420/44 DB Owners Club

Normal 4+ mile visibility I run one display zoomed out chart (with at least the next hour to 1.5 hours of running within view) and one split screen one half radar only, one half zoomed in to 3 mi radius with radar overlay.

In less visibility I run full screen radar only and zoom in and out of other display depending on where I am.
 
sb in gp said:
Using 2nd Raymarine Display.

My boat came with a single E120 display. I got tired of looking at that big empty dash panel on the left and acquired a used E120 from eBay. Had to add a Seatalk Hub, but now I have the two displays installed, setup and talking to each other.

Was wondering how others use the 2 display setup. Do you usually run with both displays on? What do you typically show on the 2nd display?

Thanks,

Scott
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I always run split screens on both E120s. One on the port side is split between zoomed out chart and the cycling cameras. The center one is split between chart zoomed in and the radar zoomed to dezired level, depending on the location (open water or congested area). Always have my iPad on as a "3rd MFD" with both, GARMIN BCM and Navionics loaded.
 
I'm still figuring out how I like to use mine. So far it's been one zoomed out, one zoomed in. In the fog coming from Boston, I had one full-screen radar, and one with the chart. Used radar overlay as well.

My second E120 occasionally loses the network and asks to be set as master. Has anyone else seen this? I am wondering if there is a bad cable perhaps.
 
bajturner said:
I'm still figuring out how I like to use mine. So far it's been one zoomed out, one zoomed in. In the fog coming from Boston, I had one full-screen radar, and one with the chart. Used radar overlay as well.

My second E120 occasionally loses the network and asks to be set as master. Has anyone else seen this? I am wondering if there is a bad cable perhaps.
Click to expand...

Both of my chart screens are using radar overlay.

E120 classic has a known reboot issue. Perhaps that's what you call of "losing network". The only thing you can do is get the latest version 5.69, which is from 2012. Other than that RM doesn't really have a solution. The issue is not consistent, I guess people just deal with it. If it becomes a frequent problem, it's worth a call to RM support before thinking on replacing the unit.
 
So my bow thruster quit--batteries are new and it popped the big slow blow ANL fuse. Put a new one in and used it for a second and popped the new one? I have not been getting indicator power lights at helm lately, but was working until yesterday? Checked are positive connections with batteries and all are tight. The small 30A green fuse next to ANL is kind of melted and slightly singed?
I am thinking may have some debris in blade? Any thoughts?
 
Seems like good place to start, did you try the opposite direction to see if you can dis lodge what might be stuck?
Try very short bursts don’t let it struggle and overload.
 
Help! Bow Thruster Switch question.

I had an issue with windless and thought it may have been a bad switch. The only other 8 pole switch at helm was for the bow thruster so I tried switching it out with the 8 pole windless switch. Did'nt work. Turned out my windless controller was bad and it was not the switch. When I reconnected to thruster switch (wires which I photographed) it no longer stayed on. I can hear the solenoid engage and the power light turns on at the switch but when I release the switch it disengages. Normally I would hit it once and it would stay on and then I would active the toggle power switch. I now have to hold the switch down in the on position and only then am I able to use the thruster control toggle. Kind of difficult while trying to handle throttle and tranmission at same time.

Has anyone experienced this issue? How did you resolve? Despite my photo/and writing wire configuration down I am concerned that maybe I still screwed up when replacing the wires. Perhaps in the wrong configuration??? Would anyone have a photo of the wiring configuring from behind the 8 pole switch? Wiring schematic? Thanks.
 
So, had the boat hauled today for a bottom cleaning. Nothing stuck in bow thruster prop. There was some growth and gunk in the there--, but nothing to bind the blade up. I spun it with my hand and it seemed smooth and easy to turn. I guess I will try another new ANL fuse and a 30AMP in the switch fuse next to the ANL. Any other suggestions as to why the ANL fuse is popping? thanks
 
Tenacious said:
Help! Bow Thruster Switch question.

I had an issue with windless and thought it may have been a bad switch. The only other 8 pole switch at helm was for the bow thruster so I tried switching it out with the 8 pole windless switch. Did'nt work. Turned out my windless controller was bad and it was not the switch. When I reconnected to thruster switch (wires which I photographed) it no longer stayed on. I can hear the solenoid engage and the power light turns on at the switch but when I release the switch it disengages. Normally I would hit it once and it would stay on and then I would active the toggle power switch. I now have to hold the switch down in the on position and only then am I able to use the thruster control toggle. Kind of difficult while trying to handle throttle and tranmission at same time.

Has anyone experienced this issue? How did you resolve? Despite my photo/and writing wire configuration down I am concerned that maybe I still screwed up when replacing the wires. Perhaps in the wrong configuration??? Would anyone have a photo of the wiring configuring from behind the 8 pole switch? Wiring schematic? Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Brian, give me a call if you want to look at my wiring etc, Art 860-460-3633
 
Airplane Guy said:
Brian, give me a call if you want to look at my wiring etc, Art 860-460-3633
Click to expand...

Art:

I tried to reach you the past few days for that exact reason! I resolved last night. In trouble shooting I swapped the windless and thruster switches around as they are the only 8 pole switches in the panel. After doing so and seeing no improvement I simply left alone figuring they are the same switches so why put back. Turns out the one for the thruster is rated 24V while the windless is 12V. Long story short, switched back and with wire schematic corrected multiple issues. This all done with Bill (New England Bow Thruster's) help. All good. Picked up new (solenoid) windless control box from Defender which I'll throw in tomorrow to prevent the original windless issue from happening again. Thanks.

Brian
 
Alex F said:
I always run split screens on both E120s. One on the port side is split between zoomed out chart and the cycling cameras. The center one is split between chart zoomed in and the radar zoomed to dezired level, depending on the location (open water or congested area). Always have my iPad on as a "3rd MFD" with both, GARMIN BCM and Navionics loaded.
Click to expand...

Related question. When I zoom on 1 display it zooms both. Is there a setting to stop that?
 
Going through the research on purchasing a 04-08 34-44 ft Sea Ray. Originally was leaning towards the smaller end to possibly transport back and forth by trailer to Michigan for the summers. I now am thinking we might just keep the boat in FL (Daytona Beach area) all year since we are only in Michigan for 2 months in the summer when the kids are out of school. That being the case we would be leaning towards a 42/44 Sedan Bridge as we are a family of 5 (kids ages 7, 5, 1). I think the Sedan Bridge would give us much more room and we also would do some longer trips such as Keys/ Bahamas (did Bimini in our old 310 DA years ago).

Anything we should be looking out for when researching possible boats? Also what is a typical cruise speed and fuel burn on a 420/440 Sedan?

Thanks!
 
They're great boats. My fuel burn is around 35 GPH at 2350 RPM, which is about 26 MPH. Pretty affordable for the size of the boat.

I personally would stay away from the 480CE motors. Many have had great luck with them, but I think they are susceptible to being overloaded and having valve issues. Do a google search for "cummins 480ce valve issue"

Good luck.
 
sb in gp said:
They're great boats. My fuel burn is around 35 GPH at 2350 RPM, which is about 26 MPH. Pretty affordable for the size of the boat.

I personally would stay away from the 480CE motors. Many have had great luck with them, but I think they are susceptible to being overloaded and having valve issues. Do a google search for "cummins 480ce valve issue"

Good luck.
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
sb in gp said:
They're great boats. My fuel burn is around 35 GPH at 2350 RPM, which is about 26 MPH. Pretty affordable for the size of the boat.

I personally would stay away from the 480CE motors. Many have had great luck with them, but I think they are susceptible to being overloaded and having valve issues. Do a google search for "cummins 480ce valve issue"

Good luck.
Click to expand...

I’ve been looking at this model as well. They are scarce! That will keep the prices up, and unfortunately, a lot of the owners aren’t even aware of the 480CE valve issue mentioned above. I’ve done a fair amount of reading on that issue and it would not scare me away from buying a boat with that engine. But I would insist on detailed maintenance records on the boat. And I would want to know what propellers are on it. They came stock with props the worked the engines too hard. Finally, I would want to know if and when the valves were last adjusted and if it has new heads on the engines. If I were to buy this model, the price would have to account for the cost of new heads, valve adjustment, new (smaller) propellers and potentially new aftercoolers.

I would not necessarily shy away from those engines, but I would definitely agree with the above post to do your homework. Don’t fall in love with a boat that has these engines but does not have detailed maintenance records.
 
sb in gp said:
They're great boats. My fuel burn is around 35 GPH at 2350 RPM, which is about 26 MPH. Pretty affordable for the size of the boat.

I personally would stay away from the 480CE motors. Many have had great luck with them, but I think they are susceptible to being overloaded and having valve issues. Do a google search for "cummins 480ce valve issue"

Good luck.
Click to expand...

We love ours! Fuel burn numbers mimick above. I get a rush every time I crank one of the engines! Have had “0” issues after 11 months. I still need to figure out how to get to the anodes on the fuel/oil cooler on the port engine though. We have a new cockpit refrigerator on the way and Corinthian Carpets did a great job on new cockpit and bridge carpets. Will be working on a full set of seat covers for the bridge so I can remove the enclosure and leave it off next summer. Getting ready to install a cockpit TV this coming weekend. They may be few and far between, but would not want any other!

Bennett
 
I'm going to pile on the praise of the 44DB anyway. I sleep better knowing that I have the QSC 8.3 500HD engines for sure. I like to cruise at 10 to 12 knots and burn 8 GPH for about 1.2 MPG. I can see later in life going to the later Sundancer to avoid the climb to the bridge but for now I pine for few other designed boats in the category.
Good luck with your search. They sure seem to be holding their value. I've had mine for three years and I'm sure I'd get most of my money back if I were to need to sell it.
Carpe Diem
 
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