1994 through 1999 searay 40 Express

thomas

thomas

New Member
Oct 4, 2006
296
Green Bay WI
Boat Info
370 Express
Engines
Twin 454's
Looking for a 400 express from 1994 through 1999. Would like some information on how you like your 40 express with gas 7.4MPI's. We do our boating on the Great lakes, so gas engines don't bother me. (I think)
Thank's
 
Get a diesel one, you wont be sorry! I have a good friend with a 2000 40EC w.Cat Power that's for sale...
 
I'm with Petep on this one. The Cat powered 400EC's are full depreciated now and are a real bragain.

I have a lot of time in a 1995 that was a PD&E boat for Sea Ray's Merritt island plant manager .....it had experimental 385 hp 3116's that were detuned to 350 hp when it was sold to a dealer. Another friend had a '98 400EC with 310 hp 7.4's. There was no comparison between the boats. Both were quick for a 40' boat, but the diesel boats was like a big bullet with motors in it.......I've run ski boats that were slower and didn't handle as well. The gas '98 was an extremely nice boat but was a real gas hog if you cruised it.

For the difference in money, you won't regret buying the diesel.
 
Great in gas, better in diesel. Three years with gas and its a great boat. Fuel burn is high though, 45ish gph @ 23kts and 3400rpm. I cruise at 18-21kts with 30ish gph. Near 30kts @ WOT. The boat is amazingly fast.. Extra point! maintance is easy as you (or a thin helper) can get all around the smaller gas motors. With a buyers market go diesel.
Good luck,
Mark.
 
Last edited:
Thank you for your replies,
Have also posted this question on the Great lakes board. not everyone seems to think that diesels are the way to go with the type of boating we do.
As I Mentioned,would I like diesels, absolutely, can I afford them????????????????????????
Still looking.
Thanks
 
When we were going to upgrade we shopped for nothing but a 400EC. There was everything for us to like and nothing to dislike that I could not (or already have) upgraded. I enjoy the ride of the straight drive. I like the lines of this boat as well as the Tiara 3900. Another boat to consider. My favorite on the boat is the large cockpit. We more often end up with the croud on our boat at raft ups. The cabin is more than sutible for us (Cruising couple and dog).

We did go gas but we are on a small lake and we make our own destinations with no hurry in mind. Diesel . . . I wish . . . but there was a premium price difference that I could not realize other than trade value.

Not to hijack thread but this will be important to prospect buying a gas 400EC.

GAS OWNERS, Please let us know what your top speed is as well as RPM. At my sea trial I hit 33MPH. This was freash bottom paint, 1/4 gas, 1/4 water, three on board and no loads from personal effects. I was unable to get the rated max RPM due to prop(s) inperfections. Of course I dont get anything like that after three seasons on bottom paint and all the stuff we cary on board. I was asking just as a performance question.

BTW . . . GAS IS STILL THE CHEAPEST PART OF BOATING FOR ME.
 
Hello Thomas from Green Bay, I n my opinion the best models that were built were the 97' 7.4MPI (340hp gas) and the 1998 7.4MPI Horizons (380hp gas). My reasons for stating this on the great lakes is the following: Fuel cost, maintenance cost for oil changes, filters, general service. The diesels available in 1997 and 1998 were the 3116 TA Cats...(smoky and subject to injector issues). Again this is a general opinion based on where you plan on boating. If I required ocean use, I would change my tune and opt for the diesel variant. A few other things are different with the model year range you seek...Forward cabin is different in some model years, the cabin door area changed eliminating the smoke glass area port of the cabin door, and many others. Good luck and if you need to find the cleanest 97' on the lake in tan/black/gold stripe...let me know...I have a friend that is selling.
 
thomas said:
Thank you for your replies,
Have also posted this question on the Great lakes board. not everyone seems to think that diesels are the way to go with the type of boating we do.
As I Mentioned,would I like diesels, absolutely, can I afford them????????????????????????
Still looking.
Thanks
Click to expand...

So, what type of boating do you do?
 
mrsearaymike-

I see you have owned a bunch of different boats, none of them diesels, much less Caterpillar diesels. What do you base your comment about the 3116 being smokey and prone to injector problems?

I own 1000 hr. 3116's, have run a bunch of them and 3126's and I have always found this engine family to be essentially smoke free and very clean burning. The Caterpillar mechanical injector and the unit injection system is among the most dependable and trouble free injector and diesel distribution system around. What am I missing?
 
I can give you a lot of FACTUAL info on the 400EC. I have owned 2. Prior was a 93 with 310hp Mercruisers. She would cruise @ 21 knots burning 38 gph. I presently own a 99 400EC. She had the 380 hp Horizons. What a hure difference in performance. An honest 23 knot cruise burning 36 gph. I recently repowered her with Cummins 6BTA 370 hp. Now cruises 24 to 25 knots, burns 18 to 22 gph. Both boats had fuel flow meters, so the info you see is very accurate. BTW I'm thinking about selling if you are interested.
 
Great first post.
Care to let me know who did the swap to diesels.
Who , where, when and aprox how much. I dont think i will ever do it but I would love to have this boat in diesels.
Thanks
Mark.
 
Having "motorhead" experience, I researched this for a long time and did almost everything myself. Careys Diesel in Del. made the mounts and aligned the engines. I did all the wiring and fuel stuff....etc. My insurance company asked for a survey to DECREASE my premium. The surveyer was very impressed. He said everything met NMMA specs, clamp placement...etc. I sold my engines and gen, as they had low hours. All done about 50K. I know I won't overcome that when I sell, but what a sweet boat!!!:thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,242
Messages
1,429,150
Members
61,123
Latest member
Tim Duncan
Back
Top