Looking for knowledge and opinions on a 400DB

Are you sure about the 6kw gennie being on the 400DB? I did a quick look at the Sea Ray archives, and according to the brochures, which aren't always 100% accurate, the 6KW gennie is the 220V international option. The 8KW gennie is the 120V USA option. I wouldn't trust ads on yachtworld to be 100% accurate either. Nor would I trust the broker to be 100% sure. Have the gennie verified by the owner.
 
we've about beat this to death I know but an undersized gen is a compromise i'd really hate to have to make (and probably wouldn't personally) but as Rod mentioned, if it comes down to it, a 400DB is probably one of the easier boats to remove/replace a gen on. Nevertheless, when I was in the market for the 480 and looking to sell the 400db, there were p-l-e-n-t-y of of them out there for sale. I just don't think you'll have any problem finding more than a few to meet your wish list.

When I'm at the lake, we're not dockrats. We're out on the boat and that means all systems up & going...playstations, air, blenders, big audio amps, etc. The 400DB is a big boat and needs the KW's if this is how you boat. and it sounds like it is...
 
Four Suns said:
Have you even seen a 400db with a 6kw gen? According to Sea Ray's web site, that was only an international option which means it was also set up for 50Hz. The only diesel option was 8 kw for the US market.
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I haven't seen one in person, but this is what I was told by a broker on one of the northern boats.
 
sea salt said:
..... I wouldn't trust ads on yachtworld to be 100% accurate either. Nor would I trust the broker to be 100% sure. Have the gennie verified by the owner.
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That's a good advice. :thumbsup:
 
Any ideas on this ......

....what about the cockpit seat with the storage box under it? I've noticed that some 99'-00' boats don't have it. It was an option and not everyone ordered it. Considering that the latest model is 2003 I don't even know if it's possible to order such seat from SR. I would assume that it could cost as much as $3K. I doubt that FP marine has it. I've looked on their site and didn't see it.

So, my question is, besides buying few folding chairs from WM what might be the option to have something custom made to replicate the seat with storage?
 
I'd say you're not to far off the mark with the $3k but I didnt have much luck finding a source for it or finding anything other that excited me. I've seen a few different set-ups on both 400 and 480 cockpits...wicker to benches to marine chairs. Although the benches are handy due to the storage they do face the salon doors. not a biggee for sure but some like facing the scenery. our 480 doesnt have a bench so we put a couple of the Garelick folding marine chairs and a matching table in the cockpit. The wife likes being able to watch the kids swimming and facing the land/seascape in general. To each his own I guess.
 
This might help the debate. Are you sure that the broker was not just confused by the tag on the generator?

Its hard to see because of the flash but the tag has specs for both 6KW and 8KW on the front of the gen.

2171305_90.jpg
 
Thanks Carver370.

I'll just follow the previous suggestions to validate the information I was given and only after knowing 100% what a boat has I'll jump in to a conclusion.
 
Alex

We have the cockpit bench seat and while it is convenient for storage we've never actually used it for seating. We much prefer to use the 2 cushioned chairs we got at WM facing the stern rather than looking at the sliding glass door. If I had it to do over I'm not sure if I'd get the bench seat but I definitely would NOT get the cockpit table. The only purpose that thing serves is to take up space and provide aconvenient place for empty beer cans and my wifes artificial flower arrangement. She won't let me get rid of it though....
 
Here are 2 points, Alex........

The aft bench seat is a rectangular box with drop in lids. It would be quite easy to make one out of marine plywood, or have a cabinet shop make one, then shoot it with AwlGrip or Imron..............I cannot see this being anywhere near a $3000 project either.

Your question about the gold shifter or plastic handles ones..........this change over isn't as easy as removing one and screwing the other one on. The gold handled shift quadrants are above the panel mounts and the stainless/plastic ones are in the panel mounts where the cabling and mechanism is under the panel out of the way. Other than appearance, there is also a difference panel space and utility. While the above the panel mounts are cool and classy looking, they sit up on the panel and take up space. There is also a difference in the angle of the shift/throttle arm. In some applications the below the panel mount works a lot better and makes the panel more user friendly than the other so there is more to this than just looking cool .
 
There is one other issue with the shifters (I believe, could be wrong though). On my boat I have cables for the throttles (mechanical engines), but I do not have cables for the transmissions/shifters. They are electronic (wire to soleniods if I remember/understand). This may complicate changing the shifters as well. Just my .02
 
Just an idle questions. I heard that on some boats Sea Ray shot the gelcoat a few mills thicker than on other years. Thicker is good as far as wear and stuff, but thicker also is more prone to spider cracking. Any truth to this and does that apply to the 400DB?
 
There really is a difference in some of their gelcoats. Particularly in very popular models that they made a lot of that year.

From what I have see with the 400's they seem to have rather nice gelcoats compared to others.
 
the gelcoat on my 450 has to be at least twice as thick as my 280.
 
Ok, so we're about a month into this one. Alex, do you think this is your next boat?
 
bmac said:
Alex

We have the cockpit bench seat and while it is convenient for storage we've never actually used it for seating. We much prefer to use the 2 cushioned chairs we got at WM facing the stern rather than looking at the sliding glass door.....
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Brian,
I'm sure everyone has their way of using various features on their boats, but our view defers on this one. As we all know sundancer's great selling point is the u-shape cockpit seating area where you can have your company gathered together. I'm looking for DB cockpit seating area to give me at least some of it in return.

When we were rafted with Greg (Lady TAZ) at Shelter Island it was very nice to see how he had his cockpit area setup. The bench was the main sitting, he had large very nice looking table in the middle and two very comfortable chairs on the other side (right next to the glass doors). This type of setup sort of worked like a u-shape seating in sundancers. We had all the kids gethered there together while adults had their own area. It was very nice and this is how I envision to have it on my boat.

fwebster said:
....
The aft bench seat is a rectangular box with drop in lids. It would be quite easy to make one out of marine plywood, or have a cabinet shop make one, then shoot it with AwlGrip or Imron..............I cannot see this being anywhere near a $3000 project either..... .
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Frank,
Since you've been involved in boating and different projects way much more than me, it's easier for you to see an outcome of this one. I've never been involved in such project, but I just know one thing that as the end result I'd like to see something professionally done that looks very nice and clean and provides seating with the storage. I'm sure there're companies that can do this, I just have to find them if I happen to buy a boat without the cockpit seat. But, the main thing at this point is to estimate the potential cost, so I can add it to a boat's purchase price.
 
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Four Suns said:
My gel coat is 4 times thicker than a 450.
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yeah, well my gold knobs are at least twice as big as a 480DB. In fact they're so big, they won't even hold a round shape, they are more like big bricks.
 
Nehalennia said:
Ok, so we're about a month into this one. Alex, do you think this is your next boat?
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:lol:....Thanks Todd, like I don't have enough pressure :smt043

I know that for some people it takes about a year or more to find their next boat, so I'm way under that time frame. However, without going in to much details, I had few things going on and needed to see how different options work out. We also weren't sure which model we want to move up to 400DB or 420DB. At this time we're 99% switched our focus on 400DBs. So, now it's about finding the one that meats our needs best and the money we're willing to pay for it.
 
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