my first post- sedan bridge and other questions

T

tugger

Member
Nov 11, 2019
69
Boat Info
boatless
Engines
boatless
Hello, This is my first post so thanks in advance for the advice and expertise. I am in fort myers florida and have owned 8 smaller bow riders in the past in fresh water but never above 24ft. We are liking the sedan bridge style because we plan to spend some overnights at a nice marina we found and like the open, window design of the cabin and the height of the bridge as well as the area outside the doors in the stern. I have a few questions and would love multiple insights.
1.looking at the 36-42 sedan bridge, based on price and size probably around 2004-2007. I noticed the 36 ft, although affordable, didn't stick around long with sea ray.(07-08 based on what I can tell) Are there things about that model that are watch outs other than the size?

2.Like the sea ray model, quality and design but are there other brands that you would say are real QUALITY boats like sea ray that I should consider. Like for example the 2006 391 meridian sedan bridge design really caught my eye.

3. When I look at older year sea rays like the 400sb I have heard and read about "be careful of cored hulls" and I don't know exactly what a cored hull is and if it should be avoided and what problems arose from them if any. Also, what years did sea ray (and others) go away from these.

Thanks so much, Tugger
 
1. Welcome aboard the forum and you can't go wrong with the 42 Sedan Bridge in the 04-07 range. The 36 are more commonly packaged with the gas engines and your fuel burn would be of concern based on how and where you use the boat. On the 42-44DB (DB= Sedan Bridge) the one thing to be aware of are the issues with over propping the 480CE motors. Best to read up on the 450 C thread as thats a common setup on the 04-05 models. I believe the newer models came with the 500 package, but i'm not familiar with those.
2. No, can't beat a Sea Ray but I'm partially biased;)
3.Yes the cored hulls should be taken into consideration but i'm sure there are owners on here who can speak to the pros and cons of that. There are tons of info on here covering pretty much everything you've asked. Do some searches on the forum as there is a dedicated thread for each model. Good luck with hunt!
 
Thank you, what is “over propping”? Is it just having the wrong prop on the outdrive? Thanks again
 
tugger said:
Thank you, what is “over propping”? Is it just having the wrong prop on the outdrive? Thanks again
Click to expand...
Over propping means that the pitch is too aggressive and the engine can't reach proper WOT. Basically, the engine is "overloaded' at all speeds (rpm) which is detrimental to it..
 
I for one can speak authoritatively about the colored hull. I have a blue hull and love the look and the compliments but it is a chore to keep it looking good. If you love loving on your boat or don’t mind spending an extra couple of grand a year having it professionally polished I’d stay with the white on white. I’ve got the 8.3 QSC500 HD engines and have had great performance with no issues for the last 300 hrs. The only reason I’d go with a different boat is if I wanted a bigger boat or a down helm.
Happy Hunting
 
Carpediem44DB said:
I for one can speak authoritatively about the colored hull. I have a blue hull and love the look and the compliments but it is a chore to keep it looking good. If you love loving on your boat or don’t mind spending an extra couple of grand a year having it professionally polished I’d stay with the white on white. I’ve got the 8.3 QSC500 HD engines and have had great performance with no issues for the last 300 hrs. The only reason I’d go with a different boat is if I wanted a bigger boat or a down helm.
Happy Hunting
Click to expand...

“be careful of cored hulls". :)
 
Cored hulls and colored hulls one must be careful.
For cored hulls, particularly for below water line. Not the case on the 420 and 44DB.
For color hulls, my last boat had a blue hull. It was such a chore to keep it looking good that i wrapped the entire boat in the same dark blue color vinyl. Such a great investment and looked beautiful up until i sold it. It barely even needed wax at the beginning of the season. With that said i did own a Rinker and during that era they were known to have a crumby gel coat. Perhaps sea ray wasn't as bad with the chalking on their colored hulls.
 
We had a pewter colored 260DA and they are a chore to keep looking good. I will never own another colored hull....

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
We had a pewter colored 260DA and they are a chore to keep looking good. I will never own another colored hull....

Bennett
Click to expand...
More work - yea, but wow, she's a beaut'
IMG_2960.JPG
 
GT is a dark blue model year 52DB and looks great IMHO. She’s been outside for 90% of her life and the PO took great care of her and I have as well. Does she require more work than a white hull I’d say yes as she gets waxed blow the rub rail at least twice a year. Top side is white and requires at least two if not three coats a year as more direct exposure.

The biggest requirement for the colored hull is dock handling capabilities and excellent preplanning before docking. I find clean fenders without any cloth and soft inflatable fenders placed properly to be the best defense. Obviously being centered in a slip tied off any dock is simple for the most part. It’s how you’re tied and fenders positioned in rafted or side ties that requires more consideration.

Just hanging fenders along the side of the boat, rolling, rubbing the colored hull with not cut it and positioning will be your best friend as the fenders can be your hulls nightmare!
 
In regards to the Meridian brand you mentioned. I had a 2008 411. It was a great boat. The design of the boat was well thought out. I also like the style and layout of the 391 but the 411 or 441 are a better use of interior space. The price difference can be significant over a Sea Ray also. The Sea Ray is a better built boat but don’t be afraid of a Meridian especially if you aren’t sure of the bridge boat.
 
We own a 2003 400DB (Sedan Bridge) that we absolutely love. Based solely on what I saw when I was searching for our boat I wouldn't consider anything that isn't extremely clean. Cored hulls were a concern but I'm not sure they were a real problem if the boat is kept well. I just had trouble finding a good candidate anywhere from Michigan to Atlanta. The 400DB is an amazing boat but I'd gladly go bigger if we had the room. Beyond 2000 most 400's weren't cored hulls. I think by 2001 none were.
 
On the colored hull debate... The colored hull is work but not out of control work if you keep it up. If I bought a new boat and it was exactly what I wanted but it had a blue hull.... I would still buy it... But if two boats were identical, one blue one white. I would pick the white hull.
image.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,102
Messages
1,425,997
Members
61,018
Latest member
IslandGirls1020
Back
Top