420/44 DB Owners Club

Thanks for the feedback. This is not the CE engine but rather the mechanicals. So from what I have read I don’t think the heads are really an issue. But of course feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
Way too many variations to keep straight. Your likely correct there I hope so anyway. We moved up to the 06 44DB with the QSC 8.3 500HDs from a 2008 Rinker 350. Never looked back. We really enjoyed the Rinker but I do not miss those IOs
 
I hit rocks with mine and the props bashed several holes thru the bottom with chunks of the rocks. I looked at the area during the repairs and saw no evidence of any core material. There is an inner hull and space between the inner and outer hull. I only had water coming into the bilge due to a pin hole in the walk between the engines. I had no strut or rudder damage and the repairs still cost $35000 including the 35 mile tow to the yard.
Yikes! I hope insurance helped... I talked to the mechanic that maintained the boat for its first 13 years last night and he couldn’t say enough about the good condition and well maintained nature of the boat. He also confirmed the engine failure was related to a strange oil cooler failure. I’m feeling pretty good about the boat. We shall see if it checks out on Friday.
 
After the experience a friend had with his 2004 420SD a couple of years ago at roughly 750 hrs, I would be interested to know if any head work was done on the 1200 hr engine. The 480 CE engines have been known to drop valves and the heads were redesigned at least a couple of times before they discontinued the model. Harold went ahead and had both heads replaced after he dropped a valve. Depending on where you are on price you might consider replacing the head out of an abundance of caution to avoid a possible failure which would result in costly engine removal just for repair. Harold was able to have his engine repaired but it had to be pulled as the 420 hasn't the room under the engine to drop the pan for insitu rod removal. As I remember the cost of replacement of the head was around $8500.
Either way, you are going to love the boat. Always great to find a boat that the previous owner sank unrecoverable boat bucks in!
Carpe Diem
Love your last sentence “Always great to find a boat that the previous owner sank unrecoverable boat bucks in!” .... That’d be me ;-)
 
We had the survey today. The cummins tech said the aftercoolers are overdue for service. I guess the pressures while running were at 22psi port and 18psi starboard. He said both were out of cummins spec range but 18 was actually reasonable. The 22psi he said I should take care of asap. Underway the boat made 2680 rpms on both motors so that was great. No smoke and the temps were constant. A few minor things but nothing that was scary. Aftercoolers were definitely the most concerning item.
The hull surveyor said the boat was definitely in tip top shape and well cared for. The only concerning thing, which is by far my biggest thing, is he detected moisture with his meter in a small area above the stbd trim tab on the transom. He said the meter sounded pretty good so there may indeed be moisture in the transom there. However he did say the meters can be off sometimes when the boat is only out of the water for a short period of time. It was on the slings for 24 hours. He did the tap tests all around the area and everything sounded fine. Also the meter didnt get any suspect readings elsewhere.
What is your guys experience with this? Should I be concerned or are these meters often off under these circumstances?
 
  • Like
Reactions: AEO
Before I purchased my 07 44 DB I contacted Searay about the hull composition and was told there is no wood coring in the hull. If this is true for your year, as I think it is, I would not be as concerned about it especially when this reading was taken through the bottom paint. It sounds like the surveyor was not too concerned. Solid glass can still absorb water and de-laminate but he should have heard it when percussion testing the area.
 
I have read this whole thread but cannot recall if it was discussed on what the difference in our hull is from the 400DB's. Based on spec they appear to be very similar. Same beam and LOA is only a foot different. It does look like the 420/44DB boats are 8000lbs heavier. Where is that weight coming from compared to a Cummins 6CTA 400DB?
 
I have read this whole thread but cannot recall if it was discussed on what the difference in our hull is from the 400DB's. Based on spec they appear to be very similar. Same beam and LOA is only a foot different. It does look like the 420/44DB boats are 8000lbs heavier. Where is that weight coming from compared to a Cummins 6CTA 400DB?
Doesn't answer your question, but how did you make out on the deal. Are you a 42DB owener yet?
 
Doesn't answer your question, but how did you make out on the deal. Are you a 42DB owener yet?

Not yet. Still trying to negotiate after the engine survey results came back with some things that needed to be addressed.
 
I have read this whole thread but cannot recall if it was discussed on what the difference in our hull is from the 400DB's. Based on spec they appear to be very similar. Same beam and LOA is only a foot different. It does look like the 420/44DB boats are 8000lbs heavier. Where is that weight coming from compared to a Cummins 6CTA 400DB?

They are very similar. Sea Ray sent me several hull subfloor and bracing drawings and the title blocks actually reference the 400DB on one page, then 44DB on the next.

upload_2019-9-23_21-30-40.png
upload_2019-9-23_21-31-24.png

I was docked with a 400DB in the slip beside me this past summer and the main difference I could see with the hull is the integrated swim platform on the 420/44DB.

Everything above the rub rail was different between the two, however.
 
Well we worked it out and close on Thursday. Onto new adventures. I look forward to figuring out how to operate this thing on the 6 hour journey home....
420 stbd view.jpg
420 Garmin.jpg
420 cockpit nuteak.jpg
 
Congrats! Pick a nice day and enjoy the ride.
 
I’m planning on installing a Bennett AutoPro Control unit to my 44DB and was wondering if anyone out there with a similar boat has previously done it? Be interested to know if you are happy with your investment, and if you have any advice before I ‘jump in’

Thanks
 
I’m planning on installing a Bennett AutoPro Control unit to my 44DB and was wondering if anyone out there with a similar boat has previously done it? Be interested to know if you are happy with your investment, and if you have any advice before I ‘jump in’

Thanks
Haven't done this so I can't help you on that front … but, I did see a article recently on it that might be helpful. Looks like they had significant difficulty in getting it to operate correctly. The blog runs up to Sep 2018 … so, fairly recent information. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...5467-bennett-trim-repair-and-auto-pro-install

Good luck, look forward to hearing/seeing how things turn out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AEO
Haven't done this so I can't help you on that front … but, I did see a article recently on it that might be helpful. Looks like they had significant difficulty in getting it to operate correctly. The blog runs up to Sep 2018 … so, fairly recent information. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...5467-bennett-trim-repair-and-auto-pro-install

Good luck, look forward to hearing/seeing how things turn out.
Wow what a story... Impressive tenacity from the poster - Bennett owe him a full refund and a bottle of his favorite tipple... Had he given up, I would’ve too. So guess I’m still in the market
 
Can anyone ID the upholstery and/or colors in this photo? I need to replace the stbd side seat-base cover on my 08’ 44DB and would like to keep it original.

I’ve added a link below for a supplier but any advice or ideas greatly appreciated.

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Sea+ray+vinyl&cat=

Thanks.View attachment 75400

You could try calling or emailing Sea Ray with your HIN. They have been very helpful in the past with me when matching carpets....
 
  • Like
Reactions: AEO
Has anyone replaced their analog tachs? I have one that is dancing and slightly off even after it settles down. Can these be replaced for an exact match or be sent somewhere to be rebuilt?
 
Several have replaced them with Aetna digitals. Several threads on them. Myself and at least one other member has posted on the 400DB thread about ours.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,746
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top