Official 380 Thread

Wow, looking back at some of the listings now, this makes so much sense. What I thought were just different options are different boats!

Like reading with new glasses on, everything is much clearer now :) The hunt continues...

Thank you both.

Hi there. We have a 2003 380DA. One bit of advice is a bow thruster. Ours does not have one. Can you maneuver it without one? Sure, we do. But I’ll tell you, a good wind and the nose just falls off fast. You have to get good at anticipating it.

We have another friend who has 380 and they added the thruster (there are exact specs/blueprints out there to do this, I guess it WAS an option back in the day.)

Other than that, we love our boat.

And, TOTALLY agree on the curved versus the straight edges on the couches. I prefer the rounded edges, and IF you can find one, the light Interior wood (birch? Or blonde wood) feels SO much bigger inside than the darker wood ones. We had the choice between ours and a 2008 dark wood version, hands down, the blonde feels better. My 2 cents.

Happy boating!!
 
Hi there. We have a 2003 380DA. One bit of advice is a bow thruster. Ours does not have one. Can you maneuver it without one? Sure, we do. But I’ll tell you, a good wind and the nose just falls off fast. You have to get good at anticipating it.

We have another friend who has 380 and they added the thruster (there are exact specs/blueprints out there to do this, I guess it WAS an option back in the day.)

Added a bow thruster to my Beneteau 361 and was so happy I did. Got good at docking without it, but the knowledge it was there made all the difference. Allowed for single handed docking in tight slips.
Once I'm done with the engines and engine compartment cleanup, I'll start looking at a Side-Power SE-80 thruster with a 185mm tunnel. Not cheap, but the peace of mind is worth it, imo.
 
What is real life cruise range with the 20 yo 8.1 motors?
I have rebuilt 454 MAG MPI's and with a 1/3 total tank reserve, I always use 100 miles at 18mph as the safe range before fill up. I have cruised the Bahamas etc and the 100 miles is not an issue, my longest run is from Bimini to Chub Cay (about 90 miles)and with the 1/3 tank reserve its not an issue.
 
Any tips or tricks or must upgrade(more capacity/extra function/safety)? I did a search and nothing outside of individuals showing projects.
 
Hi there. We have a 2003 380DA. One bit of advice is a bow thruster. Ours does not have one. Can you maneuver it without one? Sure, we do. But I’ll tell you, a good wind and the nose just falls off fast. You have to get good at anticipating it.

We have another friend who has 380 and they added the thruster (there are exact specs/blueprints out there to do this, I guess it WAS an option back in the day.)

Other than that, we love our boat.

And, TOTALLY agree on the curved versus the straight edges on the couches. I prefer the rounded edges, and IF you can find one, the light Interior wood (birch? Or blonde wood) feels SO much bigger inside than the darker wood ones. We had the choice between ours and a 2008 dark wood version, hands down, the blonde feels better. My 2 cents.

Happy boating!!
Also have the '03 380 and when I purchased it I had the bow thruster added. Best 10K I ever spent as my slip is at a 45 degree angle to a 4 knot tide. However, when I am in more serene harbors the boat responds well as long as you run the RPM's around 800-850 and I don't need the thruster.
 
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We read the manual for the spotlight and it will not power up at all. What should I look at first for trouble shooting? I checked the "push" fuse (not sure what they are called) under the steering wheel, it was ok.
There is a control box, usually mounted up front near the spotlight in the anchor locker. Verify that there is power to the box. If there is power, the control box is probably bad. You can also remove the bulb(s) and see if there is power to the outlet when switched on. If yes, you need new bulbs.
 
Going to replace the Sealand Dometic Vacuflush system, while I have both CAT 3116 engines out of the boat.
It appears the original 42 Gallon assembly 42 HTS-VG is no longer available. Am I incorrect?
Found the Sealand holding tank system manual here.
There is a 40 gallon unit on Defender.com for $1400.
The reason for the replacement is the original owner had issues with the system which he was chasing. That, coupled with the age of the system and having the engines out, give a unique opportunity to just replace everything to baseline this boat.
501654.jpg
 
Have a diesel fuel tank question for the 380DA.
With both 3116's out of the boat, seems like an opportune time to check the diesel fuel tanks.
Apart from pressure testing (if I remember correctly it's about 2psi needed), are there any other tips or input?
The port and starboard aluminum tanks are over 20 years old. I doubt they've ever been cleaned or tested. Any had to remove or replace the tanks?
Posted this over on the 3116/3126 engine thread but wasn't sure if that's where it belonged.
 

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  • 2000 380DA Fuel tanks.pdf
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Does anyone know the LOA of a 2001 380. Most places say 42ft overall. I was just wondering if anyone has actually measured there's. I have a 40ft slip and they will probably let me keep it if the LOA is closer to 41ft.
 
41 ft.+ anchor
Boat is 38ft platform is 3ft
I have a 40 foot dock and if I bow all the way in the anchor hangs over the sea wall and About a foot of swim platform hangs out.
 

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