- Joined
- Jan 31, 2005
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Thought I'd start a thread to let folks tell us what they've changed out, improved or key maintenance. Maybe we can share ideas and improve our rides.....
- Black circular pull latches (older 2002 282) to the chrome ones now stock. South Co. or a rep if you know one....
- All painted to stainless steel screws. It is a PIA, but replacing all screws with marine SS ones is something to consider. The factory screws rust over time.
- Lumitec light bar under gunnel. White and blue colors and tied into cockpit lights. Pretty easy upgrade and give you nice cockpit floor lighting.
- All bulbs to LED. Can find them on the net as direct replacements.
- LED navigation lights. Perko makes these. Much brighter and nicer.
- Blue LED bulbs in the circular Perko lights in the cockpit to match the LED bar.
- West Marine fan/heater for the cabin. This works great, relatively short money and no mildew or smell in the cabin.
- LED spreader lights. Much more efficient and brighter than the stock halogen.
- Stainless cup holders. The have both with drain holes for exterior ones and no-hole ones.
- Maint: Did the mid sections on both F250s this year. No more worrying. Also did oil pumps, internal anodes and a few other recommended things when in there.
- Maint: Zincs on the outboards - every 3 years minimum, don't forget the center one on the thruster if you have one.
- Maint: Good bilge spray with Zep mildew cleaner and washdown in spring before commissioning. Let it all drain out the garboard plug. Once you do this, each year it is just a quick touch up.
- Maint: Stock refrigerator parts are avail on line. Replaced the plastic door pieces when my kids broke the tabs. Extra ice cube holder.
- Maint: Thruster parts avail on line. I had an issue - only worked one way. The part was easy to install and sidepower was great with tech support.
- Maint: Generator starter went after 7 seasons. Parts on line and Fischer Pander was great. Mark bolts for each hole. One is longer than others and if installed in the wrong location, you can have big problems.
- Screw in inspection plates. Beckson Marine has the exact color and provides the pop out ones to GW. Consider these in your euro transom. Just a nice added safety feature. Beckson also sells the O-Rings if you need.
- Drawer liners. Got some nice thin rubber for the tackle drawers sole. Easier to keep clean and mitigates rattling.
- Maint: When doing anything always check for exposed glass or wood. Seal with 5200 if found.
- Maint: Rubber J springs on the rod holders. The J hook ends and hard mounted clips can be found online or at any kayak shop. The J hook is just a compression fitting, so these can easily be replaced saving the existing rubber bungee material.
- Maint: Seal around aft euro transom. Back out screws, seal and re-drive.
- Maint: Went right over the Yamaha ribbed rigging tube with a canvas sleeve that zipped up. Looks ok - not as nice as the stock tubing, but I didn't want to undo everything for this in the spring. Maybe over the fall....
Can't recall all, but enough to get things started.
- Black circular pull latches (older 2002 282) to the chrome ones now stock. South Co. or a rep if you know one....
- All painted to stainless steel screws. It is a PIA, but replacing all screws with marine SS ones is something to consider. The factory screws rust over time.
- Lumitec light bar under gunnel. White and blue colors and tied into cockpit lights. Pretty easy upgrade and give you nice cockpit floor lighting.
- All bulbs to LED. Can find them on the net as direct replacements.
- LED navigation lights. Perko makes these. Much brighter and nicer.
- Blue LED bulbs in the circular Perko lights in the cockpit to match the LED bar.
- West Marine fan/heater for the cabin. This works great, relatively short money and no mildew or smell in the cabin.
- LED spreader lights. Much more efficient and brighter than the stock halogen.
- Stainless cup holders. The have both with drain holes for exterior ones and no-hole ones.
- Maint: Did the mid sections on both F250s this year. No more worrying. Also did oil pumps, internal anodes and a few other recommended things when in there.
- Maint: Zincs on the outboards - every 3 years minimum, don't forget the center one on the thruster if you have one.
- Maint: Good bilge spray with Zep mildew cleaner and washdown in spring before commissioning. Let it all drain out the garboard plug. Once you do this, each year it is just a quick touch up.
- Maint: Stock refrigerator parts are avail on line. Replaced the plastic door pieces when my kids broke the tabs. Extra ice cube holder.
- Maint: Thruster parts avail on line. I had an issue - only worked one way. The part was easy to install and sidepower was great with tech support.
- Maint: Generator starter went after 7 seasons. Parts on line and Fischer Pander was great. Mark bolts for each hole. One is longer than others and if installed in the wrong location, you can have big problems.
- Screw in inspection plates. Beckson Marine has the exact color and provides the pop out ones to GW. Consider these in your euro transom. Just a nice added safety feature. Beckson also sells the O-Rings if you need.
- Drawer liners. Got some nice thin rubber for the tackle drawers sole. Easier to keep clean and mitigates rattling.
- Maint: When doing anything always check for exposed glass or wood. Seal with 5200 if found.
- Maint: Rubber J springs on the rod holders. The J hook ends and hard mounted clips can be found online or at any kayak shop. The J hook is just a compression fitting, so these can easily be replaced saving the existing rubber bungee material.
- Maint: Seal around aft euro transom. Back out screws, seal and re-drive.
- Maint: Went right over the Yamaha ribbed rigging tube with a canvas sleeve that zipped up. Looks ok - not as nice as the stock tubing, but I didn't want to undo everything for this in the spring. Maybe over the fall....
Can't recall all, but enough to get things started.
