If you had to rank your boat upgrades - what would be your top two or three???

Several boat bucks over the past few seasons...
Prealpha outdrive to B2 and 5.7 Vortec.
Custom aluminum work includes (larger) swim platform, radar arch and 3 pc engine covers.
Tandem aluminum trailer with EH disc brakes (if that counts).
Full remote controls to kicker including steering.
Electric Scotty downriggers and trap puller.
Lowrance chartplotter.

-20 C this weekend. Can't wait to get her unthawed and back in the water.
 
Hey @TNT8808 - we are also thinking of doing our swim platform and cockpit in PlasDeck. How is it holding up? Any stains or fading? Any heat issues?


We did the plas deck last year and love it. I agree the natural is the way to go.
IMG_3211 (1).jpg
IMG_3213.jpg
 
I have to add a new "top upgrade" to my list today. I have another thread going on this but it definitely belongs here too.

Today I finished the project of adding new emblems and letters on my arch. For the money I am really pleased with the way it looks.

33574900158_1290235ea1_c.jpg



I also added another slick, cheap upgrade today. The Fusion "stick-on" remote. I've got my first one installed by my cockpit sink and it works flawlessly. I plan to add a second at the helm as well.

https://www.boemarine.com/fusion-ms-arx70w-ant-wireless-stereo-remote-white.html
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
Looks good. Did the old logo come off with fishing line and a heat gun?
 
View attachment 66847 Looks good. Did the old logo come off with fishing line and a heat gun?

Thank you! I used one of those credit card sized plastic blades they send with vinyl decals to remove the old ones. No heat required. I just pried from one end to the point that it popped. Very straight forward. The glue left behind took some time to clean but nothing a half bottle of goo-gone coldn't handle.
 
We picked up a 1990 310 Sundancer August of 2018.
1. Fixed the bow spot light (stuck in one position)
2. Black water holding tank level indicator (fixed the electronic board).
3. Intermittent starting issue with starboard engine. New slave relay.
4. Leaking tilt/trim cylinder (needed new seals)
5. Bilge pump (one of the two was running, not pumping).
6. Buff/wax/buff/polish etc...………...

Things we'd love to do.
1. Replace the 90's carpet in the cabin, go to a laminate of some type.
2. Repair the tilt/trim indicators on the outdrives
3. Replace the headliner in the cabin (dirty and stained), need to figure out how that comes out. Also need to re-upholster the cushions in the cabin.
4. Steering actuator leaked all the oil out. I have new, need to get new hoses made as the new unit has different size connections.
5. Add some traction to the cockpit, PO removed the snaps for the carpet. Need to find something so the dog can walk.
 
I'm sure a lot of us like to tinker almost as much as we like to boat. It's a disease...

Lots of folks have upgraded flooring, TV's, stereos, electronics, dinghy's, etc and so on. So which are your favorites? Which enhancements have given you the most satisfaction (we're talking about boat upgrades only :smt001)?


As I enter my third season with our 340 I think I'd say the following:

1.) Stereo upgrade - we are listening to our favorite music just about anytime we are on or near the boat. I couldn't be happier with this investment.

2.) Dashboard "touchup" - I still have some work to do here but last year I painted all of my sun covers and removed/replaced an Atari era fishfinder with a remote for the stereo and a new backing plate. Eventually I need to replace the burled panels and will likely use some wood to dress up the rest of it when I replace my VHF.

3.) I think this year I'm going to have a tie between the bunk I built so I can sleep three kids in the aft cabin and the dinghy I bought. I'm pretty excited about the convenience each of these are going to add to the 2017 boating season.

Future Ranking.) I'll be replacing my cockpit sink and faucet with SS this spring, maybe wood flooring in the cabin this summer...then I should be ready to sell her. ha.


So let's see your lists!!!
Love the concept of bunks in the aft cabin. Would you post some pics please?
 
As promised here are some photos of the bunk I added to my 400. I finally got it installed last night. I initially built the bunk with a fair amount of "hoping and wishing" it would fit through the door in one piece. Of course...it's a boat project....it did not fit through in one piece. I added the hing and some supports on the inside over the past two weekends. Fits like a charm and is a substantial improvement over my "Bunk 1.0" since this one does not have a center support.

I crawled up on it last night. I could easily sleep on this thing. Lots of room for growing kids! I can also sleep under it, on my side, with no problem. A bit less room underneath than my 340 but should work perfectly even if we have guests overnight.

I used leftover EVA foam from my swim platform project to protect the vinyl where the wood meets the boat cushions and walls. That's the only reason you see the gray bits stuck on. Otherwise it's all cheap lumber and leftover wood stain...a cheap project.


47802898452_e38ec581a8_b.jpg


46938754345_234454be37_b.jpg


47802896632_ef4ea45947_b.jpg


40888391703_2fb2e2d881_b.jpg
 
Looks great! Sea Ray must have intended the Sundancers for couples only.
 
Looks great! Sea Ray must have intended the Sundancers for couples only.

Hah...nah, I tend to think (like the rest of the world) they designed for families with two kids only. Three kids just makes everything more challenging.

Now if you want to talk Tiara - there is a line of boats really made for couples only!
 
Hah...nah, I tend to think (like the rest of the world) they designed for families with two kids only. Three kids just makes everything more challenging.

Now if you want to talk Tiara - there is a line of boats really made for couples only!


Haha! I think I know what line you are referring too.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,818
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top