400DB vs 360DB (looking at both)

S

susanandlance

Well-Known Member
Feb 10, 2011
2,865
Florida
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 36 Sedan Bridge
Engines
8.1 mercruisers
Hi guys, Since my search for a clean 360DB has stalled I'm wideing my search to a 400DB, thoughts for you guys with experience in these two vessels? Thanks in advance!!
 
What years are you looking at? That might help you get some more focused feedback from the folks around here.
 
up to about '01 the hulls are cored so a little more due diligence is needed - the later boats have Cummins Power too, although there is nothing wrong with the 3116s the earlier boats had. These boats are starting to get old....20yrs and a lot of stuff is at the end of its service life - things like sanitation hoses, refrigerators, battery chargers, cushions, vinyl, etc.....deferred maintenance on the motors can cost a fair amount too - cost of ownership along with time spent upgrading and maintaining a 400DB will be higher. Do you need that much boat? If yes the trade offs are worth it, but if your just looking at the price point, I would consider the above....
 
Thanks guys!! The 400 was a 99-01 with 3116's, the 360 is 2007 with gassers
 
I doubt I have enough fingers, and toes to count how many times it's been said on here but if you have any doubt...buy your next boat first. I had my 340DA about a year, and learned the hard way.

-Tom
 
I agree with TNT though I made it 3 seasons with my 340 before bailing on her. :)

Although I will say that I definitely appreciate the 400 more having owned a 340.
 
I would like to help you out but don’t really know what to say. But we all always say to buy the bigger boat if you can afford to do so and there’s no specific reason that you have to buy the smaller one.
I’ve rung up close to 2000 hrs on my boat since 2013 and have spent a good amount of time cruising it so I may have more experience with it than some. If you have any specific questions about the 400, feel free to ask me or just post over at the 400db thread and your questions will get answered by someone.
Good luck.
 
Thanks all, Waiting for a call back on a fresh water 2007 360 DB from Mn
 
Having never owned either one, this is pure opinion...I have however, researched and looked at both. Two things about the 36DB turned me off. The electrical gremlins that plague this model and the poor fuel economy with the gas engines. The 400DB, on the other hand, has a good following and appears to be a very solid vessel. The room, the layout, the diesels, and the reputation of the 400DB make it my choice hands down.

Bennett
 
Thanks Bennett, The core problems on the 400 SB 2001 and down worry me, and the electrical gremlins in the 360, fuel I'm not too worried about, advantage on 360 is its 7-8 years newer if that counts for anything
 
susanandlance said:
Thanks Bennett, The core problems on the 400 SB 2001 and down worry me, and the electrical gremlins in the 360, fuel I'm not too worried about, advantage on 360 is its 7-8 years newer if that counts for anything
Click to expand...
Yes, mid 2001 and earlier are cored. But there are no chronic "core problems" for those boats. Sea Ray did a good job using blocking where all the thru hull cutouts are. I know many people with those year 400DBs and not one has run into a wet hull problem.

Regarding end of life of everything on board. 15 years is about the life of all that stuff. Any competent owner will have replaced all that stuff by now and you should be able to find a boat with less than 5-8 years on all that stuff.
 
Problem IMHO with the 360 is that it’s trying to do too much in too little LOA/beam Too many compromises. I’m 6’3” and headroom is an issue on most boats. I felt cramped on anything short of a newer sedanbridges (420/440?).

The 400 is a great boat, and I’m a fan of CATs. If you can swing the $$$ and a wrench get the 400 w/ diesels. I would not say no to Cummins either.
 
For what its worth I would go bigger and Diesel power all the way. IMO a 36 bridge boat is under powered in most cases gassers. I am sure there is an exception for some scenarios if you would only lake boating.
 
susanandlance said:
Thanks all, Waiting for a call back on a fresh water 2007 360 DB from Mn
Click to expand...

I am assuming your looking at the one in Bayport, MN? Haven't been on it but that boat sat for sale all of last season.... just makes me questions it.. Its a great price point for our market.. Also pretty sad Marine Max hardly has any pictures.. It sat on the sales dock for all of 2018.
 
Thanks David and Zach, Talked to the MM broker yesterday, he agreed that it was over priced as did I. I'll have to ask about it sitting all 2018 for sale...….Interesting...….
 
May I ask if you have ever run either the gas 36DB or the diesel 400DB? There is a world of difference in the 2 boats as far as handling, sea keeping and Maneuvering around a dock.
 
Hey Frank, Long time no see, how you doing? I haven't run either boats. Not sure I want the upkeep of older Cat diesels? Also I coming from a little ol' 2001 280 Sundancer :)
 
ZZ13 said:
Yes, mid 2001 and earlier are cored. But there are no chronic "core problems" for those boats. Sea Ray did a good job using blocking where all the thru hull cutouts are. I know many people with those year 400DBs and not one has run into a wet hull problem.

Regarding end of life of everything on board. 15 years is about the life of all that stuff. Any competent owner will have replaced all that stuff by now and you should be able to find a boat with less than 5-8 years on all that stuff.
Click to expand...

I looked at two 400 SB’s before mine and they both had wet core problems.

The one I bought had zero coring problems. Bottom line is there are some out there with problems.
 
I agree with Frank two completely different boats it’s not apples to apples
Having owned the 36DB I gave you my thoughts already
When searching for a sedan bridge we made the terrible mistake of going with what we thought would fill the bill.
We where wrong we imagined ourselves traveling with our big deisel bridge buddies again we where wrong.
After our first long flotilla we put her up for sale.
This is not a long cruise boat if that’s what your looking for keep looking.
We wanted a 400 DB 2003 and up for the Cummins but bought the 36DB for her looks etc.
if you where comparing a meridian 341 and a 36DB it would be fair.
 
I can speak to the upkeep on older Cat Diesels.........Mine are 23 years old, I'm closing in on 2000 hours. The ones in the 400DB are mechanical engines like mine so there are no electronics to deal with. In fact, the engines are like a farm tractor.....one 12V wire to the fuel supply solenoid is the only electronics needed to run the engines.

That isn't to say you cannot have problems with 3116's, but if you keep the fuel clean, prop them correctly, and don't let them run hot, they are about as trouble free as a marine engine can get. Continuing maintenance is another interesting area.....I have found maintaining Cat 3116's is far cheaper than keeping up a pair of big blocks.......no risers, no manifolds, no tune ups, no electronic injectors, no electronic sensors to drive ECM's because you don't have or need ECM's, about 2X the life of impellers. In. the case of the 36DB, this was the second try in an electronic panel for Sea Ray and neither was continued after the first model because of endless problems. One other Caterpillar fact: The fuel system on the 3116/3126 is a precursor to common rail injection, but it is 100% mechanical with the injectors opened and closed by the camshaft and a separate set of lifters. The result is a virtually smoke free engine with a bullet proof mechanical injection system that is extremely efficient...........even more so than the Cummins 6CTA's 6BTA, and about 2X the efficiency of the big block gas engines.

We have had 2 36DB's at the marina and both owners sold them within a few weeks of moving them to Panama City, so be careful with this one.


Where do you plan to keep the new boat?

Good to hear from you....let me know if I can help you with your search.
 
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