looking to move up to a 1997 450DA , anyone have any tips as to what to look for on these boats. I have heard about the problems with the 3126 Cat engines but the one I am looking at has the 3116 engines. My biggest concern is the rumored stringer problem from the cored bottoms Searay used in that time frame. any advice is greatly appreciated. NautiRay
1997 450 Sundancer buying tips
- Thread starter nautiray
- Start date
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
Send a PM to fwebster Directing him to this thread and ALL of your questions will be answered!
Nautiray, Ken is right. Any questions you have Frank will know. I have never heard of stringer problems with a 450DA. There are a bunch of threads about the 450, cat's etc...just do a search. Hours of reading. I am very predjudice but if Sea Ray ever made a better boat its very, very good. Good Luck, JC
Thanks JC & Ken, I am pretty excited moving up to a 450DA from a 400 Express. I think I found a really nice boat for a reasonable price.I will look up Frank to get his input. Hopefully the survey comes back good and I expect it will as it looks like the current owner really took care of the boat. nautiray
katricol
Active Member
Great boat...good luck. Any engine problem should have shown up long ago, but Frank is who you want to talk to.
endless seas
Well-Known Member
We have a 97 450DA that might come to market with 3126 motors.We've owned her for 5 years and she has been an excellent boat and very reliable.Frank W. has been wonderful in guidance and direction with and questions I have come up with.PM me with any questions if you like.
We have some great upgrades and plenty of pics.
I will be advertising soon on the site.
Thank you,
Tom
We have some great upgrades and plenty of pics.
I will be advertising soon on the site.
Thank you,
Tom
- Feb 4, 2007
- 7,251
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA, TNT, Caribe dink w/15hp OB.
- Engines
- 3126 427HP TD transmissions
Another owner here. In fact this is probably the largest group of 450 owners in one place. Pretty much any boat this size is going to have coring and with any boat that has coring, you have to do your best to check it out. The sides and hull are cored and the deck is cored and the arch is cored. The engines are great on fuel economy and torque, the boat is a dream to cruise, I can go on and on... But Like with any older boat, just make sure you look at everything. We live on the boat during the summer and have been up and down the coast a couple of times. We love the boat... But it's got some years behind it and condition is king. Shoot questions here and there will be some good info.