1975 28' Express

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DiverDennis
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:41 pm

1975 28' Express

Post by DiverDennis »

Update:. Boat is sold 😀
"SURFACE INTERVAL"
1975 28' MARINETTE EXPRESS
Home Port: Dewitt, Michigan

We found her at yachtworld.com in 2005. On the way to Eastlake, OH we picked up a new twin I beam aluminum trailer just south of Cleveland in Berlin Center. The trailer needed some adjustments and alterations, downtown Cleveland during rush hour was a bit stressful, and narrow toll road booths were a surprise. Luckily, we made it back unscathed.

Have made many upgrades: new paint on bottom (2006, 2010), new paint on top sides, gunnels and coamings, brightwork (2007-2008). Installed hydraulic steering (2008) (kicker has hyd steering and steered by autopilot), all new Raymarine electronics (2006), stern thruster (2007), fishing equipment and much more. We love our BIG M.

ENGINE: Single Chrysler 275hp (M360), new in 1987, 400 hours

TRANSMISSION: Borg Wagner - Velvet 1:1, R Rot, model AS1-71C

SPECIFICATIONS: Beam - 11ft, Stern - 9ft, Draft - 24"; 32" to propeller, Dead rise 10 degrees, 55 gallon fuel tank, 35 gallon fresh water tank, 15 gallon holding tank for head, 30 amp shore power with amp meter.

13K BTU Carrier low profile air conditioner with heat - Model Air V, 68RV15103A (2008)
Remote control marine searchlight
Danforth anchor, rode locker, large sampson post, bow eye
Aft storage locker with vinyl seating cushions
Large custom made swim platform with removable 'tree' ladder for scuba diving and swimming
Spare propeller and shaft strut

BELOW DECK: V berth with 3" memory foam, stand up head with flush toilet and sink, two burner alcohol stove, refrigerator 115 volt only, microwave, sink, updated wood window blinds, garmet locker, dinette table with storage under seats, storage racks and drawers.

HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM - Ship - Seastar (5271 helm, 5313 cylinder), Kicker - Uflex UC132-OBS
STERN THRUSTER - 24 volt Navigator trolling motor with 55 LB thrust (2007)
KICKER MOTOR - 15 HP Yamaha (2003) 4 stroke with hydraulic steering (controlled by a 4 way hydraulic valve and steered by the autopilot), remote start/stop, tilt, and ConTrollKing throttle control. Kicker is wired to the ship's battery so it charges while trolling. Interlocking relay prevents kicker and main engine from running at the same time and prevents damage to charging systems.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT - Bilge blower, ACR 406 Cat II EPIRB (emergency position indicating radio beacon), Sea Fire automatic halon fire suppression, 2 fire extinguishers, Safe-T-Alert fume detector, Forespar TruPlug emergency plug, sounding bell, horn.

ELECTRONICS:
Raymarine E120 multifunction display (2006) with Navionics Platinum West Great Lakes electronic chart (2009)
Raymarine X-10 autopilot (2010) with type 1 hydraulic pump (2008)
Raymarine ST70 autopilot control head (2010)
Raymarine DSM300 digital sonar (2006)
Raymarine Raystar 125 GPS (2006)
Raymarine 4KW 48 mile radome radar (2007)
Raymarine Sirius Satellite Weather (2009)
Raymarine Ray54 DSC VHF radio, MMSI#338068864 (2008) FloScan GPS interface fuel flow computer (2008)
Overboard color video camera
Engine compartment video cameras (2)

Smart Start - Relay and battery circuit that prevents abrupt engine starting current from resetting navigation electronics. (2009)

Custom engine monitor box with switchable piezo 100db alarms: LOW WATER PRESSURE, LOW OIL PRESSURE, HIGH ENGINE TEMP, HIGH TRANSMISSION TEMP, Digital display showing ships power and thruster battery voltages (selectable) (2007)

Engine room lighting (4 ignition proof fixtures)
Underwater lights (2) - 35W halogen
Step plate and courtesy lighting
LED spreader lights (2) Coastalnightlights.com
Jabsco 4 gpm wash down pump with HoseCoil side mount enclosure.
Bilge pump control panel (three bilge pumps: fore, amid, and aft)
2 bank battery charger for 24 volt thruster
2 bank battery charger for ships power
Battery switch for ships power
Digital engine and transmission temperature gauges
Raw water cooling pressure gauge and pressure switch (for detecting low pressure at output of pump impeller)
Bennett trim tabs with Trim Tab Position Indicator
Rudder position indicator
CAPAC galvanic activity monitor (model 50030)

ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM:
Emerson 27" HD TV/DVD player, Clarion M455 CD reciever/CeNET control with CRMC1 wired remote control, Clarion DCZ625 6 disc CD changer, Shakespeare Seawatch 2025 marine amplified TV antenna system.

TOWING COMPONENTS:
Loadmaster tandem axle twin I beam aluminum trailer with electric brakes on all 4 wheels (4 new tires 2019, new brake assemblies 2014), posi-lube removable spindles, poly bunk glides, heavy duty custom made guide ons, PowerWinch RC30 with wireless remote control.

FISHING EQUIPMENT: (All new in 2009 and lightly used)
2 - Bert's 48" mounting track
2 - Big Jon electric dowriggers with 52 inch solid booms, double rod holders, upgraded autostops, and weight retrievers
2 - Big Jon quick slides
2 - Traxtech 3" swivel mounts
4 - Bert's ratchet rod holders
2 - Bert's accessory plates with Tite-Loc mini mounts and cannon ball rests
1 - Bert's tool holder
2 - Marinco 12 volt Pro Plugs and receptacles.
10 tube custom made aluminum rocket launcher powder coated to match boat.
2 super bright LED spreader lights
Fish Hawk X4 downrigger data system for trolling speed and temperature. Two spare probes.
4 Okuma Convector reels on MH dipsy rods.
2 Okuma Magda Pro 30DX reels on 8' 6" med rods for downriggers.
4 Okuma CONVECTOR CV-45DX reels on Classic PRO GLT CP-CL-862M copper rods

OTHER STUFF: 2 Silver Mullet 10# downrigger weights - 2 Yeck 12# downrigger weights - 2 shark 12# downrigger weights Sapphire Chrome Shark, 4 planer boards - Telescoping fish net - Landing Loop docking aide
Last edited by DiverDennis on Sun May 02, 2021 6:04 pm, edited 8 times in total.
brokebill
Tin star
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2014 6:59 pm
Location: bill@erinet.com

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by brokebill »

So how well does the stern thruster work?
brokebill
Bill Melke
Dayton, Ohio
28' Sedan Restoration
On the hard in Constance KY.
DiverDennis
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:41 pm

Stern thruster

Post by DiverDennis »

It works fantastic. We always stern into our slip because with the thruster I have control. I would say that it is the best addition that we have made to our beautiful BIG M.
Cabinfever
Tin star
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 5:57 pm

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by Cabinfever »

Stern thruster is one of my future projects. We had high wind a couple weeks ago, I missed the trailer and barely cleared the dock when backing off, while turning to port in reverse. Here is all the onlookers at the ramp side restaurant :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:, like to see them do it. I learned not to second guess it and take it out of gear, keep on it, it'll get some speed and start to turn, nerve racking when your in a tight spot, everything happens fast.
Joe
1977 28 Express
Single 318
(RESTORATION IS ALL THE ROUTINE MATIANANCE AT ONCE)
DiverDennis
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:41 pm

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by DiverDennis »

The thruster requires two dedicated batteries (24v) and delivers 55 pounds of thrust. Note that It is out of the water when on plane.
Fastjeff
Site Admin
Posts: 1521
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 5:06 am
Location: Rock Halll, MD

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by Fastjeff »

Docking an inboard single screw with a cross wind or current is the toughest boating experience one can have! I respect those who can do it, such as my old slip mate in Maryland; he whipped that crab boat of his into the slip like it was a twin with thrusters!


Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
DiverDennis
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:41 pm

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by DiverDennis »

Thanks Jeff. BigM
DiverDennis
Member
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:41 pm

Re: 1975 28' Express

Post by DiverDennis »

Added satellite coax jacks to the M this year to accomodate our new Windgard Carryout G2 protable dish. We bought it for our travel trailer and decided to use it when were on the boat.
Also added a tire pressure monitor system to the trailer. Piece of mind while on the road. (www.tsttruck.com)


Last bumped by DiverDennis on Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:05 pm.
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