1997 SunDancer 450 Chez-nous in GA

[Blkbird]

Hello,

Quick note to introduce myself as a relatively new owner of a 450 DA. She is 18 years old now but given that the 3126 CATS had less than 700 hours, and the Genny less than 1,000 hours, I'm guessing she stayed tied up to the dock for much of her life. In fact most of the things I've spent my time on are straight neglect items. For example, re-painting the vent window frame, replacing bulbs in the forward spotlight, replacing the ram motor on the vent. Or replacing the faux wooded dash because the previous owner never covered the console in the Florida sun - nice faded shade of grey. Thankfully nothing major to-date although some projects linger on.

I'm especially interested in what upgrades and additions other owners have made to their babies. I've got stereo, speakers and TV in the cockpit covered and my next project is wood flooring in the cabin. But what other changes have people made that really made their boat easier or more fun to use?

Christopher

No photos yet because Uploader won't let me.

 

[DjDaoust]

Welcome to CSR Christopher! We just took delivery of our 1998 450DA this past November. And since the river was already frozen, we were unable to get her in the water yet. Sure makes for an exciting winter here in Wisconsin! From what I've heard/read, the 95-98 450's were some of the nicest Sea Ray has built!

 

[The Bill Collector]

Welcome and you'll love your 450DA w/ 3126's.....

 

[endless seas]

Yes we have enjoyed almost 9 years with ours and it has been a great boat you will love her.Ours is currently on the market and looking for a good home.

Come on spring!!

 

[HUMPH]

Welcome and you'll love your 450DA w/ 3126's.....View attachment 43457

Nice shed you have there! What body of water is that in?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Nice shed you have there! What body of water is that in?

Puget Sound, Tacoma tide flats, Hylebos Waterway, Hylebos Marina http://hylebosmarina.com/

 

[HUMPH]

Fresh water there?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Fresh water there?

brackish.... Puget Sound is Pacific ocean water, but being down the Hylebos about a mile with fresh creek water running in it turns brackish. Which I like because we get very little growth and my bottom paint lasts 4 years.

 

[JC3]

Christopher, Glad to have you aboard. One of the best boats Sea Ray ever built I am told/believe.
Good luck with her, JC

 

[Blkbird]

What changes or additions have you guys made to your 450? Not that I'm out of projects but always nice to imagine the next one...

 

[fwebster]

replaced OEM Furuno plotter with a Raymarine e127 MFD with a bottom machine module
ATC......automatic tab controller from Bennett
added a 2nd VHF
added a second plotter
Extended canvas with Strataglass panels
changed helm seat to full swivel mount
changed the 2 arch spreader lights from small 10W Perko to larger 20W Cantalupi and added a 3rd light in the center access plate
added a rub rail to the swim platform
changed the instrument panel backlighting from foil strips to red LED
redesigned the cockpit carpeting fit to eliminate snaps
added a teak cockpit table
removed the fixed table mount in the salon and replaced the huge salon table with a custom cherry table on a moveable swivel mount to allow access to the cabinets behind the table
Replaced the aluminum blinds in the cabin with cherry ones
Replaced the factory battery boxes with a custom made one that has a tool box in the top.
Replaced the flakey factory tachs with digital Aetna Engineering tachs
added a 120V circuit and outlets to the bilge
added 120V vapor proof lights to the bilge bulkhead switched from the bilge
changed the oil change pump switch location; changed fuse to resettable breaker
rewired the sump box and added a pump switch at the sump
added permanent drain hoses for the transmissions
added a Sunbrella cover for the helm and instruments

and she is still a work in progress.................

 

[HUMPH]

Better get with it Frank, still lots to do!

 

[Blkbird]

Frank... and i thought i was bad! My rule of thumb is fix something big, then fix something small. Unless the small something (replacing drain in cockpit sink) grows into something big (granite counter top, stainless steel sink, new faucet and yes, new drain in cockpit sink). Amazing how sometimes its the little stuff of which I'm most proud. Like replacing 18 year old yellowed cup holders with stainless steel versions - major improvement in the appearance.

 

[Blkbird]