420/44 DB Owners Club

As I have mentioned we are in the beginning stages of looking for a 420/440 DB. Would something like this one I have copied here concern you with all the work done on it in the last year, or could it just be a boat owner looking to do a lot of updates? The boat seems to be in great shape with lower hours and many upgrades as listed in description in last year. Obviously I know a lot ultimately comes down to seeing boat in person and having detailed survey done on boat as well as engines. Just seeing if it were one of you all who are familiar with these models, would you consider this one? Lastly, is this the engine that in concerning with overheating due to wrong size props?

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2004-sea-ray-420-sedan-bridge-103330820/?refSource=standard listing

Here's another that looks fairly upgraded. Just seeing if there is anything that jumps out that should be of concern before we start looking more serious at either of these. This one does not show hours, so I'll have to get that.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/...-bridge-103283795/?refSource=standard listing

Thanks,
Brian
 
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As I have mentioned we are in the beginning stages of looking for a 420/440 DB. Would something like this one I have copied here concern you with all the work done on it in the last year, or could it just be a boat owner looking to do a lot of updates? The boat seems to be in great shape with lower hours and many upgrades as listed in description in last year. Obviously I know a lot ultimately comes down to seeing boat in person and having detailed survey done on boat as well as engines. Just seeing if it were one of you all who are familiar with these models, would you consider this one? Lastly, is this the engine that in concerning with overheating due to wrong size props?

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2004-sea-ray-420-sedan-bridge-103330820/?refSource=standard listing

Here's another that looks fairly upgraded. Just seeing if there is anything that jumps out that should be of concern before we start looking more serious at either of these. This one does not show hours, so I'll have to get that.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2004-sea-ray-42-sedan-bridge-103283795/?refSource=standard listing

Thanks,
Brian

Brian:

I feel like I need to chine in since the first boat you mentioned is mine. My wife and I purchased the boat less that two years ago with the full intention on keeping it for many years. We put approximately 200 hours on the boat and love the boat however, she really would like to have a full beam master. Who am I to argue? WE are in the process of planning the "Great Loop" in 2 to 3 years.

To put your 480CE questions to rest, I am an absolute Tony Athens disciple and at 390 hours the first thing I did after closing on the boat was a new bottom job, new cutlass bearing and I took 1 1/2 inches out of the pitch on the props. The current fuel flows I are very close to the 450 HP numbers. As soon as I got the boat home the entire raw water system on both engines were removed, professionally cleaned, greased reassembled, painted and reinstalled exactly as Tony recommends. Summer time New Orleans in Lake Pontchartrain engine temps run about 165 degrees.

If you are seriously looking for a 420 DB you will not be disappointed in my boat. If it's not what I say it is, I'll pay for your plane ticket.
 
The 2nd link you posted in Baltimore was for sale at least 15 months ago as we were looking then and I remember it. I do not remember what the asking price was then, but it was considerably more.

I would take Keith up on his offer if it was me. Let the surveys tell the story. Pretty boat!

Bennett
 
Both boats have had significant substantial maintenance of late, which is good. Maybe. An important thing to inquire about would be when the most recent maintenance was of the big ticket items (coolers, heat exchangers, etc.) PRIOR to the most recent go around. These could have been very meticulous, caring owners. Or, they could have been paying “catch-up” on a significant amount of delayed/deferred maintenance. Their maintenance records and the Cummins engine surveys will help you answer that.

Good luck!
 
Brian:

I feel like I need to chine in since the first boat you mentioned is mine. My wife and I purchased the boat less that two years ago with the full intention on keeping it for many years. We put approximately 200 hours on the boat and love the boat however, she really would like to have a full beam master. Who am I to argue? WE are in the process of planning the "Great Loop" in 2 to 3 years.

To put your 480CE questions to rest, I am an absolute Tony Athens disciple and at 390 hours the first thing I did after closing on the boat was a new bottom job, new cutlass bearing and I took 1 1/2 inches out of the pitch on the props. The current fuel flows I are very close to the 450 HP numbers. As soon as I got the boat home the entire raw water system on both engines were removed, professionally cleaned, greased reassembled, painted and reinstalled exactly as Tony recommends. Summer time New Orleans in Lake Pontchartrain engine temps run about 165 degrees.

If you are seriously looking for a 420 DB you will not be disappointed in my boat. If it's not what I say it is, I'll pay for your plane ticket.

Keith,
I’ll PM you. Appreciate the info & small world that it’s your boat that I posted.
 
  1. Sorry if this hijacks the thread...newby on this site. Just purchased a new-to-us 2006 44 DB and the survey showed that there is an apparent leak in the air system for the horn. The compressor will run and shut off, then a few minutes later it will run again, etc. Anybody have any advice as to where to start looking for the leak?
 
  1. Sorry if this hijacks the thread...newby on this site. Just purchased a new-to-us 2006 44 DB and the survey showed that there is an apparent leak in the air system for the horn. The compressor will run and shut off, then a few minutes later it will run again, etc. Anybody have any advice as to where to start looking for the leak?

Mine does the same thing. There is an air leak somewhere that causes the compressor to lose pressure and run until it builds it up again. My compressor is mounted inside the swim platform on the starboard side and a real pain to get as I am 6’4” and 235 lbs. Currently I have the breaker tripped until I can figure out the best path to get to it. I was just thinking about it today. Getting to the horn on top of the arch is equally a pain with the laced on biminis. I would start at each end of the air line-one at the compressor and the other at the horn looking for the leak. Maybe someone will chime in with a better solution.

Bennett
 
I was looking through some photos today and wanted to share one of the most fulfilling projects on my 420DB. My engines did not look as fresh as I wanted so, I spent the better part of a one week to details both engine.

Here was my process:
1) Sprayed the engine down with Spray Nine Grez-Off Heavy Duty Degreaser and removed all surface grease and grime.
2) Surface rust was sprayed with CLR and cleaned with a brass wire brush.
3) Any remaining rust spots were treated with Corroseal 82320 Water-Based Rust Converter.
4) Used masking tape to covered all hoses and parts I didn't want paint on. Also used a ton of diapers to cover the bilge area.
5) I took a plastic drop cloth and created a "tenting" over the salon hatches to protect the cabin from any overspray.
6) Them sprayed the engines with Cummins Onan Marine White Paint.

This really was a time consuming job but just look at the finished product.
 

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Holy cow. That looks great, man. But I can't help but think of the guys that steam clean the engines of their hot rods for the local car show on Sunday. That's just not me. While I like a clean bilge, I can't see a case where I would go through everything you just described to repaint my engines.
 
Everything I've read about diesels says they preferred to be run at 70 to 80% of WOT. What is WOT on your QSC engines?

WOT is 2680 RPM and typically 30-34mph GPS depending on wind, current, etc.

I just had a Cummins tech on the boat during a sea trial after a fuel pump replacement and he confirmed 80% load (not throttle) is the sweet spot in the power curve for these engines, and running them above that is not great for long periods of time. He also said running them below 1000rpm for long periods of time is not the best either, but not a huge issue.
 
I'm looking to upgrade the salon TV. I want something a little bigger and flatter than the 10 yr old model I have onboard. AC only is fine, we don't watch when we're underway. Any recommendations on size and model? Send pics.

Thanks,

Scott
I'm looking into this as well. I am thinking the Vizio 32" D32F or Samsing UN32N5300 (there are tons of model number variations). One concern is the mounting options. The stock Sharp TV is totally flat at the back with no connections coming straight out the back. This allows the TV to be directly mounted on a sheet of MDF. The Samsung 32" has connections out the back so a hole would need to be made in the MDF. I think the Vizio protrudes to the back at the bottom so would need a bracket. I am early in this thought process...! I want to run off a small inverter so power consumption is a factor. The Vizio seems to be the lowest at 26W.
 
Cleaned my shower sump for the first time since buying the boat last fall. There are a lot of these little things to catch up on! Apparently the previous owner (or owners) were not overly concerned about these types of things! Pretty gross.

upload_2018-8-3_8-45-34.png


I noticed Sea Ray labelled two of the inlet hoses incorrectly. The two that come from the head floor drains are incorrectly labelled as Galley Sink and Vanity Sink. You'd think that is something they would get right...
 
Cleaned my shower sump for the first time since buying the boat last fall. There are a lot of these little things to catch up on! Apparently the previous owner (or owners) were not overly concerned about these types of things! Pretty gross.

View attachment 58555

I noticed Sea Ray labelled two of the inlet hoses incorrectly. The two that come from the head floor drains are incorrectly labelled as Galley Sink and Vanity Sink. You'd think that is something they would get right...

Man, the first time I cleaned the shower sump after buying the boat it was disgusting. I wore gloves, of course. But it still grossed me out, thinking I was cleaning all of the previous owners' gunk out of there. I don't mind leaning my own gunk. But other peoples'? No thanks.
 
On our boat, we have 4 house batteries that are group 24. I'm getting ready to replace them and I noticed they look a little small for their holder so I'm wondering if the PO cheaped out and they should be group 27?
 
I'm looking into this as well. I am thinking the Vizio 32" D32F or Samsing UN32N5300 (there are tons of model number variations). One concern is the mounting options. The stock Sharp TV is totally flat at the back with no connections coming straight out the back. This allows the TV to be directly mounted on a sheet of MDF. The Samsung 32" has connections out the back so a hole would need to be made in the MDF. I think the Vizio protrudes to the back at the bottom so would need a bracket. I am early in this thought process...! I want to run off a small inverter so power consumption is a factor. The Vizio seems to be the lowest at 26W.

I went with the Vizio 32”. Took the black board out and made a new one. Cut a slot in it and installed a shelf to hold the satellite receiver. Drilled a couple of holes to run cables through behind the TV. Mounted the TV on an articulating mount.

Bennett
 
On our boat, we have 4 house batteries that are group 24. I'm getting ready to replace them and I noticed they look a little small for their holder so I'm wondering if the PO cheaped out and they should be group 27?

Mine are all group 31s. Originally two on port and two on starboard. Pretty much all the house loads are on the port side so when I recently replaced them all, I also added two more on the port side.

I went with Fullriver AGMs: http://www.fullriverbattery.com/product/batteries/DC115-12
 
I went with the Vizio 32”. Took the black board out and made a new one. Cut a slot in it and installed a shelf to hold the satellite receiver. Drilled a couple of holes to run cables through behind the TV. Mounted the TV on an articulating mount.

Bennett
Cool. Any pictures? I am about to get moving on this...
 
Thinking about a new project- replacing the sanitation lines. They don't smell horribly, but I am starting to smell a bit of something. It is most noticeable in the stoprage compartments in the guest cabin that the main head line runs through. I wouldn't want to store bedding or towels in them at his point.

I have been tracking the route the lines from both heads take to the holding tank. They are mostly accessible in the cabin area, but they run inside a bulkhead under each engine that is completely inaccessible. This won't be a big deal as long as they are not clamped inside these bulkheads (surely Sea Ray would not have done that!).

Has anyone done this or have any experience with these hoses?

Thank you!
 

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