420 DA Thread

Ok, I have one more question to ask the forum......I have a small tear along a seam in the cockpit back cushion (up around shoulder height) when sitting. I've taken out the seat cushion zillions of times, but never taken off the long seat back cushion. Can someone tell me how it comes off?

 

I am 90% sure there are a combination of thru bolts into the transom locker and Christmas tree fasteners. Look in the locker and if you do not see any small nuts/bolt ends, they may be all Christmas tree fasterners. There are also a couple of tabs on the bottom side that are screwed in.

Bennett

 

Hello Nick- my top step is loose and I thought it was secured with screws. Did you take your step off and can you give me any advice on how to tighten the step? It seems like I might be able to fit short shims (less than 1” long) in the front of the step but not sure if that is the best solution

 

Anybody know how to access the spring loaded coil that the skylight shade in the salon retracts in to?

I have to pull and retract it a dozen time to get it fully retract.

 

I have removed the one in the MSR in a 260DA and increased the spring tension. They are made by OceanAire I believe. the one I removed had screws in the 4 corners. How to remove these, no clue.

Bennett

 

Remove all the cushions….. then look under the back rest and you will see a number of screws to remove …… then lift the back rest straight up as there are bolts….. which are doubling as pins (no nuts) thru the transom to hold it in place

 

There are covers in each corner hiding a screw. Either do this on your back holding one side with your feet or get another set of hands to help.

 

Maybe it's the same process, but I think he's asking about the salon skylight shade??

 

It likely is the same process, but he will catch hell holding that one with his feet unless he stands on his head!!

Bennett

 

My bad, didn't look closely at the picture and forgot about that shade. Definitely need extra hands for that one.

 

Something that’s been in my brain lately….I hate how the sound of running the generator wrecks the peace when I am out on the moorings at Catalina Island for the weekend.

Could a support be designed for the rear area of the boat that I could pop up after arriving to the Island and then be topped with portable solar panels instead of Sunbrella so that I could kill two birds with one stone: 1) be shaded over the rear cockpit table and 2) generate enough watts via the solar panels to a power bank/solar generator to not have to fire up the noisy generator all weekend?

Here are some examples of the portable solar panels I was eyeing:

https://www.jackery.com/products/solarsaga-200w-solar-panel

https://www.bluettipower.com/products/bluetti-pv120-120w-solar-panel

https://www.goalzero.com/collections/portable-solar-panels/products/nomad-100-solar-panel

Has anybody else contemplated this?

 

Interesting question…I just happen to be anchored out in a beautiful lagoon right now miles from anything. I’ve got my 2 AC systems on and fridges/freezer keeping a lot of food cold (porterhouse for dinner tonight) with my generator making it all possible…..not to mention charging the very smartphone I’m responding on right now. Can a 200 watt solar panel ever do all this?

 

Definitely not… Especially not the AC. Do you run your AC 24/7 when you are out on the hook? It may be the climate that I am in but I seldom run the AC.

When I am out at the island I really just need power output to keep the fridges running, the lighting, the head, keeping the batteries charged, running the TV and stereo, and making my morning coffee, plug occasional microwave use. I would also need to measure out to see how many solar panels would fit? It may be more than 200W worth. The idea of the power bank is that during those times when I am not using the heavy load equipment that the panel would be charging up the battery higher so that there is some capacity and reserves for those times that I need to run a heavier appliance.

 

I understand…here in NJ it tends to be hot and humid in our summer boating season. We also do tons of on board entertaining so our AC, microwave, stove and fridges get a good workout while at anchor

 

I have a 2004 420 Sundancer. I have noticed that when I am standing next to the sink in the cockpit and someone flushes the toilet in the master head I can smell odor. I looked at the pump and don't see any signs of leaking. Is it possible that the o-rings or the bellows in the pump are worn out and should I rebuild the pump? Is it possible the odor is coming from the pump or am I looking at replacing the sanitation hose?

 

my first guess is the charcoal filter to the vent is the problem....recharge or replace that first

 

I replaced that in June. The duckbills were replaced last season. I started using Noflex this season.

 

I would definitely be suspect of the vent filter and replace it again. Sometimes they will fail if either not properly installed or if it got saturated from overfill.

 

That is easy to replace, I will start there.

 

If you are holding vacuum pressure then I wouldnt suspect anything wrong with the pumps. You could go into the bildge and flush the toilet to double check ......or stand near the vent as well.

I had a bunch of people on the boat at a transient dock...and I was smelling the same problem and thought my filter was messed up......soon as the guy on the boat beside me left ...my problem was fixed