This winter I have a few upgrades planned:
-Pull props and have them looked at by Holland Propeller - I am seeing some cavitation burn by the prop hub and I still can hear a little harmonic vibration when running through some bigger waves or as the boat pitches.
-3 Lumitec RGB underwater lights
-Replace arch lighting with dimmable 4 color lights, I made the mistake of ordering the non dimmable lighting and its borderline unusable its so bright at the moment.
-Tunnel tabs for sure.
-Light scuff on the waterline and hull side paint and re-coat with a new coat of VC-17.
 
Aside from the usual polish and sealant...

This winter I have a few upgrades planned:
-Pull props and have them looked at by Holland Propeller - I am seeing some cavitation burn by the prop hub and I still can hear a little harmonic vibration when running through some bigger waves or as the boat pitches.
-3 Lumitec RGB underwater lights
-Replace arch lighting with dimmable 4 color lights, I made the mistake of ordering the non dimmable lighting and its borderline unusable its so bright at the moment.
-Tunnel tabs for sure.
-Light scuff on the waterline and hull side paint and re-coat with a new coat of VC-17.

Go with the Lumitec arch lights as well. I tries about 3 different cheap asz Chinese options and they all sucked.

I added 2 Shadoow RGBW in the arch (plug and play, match current holes), but the really nice touch was 2 Mini Rail 2's that I hung from the camper top rear arch to even out the light in the back of the cockpit. All are connected on the same switch on the dash, and do a great job for accent lighting or if loading/unloading in the dark, I turn on full blast in white and its like stadium lights. Makes it super easy to see everything.
 
Go with the Lumitec arch lights as well. I tries about 3 different cheap asz Chinese options and they all sucked.

I added 2 Shadoow RGBW in the arch (plug and play, match current holes), but the really nice touch was 2 Mini Rail 2's that I hung from the camper top rear arch to even out the light in the back of the cockpit. All are connected on the same switch on the dash, and do a great job for accent lighting or if loading/unloading in the dark, I turn on full blast in white and its like stadium lights. Makes it super easy to see everything.


That is what I currently have, but the non dimmable 4 color version. WAY too bright. The rail lights are a great idea, I have a camper as well and I'm sure I can find a good way to run some wires back there!
 
That is what I currently have, but the non dimmable 4 color version. WAY too bright. The rail lights are a great idea, I have a camper as well and I'm sure I can find a good way to run some wires back there!
I have the dimmable RGBW versions, and I think dimming is a must have. I probably run them about 30% and still plenty bright. Like I said full on is like stadium lighting. Great for boarding, but once out on the water would be unbearably bright.

Here a picture of my “mock up” that I haven’t found time to pretty up and make permanent. I just spliced into the wire for the two in the arch and ran the wire out of the arch and strung it along the port camper support. Works good, lasts long.

see page 2–> http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/switching-arch-lights-to-led.104684/page-2

My 4th of July Red White and Blue color scheme

9C5B017D-A133-4E01-9DD4-85CF7FCF7ACE.jpeg
 
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I installed the gateways earlier this season and love them.really helped with knowing the “sweet spot” for our fuel usage.
We will be out this weekend as I’m sure you guys will be too
Can you guys please stop talking about Fridges and A/C units. Mine are all original and I'm knocking on wood every time I think about them. I'm not sure what I'll get her this off season since I got her new lighted arch emblems and a stainless steel Lewmar anchor already. She already knows that she going to get wheeled out in the spring, as I have that done every year. I just don't have the knack for it to do it myself. I might pull the trigger on the Fox Gateways. I've told myself for 3 years straight that I was going to do that, but haven't done it yet.
I scheduled my haul out date last weekend for Oct. 17th.:(:(:(
 
I installed the gateways earlier this season and love them.really helped with knowing the “sweet spot” for our fuel usage.
We will be out this weekend as I’m sure you guys will be too

I didn't realize you put the Gateways on yours. We'll definitely be out Friday night. I'll try to find you and get some ideas. Thanks
 
1. The normal maintenance stuff in the spring.
2. I had a fiberglass hatch redone this summer and they messed up the seadek. I finished the fiberglass job after he effed me for 6-8 weeks and he never collected.
3. I think I'm switching to all chain on my anchor. I'm sick and tired of the windlass jamming on the braided line. It's been a huge thorn in my side.
4. Maybe add an additional sub to my stereo system.
5. Will get the boat buffed out again. This year the guy who has done it in the past had both diesel engines fail in the spring. His trucks were down for 6 weeks or more and he never got around to doing my job. It wasn't bad to begin with, so I never pushed the envelope.
 
Tell me this doesn’t look like a box of fun!?

View attachment 133931

It is actually not as bad as you might think if you have semi-convenient access...couple things....grease up the duckbills good with some silicone grease and when you put the nipples and piping back together, only go hand tight. Do not use a pair of channel locks! I have done both of mine and the hardest part was getting the o-ring around the bellows to stay in place. Here again, use grease to help hold it.

Bennett
 
It is actually not as bad as you might think if you have semi-convenient access...couple things....grease up the duckbills good with some silicone grease and when you put the nipples and piping back together, only go hand tight. Do not use a pair of channel locks! I have done both of mine and the hardest part was getting the o-ring around the bellows to stay in place. Here again, use grease to help hold it.

Bennett

thanks! My experience was the same. The process itself won’t be bad as I’m removing both of the vacuum generators once we haul the boat to do the job. That will include a complete clean of the generator tank and new hoses from head back.
 
Cant reiterate what Bennett said enough...HAND tight only!!! I've spent a lot of time and money to learn that lesson the hard way.
 

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