Custom work for 1988 302?

[jboffa5474]

I am in the process of buying a 1988 O'Day 302 and it has no bimini top and I figured before I go out to find a soft version I'd see about possibly getting a hard-top configured for it. I want to add solar panels and figured I'd kill two birds with a hard-top that could also house the panels.
If anyone has any input on this (incl. how you wired everything) I'd be very grateful.

Also, I'm looking to wire in power/cable for a flat-TV that I plan to mount on the port side bulkhead wall between main salon and v-berth. Would be interested to know if anyone else has done this and if so what was the easiest way to wire this in to the starboard side power panel.

Lastly, I'd love to hear how others have customized their 302's, so don't be shy and share the pics!

I live in NJ, but the boat is going to be docked / stored in W. Haverstraw, NY area in case that helps.

Thanks,
JB

 

[the_alpine]

Im in this same dilemma with my '87 302. Im thinking arch with integrated bimini. I can't commit to a hardtop, because I like to be able to put the bimini away in nice weather. I currently have a small (30w) panel mounted between the split in my backstays, but I NEED MORE POWER.

You're gonna love the 302. I'd recommend pimping your traveler with a line controlled system from Garhauer. Also - check those keel bolts.

If you ever figure out what the crazy empty space under the cutting board port of the sink and forward of the stove is for, Id love to know.

Do you have the manual? I have a digital version if you need it.

I'd skip the TV, those things rot your brain!

 

[jboffa5474]

Hey thanks for the reply and pointers. I'd be curious to see how you've mounted the panel between the backtay split. Have any pics to post (you can e-mail me direct at jonboffa@hotmail.com if that's easier...)?
I will surely have the keel bolts checked. Did you ever have issues with that or just get them tightened up each winterizing? To be honest, I don't even know where they are (I don't have the manual and it would be great if you could share that!), but I imagine they're either in the bilge area or under the boat. The TV may be necessary... kid's are 9 and 5 and those overnighters may be tough without a late night movie, and I need to see my NY Giants play while anchored on my private condo thru my 10/15 slip season!
Thanks again,
JB

 

[the_alpine]

Heres the manual.

As far as the keel bolts go. The previous owner of my boat faired around the hull/keel joint to add more strength. When I had the boat hauled I had the bolts checked with a torque wrench.

I've attached pics of the panel as well as a couple of the cockpit so you can compare some mods. Post up pics of yours when you can.

 

[the_alpine]

Just redid the sole on my 302. Used adhesive vinyl planking from lowes cut down to have somewhat of a teak and holly look. Total cost: $49. The stuff is very easy to cut, I just used a straight edge and scoring tool, then snap.

 

[Tom Potter]

Alpine, your floor looks great, did you find a vinyl plank in teak and holly at lowes?

 

[the_alpine]

Alpine, your floor looks great, did you find a vinyl plank in teak and holly at lowes?

No teak and holly panels. The dark parts are 6" x 48" vinyl planks that I split down the middle to 3" x 48". The lighter strips were originally 4" x 36" that I split into 1/2 inch strips.

Here's a link: vinyl planks.

 

[pfaffk]

I have seen several setups where that have a second Bimini Frame set up above the Bimini and have bolted the rigid solar panels to that second frame. I have also seen that there are new flexible solar panels which can lay right on top of the Bimini itself.

PS. I keep my Hunter 290 in the Haverstraw Marina, so welcome to the neighborhood.

 

[jboffa5474]

I have seen several setups where that have a second Bimini Frame set up above the Bimini and have bolted the rigid solar panels to that second frame. I have also seen that there are new flexible solar panels which can lay right on top of the Bimini itself.

PS. I keep my Hunter 290 in the Haverstraw Marina, so welcome to the neighborhood.

Thanks for the info and welcome. Unless there's another 290 I've seen your boat at the slip the other day when picking out mine. That boat was my other preference but couldn't wait any longer for one in our area and found this good deal on the O'Day. I'm going to be at Green 131. Hope the weather holds up for my sail up from Forked River tomorrow, overnight in Sandy Hk, then into the marina late Friday. see you around!

 

[Steve L22188]

If you ever figure out what the crazy empty space under the cutting board port of the sink and forward of the stove is for, Id love to know.

I, too, have a 1988 O'Day 302. The empty space under the cutting board is for a waste basket. Ours still has the wastebasket intact. But we never use it - it's easier to fill a trash bag tied to the hand holds at the companionway.

 

[jboffa5474]

O'Day 302 update...

Not much has happened since I purchased my 302 about a month or so ago, but my kids insisted I install the TV and DVD/Blu-Ray player for our overnights.

Now on to bigger and better things, like ridding the cabin of that porta-potty stench coming from the head, and the other stale odor coming from under starboard settee (possibly coming from bilge area or from the shower drain hoses?).
I pumped out the head holding tank, rinsed water in it and pumped out again, then used an entire 32 oz bottle of the blue stuff, and still there remains a smell... I read somewhere that it may not be from the holding tank but rather from the sea water settling in the inlet hose and that I should somehow flush white vinegar back through that (not sure how to do this), or unclamp the hose from the seacock inlet and put the hose in a bucket of white vinegar and pump into and out of the of head. I'm wondering if its also from the hoses in the cockpit lazarette, which do give off this smell, but it seems quite stronger in the head area itself.
As for under the starboard settee (where I slept above this past weekend), I'm thinking I just need to clean house under there and bleach / white vinegar the heck out of it, fan dry and reload the stuff and hope for the best.
I'd be curious to know if anyone else has these odor issues, and what you've done about them.
Thanks!

 

[Tom Potter]

Try your holding tank vent hose. Mine was old sticky and stinky. Once replaced things started smelling better.