Official 400EC thread

Hi all. Just joined yesterday and saw the thread. After years of wanting one and buying a couple of Dorals instead, I traded for a 98 with Horizons 3 yrs ago and wish I had done it sooner. The boat, while not perfect, has a great blend of style, space and performance, and I'm still shocked by the number of people coming by to see and ask about it, even though 2 of my friends have newer, a 340DA and a 380DA.
My most major repair to date was a fridge replacement last year, and wasn't fun as they obviously installed the fridge before the deck went on! Next year the plan is new interior carpet and perhaps wood in the galley area. Cheers
 
What kind of fuel burn do you guys see at cruise with the gassers? What is cruise? About 18 knots?

How spacious is the 2nd 'stateroom'? Are the bunks roomy?

Doug
 
douglee25 said:
What kind of fuel burn do you guys see at cruise with the gassers? What is cruise? About 18 knots?

How spacious is the 2nd 'stateroom'? Are the bunks roomy?

Doug
Click to expand...

Fuel burn is a real hard one to nail with gas motors like I have..
The sea condititon and speed make it vary alot.
I use 40gph as a planning number and it works pretty well.
Cruise speed is from 15kt with tabs and around 2700rpm to 23kts little tab and 3200 rpm. Wide open is 29 almost 30kts with a clean bottom and 4200-4400 rpm.

The second state room is great for sitting with many people down stairs. Set for sleeping it is fine. I sleep there sometimes when the kids are hogging the forward cabin.

I like the boat now, but would love it with Cats or Cummins...
 
Boy that's a ton of gas!

I do like the layout of these boats though, and the price is coming down substantially.

Doug
 
The fuel useage, is really pretty good when you consider size and weight. Two friends, one with a 380 and another with a Doral350, both V drive 7.4s, actually used more or the same amount of fuel on an extended trip, which was surprising.
With the Horizons, 380 hp each, it planes down to 2300 rpm at 12 knots and WOT is 32. Cruise is 23 at 3000, 25 at 3200..interesting small differences between the 340s and 380s.
We have 2 sons, 19 and 21 who still come on vacation with us, loving it after all these years!. The sleeping arrangements are one in the bunk and one in the dinette, as its pretty cramped in the side stateroom for 2.
 
400ec man said:
The fuel useage, is really pretty good when you consider size and weight. Two friends, one with a 380 and another with a Doral350, both V drive 7.4s, actually used more or the same amount of fuel on an extended trip, which was surprising.
With the Horizons, 380 hp each, it planes down to 2300 rpm at 12 knots and WOT is 32. Cruise is 23 at 3000, 25 at 3200..interesting small differences between the 340s and 380s.
We have 2 sons, 19 and 21 who still come on vacation with us, loving it after all these years!. The sleeping arrangements are one in the bunk and one in the dinette, as its pretty cramped in the side stateroom for 2.
Click to expand...

And you see about the same fuel burn as well (40 gph)?

Doug
 
With a big gas boat you aren't going to see economy.
The kitty kat 3116 motors are the way to go at around 20-22 gph total.
Or so I hear...
 
I don't exactly know what my gph is and I use my boat for realtively short runs, except summer holidays, but 40 gph seems really high to me. If I do a conversion as I'm Canadian...litres(still don't like it!), I spent $1450($1300US) Cdn in gas on a 2 week trip of approx 250 miles. Converting to USD and using USG, used about 320 gallons of fuel. My point of view on this has always been that if you worry about fuel costs, you probably shouldn't have a boat, unless its got sails of course!
 
400ec man said:
I don't exactly know what my gph is and I use my boat for realtively short runs, except summer holidays, but 40 gph seems really high to me. If I do a conversion as I'm Canadian...litres(still don't like it!), I spent $1450($1300US) Cdn in gas on a 2 week trip of approx 250 miles. Converting to USD and using USG, used about 320 gallons of fuel. My point of view on this has always been that if you worry about fuel costs, you probably shouldn't have a boat, unless its got sails of course!
Click to expand...

True.
Gas is still the cheapest part of boating.
Good luck,
Mark.
 
Exactly...it is what is...other stuff....
1. Has anyone done a cabin carpet replacement? I'm wondering what kind of problems I will have removing the old as its really glued down...any tricks?
2. All 400's list a little to port and I imagine its because there's a weight imbalance as the ice maker, galley and head are on that side. I've moved my genny about 12 inches over, but aside from filling different amounts of fuel, can't get it level...ideas?
3. The platform is starting to get water in the core and I cannot figure where from as I've rebedded the screws etc....just glad the boat has a solid glass hull, which you can't find anymore.
 
I just sold my 1998 340 and will be picking up my new 1992 400 next week. I have a few questions:
1. Have you tried to englarge the existing holding tank or add a 2nd tank?
2. Do you know how to get at the holding tank vent filter (on quick inspection from the day hatch it appears to be on the far side of the port engine and very difficult to access).
Any ideas?
 
Ropesnslopes said:
2. Do you know how to get at the holding tank vent filter (on quick inspection from the day hatch it appears to be on the far side of the port engine and very difficult to access).
Any ideas?
Click to expand...

To get to tank vent filter you simply turn on your side and sneak around the front of your port engine. Fortunatly there should be no tools required as the replacement fillters snap into mounting bracket and the connections are simple gardan hose type fittings that will be hand tightened.
 
Thanks. Found it yesterday. Not a lot of space to enlarge the tank but will figure something out.

400 EC Man - I will let you know about the Carpet. I will be having mine done in the next few weeks. I am a Georgian Bay boater. Where do you keep your boat?

Planned upgrades over the winter include:
1. Englarge Holding Tank.
2. Add Inverter System.
3. Upgrade Windlass with rope/chain system and foot switches.
4. Interior Carpet
5. Cover for fender storge on swimplatform (intend to open it for storage (does anyone know if this gets wet?).
6. Replace galley TV and Coffee making with Door (has anyone does this - pictures?)
7. Repleace Fridge (can use apparment type fridge with Inverter) and Microwave.
8. Does anyone know where to get an aft deck table (not wood), the replacement stools (mine is missing these and the dinetter filler cushion (I plan to pattern and have one made).
9. Numerous Maintenance Items

Boat (which is already updated and nice) will be good as new by spring!
 
Just purchased a 400 EC, so far we love it lots of room! Bought it as a repo so I ahave some work to do. Needs a refrigerator Compressor (already see that looks like a fun one) Just put a Transmission in the port side. Took her out for a cruise nice performing boat!
 
Congrats,
You guys will love the 400.
Mark.
 
Keep us up to date with your work.:thumbsup:
 
Does anyone know where I can find/purchase the vent window cylinder (motor) mechanism. I just purchased this boat and it is missing only have the wires hanging there.
 
Mine is broken. I have asked the marina to come up with a solution over the winter. PM me around December and I will provide you with an update.
 
Like many, my 400EC has fender storage on the swim platform. I have heard of owners converting this to a storage compartment with a hinged top. I would like to see photo of conversion. Also, would the same size and number of fenders still fit inside the compartment?
 
Hey fellow 400 EC'ers... I just bought a 1995 400 EC that is upgraded in every detail, and seems to be 100%. I'm excited to jump into the fray - my previous boat was a 1987 Four Winns 267 Quest - big jump here, but my wife and I are OCD'ing on the new one! Thanks for starting this thread - it may well be very helpful to newbie owners at some point!
 
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