Coastal 290 - Just bought and have some questions

[brad614]

I just bought a 2000 Wellcraft Coastal 290. The owner's manual is a little vague, so I was hoping to get a little input here. I welcome any and all suggestions anyone might have.
1) I can't figure out how the overboard waste discharge works. The boat is supposed to have it. Since I frequently go out 12 -15 miles, this would be an option I would like to work.
2) The white vinyl seats have what appears to be mildew, but I can't get them clean. Is there anyway of dying them or anything like that, or would they need to be recovered?
3) The boat has a Guest remote spotlight. It rotates fine, but won't tilt up and down. Is that something in the switch or the light itsef?

 

[sloch24]

Re: Coastal 290 - Just bought and have some questions

I have a 2003 Coastal 270, and I can answer some of your questions!

#1 - In your generator bay (if you don't have a generator, there should be 3 floor covers that pull up just behind the cockpit) there should be a black box with a circuit breaker (little red button) and a momentary toggle switch. On mine, you have to turn your head power on (12v breaker in box over sink). You have to hold the switch down the entire time it's emptying, must be a safety thing. I had to disable mine, but I use it for winterizing.

#2 - I dunno... I mine are the same way. It would be nice to find out.

#3 - I have a remote spotlight that did the same thing. I took it apart, and cleaned it as best as I could. Salt water had gotten inside of the pivot mechanism, and created too much friction for the motor to move the light. After I cleaned up as much rust as I could ( I really don't remember what it looked like anymore), I lubricated it with white lithium grease, and it's worked fine going on a year now.

I hope that helps!

 

[brad614]

Re: Coastal 290 - Just bought and have some questions

Thanks for your replies! I got the waste mercerator working - I didn't know I had to turn the head switch on. The seats started to split so I am just going to have them recovered. The upper tilt motor was completely locked up and no one has parts, so I am just going to have to replace the entire light.

One more question - I have been to two different marinas and neither one could pump out the waste tank - it wouldn't create suction. Is there a valve somewhere that needs to be turned or something?

 

[sloch24]

Re: Coastal 290 - Just bought and have some questions

Thanks for your replies! I got the waste mercerator working - I didn't know I had to turn the head switch on. The seats started to split so I am just going to have them recovered. The upper tilt motor was completely locked up and no one has parts, so I am just going to have to replace the entire light.

One more question - I have been to two different marinas and neither one could pump out the waste tank - it wouldn't create suction. Is there a valve somewhere that needs to be turned or something?

My dealer bought me a new light to install.. I didn't have to use it, but I'm sure I will eventually. If you go with another brand, you'll probably have to buy some starboard to mount it on (you'll see what I mean when you try). You'll have to cut it to size, and rout the edges if you want it to look nice.

As for the head, I don't have a "Y" valve on mine. If I did, it would be a PITA to reach it. Hopefully, you have a valve. How my tank is setup, the suction discharge line goes down to a "Y" connector (your valve should replace that connector if you have one). One end of the "Y" valve goes to the tank, and the other end goes out to the macerator pump. I did find that if you don't have the suction cap closed tight that the macerator pump will not work well at all (for future reference).

For my sanitation system to be legal, I installed a brass ball valve AFTER the pump, but BEFORE the through hull fitting, then I removed the handle. Overboard discharge has to be mechanically disabled in the Great Lakes.

One last thing. If I *DID* have a "y" valve, I would have to remove an access plate on the port side behind my outside sink in order to turn it. I hope that you have easier access to yours than that. The only way I could see where it should have been ( and that I didn't have one) is to look through the rod holder holes and into the holding tank area.

Keep in mind, mines a 270, so things might be a little different.