420 DA Thread

Anyone else think the top step going into the cabin is dangerously short?

I've been going up and down those steps for the last 8 years and always felt they were awkward but never had an issue. Saturday morning they bit me badly though.

I was going down below to get a second cup of coffee and apparently my shoes were damp from the dew on the dock. I was moving swiftly but not crazy when my foot slipped off that first step edge and before I could react I slammed down on the bottom step so hard I couldn't get up for some time. I reasonably fit and bounce up regularly from dirt bike falls but this was HARD and hurt like crazy.

I was concerned I'd smashed my tailbone or done something serious but I think I dodged a bullet. My right leg and butt cheek still hurt like crazy and I have a huge bruise about 3" away from my tail bone. On Sunday I leave for a 8 day/1300 mile motorcycle trip into the mountains of Mexico and am legitimately concerned about how well I'll hold up. Really bad timing.

So, what are your thoughts on that step? Bad design? Or am I just an oaf?
 
I hear what you're saying. That first step is a bit awkward as in addition to a step down, it is a step "over" the threshold of 3-4 inches. That threshold is what keeps water from the cockpit from entering the salon. My wife actually "fell" a bit this past weekend while heading downstairs, but I think hers was more knee related, if you know what I mean.

I have had a spill situation where on the subsequent steps, I just catch the edge of the tread, and then my foot slips off....I sort of slide down the remaining steps. Luckily, I've never pitched forward.

I'll split an order of "sympathy" with you this morning! Hope your motorcycle trip works out for you.

Jaybeaux
 
I want to replace my original year 2005 anchor rode. How much and what size chain and line did the boat come with from the factory? Thanks!
 
Anyone else think the top step going into the cabin is dangerously short?

I've been going up and down those steps for the last 8 years and always felt they were awkward but never had an issue. Saturday morning they bit me badly though.

I was going down below to get a second cup of coffee and apparently my shoes were damp from the dew on the dock. I was moving swiftly but not crazy when my foot slipped off that first step edge and before I could react I slammed down on the bottom step so hard I couldn't get up for some time. I reasonably fit and bounce up regularly from dirt bike falls but this was HARD and hurt like crazy.

I was concerned I'd smashed my tailbone or done something serious but I think I dodged a bullet. My right leg and butt cheek still hurt like crazy and I have a huge bruise about 3" away from my tail bone. On Sunday I leave for a 8 day/1300 mile motorcycle trip into the mountains of Mexico and am legitimately concerned about how well I'll hold up. Really bad timing.

So, what are your thoughts on that step? Bad design? Or am I just an oaf?

I just fell down those things the same way last weekend! Wrecked my back and Seriously thought I broke my arm and was laid up (well, laid there) for a while. Barely made it to the master where I nursed my wounds with whiskey and numbed the pain with cold cans of beer. I was casually walking down with scissors in hand from whipping some new line, I was sober, things were dry, and I was in bare feet! I was lucky I didn't stab myself or my wife who was at the bottom of the stairs! Crazy how quickly something so benign can turn on you.

Got me thinking though...i often hand over the helm to the Admiral whilst I go down to the head on longer cruises. What would happen if we were on plane and I hit my head? My new mission this year is to teach her how to safely get the boat to a port and radio for help - her and the 7 year old!

By the way, later that evening I bought this (Slip Guard Non-Slip Stair Tape - Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Safety Steps, 4” x 15" ft, 80 Grit, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUB1F4T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AzO6AbVHV4BJT) will post pics when I have it installed this weekend.
 
Last edited:
This will probably sound stupid, but.....I go down those steps backwards most the time. I do it mostly because my knees don't like going down forward. I also have never slipped going backward but like you guys I have slipped(never fell) going forward.
 
Rob,
I swapped my racors every 40 hours. Honestly, it was only necessary the first time. After the first 40 hours with the boat I was getting an intermittent RPM surge on the port main. It was fuel starvation, as suggested by the rather smug and arrogant webmaster at boatdiesel.com
Once I swapped racors, combined with maintenance biocide dosing with every fill up, I was good to go. I continued to change racors every 40 hours but that was overkill. With good fuel system maintenance and no loads of bad fuel I think I am set to do them once per season.
Aftercoolers are good. Zincs are in good shape and I am going to install new impellers in the spring to avoid getting pieces of a worn impeller into the aftercooler.
Had to swap out the impeller on the Onan after it went south..an easy 20 minute job..getting the chunks of impeller out of the onan heat exchanger was a bit more difficult, but very do-able.
When the second set of racors for the mains came out looking good, I elected not to change my generator racor. That one is a real pain to get to and I will save that for this spring when I am feeling energetic and there is plenty of advil available.
Overall, love the boat. 147 hours, 3020 gallons of fuel burned for an average of 20.5 GPH. Not bad for 45' and 14 tons loaded for battle cruising at 24-25 knots.
I cut shrink wrap, install canvas and isenglass, open seacocks, and light the fires in the thundering cathedrals of torque in 45 days...but who is counting?
regards
Skip
 
Rob,
I swapped my racors every 40 hours. Honestly, it was only necessary the first time. After the first 40 hours with the boat I was getting an intermittent RPM surge on the port main. It was fuel starvation, as suggested by the rather smug and arrogant webmaster at boatdiesel.com
Once I swapped racors, combined with maintenance biocide dosing with every fill up, I was good to go. I continued to change racors every 40 hours but that was overkill. With good fuel system maintenance and no loads of bad fuel I think I am set to do them once per season.
Aftercoolers are good. Zincs are in good shape and I am going to install new impellers in the spring to avoid getting pieces of a worn impeller into the aftercooler.
Had to swap out the impeller on the Onan after it went south..an easy 20 minute job..getting the chunks of impeller out of the onan heat exchanger was a bit more difficult, but very do-able.
When the second set of racors for the mains came out looking good, I elected not to change my generator racor. That one is a real pain to get to and I will save that for this spring when I am feeling energetic and there is plenty of advil available.
Overall, love the boat. 147 hours, 3020 gallons of fuel burned for an average of 20.5 GPH. Not bad for 45' and 14 tons loaded for battle cruising at 24-25 knots.
I cut shrink wrap, install canvas and isenglass, open seacocks, and light the fires in the thundering cathedrals of torque in 45 days...but who is counting?
regards
Skip


Skip.....Truly Blessed 420 Da from Hamptons...your previous?

Capt Spike
 
Got me thinking though...i often hand over the helm to the Admiral whilst I go down to the head on longer cruises. What would happen if we were on plane and I hit my head? My new mission this year is to teach her how to safely get the boat to a port and radio for help - her and the 7 year old!

Sorry to hear about your fall. I can obviously emphasize. Still hurt as I write this.

Your story reminds me about another time that companionway got the better of me. We were running on plane and I decided I needed a quick bathroom break. I had my wife take the wheel and I literally ran down below. Well, when I opened the door I didn't quite slide the top lid all the way to the latch. While I was down there we hit some rougher water and the hatch managed to walk itself halfway closed. When I came running back up I was looking down at the steps and not up at the hatch and slammed my head so hard into the hatch that I saw stars and severely compressed my neck.

Like you I decided it was time Sharon needs to learn very basic operation of the boat so that she can get back to the slip and get help, even if that means a little fiberglass repair afterwards. :)
 
Steps no longer slippery!


SlipGuard Non-Slip Stair Tape - Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Safety Steps, 4” x 15" ft, 80 Grit, Clearhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUB1F4T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AzO6AbVHV4BJT)


20180505_085054.jpg
20180505_085114.jpg
20180505_085136.jpg
 
That looks great - also love the floor!!!!
 
I would've thought tape would look tacky but that's very well done and looks like it was meant to.

Also the carpet is awesome. Can you post a complete picture of that
 
Thanks!

Here is the rug we put down. Made a template out of Brown paper and then cut to fit. Snaps down like existing runner used to but fits much "tighter."

Been meaning to get the edges bound but it's holding up well.

Screenshot_20180505-191822.jpg
20170902_100213.jpg
20170902_100220.jpg
20170902_100228.jpg
20170902_100223.jpg
 
Anyone know what the two black sea ray keys are? The silver ones on the blue chains are motor keys, and the one on the yellow key is for the cabin door.

20180505_204041.jpg
 
In my bilge I have the usual looking battery switches,( large red box with a black twist handle ) except that they have a key cylinder/lock in the handle to lock in the off position. Give that a look.
 
Steps no longer slippery!
SlipGuard Non-Slip Stair Tape - Indoor & Outdoor Waterproof Safety Steps, 4” x 15" ft, 80 Grit, Clearhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUB1F4T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_AzO6AbVHV4BJT)
I need this, for me and more so for my dog! We have to put wet towels down so she has some traction to get up and down the steps. How did you cut the tape so perfectly to match the curve of the steps? Does the tape come with backing, so you unrolled it, the trimmed, then peeled backing off?
Thanks!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,942
Messages
1,422,699
Members
60,927
Latest member
Jaguar65
Back
Top