Considering a 2000 Sundancer 400

Doc, you have just climbed the mountain of enlightenment and fell in the well of knowledge all at the same time. Within the first few return postings there was enough smarts on that model to fill volumes upon volume.

If you are serious about a 400DA, then Tom, Peter and Commodore Ken are the ones to ask along with all the other 400 owners, both gas or diesel And I too would agree it has been one of the best hull bottoms Sea Ray ever built. Do you know any particulars of this boat? I don’t live on one like these other guys and doubt I can offer nearly as much info as these pros but feel free to ask.

Now…you other guys- want to make any bets on the date and hull number the 400 came to its demise and replaced by the 410?

hint- Tom is right, the first 410 was bow to stern with the last 400 at the old Sea Ray, Merritt Island FL plant

Rusty
 
Doc, you have just climbed the mountain of enlightenment and fell in the well of knowledge all at the same time. Within the first few return postings there was enough smarts on that model to fill volumes upon volume.

If you are serious about a 400DA, then Tom, Peter and Commodore Ken are the ones to ask along with all the other 400 owners, both gas or diesel And I too would agree it has been one of the best hull bottoms Sea Ray ever built. Do you know any particulars of this boat? I don’t live on one like these other guys and doubt I can offer nearly as much info as these pros but feel free to ask.

Now…you other guys- want to make any bets on the date and hull number the 400 came to its demise and replaced by the 410?

hint- Tom is right, the first 410 was bow to stern with the last 400 at the old Sea Ray, Merritt Island FL plant

Rusty

What a bet with you? The man with the data at fingertips? I'll take a guess; June 1999 and boat number 533.
So to the OP, don't let Capt. Higgins play dumb - It's because of him and allowing me to ransack the engineering library at the plant that I know anything at all.
 
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Doc, you have just climbed the mountain of enlightenment and fell in the well of knowledge all at the same time. Within the first few return postings there was enough smarts on that model to fill volumes upon volume.

If you are serious about a 400DA, then Tom, Peter and Commodore Ken are the ones to ask along with all the other 400 owners, both gas or diesel And I too would agree it has been one of the best hull bottoms Sea Ray ever built. Do you know any particulars of this boat? I don’t live on one like these other guys and doubt I can offer nearly as much info as these pros but feel free to ask.

Now…you other guys- want to make any bets on the date and hull number the 400 came to its demise and replaced by the 410?

hint- Tom is right, the first 410 was bow to stern with the last 400 at the old Sea Ray, Merritt Island FL plant

Rusty
And that is now Past Commodore Ken! I have passed the gavel!
 
My 99 400 is hull 620.
OK Pete - I'll bite. Mine is "production run" 525 with S/N 7549 and it's a 2000 model year with certification date of June 99. Behind about every fabricated item is written "400DA 525" so I'm assuming 525 is the production number and what I'm sure is near the last of them.
How did you get 620?
 
I don't know this is a good question. Mine is actually 622. Like yours it says 400DA-622 on the back of everything. But mine is 99 model and SN7241.
 
Interesting stuff on the build sequence. What month does Sea Ray generally start manufacturing for the upcoming model year? For example, since my hull ID ends in A000 I've always assumed that my 2000 410DA was built in January of 2000 (A for January, 0 for 2000 build year, 00 for 2000 model year); what month in 2000 did they start making the 2001 model year? I'm sure it varies by model and year just like cars but I see your 400DAs were built in June of 1999 so they must start pretty early.
 
Thanks. Great insight from all. I am so appreciative. I go to see the boat tomorrow. I have also found the same model in a 1998 that looks not only clean (pics) but also appears to have had great maintenance. I am not keen on 2 years older for about the same price, but am willing to at least look at it. Do you know of any significant differences in the years? aj
 
Interesting stuff on the build sequence. What month does Sea Ray generally start manufacturing for the upcoming model year? For example, since my hull ID ends in A000 I've always assumed that my 2000 410DA was built in January of 2000 (A for January, 0 for 2000 build year, 00 for 2000 model year); what month in 2000 did they start making the 2001 model year? I'm sure it varies by model and year just like cars but I see your 400DAs were built in June of 1999 so they must start pretty early.

The actual month production starts for a model year varies depending upon a lot of variables like backlog, model changes, end of model, etc. FOR the most part, the new manufacturing year begins in about August.
 
Do you know of any significant differences in the years? aj

The 400DA had no significant changes in design, layout, features or power throughout its production run. The cosmetic changes were relatively minor, and most of those occurred in the earlier years. There are more differences between a '97 and a '98 than you'll see between a '98 and a 2000.

The only FB mold difference I can identify was the addition of the upper transom "bumps", which occurred during the '97 model year. The tan dash was optional early on, and in early models the tan stopped at knee level. The aft bimini supports were relocated after '97, and the fwd bimini bow was re-shaped to be taller in the center. Chrome bezels were added to the gauges. Gassers got a slightly larger genny in '98, and the 340 Merc Bluewaters gave way to 380 Horizons. The microwave became a newer model and Vitricor cabinetry was introduced in 2 colors. Gas & diesel got newer throttle and shift levers after '97. The mirrors were squared-off and side curtains were added in the stateroom. The stainless guard around the rangetop was beefed-up. The built-in margarita maker didn't make it into all of the later 400DA's - on some boats you may have to provision your own blender. :wow:
 
The 400DA had no significant changes in design, layout, features or power throughout its production run. The cosmetic changes were relatively minor, and most of those occurred in the earlier years. There are more differences between a '97 and a '98 than you'll see between a '98 and a 2000.

The only FB mold difference I can identify was the addition of the upper transom "bumps", which occurred during the '97 model year. The tan dash was optional early on, and in early models the tan stopped at knee level. The aft bimini supports were relocated after '97, and the fwd bimini bow was re-shaped to be taller in the center. Chrome bezels were added to the gauges. Gassers got a slightly larger genny in '98, and the 340 Merc Bluewaters gave way to 380 Horizons. The microwave became a newer model and Vitricor cabinetry was introduced in 2 colors. Gas & diesel got newer throttle and shift levers after '97. The mirrors were squared-off and side curtains were added in the stateroom. The stainless guard around the rangetop was beefed-up. The built-in margarita maker didn't make it into all of the later 400DA's - on some boats you may have to provision your own blender. :wow:

To add:
The 2000 model moved to the LCD systems monitor rather than the individual LED's.
A significant differences from what I understand are between the boats built at the Merritt Island Fl. plant and at the Knoxville Tn plant. Cored hull from Tn and non-cored at Fl. Not sure about what years....
 
To add:
A significant differences from what I understand are between the boats built at the Merritt Island Fl. plant and at the Knoxville Tn plant. Cored hull from Tn and non-cored at Fl. Not sure about what years....

My understanding was that all 400DA's had cored hull-sides. I meant to confirm that with Rusty, but never got around to it.
 
They all did NOT have cored hulls

R

Rusty,
My 1997 400 Sundancer was built at Merritt Island , Fl hull serf5612f697. What type of hull and sides does it have. The reason I ask is that when it was pulled out 1.5 yrs ago for a bottom job right after I purchase it ( 13 years without bottom paint) it had about 50 large bilisters and water running out of the starboard prop tunnel at the transom end. The blisters were not deep and easy to fix, but the water in the tunnel required more work and cleanup. Had to actually remove material and let it drain and then repair. My concern is that if I have a cored hull then I will have problems in the future. Unfortunately I did not get to see the hull before it was repaired. Also while replacing a grounding wire in the bilge at the rudder I had to remove a thru bolt nut on the bilge rudder plate and noticed that a little water started to seep out ( boat in the water). The thru bolt was turning while I tightened the nut back on it , but once I got it good and tight the water stopped. Is this letting water into the hull ?
 
This has been an outstanding group. I appreciate everyone's input and outstanding insight. So I am kinda torn. I have a 2000 in my sights that is pretty clean, but with some cosmetic wear not to be unexpected. I also have a 1998 that appears really clean, but is obviously 2 years older. She also lacks a radar, but has some unique personal touches from the prior owner that the 2000 does not have. As best I can see the basic features between the 2000 and 1998 are not that different. I am not new to boating (15 plus years in a 38 foot sailboat), but I am new to power boating. Any last thoughts before I close a deal?
 
I'm late to the meetup.. (as usual...haha)

Happy to answer any questions, though looks like you're pretty sorted. Trusted her with my life...20-30 miles offshore and even one day of 6'-7' off the bow...

Well built and great company that stands behind her....Plus one experienced Capt. that's got my respect and then some....
 
Thanks to all for your input. I have settled the 1998 Sundancer 400. A little older than I wanted, but this is truly a "clean" boat. Outstanding condition, survey, including the cat survey all positive. This group has helped a ton in the process. I am proud to join the SR family this spring. Next stop: other SR discussions.
 

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