Fixing stuff yer self is rewarding

[Carcare]

Hi fellow boat lovers ! Picked up a 1984 3207 with 270 Crusaders. She was dirty and sad, second owner had her two years as her first boat, but was scared to drive it. I saw under the dirt and stole it $16,000 Canadian ! Drove her home 70kms across Georgian bay in 6ft rollers topped with white caps, handled and ran beautifully. Been spending lots of time with her and she's feeling a lot better. Scrubber her down, bilge to the bridge. Most everything works, must have tightened 400 screws. Flushed out the water system, put in two 27 series deep cells in new boxes and strapped them down. She's almost ready for our first overnighter.

Cheers everyone

[RGrew176]

Hope you have many good times aboard. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal.

[Carcare]

I'd post a pic if I knew how

[RGrew176]

This is the site I use to post my pics.

http://tinypic.com/index.php

[RGrew176]

Fixing stuff oneself has its benefits. You save labor costs for sure. Last year when I purchased my 3007 the onboard freshwater system pump had failed. I ordered a new pump and they wanted to charge me $400 to install the pump. After doing it myself I think I know why. It was a pain in the you know what to install. It took me most of an afternoon but I got it done.

This year my seawater pump on my A/C system failed. I once again ordered the new pump and I decided to do the install myself. This one took about 4 hours once again working in cramped quarters but I got it done..

This season I also installed a new VHF and VHF antenna. I also installed a new GPS. I had a fuel gauge not working on the starboard tank. I managed to fix that issue too.

My port side transmission is locked in forward. That is something I will leave to the pros. I hope to line up someone to do that job in the spring. Currently I am using the boat as a dockominium. Seasons almost over here in Michigan and I just finished up with all the expenses from my daughters wedding this past weekend. That had to come first ahead of the transmission repair. Weddings done so now I can think of getting the tranny done.

[Carcare]

Yes, saving the labor cost is great. I plan on replacing both heads in the spring with Jabsco manual units. The ones on the boat work but the pumps leak a bit. A complete new head is only $200 each. Easy to install I'll add charcoal filters to the vent lines so I'm not a stink pot. Need to do some canvas work on the bridge, I'll leave that to the pros.

[g36]

Congrats I hope you have many great times with her.
I know you mentioned 2 new group 27 batteries not sure if these are for house bank but they could easily be used up in a overnighter if your not careful it might be wise to look into expanding your house bank in the future depending on your usage ,if you have a 12v fridge for sure

[Carcare]

The two 27 deep cells are for the house only. I have a cranking battery for the engines and one for the genny. The fridge sucks power for sure. Thinking of replacing the fridge with a more efficient new one.

[g36]

Golf cart batteries are great for house banks

[waybomb]

If you can fix things, you can fix sunbrella as well.

Pick up a used Husqvarna Viking 6400 series portable walking foot sewing machine and have at it. Use teflon thread

When we bought our 3697, there was nothing there. Bought a book and enclosure kit (clamps and such), read the book, and made the entire enclosure ourselves. Check the pix out in my album below. It's easy!