New Rinker Owner , new to the Rinker Owners Forum

mikejudd65

Greetings, new member, new Rinker owner. We signed on the dotted line this past weekend. We picked up a gently used 2004 Fiesta Vee 342. We bought it for the size and amenities. We've slipped a boat in Gloucester Mass for the last 3 years. Wanted something bigger with more range to make runs to the Cape /P-town(Cape Cod) , Martha's Vineyard , Nantucket to the south and Portsmouth NH , Portland Maine to the North. 
Survey came back good. Minor issues. Broker had fixed both gimbles , power steering pump and engine hatch motor prior to survey. It has the upgrade option 350 Merc Horizon, FWC and Bravo 3's. 
Any things I need to look out for? Its on jacks for the winter now which will give me the next 5-6 months to pick away at stuff.
And whats with the AC powered wall sconce on the port side near the aft cabin? Is that factory? And if so, how the heII do you turn it on? 
Looking foward to our "Next Adventure" in spring 2018. 

reneechris14

Welcome to the forum, nice boat I have an 05.
The A.C. sconce I guess is after market ,I don't have that. Any pic of it?

Black_Diamond

Welcome aboard!  You'll love the 342.  

LaRea

Welcome!  Lots of current and former 342 owners here - you are in good company.

Is there any evidence that the cabin carpets have been wet?  Cabin leaks are typical for any boat of that age and size, and the 342 is no exception.  

The other thing is corrosion on the Bravo 3 -- just gotta stay on top of it.

Handymans342

Too bad you don't have diesels like mine 

raybo3

Welcome to the RBOC. You will love your 342. If you can post a picture of the AC sconce your talking about. 

rasbury

and pictures of the rest of the boat!

Dream_Inn

Welcome!  The 342 is one of the best boats Rinker made.  Sounds like you have some great plans for its use!

mikejudd65

reneechris14 , I'll get a pic of the sconce this weekend

Stodge

I don't have any AC powered lights on the boat.  Have to think it's after market.  There is (at least in 2002) a switch at the helm to turn on the 12v "mood" lights.  They were incandescent and killed the batteries pretty quick.  I switched mine for LED strips.  Nice option to light the cabin from the cockpit so it's not dark when you go below.  There is also a light near the stairs that comes on when the cockpit lights (near the deck) come on. 

342 is a great boat.  We're on our forth season and just took ours on a 885 mile trip around Lake Huron.  Best of luck with yours.

MarkB

Congratulations, and welcome.

kordo

Stodge, that's a nice trip.  Would you mind sharing some stats with us?  Fuel usage, ave speed etc.  Thaks.

reneechris14

@kordo Go under his name then under his discussions and check north canel trip he posted a hole blog. Its a good read.

kordo

Thanks.

mikejudd65

here's a pic of the wall sconce I mentioned above, I still haven't found the switch for it yet. 

Stodge

Interesting.  Not seen anything like that.  If you can find the wires, maybe you can trace them back to their origin or a switch.

bry1429

mikejudd65 said:

here's a pic of the wall sconce I mentioned above, I still haven't found the switch for it yet. 

Have you looked all over the fixture itself? That bottom black piece, there may be a push button switch on the light itself. Is there a hole in bottom where there may have been a pull chain that came out, You never know what may be going on with after market installs.

Wildboating

Neat addition!  I have not seen that yet.   Ps.. Thats the Starboard side of the boat.  I won't tell anyone you mixed them up though... 

schoej01

Try a new bulb?

MarkB

That's got to be an add on. I agree, might be a switch right on it. Lightbulb not working? Can you see the wiring in the compartment behind the light?

FDNY49

Welcome aboard. Nice to have you with us.