OFFICIAL - 450DA Owner's Thread****

DowneastSeaRay said:
So far, we've had our 98 450DA for a few weeks and have been loving it. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, but over-all it has been a great addition to the family.
We sucked water into the Westerbeke on our first try. Didn't over-crank it or anything - it's not my first diesel or generator. I'm thinking that it was a perfect storm of weight distribution that lowered the transom enough to make the difference between "almost too low" and "too low" - which put the siphon break below the height where it should be in relation to the engine. At the time, we had full fuel tanks, full fresh water and a giant TNT lift on the back. In my forum surfing, it seems that some guys have nothing but trouble with their Westerbeke and some guys have no problems at all and love them. I'm wondering if the difference is in the weight distribution? For example, guys with standard swim platforms and no Cablemaster have a center of gravity which is forward from the CG of those of us who have all of that gear on or aft of the transom. All that additional weight so far aft possibly lowering our transom and lowering the generator in relation to the water line.
I don't know - just a thought - while the mechanic was pumping out my cylinders.
We pickled the engine for a few days until a newer version of the anti-siphon valve arrived from Westerbeke and then pumped out the oil. Drained and flushed the oil, ran for 15 minutes, drained and flushed again, ran, drained and replaced the filter. All seems to be running well now. I'll be extending the hoses leading the the anti-siphon and moving that up as high as I can to eliminate the chance of this happening again.

Something else we noticed - it would be very easy for the tiny rubber one-way anti-siphon valve to be installed backwards within its cap, rendering it useless. Dumb, i know, but easy to do.
Some pics:
zWW40Oc.jpg

QHLLVQU.jpg
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That anti-siphon should be located up inside of the gunnel as high as possible. Both on my 400DA and my 52DB they were well up in the gunnels; significantly above the water line.
 
The boat is being hauled soon, so I'll definitely be relocating that as high as I can.
 
So far during my first year of running the boat I haven't touched my trim tabs. while cruising if I trim the bow down i can burry it. I haven't noticed any speed difference or change in RPM's

do people use them?
when i had my 390 i needed full tabs to get the bow down and cruise
 
Saverio said:
So far during my first year of running the boat I haven't touched my trim tabs. while cruising if I trim the bow down i can burry it. I haven't noticed any speed difference or change in RPM's
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At lower speeds, I use my trim tabs to pull the nose down...
 
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Hello, new to the forums and wondering about changing out the anchor on the boat. It currently has a fortress anchor and looking at putting a stainless plow style anchor onto the boat. From what I have seen on these forums it looks like the Ultra 60 is the way to go ? Am I right in assuming this anchor is a direct fit to replace the fortress than is on it now or will I need to make modifications ?
 
Well... I guess first I would ask where and what conditions are you acnhoring in that you feel you need to replace the Fortress? Secondly are you all chain or do you have rope?
 
I am in the Cayman Islands so almost always just anchoring in sand, currently it is a mix of chain and rope but can change to whatever is needed. The change to the other anchor is purely a preference in looks to be totally honest.
 
Kody Zander said:
I am in the Cayman Islands so almost always just anchoring in sand, currently it is a mix of chain and rope but can change to whatever is needed. The change to the other anchor is purely a preference in looks to be totally honest.
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Well welcome and yes I agree the Danforth is not the best looking anchor. I have all chain and a Delta that works great in the Sand here and the Bahamas. As far as Stainless it looks great and had one on my Princess but using it in the sand and rocks it just gets scratched up and to me not worth it. It always bugged me to see it all scratched.
 
So with your Delta anchor does it fit into the existing pulpit without having to make any big modifications ? What size Delta anchor are you using ? I am open to options that people are having current success with.
 
You know that is a good question on the weight... I am thinking 60-80 pounds. It came stock with the boat so yes it fits perfectly. Post some pics of your block so we can see what you have. I am sure there are some more 45DA guys on here that will chime in with what they have and what fits. Keep your Fortress in your locker and use it as a stern anchor when needed. I have a Fortress 23 that I use in the Bahamas all the time as a stern anchor.
 
Hopefully this upload of pictures will work so you can see what I am working with currently.
 

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So does anybody know what size or type of plow anchor I can use ? Do I need to make any changes to the pulpit or can I just change out the anchor ?
 
Published dry weight aside, anyone have a travelift number on a reasonably loaded 450DA?

Fuel, water, spared, tools, etc + extra ETC + additional ETC?

I'm figuring for a boat lift behind the house.

Do y'all think I would be safe at 30,000 lbs???

BEST!

RWS
 
Kody Zander said:
Hopefully this upload of pictures will work so you can see what I am working with currently.
Click to expand...
Kody,
I don’t think that danforth is the original by any means. No what size fits I couldn’t tell you. I would think someone on this forum that has the same boat should know. I think a delta should work but you probably need to find one to test fit it.
 
Good afternoon. My wife and I are looking at a 1999 450 Sundancer. The boat is about a 7 hour drive and before we go I was wondering if anyone has a question list for the owner. Is there such a publication? Your help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Before we flew Seattle to Long Beach, CA I had the broker send me everything the owner had, previous surveys, receipts, maintenance records everything & the kitchen sink... Also, more photos than just the YW pic's.
 
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Gentlemen,

I am currently considering a 450 DA with CAT 3208's @ 435 horse with 1300 hours, but I have some concerns.

Do the benefits outweigh the negatives ?

Would I be better off with a 3126 or a 3116?

Benefits:
  1. Likely the 8 cylinder is smoother and quieter than the 6
  2. Lower hp/liter than the 3126 41.8 vs 53
  3. More low end torque than the 3126
  4. Reliable at 435 only if properly propped it’s entire life and not run hard
  5. Bulletproof reputation up to 375 hp
  6. Fuel burn similar but slightly more than 3126 at cruise
    1. May not be significant
    2. FW has discussed that the 450 is weight sensitive. The 3208’s may see a higher fuel burn or a lower cruise speed due to the extra weight
Disadvantages:
  1. REALITY: reputation above 375 hp is less than ideal – hurts the value of the boat
  2. SMOKE: smoke at cold startup may be reduced with block heaters & quick getaway
  3. SOOT: not as clean burning as the 3116 or 3126
    1. Smoke & soot are BIG ISSUES for the Admiral. They are NOT an issue with the current Yanmar mechanical diesels
  4. FIT: fatter in the engine room, less “space” for access to components – is this an issue?
  5. Stamped oil pans have a reputation of rusting out in marine environment
  6. Maintenance: FOUR exhaust elbows/manifolds vs. two
  7. BIG ISSUE IS WEIGHT:
    1. 442 lbs combined additional weight than the 3126
    2. 524 lbs combined additional weight than the 3116
That extra 524 lbs over the 3116 is concentrated in the a$$ end of the boat.

I wonder if she would run bow high compared to the six cylinder versions?

What might be the long term effects on performance/speed/fuel burn/handling with that much additional weight aft?

Any real world examples???????????????????????????

BEST !

RWS
 
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