Just Bought a 342 Today!

buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
edited May 2015 in Generator Discussions
I just bought a 2004 342 FV today, i am so excited. We looked at every boat between 32 and 35, previous Sea Ray owner and swore i would buy a Sea Ray... until i stepped onto a Rinker 342. We have the Merc's so no worry about the outdrives... Any initial advice on things to look for at sea trial? Looking forward to meeting people on here, sorry in advance for the questions i may have. 
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  • CPSMARINECPSMARINE Member Posts: 24 ✭✭
    How many hours?
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,059 mod
    If you have Merc 350s with Bravo 3, you can check the health of the engines, drives, props, trim tabs and bottom paint by checking cruise speed, top speed and minimum planing speed.

    To launch, trim the outdrives all the way down, and put the trim tabs all the way down ("bow down"), then go full throttle.  Once you get on plane, back off the throttle.  Put both trim tabs all the way up, then put them back down just a little -- hold the button for less than a second.  Then trim the outdrives up until you hear the engine speed rise slightly (2-3 seconds).  That should get you pretty close to proper trim. 

    At that setting, you should be able to cruise comfortably anywhere between 27 and 35 mph.  

    At wide-open throttle, you should hit at least 40 mph.  

    Then check the minimum speed the boat will stay on plane.  Trim the outdrives all the way down, and put both trim tabs all the way down.  You should be able to stay on plane down to about 15 or 17 mph.

    When cruising, make sure the boat is level side-to-side.  If not, it could mean the outdrive trim and/or trim tabs have a problem.  

    Also, check the effort required to shift into and out of gear, i.e. how hard do you have to push the levers.  Sometimes the shift cables get pretty stiff.
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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    Thank you LaRea. Any other areas I should pay attention to please let me know. 
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  • StodgeStodge Member Posts: 2,738 ✭✭✭✭
    Congrats!! We got ours last season and love it.  

    Best of luck with yours.

    2002 FV 342 on Lake St. Clair - Past Commodore SHC - Vessel Examiner USCGAUX

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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    Thank you Stodge!
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  • luckydogluckydog Member Posts: 316 ✭✭✭
    congratulations on your new boat, now the fun starts  
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Member Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congrats on the new boat. I always liked the layout of the 342. Very nice boat.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • golfdoggolfdog Member Posts: 151 ✭✭✭
    Congratulations have fun and enjoy!
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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    Thank you!
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  • MarkBMarkB Member Posts: 4,007 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congratulations. 

    Boat Name: King Kong

    "Boat + Water = Fun"

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  • craigswardmtbcraigswardmtb Member Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭
    Congrats. You chose one of the best boats Rinker ever made!
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  • raybo3raybo3 Administrator Posts: 5,614 admin
    Congrats.... I am sure you love your Rinker........
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    Congrats!!  the 342 is a great boat!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    Thank you everyone. Anyone here in the Atlantic City NJ area?
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Did you look in Maryland before you bought your boat or did you just look around you? 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    edited May 2015
    Handy, he didn't look in MD cause I have a good buddy with an exceptionally clean 342 in my marina, turn-key mint condition that I've personally worked on for a good price ready to be sold!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    I did look in MD but wanted 2004 or newer, had a deal made on one in MD but found it had the composite outdrives, passed. 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ahhhh
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    Makes sense.  My buddies is a 2003, so that wouldn't have fit your bill.  But I'm pulling a bit on Handy cause he has a 342 up for sale as well!  Well, once you get the hang of your new ride, bring her down in July for the Rinker Rendezous raft-up in the northern part of the Chesapeake!  We have a 400 that comes down from the Longport area each year.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    DI, keeping mine as I will be in FL soon and that trip around the keys with my economical package will be sweet. 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    Handy, that is great!  What part of FL are you going to live in?  Are you going to ride her down on the ICW or trailer?  That'd be a great ride down!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • JC290JC290 Member Posts: 706 ✭✭✭
    Take a year with those diesels lol 
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Cape Coral, Ft Myers, **** Gorda are my main search areas. 
    JC, you aint right man. 
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  • JC290JC290 Member Posts: 706 ✭✭✭
    Now you knew some one was gonna say it lmao 
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod
    ah, my father lived in cape coral for about 10 years and now lives in **** gorda.  Nice areas for sure!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    JC, may take me a year but I will still have half a tank left! LMAO
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  • JC290JC290 Member Posts: 706 ✭✭✭
    You just go slow to enjoy the sites 
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  • buggyjdavbuggyjdav Member Posts: 134 ✭✭
    The the Rinker Rendezous sounds like a great time. Are there details online or can you send them?
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,919 mod

    Here are where the details are:

    http://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/3191/2015-chesapeake-rinker-rendezvous#latest

    This will be the 10th annual and I have a good feeling there will be more Rinkers than any year we've had yet!

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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