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Paul, once you get to the fun stuff like upgrading your stereo, we can help make sure your yearly boat expenses don't taper off to abruptly

Have fun,

John

Brief update for our boating season. We are having an absolute blast. The Mrs truly loves the boat and we do a lot of entertaining on it. The folks we raft up with stay pretty close and we've not gone too far, but we've used in almost every weekend and sometimes during the week since the end of April. Super season so far. Here's a tech update:
GPS has been replaced, looks like a factory install. Its a Garmin 743 XSV
Oil pressure sensor failed on the port engine, my son and I replaced it. All good so far.
Watching some drops in the drive fluid on the starboard side, but so far this season I have used about 20 oz of gear oil, so not really worried, yet. That amount includes a top up of the port side.

For the winter season, my projects are new risers and manifolds- hopefully I won't need cats.
Stereo upgrade- we aren't audiophiles so just want something halfway decent.
Rear cushion upholstery needs replacement, and one or two other minor tears.
Fresh water pump tends to run, but we can't find any water leaking in the system.
Some fiberglass work on the swim platform and the prior owner must have used the flag pole as a hand hold- the fiberglass is a bit cracked around the pole mount.

So much great work! Thank you for taking us along on the journey!

My recently procured 302 had the fresh water pump that would not shut off. Checked system for leaks, found none. Figured the pressure switch failed on the pump. Swapped out the pump for a very reasonable one from Amazon, and all works perfectly now. Here’s the pump:

SEAFLO 42-Series Water Pressure Diaphragm Pump w/Variable Flow For Reduced Cycling - 12V, 3.0GPM, 55PSI https://a.co/d/17ZUU58

Good luck on your subsequent projects!

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Thanks, Kep5. That looks like a great solution. I just tend to turn the pump on when we need water, a real pain. I hate to leave the pump running. Must be the pressure switch, as there is no water in the bilge and the faucets and shower head on not leaking. Looks like an easy and inexpensive fix.

Paul,
Could you show pics of new Garmin unite in your dash? How was the install? I'm wanting to replace my now shorted out Garmin 640 and keep everything looking like factory install.
Thank you!
Greg

greiter wrote: Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:27 am Paul,
Could you show pics of new Garmin unite in your dash? How was the install? I'm wanting to replace my now shorted out Garmin 640 and keep everything looking like factory install.
Thank you!
Greg

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Hey greiter. So glad you found us.

Any Cobalt pics? We love them here.

And welcome aboard mate!

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greiter wrote: Thu Aug 18, 2022 8:27 am Paul,
Could you show pics of new Garmin unite in your dash? How was the install? I'm wanting to replace my now shorted out Garmin 640 and keep everything looking like factory install.
Thank you!
Greg

Greg- here you go. I had the same dead 640. I really did not want to cut up the dash and wanted to preserve the stitching on the black part. I hired someone to do the install, because I don't know the first thing about installing a GPS. Here are the pictures, hope they help.

Launched last week. Very choppy 10 mile run on the Long Island Sound back to home port. New risers, manifolds, gimbal bearings, bellows and swim platform bolts that were corroded. Plus a few coats of wax.The weather has been awful since the trip. Hopefully we can get a good run this weekend.
Still a few project, like the radio and fresh water pump. Looking forward to a fun season.

Beautiful pic P275.

Thanks. We've grown very attached to this boat.

Paul275, what did you use to clean up the rust stains inside the engine compartment on the hull floor?

johnh4uk wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:36 pm Paul275, what did you use to clean up the rust stains inside the engine compartment on the hull floor?

John- I wish I could tell you. The boat needed so much work when I bought it in late 2021 I hired lots of help. After risers and manifold work this past winter, my bilge is a pigsty again. Not sure that the stains were removed from the bilge cleaning I did last year. I will be down at the boat this weekend to check.

Paul275 wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:05 am I believe I got lucky and found this beautiful 2013 296, with twin Merc 377s, Axius joystick, club interior and teak package. 330 hours on the engines. She needs a good bit of work and I have a healthy list from the surveyor, but it's all easy stuff, hull and mechanicals are really solid. This boat feels really special and is finished nicely. Getting this boat up to top condition will keep me busy over the winter and will have me on the water in the spring.

First, congratulations on the new to you boat. Love that seating configuration. I know you've have yours awhile but I wanted to share that ---We are about to close on a 2009 296. (With joystick!) So we share your taste in boats.
Not trying to override your post here with what we're doing...just sharing the passion. You have some work on your hands it sounds like and I look forward to the updates! Really like your Garmin install / update.

lclifton wrote: Sat Aug 05, 2023 3:47 pm

Paul275 wrote: Sat Nov 13, 2021 11:05 am I believe I got lucky and found this beautiful 2013 296, with twin Merc 377s, Axius joystick, club interior and teak package. 330 hours on the engines. She needs a good bit of work and I have a healthy list from the surveyor, but it's all easy stuff, hull and mechanicals are really solid. This boat feels really special and is finished nicely. Getting this boat up to top condition will keep me busy over the winter and will have me on the water in the spring.

First, congratulations on the new to you boat. Love that seating configuration. I know you've have yours awhile but I wanted to share that ---We are about to close on a 2009 296. (With joystick!) So we share your taste in boats.
Not trying to override your post here with what we're doing...just sharing the passion. You have some work on your hands it sounds like and I look forward to the updates! Really like your Garmin install / update.

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So glad you found us ic…..

Be sure to post pics of you 296.

And welcome aboard mate!

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