420 DA Thread

radaron said:
Hello everyone. After a long "between boats" spell, we took delivery of our '06 440 this week. We bounced between several models and years and actually walked away from a different model 2 hours into an engine survey.
A little nudging from the Mrs (who liked the 420/440 ) and a lot of trolling on this thread made up our minds and we zeroed in on the 420/440. The search took months and the fondness you guys show throughout this thread for the 420/440 was inspirational.
The maiden voyage was a 3 hour run from Long Island to Manasquan in 3-4 ft seas. She handled like a champ and we are thrilled with our choice.
We're hoping to get a few good days in before we winter it, seems crazy that we took delivery only to winter it but this was THE boat. From the initial offer then a little negotiation then scheduling Cummins to do the engine survey and then getting a SAMS surveyor scheduled and then documentation and finally closing...it all took about 6 weeks! The surveyors we chose were a good investment and we learned a ton from them.
Anyway, as we become more familiar with our "new" acquisition, I look forward to tapping into the knowledge and experience you guys have and looking forward to the opportunity to contribute as well.
Click to expand...

Pics. Or it didn't happen!

Congrats! And welcome.
 
The pic in my avatar was taken my first moments at the helm leaving Long Island.
 
Nice! We also had our first ride (other that the sea trial I spent all of three minutes at helm for) leaving LI and headed home to MA! Fun, exciting and nerve wracking all in one!
 
I keep forgetting to post this mod. I really wrestled with replacing the TV on my 2004. I ended up with a 24” 1080 Smart TV from target for $125. I made the sound bar to fill in the gap below. The sound bar is hollow so it just reflects the sound forward from the TV’s internal speakers that point down below the screen. I had to make a spacer to bring the TV forward a bit. All in all it was a simple upgrade in the end and I am very happy with the result.

F6BCEB09-7F35-447B-B94E-FFEE4F1CE055.jpeg
 
Water update. So all the water I found in the aft floor came from the salon ac unit . Must have been leaking for a long time . So I would add that to a monthly check list. ( condensate drain line on salon ac clogged sending condensate into the bilge. Areas u can not access.... What bitch to clean up ...

Have a good winter guys

Rob
 
Rob,
I chased that same problem in my 2003 420 DA. This can become a big problem if not attended to. I sea trialed a 2006 44DA With a friend and all the bulkheads were moist forward of the aft cabin storage area because the owner had never checked the storage area for water. The estimated repair cost to replace the bulkheads killed the sale. On my 420 I got in the habit of using compressed air to keep the ac pan drain line clear. This simple maintenance item will prevent a lot of pain.
 
Has anyone replaced their SR Navigator? I'm scheming to begin replacing electronics and would like to start with the GPS/Nav system. I'm trying to get a handle on the dimensions we have to work with. Any input, info, words of wisdom would be appreciated.
 
I am pretty sure any of the current 12" displays will fit in either spot, the spot in front of helm might take a 16" if you eliminate the gauges.

Technographics has all the drawings for the dash panels so they can make new ones just like your old ones (since they made the old ones!).

BOEMarine - the host of this site is an excellent resource with very good pricing. If not buying local I would highly recommend using them.
 
Thanks for the info. There's a great thread running right now on "what's the best" electronics. I'm just getting started on the process and there's some great stuff out there. While we were boat shopping over the summer some of the "sawzall and hammer" installs we saw were unfortunate. I'm trying to get as much homework done ahead of time and plan to go to the Miami Boat Show with enough prep to be dangerous.

88 days 'til we pull the wraps. 94 days to Spring Launch.
 
Yes, it pays to spend a bit of time and a few extra dollars to make it look as good or better than factory new.

That electronics thread has some great info.

There really are no bad choices today, it's all down to personal preference.
 
I looking for two items for my 2004 420 Sundancer; 1) toilet seat for aft head and 2) The dark gold hull stripe (1”) above the wide stripe. I appreciate any help.
 
Northeast Sanitation will have all the toilet parts. The model number should be on a plate on the base of the bowl near the front. You need to remove the skirt to see it.

https://www.northeastsanitation.com/

The hull stripe should be available through any retailer, doubt Sea Ray has it as a part number. I would get a foot or so to make sure it matches before buying the 100' or so you will need.
 
Thank you much! Ill let you know how I do. Any recommendations for hull stripe decal vendors?
 
Try a local sign shop for the hull stripe tape. They usually have a really large selection of colors and can cut it to any width or length you need.
 
Hey Guys - I hopefully will be in the market come springtime for a 420. Most likely in the 2004 - 2007 year range. I have seen comments saying the 440 is the same boat as the 420. Can someone school me on the years that these were the same size boat? Thanks. And if you are thinking of selling yours next year and want to send me info on yours please PM me for my email address. Thanks
 
2003 to 2005 were 420's, 2006 they went to 44's (not 440). 2004 added optional hardtop (must-have), 2005 had a significant interior upgrade, 2006 added bigger hull-side windows (nice).
 
The interior changes were mostly in the galley, moving the TV to a flip down and adding a narrow cabinet for liquor.

The hard top is well worth it, I would avoid boats without one.

The other major change was to the engines. IIRC 2004 had Cummins 450C, 2005 and 2006 had 480C, and 2007+ have QSC.

These are great boats. Good luck and don't be shy, ask away and feel free to post up any boats your considering, we can all take a look for you.

The 480C was the transition from the full mechanical 450C to the full electronic QSC. The 450C is a great engine, and I love our QSC. If you get a 480C your advised to prop it like a 450C as Cummins got a little ahead of themselves trying to squeeze 30 more HP from the 450, with only electronic fuel control.
 
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