So many questions before buying...

I’ll chime in. We bought our ‘97 400 with CAT 3116s a few years ago. As with any boat of this age, we had to put some dollars into deferred maintenance items and cosmetic updates. But overall, it’s been a GREAT boat for Lake Erie. The caveat I’ll throw out is this; don’t expect to find easy dockage on any of the islands in a boat over 40’. We had to circle around the marina for an hour only to return home on numerous occasions this summer. From June-Aug, you’ll NEED reservations a few days in advance at just about every marina (all of PIB, Dockside at Kelleys, and MBI State Park). We actually didn’t use the boat much this summer because we never made reservations (hard to plan much in advance with a 6mo old) and every time we tried to be spontaneous we got turned away.
 
Good luck on your search for a well cared for 450. I have owned a 1997 450 with the 3126 engines for 6 years and love the boat for cruising the Great Lakes. Cruising speed for us at 2400rpm is 28.5 mph on the gps burning a total of 26.6 gallons per hour (13.3 gah per engine) plus approx. 1gph for the generator. The torque of the diesels coupled with the engine spacing provides superb handling in close quarters. I do not regret moving from a sea ray 400 express cruiser to the 450DA. Great to cruise or hangout on the water.
 
Z-Worthy said:
I’ll chime in. We bought our ‘97 400 with CAT 3116s a few years ago. As with any boat of this age, we had to put some dollars into deferred maintenance items and cosmetic updates. But overall, it’s been a GREAT boat for Lake Erie. The caveat I’ll throw out is this; don’t expect to find easy dockage on any of the islands in a boat over 40’. We had to circle around the marina for an hour only to return home on numerous occasions this summer. From June-Aug, you’ll NEED reservations a few days in advance at just about every marina (all of PIB, Dockside at Kelleys, and MBI State Park). We actually didn’t use the boat much this summer because we never made reservations (hard to plan much in advance with a 6mo old) and every time we tried to be spontaneous we got turned away.
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We know all to well the complications of getting dockage around PIB. Luckily we have a good relationship with the Dockmasters on the public docks and we are members at the Crews Nest too. I always make sure I have a something lined up before I trailer 2.5 hours.

What marina are you at?
 
I bought my 400DB with Cat3116 this year. I run similar to what Frank W says in his thread about a 450DA. At 2400 RPM with full tanks I am between 20 -21 knots. With 1/2 tanks I am closer to 22.5 knots.

Heavy boat but the Cats handle it well.
 
s022mag said:
After a long season of boating coming to a end for us up here in Ohio, my Donzi is finally under a contract and just awaiting passing survey and mechanical inspection on the engines. Hopefully this winter will be spent shopping for 450DAs. We looked at one yesterday with Cummins 420hp and the broker says it cruises at 24mph and tops out at 32. That seemed impressive for such a big boat, am curious what the 3116s and 3126s cruise at.
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We love our 450 with 3126's. Not quite as long as Frank W. but we are on 12th year with it... We generally run 22-24 kts @ 2200-2400 rpm. Our sweet spot (22-24) is around .80 nautical mile to the gallon.
 
I love the 450 DA. Great boat, very manouverable, lots of room for friends and family.

I did not like have the 3126 engines rebuilt. And yes, I had a survey done before the purchase not that it did any good in the long run.
 
I have no doubt we will love a 410 or 450 DA. The only issue I’m having is figuring out what engine package to look for. I’m getting a lot of good info from Frank and for the most part I don’t think there’s a bad one as long as it checks out by a certified Cat Mech or Cummins Mech.

Can’t wait to just drive to the lake and have the boat there waiting instead of trailering and dealing with all the launch issues.
 
Having just bought a new to me boat I do have one peice of advice. Do not buy a boat based on the pictures and what the owner tells you over the phone. Based on that I had the boat surveyed and it turned out to be a POS. I had failed survey I walk away in the contract but it still cost me $850.00 for that hard lesson. Go look at the boat yourself, look the owner in the eye and still get it surveyed. BTW the boat I just bought is awesome so they are out there.
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
Having just bought a new to me boat I do have one peice of advice. Do not buy a boat based on the pictures and what the owner tells you over the phone. Based on that I had the boat surveyed and it turned out to be a POS. I had failed survey I walk away in the contract but it still cost me $850.00 for that hard lesson. Go look at the boat yourself, look the owner in the eye and still get it surveyed. BTW the boat I just bought is awesome so they are out there.
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I did it in 4 stages... 1) my sea trial pass/fail 2) in water survey pass/fail 3) mechanical survey pass/fail 4) on the hard survey pass/fail I could cut my losses at any point and try to limit my financial exposure.
 
I flew down to Miami to look at two 450 DA's with my son. We went to see a boat in Boca and a second vessel in South Beach which was added to our trip at the last minute. Looked at the South Beach boat first and it had good bones but it was definitely on the downhill slide of neglect. Drove to Boca and looked at the second boat; I was still looking the exterior over from the shore when my son (then 15) jumped on board. And in less than 30 seconds he came back up and said "Nope".

I thought he was being rash and went aboard myself. Definitely a butcher job, and "Nope" was the right answer. So much for the photos in the advertisement.

Bought the boat in South Beach with the good bones. Over the last few years its been a labor of love bringing her back to standards. Mostly labor with some love thrown in.
 
The Bill Collector said:
I did it in 4 stages... 1) my sea trial pass/fail 2) in water survey pass/fail 3) mechanical survey pass/fail 4) on the hard survey pass/fail I could cut my losses at any point and try to limit my financial exposure.
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That is a good plan, the trick is executing it when the vessel is miles from home.

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
That is a good plan, the trick is executing it when the vessel is miles from home.

MM
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True that... We flew into So Cal. early Saturday morning and got the sea trial done with surveyor coming later in the afternoon. If this step didn't go well then that would have been canceled. Sea trial and my kicking the tires went well so I didn't cancel step 2. The in-water survey went very well so the mechanic was cleared to arrive on Monday. The ER needed $2k in various maintenance issues and the owner agreed to pay for it. Step 4 the haulout, no issues and we got a 450 !!
 
Cannot stress the need to see the boat in person. I threw away good money after bad getting a survey done on a boat based on the pictures and all the lies the owner told me over the phone. Competly my fault and I own it. The boat we just bought had the original owner there, had him show me everything, proved to me it worked. Then survey then the check was in the mail. Now the waiting begins to move the boat to it’s new home.
 
We took a couple of 4-day weekend road trips. First one we left Athens, GA and met Frank in Chattanooga to look at a boat. Next day, on to Osage Beach, MO. Took our time and saw a lot of other stuff as well. Two weeks later, left here and saw one in Jacksonville, FL, one in Ft. Lauderdale, and a third one in Miami. Got turned down on an offer on one. Was getting ready to make an offer on another when a freshly listed one showed up in Pensacola Beach. Called, signed a contract next day contingent on our inspection as well as survey/sea trial, etc. This one worked out and we love it!

We had a good time seeing the country on the road trips and kind of made mini vacations out of them.

Bennett
 
The Bill Collector said:
True that... We flew into So Cal. early Saturday morning and got the sea trial done with surveyor coming later in the afternoon. If this step didn't go well then that would have been canceled. Sea trial and my kicking the tires went well so I didn't cancel step 2. The in-water survey went very well so the mechanic was cleared to arrive on Monday. The ER needed $2k in various maintenance issues and the owner agreed to pay for it. Step 4 the haulout, no issues and we got a 450 !!
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Staying and making a fun trip out of it helps for sure.

MM
 
That’s what we hope to do is make some mini vacations out looking. My boat should be sold by this weekend, if not then I got the cart way in front of the horse. I’m pretty confident it’s going to sell, I met the guy at the launch one day when we were pulling out. His wife and him loved it so much they were taking pictures of it with them in it haha.

I really can’t wait to get the fam on a more comfortable boat and still have room for another couple. Hotels at PIB are so expensive which discourages friends and family from coming up.

What was Franks fee for meeting you in TN?
 
WV 320 Dancer said:
Cannot stress the need to see the boat in person. I threw away good money after bad getting a survey done on a boat based on the pictures and all the lies the owner told me over the phone. Competly my fault and I own it. The boat we just bought had the original owner there, had him show me everything, proved to me it worked. Then survey then the check was in the mail. Now the waiting begins to move the boat to it’s new home.
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Unless you place no value to your time, I would not consider your $850 a waste of money. It could have easily saved you tens of thousands. Maybe the seller was dishonest or possibly just didn't know. I know I have looked some sellers in the eye before and I couldn't tell if they were an amazing liar or just thought they were smarter than they were. Regardless, sounds like it did you right in the end.
 
Still waiting to find out if my boat is sold. Contract we signed gave the guy 10 days to do all his test and that ended Thursday. Called my broker on Friday and he said the mechanical test was done Thursday and he’s waiting to hear the results. I was told last weekend that the MT was suppose to be done earlier in the week. Either way I haven’t heard crap. Guy still wants to do a sea trial?? We cut a weekend short on a trip and cut out another weekend for this deal. Going on 3 weeks. What pi$$es me off the most is the idea if this deal falls through then I’m stuck doing oil changes and winterizing in mid November in Ohio.
 
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