410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

Is there really enough weight from 250 ft of chain to make a difference
In keeping the bow down ? On a 2000 410Da gasser .
how much weight Does the chain add ?

What year 410 has the water tank in the v birth , at 100 gal that would ad 800# ?
Does that help ?

Are you having a hard time with the bow riding high? Are your tabs working correctly? I've got a gasser 400 with the standard 25' +/- of chain rode and my rig rides very nicely. Far more bow-down than my 340 ever ran. It's practically plowing into (and through) the waves with tabs down.

If you're consistently riding bow high (even with tabs) you may want to check your running gear or bottom condition. You shouldn't "need" that 250' of chain to get a nice ride from a 410 IMO.
 
Are you having a hard time with the bow riding high? Are your tabs working correctly? I've got a gasser 400 with the standard 25' +/- of chain rode and my rig rides very nicely. Far more bow-down than my 340 ever ran. It's practically plowing into (and through) the waves with tabs down.

If you're consistently riding bow high (even with tabs) you may want to check your running gear or bottom condition. You shouldn't "need" that 250' of chain to get a nice ride from a 410 IMO.

Follow-up - what RPM/speed are you running when you feel it's a bit bow high?
 
Follow-up - what RPM/speed are you running when you feel it's a bit bow high


I just bought the boat ,still in storage, just from reading I figure the bow rides a little high my biggest thought is when the boat comes on plane will I need to use the tabs to get out of the hole , my 05 340 came straight on plane , I wouldn’t buy , or do anything other then tune the props until I actually run the boat . Just getting ideas and planing
 

Yes, there is plenty of room for 250’ of chain in the locker of a 410. I’ve got 200’ and could easily add another 50’. I think the weight of 5/16” chain is about 116 lbs per 100’.
My 2002 410 has the freshwater tank under the forward berth and I’m sure yours does too.
Mine is usually pretty full because I prefer to use the tank to keep it fresh rather than hooking up to dockside water.
My boat absolutely rides bow high on plane with properly working tabs and a good amount of fuel.
I think it’s a combination of the design (shape) of the bow to allow for headroom down in the cabin, and the weight of the diesels. While it doesn’t impair the boats running abilities, it does make it harder to see over the bow.
At 5’11”, I find that the only way I can comfortably see what I want to see over the bow when running on plane is to either flip up the bolster on the helm seat and use it as a leaning post, or on longer trips I sit on one of those square throwable pillows that adds a couple of inches to the height.
Others have changed to a higher seat base, but that’s an expensive option. If I were taking more long range trips I might consider it.
Your 2000 410 has gassers which are lighter than diesels so you may not have the same issue. Especially if you’re taller.
The 410 is a fantastic boat. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours.
Best of luck with it!
 
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Yes, there is plenty of room for 250’ of chain in the locker of a 410. I’ve got 200’ and could easily add another 50’. I think the weight of 5/16” chain is about 116 lbs per 100’.
My 2002 410 has the freshwater tank under the forward berth and I’m sure yours does too.
Mine is usually pretty full because I prefer to use the tank to keep it fresh rather than hooking up to dockside water.
My boat absolutely rides bow high on plane with properly working tabs and a good amount of fuel.
I think it’s a combination of the design (shape) of the bow to allow for headroom down in the cabin, and the weight of the diesels. While it doesn’t impair the boats running abilities, it does make it harder to see over the bow.
At 5’11”, I find that the only way I can comfortably see what I want to see over the bow when running on plane is to either flip up the bolster on the helm seat and use it as a leaning post, or on longer trips I sit on one of those square throwable pillows that adds a couple of inches to the height.
Others have changed to a higher seat base, but that’s an expensive option. If I were taking more long range trips I might consider it.
Your 2000 410 has gassers which are lighter than diesels so you may not have the same issue. Especially if you’re taller.
The 410 is a fantastic boat. I hope you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours.
Best of luck with it!

Thanks mine has the tank in the bow ,I will be boating up at the islands western Lake Erie , so long trips won’t be a problem! Thanks for the info
I had a 06 hard top 400 da , came up on plane smoothly (8.1HO’s ) but it was bow high also , the faster I went the lower the bow came down but I did tab it a little also .i liked running at 3800rpm that’s were I felt good ! Lol BEFORE YOU ASK !! $200 k in a boat to me is a lot of money , I just retired , so a boat half the money made more sense to me at this time . Loved the boat but I like my $$$$
In my pocket better LOLOLOL
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
JimL boat handle ( jimmy B Jamin )
 
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Thanks mine has the tank in the bow ,I will be boating up at the islands western Lake Erie , so long trips won’t be a problem! Thanks for the info
I had a 06 hard too 400 da came up on plane smoothly (8.1HO’s ) but it was now high also , the faster I went the lower the bow came down but I did tab it a little also .i liked running at 3800rpm that’s were I felt good ! Lol BEFORE YOU ASK !! $200 k in a boat to me is a lot of money , I just retired , so a boat half the money made more sense to me at this time . Loved the boat but I like my $$$$
In my pocket better LOLOLOL
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP
JimL boat handle ( jimmy B Jamin )

Welcome to retirement!
 
Anyone running Acme props on their 410 Sundancer?
Dropped my props off for tune/balance and the shop was telling me about them.
 
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Hello, I’m a new member to this forum but did allot of reading/research on here prior to purchasing my 97 400DA this past August, still have my go fast just in case... but so far I’m really enjoying the SeaRay life ! Spring time can’t come fast enough .. I boat out of Belle River ON, Lake St Clair ..
 

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View attachment 64187 Hello, I’m a new member to this forum but did allot of reading/research on here prior to purchasing my 97 400DA this past August, still have my go fast just in case... but so far I’m really enjoying the SeaRay life ! Spring time can’t come fast enough .. I boat out of Belle River ON, Lake St Clair ..
Welcome Aboard RanDom. This is definitely the site to come to for SeaRay and boating info. Nice boat and a great lake you boat on. Love Lake St. Clair. Maybe we'll see you out there this year. Be sure to go over to the Great Lakes forum and check in on the Lake St. Clair Peeps thread. Alot of cool guys over there.
 
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Thanks! I frequent Brownies quite often, Metro Beach, Algonac ... & coming from an offshore I cant wait to hit Put-In-bay this year.. & enjoy the amenities of a cruiser... I came close to buying a 450DA w/Diesels , but after stumbling across this boat which has bow & stern thrusters & updated electronics I was sold! after reading 75 pages in this thread I went with a gasser for a lot of the same reasons you purchased yours ...
 
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RanDom, where did you find the 400? Was it a Great Lakes boat? As long as you can get used to "slow", I'm sure the comfort and amenities will change just about everything about boating for you!
 
View attachment 64187 Hello, I’m a new member to this forum but did allot of reading/research on here prior to purchasing my 97 400DA this past August, still have my go fast just in case... but so far I’m really enjoying the SeaRay life ! Spring time can’t come fast enough .. I boat out of Belle River ON, Lake St Clair ..

Watch yer feet on that swim platform in August!!! Looks awesome...but also looks like it'll be good for grilling in the mid-day sun :):)

Good to have another great lakes 400 gasser around. We are in the minority. Practically a protected class...:)
 
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The boat originally came from Kingston ON, I purchased her from a gentleman in Hamilton ON , I believe I’m the 3rd owner , but no doubt she’s a clean fresh water beauti, I just did the sea dek in August , & actually the black doesn’t get hot enough where’s it’s uncomfortable on bare feet , I have an extended Bimini so it mostly shaded... the 7.4’s have some higher hours 1200 + but they run great , so I kinda rolled the dice on that.. She just needs a good wax/polish for Spring can’t wait ! I’m already planning a week long trip with my family to cedar point & PIB
 

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The boat came with many updates , 18k worth of new in the box ray marine auto pilot & navigation equipment , 2 flat screens, really nice updated canvass & my favorite part & deal sealer for me was bow & stern thrusts , I have to say it makes docking stress free!
 

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I have an extended Bimini
That is pretty much exactly what I plan to do to mine when it's time for new canvas. I just want to extend it a foot to 18 inches to make it more comfortable while seating on the aft seat with the canvas up. I think you are going to love that boat.
 
View attachment 64187 Hello, I’m a new member to this forum but did allot of reading/research on here prior to purchasing my 97 400DA this past August, still have my go fast just in case... but so far I’m really enjoying the SeaRay life ! Spring time can’t come fast enough .. I boat out of Belle River ON, Lake St Clair ..

Greetings. I have a 400 also. I love the (whatever it's called) stuff on your swim platform - looks great! And the black canvas. I'd do my next Miller Canvas in black, but would be afraid it would be too hot. Welcome aboard!
 
If you’re on lake st Clair , the Black Sea Dek is fine ... my buddy’s skater has it & even in direct August sunlight all day it’s still not bad .. one of the reasons I went with it.. I thought it really updated the boat . I also pulled the gold boot stripes & gold emblems ..
 

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