48 DA Owners Club

Blueone: I don't know where you're located, but there's a really nice 2008 48DA in Grand Haven with ridiculously low hours.

Bob ...if you see something you like grab it right away. I am on the Detroit side and a month ago I was offered first opportunity on a 480 before it hit the market. I hesitated for 1 week and it was sold. It was a 2008 for $460k..it sold for asking price and was never advertised.

We have been spending money on our 420 this winter...so we decided to keep it this summer and enjoy the upgrades and I'll start looking again in the fall

Tom ...thanks for the heads up on the coupler and the boat in Grand Haven
 
Bob ...if you see something you like grab it right away. I am on the Detroit side and a month ago I was offered first opportunity on a 480 before it hit the market. I hesitated for 1 week and it was sold. It was a 2008 for $460k..it sold for asking price and was never advertised.

We have been spending money on our 420 this winter...so we decided to keep it this summer and enjoy the upgrades and I'll start looking again in the fall

Tom ...thanks for the heads up on the coupler and the boat in Grand Haven

I couldn't agree more. Freshwater 48DA's (especially with low hours, and hyd platforms) are like unicorn's, but they're out there. You just have to be ready when you find one. I saw mine on Yachtworld a 1/2 hour after it was listed, and had an offer locked in an hour later. I didn't pay full asking price, but I paid a lot. On top of that, I've spent the entire winter updating/upgrading darn near everything.

PO of my boat claimed he spent $20k on having Cummins fix the coupler issue.

-Tom
 
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Bob ...if you see something you like grab it right away. I am on the Detroit side and a month ago I was offered first opportunity on a 480 before it hit the market. I hesitated for 1 week and it was sold. It was a 2008 for $460k..it sold for asking price and was never advertised.

We have been spending money on our 420 this winter...so we decided to keep it this summer and enjoy the upgrades and I'll start looking again in the fall

Tom ...thanks for the heads up on the coupler and the boat in Grand Haven

Yeah, 48's push all the right buttons. There are a couple down here that are for sale. Check out dry branch marine on lake of the Ozarks. We live in Kansas City where its currently icing...I'm ready to move, my wife not so much. We spent last week in florida checking out places to put a boat and loved Harbour Yacht club in Ft Myers. We also went to the Miami yacht show for the second time. we will not go again. Insane parking, just not enjoyable but it was a good education! Interesting that many anufacturers are moving back to shafts after a couple of decades with pods. Customer demand..
 
Yeah, 48's push all the right buttons. There are a couple down here that are for sale. Check out dry branch marine on lake of the Ozarks. We live in Kansas City where its currently icing...I'm ready to move, my wife not so much. We spent last week in florida checking out places to put a boat and loved Harbour Yacht club in Ft Myers. We also went to the Miami yacht show for the second time. we will not go again. Insane parking, just not enjoyable but it was a good education! Interesting that many anufacturers are moving back to shafts after a couple of decades with pods. Customer demand..

I know of the one with the hyd lift, and took a look at it when it was up here in Michigan City a couple years ago. The guy paid $10k (according to the broker) just to move it down there, and attract a different audience. Do you like the DVD player on the dash to the right of the radar? I'll just say it has some issues, and leave it at that.
 
I agree with the speed in which 48’s sell. I missed out on three last year as they were sold within a week of going on the market before I could see them . I placed and offer on mine sight unseen with the option to walk if it did not meet my expectations. It met my expectations and more importantly my wife’s standards. So we bought it in July. It is a great boat. We are so happy we moved up to this size boat.
 
Hi Rocket,
We have been on several 420DA's this past week and one 480. We liked them all execpt I keep comming back to the 480DA. Sense you've have had both, I have two questions for you: Is the handeling around the dock markedly different? 2) I've read that with a larger boat you are less likely to "run out for lunch" because its so much more of an effort trying to find a place to dock? 3)(just thought of it) I've not found a review that states the db at the helm. Have you noticed a difference between the two boats?
Thanks

I find the 48 and 420 very similar in Maneuverability. Slightly easier in the 48. Question 2 - We moved our boat to eastern Long Island because of this issue. We now have endless places to dock, moor, anchor. Question 3 - the 48 is much quieter at the helm.
 
I would appreciate opinions on types of dingys for 48 DA?
Thanks,
Bob

Post #126 from about a week ago:
"I carry a 2017 11' Avon SeaSport 340 w/ 40HP Yamaha. I lower the motor down onto a starboard pad I installed on the platform. I have plenty of room on each side when docking. I purchased it "used" with only 5 hours on it, and saved about $8,500 over new. We really enjoy having the dinghy to go exploring."

-Tom
 
Post #126 from about a week ago:
"I carry a 2017 11' Avon SeaSport 340 w/ 40HP Yamaha. I lower the motor down onto a starboard pad I installed on the platform. I have plenty of room on each side when docking. I purchased it "used" with only 5 hours on it, and saved about $8,500 over new. We really enjoy having the dinghy to go exploring."

-Tom

Tom what the total weight of your set of the SeaSport and can you feel a noticeable difference when you are running with it strapped down on your platform?

Thanks
JB
 
Tom what the total weight of your set of the SeaSport and can you feel a noticeable difference when you are running with it strapped down on your platform?

Thanks
JB

Total weight is just under 700 lbs, and can't really say that I notice a great difference. Remember though we upgraded from a 410DA that's extremely stern heavy, so I may not be the best judge.
 
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My wife and I are considering purchasing a 48DA. We havnt found the "right one" yet but in the mean time I found a Yacht charter service that offers a 48DA for charter, with captain, in 4 hour increments. We have not been out on one to actually experence the ride, handeling, etc. I thought this might be educational prior to engaging a broker and moving forward with a purchase. Comming from smaller boats(a 40' SR EC years ago) I wanted to be sure the experence is what we think it will be. (Hopefully it will be better!) I figure it will cost us a grand but might be money and time well spent.
Has anyone else done this? Anyone have thoughts pro or con, or any other ideas?
Thanks!
 
My wife and I are considering purchasing a 48DA. We havnt found the "right one" yet but in the mean time I found a Yacht charter service that offers a 48DA for charter, with captain, in 4 hour increments. We have not been out on one to actually experence the ride, handeling, etc. I thought this might be educational prior to engaging a broker and moving forward with a purchase. Comming from smaller boats(a 40' SR EC years ago) I wanted to be sure the experence is what we think it will be. (Hopefully it will be better!) I figure it will cost us a grand but might be money and time well spent.
Has anyone else done this? Anyone have thoughts pro or con, or any other ideas?
Thanks!
SAVE THE THOUSAND, PUT THE MONEY TOWARDS 480. PROBABLY THE BEST MODEL SEA RAY EVER BUILT. WITH A BOW THRUSTER THEY ARE EASY TO HANDLE. MY WIFE AND I HANDLE AND DOCK WITH EASE, I AM 75 YRS OLD AND HAVE HAD 10-12 SR, TRY AND FIND A FRESH WATER ONE, BUT YOU CAN SAVE BUNDLE IF YOU GO SALT WATER AND HAVE A GOOD ENGINE SURVEY
 
My wife and I are considering purchasing a 48DA. We havnt found the "right one" yet but in the mean time I found a Yacht charter service that offers a 48DA for charter, with captain, in 4 hour increments. We have not been out on one to actually experence the ride, handeling, etc. I thought this might be educational prior to engaging a broker and moving forward with a purchase. Comming from smaller boats(a 40' SR EC years ago) I wanted to be sure the experence is what we think it will be. (Hopefully it will be better!) I figure it will cost us a grand but might be money and time well spent.
Has anyone else done this? Anyone have thoughts pro or con, or any other ideas?
Thanks!
I would do it. I think my wife would catch the fever for that size boat and figure out a way to purchase one (she is a CPA, and my accountant/financial advisor, she doesn’t charge me much, but if we ever get divorced, I am toast!!)
 
The 48 is the best handling boat I have ever owned. Anyone can handle this boat around the dock with ease .
 
Bob, I just finished the 4th season on my 48DA. This has been a solid boat all around from build quality, Cummins motors, accommodations, etc. Outside general maintenance items my only issue was the rudder. The supporting hardware attached to the stringers came loose and caused water seepage from packing glands.
V-Drive set up is all I know on this boat. 40 GPH will allow 2250 RPM and net you 23 knots all day long. I have been in 6-7 foot seas and she handled it no problem. Handling around the docks is very easy and you will only find with a thruster.
Good luck in your search let me know if you have any concerns.
I keep coming back to this boat. Sometimes I think about moving up to a 40/42/44, but keep thinking I should go straight to the one I want. The fuel tanks are 400, so you can comfortably go 200 miles? My calculations said 208 miles with 20% reserve (assumptions, 23kts=26mph, 40 gph, 320 gallons = 400* 80%)
 
I keep coming back to this boat. Sometimes I think about moving up to a 40/42/44, but keep thinking I should go straight to the one I want. The fuel tanks are 400, so you can comfortably go 200 miles? My calculations said 208 miles with 20% reserve (assumptions, 23kts=26mph, 40 gph, 320 gallons = 400* 80%)
Right on, an 8 hour day at 40 GPH is 80%of fuel.
 
Guys quick question. What is the lowest bridge you can get a 48 DA under?

We are doing some initial research on doing the great loop. Thanks
 
Guys quick question. What is the lowest bridge you can get a 48 DA under?

We are doing some initial research on doing the great loop. Thanks

12' 8" with the VHF down, and flat water.

-Tom
 

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