2004 342 Fiesta Vee

I’m in the process of buying a 2004 342 Fiesta Vee. What should I look out for? We started the survey and found water in the engine compartment. The port side engine has a hole in the exhaust hose. The bilge pump in the engine compartment is not working and we couldn’t find the second bilge pump that I believe is under the mid berth. We didn’t find a door or hatch to locate the second bilge pump. Any thoughts or suggestions on what I need to be aware of would be greatly appreciated.
Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
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Comments

  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited January 2020
    What do you mean water in engine compartment? If the boat is outside or has been outside recently it’s perfectly Normal to have water in the bulge between the engines, this comes in from the hatch gutter or the blower intake vents when it rains, also some water piddling on the shelf above the transom is fairly normal too as the gutter above it gets clogged with junk and rain water over flows on that shelf. 

    The second bulge pump is under the rear birth but way back, actually almost under the storage compartment that is in the rear of the aft birth behind the mirror 

    hole in the exhaust is not normal but not a deal breaker, I’d ask the seller to replace the exhaust risers and manifolds 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sounds like its all normal easy fix stuff 
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    Thanks Liberty 44140, the Surveyor says that the water could be from the hatch vents being clogged or possibly from the hole in the exhaust hose. It’s the 4 inch hose on the inner side of the port side engine. Mechanic says it could have been a blister on the inside of the hose. There is about four inches of water in there.  The Seller has agreed to replace the bilge pump and hose.
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Check the swim platform for excess flex, which could indicate water inside the fiberglass structure.  Did the surveyor check it for moisture?

    In the cabin, check the carpets down near the floor for stains that might indicate water leaks into the cabin.  Leaks are a common problem in any boat that age.  

    And of course, pay close attention to the outdrives for signs of corrosion.  

    Has the boat been kept in salt water or fresh?
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    Thanks LaRea, The Surveyor couldn’t finish the survey because of the leak in the exhaust hose and the non functioning bilge pump. The sea test and haul out will hopefully be done next week.  There was water under the V Berth and the carpet is quite wet, which I think is due to the port side window needing to be sealed. The boat has been in fresh water. I live in Slidell, Louisiana on the canals off of Lake Pontchartrain which is brackish water.
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    My biggest concern would be that it sounds like the seller is not a boater but a dude with a boat. Sounds like there are no deal breakers so far, but he has not taken the best care of his boat. Will be interesting to see the surveyors overall report. Certainly ok to buy a boat from a guy like this if the price is right as long as there are no major issues. 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • John41John41 Member Posts: 98 ✭✭
    Make sure the outdrives aren’t that composite crap.
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Use the wet carpet to negotiate price.  Cabin leaks are notoriously hard to find.  Most people have to either remove/re-seal the rub rails, remove/re-seal the windows, or both. 

    What's the engine/outdrive package?
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    So, what would be considered a good price?
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • John41John41 Member Posts: 98 ✭✭
    Depends on condition. Were the outdrives changed? How many hours on the engines? I paid 46,000 for my 2004 last year
  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Agree it depends on a lot. If this is a freshwater only boat its certainly worth more than salt. Can you post the link to the ad?
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Is this the 2004 342 in Mandeville, LA with the 8.1 mercruisers and inboard V-Drive's that is sale pending? That looks like a nice boat at a good price, I really like the V-drive option on the 342, and the $40k asking price is really not bad at all if the engines run well and there are no major issues. Looks like he has done a lot of upgrades despite not taking care of the leaks. If you are buying that boat for $40k or less I think you are in a good spot....
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As a general consensus, the v-drive boat is a pig, even with big engines.  The guy who designed it is a regular here, and he has said it many times.  In fresh water, there's no reason to go with v-drives.  The 5.7 Bravo 3 is way faster and gets 1.3 mpg at any speed from 28 to 33 mph.  The 6.2 is faster and almost as efficient.
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    Yes Liberty, that’s the boat. I had a mechanic do a pre purchase inspection and the engines both checked out great.  Compression on all cylinders was great and other than the one exhaust hose everything was good.  I offered 35k which the seller accepted without the work on the generator.  The mechanic is lined up to remove the generator and go through it ie; rebuild the water pump and tune up, send out the actuator for rewinding and reinstall for $4,800. Can anyone tell me the model Number of the original Sony radio?
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Congratulations!  That's a lot of boat for $40k.  You are in for some good times.
  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yep congrats, you did get a lot for about $40k. Can’t help on the stereo as my 06 342 had clarion. Sounds like a good plan on the generator, in my 01 310 I had to have the genny pulled, stator re wound and rotor and control board replaced due to water dripping on it and killing the electrical side of the genny.... it was about $5k, so you are on the right track. 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    this is the radio in my 05 342 
    cdx-ca705m
    If I was to replace I would do something different with bluetooth.
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 8,776 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @reneechris14 , you can make your current unit Bluetooth. I just bought this JL receiver.

    JL Audio MBT-RX Bluetooth Audio Receiver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MH5CFEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TsonEb9TBJ9T5
    2008 330EC
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @raybo3 - possible spam account.  Looks like he created four accounts:

    shadowVIRUSshadow99056shadow990helloguru9901 and helloguru990 joined.
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    Thanks for the help with the radio. I do plan to replace the current with a Bluetooth model. The immediate problem is that we couldn’t get the radio to turn on. When I go back for the sea trial and haul out I plan to take some batteries for the remote but it seems the radio should have an on/off button on the unit.
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 3,882 ✭✭✭✭
    Out of curiosity how is the mainance on the v drives vs the bravos?  It may be a bit of a pig but it seems that the bravos and newer vp's need much more maintenance than the alphas and old volvo 270/280/290 drives that a "dude with a boat" didn't need to do much work on. 


    I really like the dude with the boat term btw.  


    Also how are the docking manners of a twin v drive vs twin dp outdrive?  How much reversing ability do you sacrifice with the v?  
  • MinaMina Member Posts: 43
    PickleRick, I think you’re asking the wrong man. i didn't make that comment.
    Ken Walker 2004 342 Fiesta Vee
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    V-drives are much, much easier to maintain than B3, which is why some people like them for salt-water applications.  But they typically cruise at 28 mph and 0.8 mpg, compared to 32 mph and 1.2 mpg for a B3 setup.

    I've heard that docking is easier with V-drives.  But even with B3s, a 342 is dead simple to maneuver.  
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    As far as the radio there is a breaker on the breaker panel, if it has power the clock will be. @aero3113 I use a cheap bluetooth in the cigarette lighter. RF adapter I thinks is called. Only works as far as the back seat. I think $35k for an 04 342 with 8.1s is great, god i hope mine is worth more then that >:)
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 8,776 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited February 2020
    @reneechris14, I just walked in from installing it. I tapped right into power and ground off the back of the head unit. This way it’s only powered when the head unit has power to it. I originally had it installed on a power and ground from the battery and didn’t like that, the receiver would’ve always been powered. It works great, I didn’t test the distance yet, but it says connection range is up to 35’.
    2008 330EC
  • reneechris14reneechris14 Member Posts: 3,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Great idea. 35' would be great. Dam another up grade thanks.
    2005 Rinker FV342  Pawcatuck river,Ct
  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 8,776 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @Mina , that seems like a great deal. Good luck and congratulations!!
    2008 330EC
  • LaReaLaRea Member Posts: 7,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yeah, we've seen 342s selling way, way higher than that.
  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Correct comments above, much less maintenance and easier to dock a v drive than bravos, but yes .8mpg vs 1.2. So it will burn a lot more fuel. V drive will be a much more comfortable ride in big seas. 
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

  • SpyderwebSpyderweb Member Posts: 879 ✭✭✭
    @Mina, regarding not being able to turn radio on, on many of these boats the key for one of the engines must be in the ACC position to be able to turn it in.  Just like in cars.  I had to turn to this site when I bought my 330 to learn that.
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