Well, I am the owner of a 2003 312 FV.

Aprice

So, after checking out a few 320's, 312's and 342's I surveyed a 2003 312 FV that came from Cleveland on trade to Hideaway Yacht sales in Harrison Twp., Michigan. It its clean! Has twin mercs 5.0 and bravo 3 drives. Factory bow thruster, Generator, central vac, heat /ac. I am excited and nervous as I think of all the tinkering I have in my future to make her mine. My 270 is staying local and will be out on Lake St. Clair. The new owner should be registering with us soon. I will post some pics. I wonder if anyone knows this boat from the Cleveland area? Ohio Registration number still on for now and formally know as "just chillin".

I will be keeping an eye out for a cockpit cover, new radio and wired remotes as it has a west marine head unit and the Kenwood remotes and dich changer that dont function with the West Marine unit. 

Also who has ideas on how to close up the top of the fender opening and where the aft curtain come down( check out the picture of the rear transome bench seat and notice the opening)? I forsee a billion spiders finding their way in through there. 


Thanks in advance for any insight, suggestions, thoughts and ideas. 

howardrams

Sharp looking boat.  Love that bow thruster from factory!

Lake_Bum

Very nice looking boat!  I would sew a screen mesh on there, to block the bugs.  Something simple like from a screen door for a temporary, and find something that would look cosmetically later.  Those openings definitely let some moisture in too! 

Liberty44140

Congrats! Nice boat. My 310 had those openings at the top of the fender rack. The truth is that along with those openings there are about a million more on and around the cover so your only real spider defense is ortho home defense from Home Depot. 

J3ff

Very nice! I see three wood tables in your future! 

reneechris14

Congratulations,that's a nice up grade. 

Stodge

Very nice!  But why would you want to cover/fill the fender wells?  I was not a big fan at first, but it's a great place to keep the fenders out of the way.

BTW, we just ordered a mooring cover from Kent Sail, just South of Hideaway.

Let me know when you're ready for your vessel safety check.  See you on the water!

Ian

Nice, close to our 2003 FV310. As Liberty says, close them up and they'll come in through other openings. The holder is good to have but the water than gathers there with a bit of dust doesn't always drain out is a continual task keeping clean - as is a boat! Ideally a canvas over this altogether would be the best solution.

Dream_Inn

Very nice!  Reminds me of my old 2002 310!

Hawk600

Very nice boat. I actually looked at that boat about a week ago at Hideaway!

JLAS

 What a nice idea to have a table on the semi-U-shape seating arrangement.  I  was actually thinking about doing the same thing, but wondering on the table mount.  Surface versus flash-mount.  I like more the second option... 
Since you have the flash- table mount, could tell me if you can see a difference on the aft-cabin pad?  Is it noticeable? Does it leak? Thanks in advance!!!

rasbury

super sharp, congrats! How the heck do they get that engine bay so clean? I'm so afraid to do any real cleaning down there for fear of shorting something out....also, how the heck do you sleep on the aft birth? I have always wondered that....

Handymans342

Does it have a separate standup shower? I couldnt tell from the pics 

trip_n

very nice @Aprice.....going to be a fun summer

Ian

On our 310 there is no the raised floor for the port side U shape so if I put a mount in here it will protrude below. Aft birth is full size, plenty of room for sleeping. And my engine bay is that clean too. Head sink has a pull out flexible spout and I hang from a sucker in the bulkhead for showers.

frodo13056

Congrats on the new boat! I added the second dinette table to the u-seating years ago and used the Sequoia flush mount base and post - works great:
http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=79554

Also, we had a thread a few years back on here about "custom" stuff we have done to our boats. I posted a bunch of things that I've done on my 2008 320 and the same ideas would be applicable to your 312:

https://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/2022/miscellaneous-custom-ideas-on-my-320#latest

JLAS

@frodo13056, I was also looking at this table mount, as I did not think i could put a flash one.  I do have a question, though.  Do the screws go through the fiberglass with the potential to show up in the aft cabin? Is that the 5 or 7" base? Please feel free to answer here or PM, as I don't want to be the one guilty for changing topics.
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!   

wm61356

Congrats on the new boat! I have a 2009 320 which is basically the same size and layout of your 312. I have been very happy with my boat and predict that you will be very happy with yours as well. You may not recall, but we met at MacRay last summer. If you are still there this year look me up. I was on Spindrift but moved this year to Faircloth row. See you on the water this summer!

Stodge

@wm61356 I need to wander in there with the little boat and say hi to folks.  

frodo13056

@JLAS - I bought the 7" stainless mount for my setup. Initially, I drilled a small diameter hole about 1/2 the length of the screws and verified that it did not go through the fiberglass and into the overhead of the aft cabin - then went a bit deeper and checked until I was sure that the screw length would not go through. I also used some 3M 3200 to bed the plate screws. 

JLAS

Thanks, Frodo. This helps!

wm61356

@Stodge - C'mon by any time. We've met before as well. I was down the row from you when your boat was on Spindrift.

Aprice

Yes. @wm61356 I remember. We have the same spot and love it there.  Why the move?
@Stodge -come on down..I am 3 from the the end of Spindrift (west side row) look for "the price is right. 

Stodge

@wm61356 I remember you're 320 parked there.  We traded in the RIB for a center console, so that's what we use to go visit.

@Aprice I'll look for you after everyone is splashed.

We still Winter store at MacRay.  Scheduled to go in April 14th.  

wm61356

@Aprice - I moved because I traded my RIB for a small Boston Whaler and needed a bigger well so both boats will fit.

MarkB

Congratulations. Nice boat.

Black_Diamond

Nice looking boat!  Scented dryer sheets keep the spiders away too, just lay a few back there when not using the boat.  The Ortho Home Defense or similar is a good one too.

randy56

@Aprice, good find! nice looking Rinker. you have to as happy as a fat kid with a peace of cake.

gack

Congrats Aprice!  i like that bow thruster.

califco

Congrats, I also purchased my boat at Hideaway. It is a 2004 312, so far I'm happy with the boat very comfortable, I particularly like in your boat the added storage next to the fridge, It also looks like there are two drawers under the captains chair? I wanted to open an area possibly next to the fridge to add a compartment for a cooler, I'm just cautious of cutting the fiberglass. BTW, I was on spindrift last year, coming back to the same street but different well, I wanted the power inlet of my boat on the same side as the dock, easier to pump out.

Aprice

Thanks guys. I am excited for this season. 


@califco  how does your camper top cover the fender storage in the back? Do you have an opening there like in my picture?

I have gotten a few good suggestions so far and after reading some comments about the propensity ($5 word)  for the dirt and bug collection area, I thought about making a cover that attached to the bottom of my existing rear curtain and went down to the bottom of the fender storage space. That way it keeps the dirt and excess water out of the fender area when not in use and stops the ease of entrance for the bugs, spiders and flies.