New 274 Owner

[dacarter]

Just purchased a 2003 274 Cabrio, a couple of weeks ago. Ive had it out twice, both overnight outtings and love the boat so far. First outing on a lake, second was on Galveston Bay with 25mph+ winds. Everything was great until we ran out of gas and started blowing fast towards the rocky shore. Tied onto a piling and waited for TowUS, no big deal but very stressful.

So, my main issues are:

- gas gauge and tach not working.
- oil pan rusted out and leaking 1 qt of oil every 2 weeks.
- No AC and thinking about installing myself. Need pics from another 274 owner showing where the AC was installed from the factory. I'm thinking behind the fridge.

Man this boat catches the wind, very difficult to manuver in high winds, but once you learn not to fight it, and just backup into the wind to get out of tight places all is good.

Boat is in the shop now and will have the engine pulled to replace the oil pan.

Any advice on other issues or pics of the AC install would be appreciated.

 

[Rusty S]

Re: New 274 Owner

So, my main issues are:

- gas gauge and tach not working.
- oil pan rusted out and leaking 1 qt of oil every 2 weeks.
- No AC and thinking about installing myself. Need pics from another 274 owner showing where the AC was installed from the factory. I'm thinking behind the fridge.

Man this boat catches the wind, very difficult to manuver in high winds, but once you learn not to fight it, and just backup into the wind to get out of tight places all is good.



Own '02 274. Purchased 2 summers ago and can't wait to float her again in another month or two; that is if Mother Nature ever turns the ground back to green!
She has 600+ hours, has Volvo GXi powerplant/DPS drive.
At different times the tach has acted strange (reading high) but after a couple of light taps on face it straightens up and is ok. Fuel gauge works fine on mine; but once it comes off full keep an eye; and definately be looking for gas when it reads 1/4. Haven't run out yet, but close 1 or 2 times.
Oil pan is in great shape. Sounds like yours may have been in salt water, and maybe a leaking bilge? Not for sure what else would cause the corrosion to be leaking 1qt a week.
Have the factory mounted AC. The unit is mounted on starboard side of V-berth storage. Fits nicely and still has room for storage in front of it. They placed the thru-hull under step at keel; lines go over under shower and come out under the wardrobe storage unit. Not for sure how you would route them without being a major pain in the backside. They placed the return on face of side of v-berth and supply vents in aft and other up through wardrobe with vent/grille at window height. Just the two; but it definately cools it down nicely! If you were to mount it behind the fridge routing line may be easier, but the supply/return may pose some challenges.

Overall, we love the layout, and she has a nice ride. The stepped hull surely adds benefits for getting on plane, and stays on plane at lower speeds than typical v-hulls. The 5.7 pushes her 40-45 depending on water.

Hope the comments help you out.

 

[dacarter]

Re: New 274 Owner

Rusty,

Thanks for the info. I'm surprised by the location of your AC. I've seen pictures of other 274s for sale on various sites, and they seem to have vents in the side of the kitchen cabinets and controls next to the electric panel, which supports the behind the fridge location of the AC. Maybe they mounted them more than one way.

My boat spent it's first 6 years in salt water in Seattle. It has a closed cooling system, but apparently the salt took it's toll on the oil pan. I got a great deal on the boat (book is 30k, got it for 18k), so don't mind putting a 1000 into a major repair all that much.

I agree, the step hull is great, but it does cause one issue when unloading the boat. I've found that I have to back in so far that the hitch is underwater before the boat will back off the trailer because the step catches on the rear boards unless they are far enough underwater. Don't like doing this in salt water. Of course the angle of the boat ramp effects this but I've had it happen both times I've launched it. I'm thinking I will cut forward ends of the rear boards at an able to allow the step to clear more easily.

 

[Rusty S]

Re: New 274 Owner

I purchased a new Venture trailer for mine when I got the boat.
They make trailers with considerations of the stepped hull. Like you said, the front end of rear bunks are angled, and front bunks are positioned slightly different to correctly stabilize the hull. It is quite a PITA to load every year at end of season. I couldn't imagine launching/loading on a regular basis. They call it a "trailerable cruiser" but not really....
The dealer I purchased mine from has been Larson dealer for years; needless to say he has commissioned and installed many AC units. This is the location he has always seen them, and installed them. The area you mention sounds like an equally effective solution.
I don't have the radar arch; wish it did. Enjoy!

 

[dacarter]

Re: New 274 Owner

I've completed the oil pan replacement and have the boat all back together. It was really a blessing in that I now have good knowledge of how all the mechanicals go together.

Replacing the tach fixed that issue, but replacing the fuel gauge did not completely fix it. I did find some connectors on top of the gas tank that looked a bit dirty, so hopefully it's fixed now.

I'm thinking about installing a 29" LCD TV on the front wall near the anchor rope compartment. Does anyone know how the interior panels can be removed? I don't see any screws to take out.