2003 42 Sundancer HELP

[STR8FLUSH]

Greetings, and also HELP
I’m considering a life style change by moving from my current Sunsation 33ss into a 2003 Sea Ray 42 Sundancer. I know these Forums are the best way to find information and get help. I answer questions regularly on my Sunsations website from potential buyers to help them make a purchase. I’m also aware that some questions spark spirited blogs that last for days among members. So please help me with my questions if you can, here goes.
I’m looking at 2003 sundancers around the country due to Sea Rays rep in the big boating world, the styling, amenities, and most importantly price. Was this a good year for the boat, and were the any problems that you know of? What about the power packages, I have seen boats with Cummins 417 hp 6CTA V-drive diesel inboards, Cummins 480, etc. Are any of these diesel packages a better choice or other manufactures such as Yanmar or Caterpillar that are better? I know these are a lot of questions but any help would be appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

You are really talking about one engine choice here...........the 6CTA and the 480CE are the same basic engine except the CE has electronic fuel controls and the CTA is a mechanical diesel. I believe the Cummins option is the only diesel option available in the 420DA.

By 2003 Sea Ray had figured out the mid-cabin express boat so there weren't many mistakes. Your biggest challenge is going to be finding a boat with good service/maintnenace history that is in good overall condition.

 

[STR8FLUSH]

You are really talking about one engine choice here...........the 6CTA and the 480CE are the same basic engine except the CE has electronic fuel controls and the CTA is a mechanical diesel. I believe the Cummins option is the only diesel option available in the 420DA.

By 2003 Sea Ray had figured out the mid-cabin express boat so there weren't many mistakes. Your biggest challenge is going to be finding a boat with good service/maintnenace history that is in good overall condition.

Frank,

Thanks man I was not aware that they were same motor. What should I look for in a good service/maintnenace history? I do not know anything about maintenance on diesel motors can give me some examples??

 

[Rocket]

Here are some differances between the years -

2003 - Cummins 6CTE - 417 HP motors, only available with canvas top.
2004 - Same motor with a hardtop.
2005 - Cummins 480C - 450 HP with electronic fuel control - same block as the 6CTE.
2006 - 2008 - Became a 44 sundancer, same boat with the QSC8.3 - Common rail motor, full electronic, 478 HP.

2004 and newer - 99% are hardtop.

I choose the 2004 due to price point. The motor has plenty of power for this boat. Cruise at 23 knots, 2250 RPM - THe QSC will give you a about a 25 knot cruise, but you will burn more fuel. There is a differance in power between to two and QSC is all electronic so there is clean fuel burn and no smoke.

We looked at about 15 boats before we found this one. We now own her for about 18 months and we made the right buy. Definitely do a survey on the motors with Cummins tech. Ask for Maintenance records. Specifically on this motor: 300 Hrs - Valve adjustment, after cooler cleaning,
Annually - oil service, fuel filter service, coolant service, zincs and air Sep service. 200 Hrs - belts. To learn more about diesels try boatdiesel.com. lots of information.

Good luck.

 

[STR8FLUSH]

Here are some differances between the years -

2003 - Cummins 6CTE - 417 HP motors, only available with canvas top.
2004 - Same motor with a hardtop.
2005 - Cummins 480C - 450 HP with electronic fuel control - same block as the 6CTE.
2006 - 2008 - Became a 44 sundancer, same boat with the QSC8.3 - Common rail motor, full electronic, 478 HP.

2004 and newer - 99% are hardtop.

I choose the 2004 due to price point. The motor has plenty of power for this boat. Cruise at 23 knots, 2250 RPM - THe QSC will give you a about a 25 knot cruise, but you will burn more fuel. There is a differance in power between to two and QSC is all electronic so there is clean fuel burn and no smoke.

We looked at about 15 boats before we found this one. We now own her for about 18 months and we made the right buy. Definitely do a survey on the motors with Cummins tech. Ask for Maintenance records. Specifically on this motor: 300 Hrs - Valve adjustment, after cooler cleaning,
Annually - oil service, fuel filter service, coolant service, zincs and air Sep service. 200 Hrs - belts. To learn more about diesels try boatdiesel.com. lots of information.

Good luck.

Wow thanks for the info, I'll try the website. Also, we are going to look at a 2006 40 with CUMMINS TVD-QSB 380 motors. Anyone have comments on these motors?? Will they be enough power??

 

[fwebster]

The QSB are smaller lower torque engines.

My own view is that Cummins has tweaked the B series (5.9L) block which was originally maxed out at 300 hp up to 380 with electronic controls and by increasing RPM's. I would be much more comfortable with a C series engine.......8.3L.....in a boat like the 420DA. Besides working the engine less to get the needed HP, the C/QSC base engine has more torque and that translates to better handling at low speeds and quicker response when power is applied.

 

[STR8FLUSH]

The QSB are smaller lower torque engines.

My own view is that Cummins has tweaked the B series (5.9L) block which was originally maxed out at 300 hp up to 380 with electronic controls and by increasing RPM's. I would be much more comfortable with a C series engine.......8.3L.....in a boat like the 420DA. Besides working the engine less to get the needed HP, the C/QSC base engine has more torque and that translates to better handling at low speeds and quicker response when power is applied.

Frank, what about the QSB in a 40 DA. I found a 2006 40 that we like with the QSB 5.9 330 Hp motors. Do you think the QSB would be unough power??

 

[Rocket]

My buddy Sea Trialed a 40 Da with QSB and didnt buy the boat because he felt it did not have adequate power. I dont have any first hand knowledge of this however.

 

[fwebster]

If I remember correctly, it took Sea Ray/Cummins more then a year to get a diesel power package for the 390DA/400DA hull. The 6CTA would have been a really nice choice, but weight and size prevented its use in that application. The choice was the B series and I do think they are underpowered when the boat is normally loaded with full fuel, water, and gear.

I just don't like the idea of boosting hp ratings by increasing the rpm's. Part of the QSB increase over the 6BTA hp is due to electronic controls and the precision the comes with electronic fuel delivery, but the rest is from increasing the rated RPM's. I remember when the 300hp (max at the time for the 6B engine) couldn't hold up in 420DA's and 440DA's. I just can't get excited about this same engine turning more rpms/more hp.

This is strictly a personal opinion, but give me an old mechanical high torque engine any day over one of the new electronic diesels.........I have yet to hear of a Caterpillar or a 6CTA Cummins blowing head gaskets due to over loading or coming home at 1100 rpm locked in limp mode, but almost every QSB and QSC engine here has thrown a code to cause the engine to enter limp mode.

 

[STR8FLUSH]

My buddy Sea Trialed a 40 Da with QSB and didnt buy the boat because he felt it did not have adequate power. I dont have any first hand knowledge of this however.

I'm also looking at a 42 Sundancer with Cummins 6CTE-8.3 Motors. Are you happy with yours??