40 sedan bridge forum

Boston-boater said:
I too am looking at a 400 sedan bridge. I have called around for insurance quotes in the northeast and I am being told $3,000 to 5,000 per year. This is through progressive and boat us respectively. Love to know how to get 1,500. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Not sure if you're sorted, yet, but, when I had my SB400 in Long Island, my insurance was around $1000 with Geico (Seaworthy)... HOWEVER when I asked them to quote my new boat it was almost $9K... Progressive was a similar story... not sure they want to be in the boat insurance market?!... my advice is same as everyone else's, shop around, I found significantly better quotes (and coverage) from Pantaenius and Boater's Choice, but eventually settled with Global Marine... give them (all) a try and good luck!
 
Tigger said:
“They” say the happiest 2 days of a boat owner’s life are the day he buys and the day he sells (but what do "they" know?!). It has never been the case for me. Yesterday marked the end of another chapter, as we said goodbye to our beloved SB400. Sold to the very first, serious, buyer who actually came to view her in person (although surveys and other closing details have dragged on a bit). We were at the top of the market (someone had to be) and, seemingly, deservedly so. Engines passed their surveys with flying colors, as did the hull and deck - the buyer’s surveyor described the survey days as "vacation days” for him.

I think those of you with 2003 boats will be pleased with the result, as the sale should keep your own resale values high. It sounds simple, but: look after your boat, use it, upgrade it, keep it clean and in excellent shape and you will be rewarded handsomely come sale time.

She served us well but, with 4 children, we simply outgrew her. Our search now intensifies for a Fairline Squadron 58 (as I return to my favored native UK brand). Yes, quite a jump! We will miss the “go anywhere” ability we had with the SB400 (we always found a slip somewhere on our travels), but look forward to more space and cruising further afield (and having a laundry room to dry the wet bathing suits!).

I will stay tuned to this great forum from time-to-time, in case I can help with any questions. I send sincere thanks to the entire Club Sea Ray brain trust, who had a hand in all the improvements I made along the way. Feel free to PM me at any time. Happy boating one and all!

Cheers,
Simon
Click to expand...
I'm back!... and looking for some help/advice from the Great Lakes members out there... had to give up my search for a Fairline (nothing decent on the market in the US and can't go another summer without a boat!)... so, we have bought a beautiful Azimut 58 Fly... HOWEVER, she's in the Great Lakes and I'm on Long Island!... an air draft of almost 20' makes the Western Erie a non-starter, so it's Welland Canal, Oswego, Eastern Erie and Hudson for me (petty much half the great loop!)... I'm thinking a day for Michigan, a day for Huron, a day for Erie, a day for Welland Canal, a day for Ontario, a day for Oswego, a day for Erie and another 2 for the Hudson (7-10 days in all, depending on weather)... I'm interviewing captains to join me, as local experience is going to be crucial, but would welcome any advice you have on:
- Anyone done a similar trip (or part of it?)?
- Places to stop/fuel on the Great Lakes? We are Yacht Club members with reciprocity, so that may be an option.
- The NYS canals don't open until May 15th, so I can't get to Oswego before that date
- What's the weather typically like on the Lakes in early/mid May (anything to watch for)?
- Anyone been through the Welland/Oswego/Erie canals? I read that fender boards are essential to save fenders?
- I hear pleasure boaters are 2nd class citizens to commercial traffic on the Welland... any advice to keep me sane?
- On a more practical note, should I change the magnesiums to zincs before I leave, or when I hit salt water?
- Anything I missed?

A lot to unpack there, I realize... if it's easier, PM me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

PS Loved my SB400, as you know, so will stay connected to this forum and chime in where I can help.
 
That will be a great adventure getting
Her home. That Azimut a helluva boat.
Enjoy.
 
Tigger said:
I'm back!... and looking for some help/advice from the Great Lakes members out there... had to give up my search for a Fairline (nothing decent on the market in the US and can't go another summer without a boat!)... so, we have bought a beautiful Azimut 58 Fly... HOWEVER, she's in the Great Lakes and I'm on Long Island!... an air draft of almost 20' makes the Western Erie a non-starter, so it's Welland Canal, Oswego, Eastern Erie and Hudson for me (petty much half the great loop!)... I'm thinking a day for Michigan, a day for Huron, a day for Erie, a day for Welland Canal, a day for Ontario, a day for Oswego, a day for Erie and another 2 for the Hudson (7-10 days in all, depending on weather)... I'm interviewing captains to join me, as local experience is going to be crucial, but would welcome any advice you have on:
- Anyone done a similar trip (or part of it?)?
- Places to stop/fuel on the Great Lakes? We are Yacht Club members with reciprocity, so that may be an option.
- The NYS canals don't open until May 15th, so I can't get to Oswego before that date
- What's the weather typically like on the Lakes in early/mid May (anything to watch for)?
- Anyone been through the Welland/Oswego/Erie canals? I read that fender boards are essential to save fenders?
- I hear pleasure boaters are 2nd class citizens to commercial traffic on the Welland... any advice to keep me sane?
- On a more practical note, should I change the magnesiums to zincs before I leave, or when I hit salt water?
- Anything I missed?

A lot to unpack there, I realize... if it's easier, PM me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

PS Loved my SB400, as you know, so will stay connected to this forum and chime in where I can help.
Click to expand...
Captain Rusty?
 
Steve S said:
Captain Rusty?
Click to expand...

Tigger said:
I'm back!... and looking for some help/advice from the Great Lakes members out there... had to give up my search for a Fairline (nothing decent on the market in the US and can't go another summer without a boat!)... so, we have bought a beautiful Azimut 58 Fly... HOWEVER, she's in the Great Lakes and I'm on Long Island!... an air draft of almost 20' makes the Western Erie a non-starter, so it's Welland Canal, Oswego, Eastern Erie and Hudson for me (petty much half the great loop!)... I'm thinking a day for Michigan, a day for Huron, a day for Erie, a day for Welland Canal, a day for Ontario, a day for Oswego, a day for Erie and another 2 for the Hudson (7-10 days in all, depending on weather)... I'm interviewing captains to join me, as local experience is going to be crucial, but would welcome any advice you have on:
- Anyone done a similar trip (or part of it?)?
- Places to stop/fuel on the Great Lakes? We are Yacht Club members with reciprocity, so that may be an option.
- The NYS canals don't open until May 15th, so I can't get to Oswego before that date
- What's the weather typically like on the Lakes in early/mid May (anything to watch for)?
- Anyone been through the Welland/Oswego/Erie canals? I read that fender boards are essential to save fenders?
- I hear pleasure boaters are 2nd class citizens to commercial traffic on the Welland... any advice to keep me sane?
- On a more practical note, should I change the magnesiums to zincs before I leave, or when I hit salt water?
- Anything I missed?

A lot to unpack there, I realize... if it's easier, PM me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

PS Loved my SB400, as you know, so will stay connected to this forum and chime in where I can help.
Click to expand...

Yep https://captainrustyhiggins.com/
 
Tigger said:
I'm back!... and looking for some help/advice from the Great Lakes members out there... had to give up my search for a Fairline (nothing decent on the market in the US and can't go another summer without a boat!)... so, we have bought a beautiful Azimut 58 Fly... HOWEVER, she's in the Great Lakes and I'm on Long Island!... an air draft of almost 20' makes the Western Erie a non-starter, so it's Welland Canal, Oswego, Eastern Erie and Hudson for me (petty much half the great loop!)... I'm thinking a day for Michigan, a day for Huron, a day for Erie, a day for Welland Canal, a day for Ontario, a day for Oswego, a day for Erie and another 2 for the Hudson (7-10 days in all, depending on weather)... I'm interviewing captains to join me, as local experience is going to be crucial, but would welcome any advice you have on:
- Anyone done a similar trip (or part of it?)? Yep, all of it more than once, some of it more than I can count.
- Places to stop/fuel on the Great Lakes? We are Yacht Club members with reciprocity, so that may be an option. I'll let the guys on the other lakes and the west end of Lake Erie handle their end. Sugar Loaf Marina In Port Colborne Ontario at the top of the Welland Canal. They will help you with making the arrangements with seaway control for transit payment through the canal. Last time I was through, it is less $ to buy online.
Oswego Marina has fuel and a few big slips. I always just go through the first couple of locks and tie to the lock wall.
- The NYS canals don't open until May 15th, so I can't get to Oswego before that date
- What's the weather typically like on the Lakes in early/mid May (anything to watch for)? The weather is not usually our friend that early. There have been some years that the ice isn't totally off the eastern end of Lake Erie until just before May 1st. Dress warm and build in some weather days. Our Marina in Buffalo doesn't even open until May 15.
- Anyone been through the Welland/Oswego/Erie canals? I read that fender boards are essential to save fenders? The first time I went through the Welland, I had heard there was some type of "creosote" on the lock walls so I covered my fenders with burlap. That was a waste of time. Locks were fine. The Welland Down Bound is a straight forward easy experience IMO. Be aware that there are now designated days of the week that Rec boaters can transit down and different days for coming up. You'll have to look it up. I have never used fender boards in any of the Canals. Check the canal lock hours of operation for the time when you will be traveling. Different closing times apply for different locks. You will need to plan accordingly with your aggressive time schedule.
- I hear pleasure boaters are 2nd class citizens to commercial traffic on the Welland... any advice to keep me sane? Be courteous and follow orders via radio with Seaway Control and there are no problems.
- On a more practical note, should I change the magnesiums to zincs before I leave, or when I hit salt water? Before you leave. But check that they are really magnesium before hand. I personally know of not a single boater that runs magnesium in Lake Erie.
- Anything I missed? Sign up for notice to mariners with the Erie Canal Corp. Last year the canal was supposed to open May 17 and was almost June 1 before all sections were fully open because of high water and unsafe currents.
There are speed limits on the canals. The different river sections have different speed limits and the least is 10 MPH but keep your wake in mind. Every year professional captains get in trouble with the law trying to make up lost time because of weather delays or whatever when they accidentally swamp a little fishing skiff that was out of sight around a point of land etc. Recent high water levels have been a real erosion problem also in regard to big wakes.


A lot to unpack there, I realize... if it's easier, PM me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

PS Loved my SB400, as you know, so will stay connected to this forum and chime in where I can help.
Click to expand...

Expand your quote to see my answers. Be safe and be flexible. Congrats on that beautiful boat.
 
my3sons said:
Expand your quote to see my answers. Be safe and be flexible. Congrats on that beautiful boat.
Click to expand...
Thank you... we'll miss the "go anywhere and get in anywhere" nature of boating on the SB400, but it is what it is... boating will be different... as for your replies, this is gold, so thank you... possibly the most important take away for me in all that is "be flexible"... I may have to add "nearest airports" to my navigation checklist, if we get held up for any reason, which seems more likely than not... budgeting 7-10 days, but seemingly that's pushing it.
 
Tigger said:
Thank you... we'll miss the "go anywhere and get in anywhere" nature of boating on the SB400, but it is what it is... boating will be different... as for your replies, this is gold, so thank you... possibly the most important take away for me in all that is "be flexible"... I may have to add "nearest airports" to my navigation checklist, if we get held up for any reason, which seems more likely than not... budgeting 7-10 days, but seemingly that's pushing it.
Click to expand...

I hope you have a smooth uninterrupted passage, but to your point about the airports, last year when we were moving home from down south, we got delayed at Shady Harbor Marina on the Hudson because the canal was delayed in opening. We rented a car and drove home for a week because of some pressing business to attend to and went back when the canal opened. There were several captains at the marina moving boats to the great lakes for the summer and had to call the owners and give them the option of continuing to pay them by the day for standby or pay for plane tickets out. Almost all of the captains flew out, coming back to the boats later. When we did get back to the boat, the canal was only open as far west as lock 24 Baldwinsville and the Oswego was still closed. We had our business handled and now could afford to creep along. Fortunately, by the time we got to 3 Rivers, the rest of the system had opened.
So yes, Know that you need to be flexible.
 
Anyone interested in custom shirts/sweatshirts with whatever text you like? Back will be a quality shot of a 400DB. Text can be your boat name (in font) and whatever else you like. No Minimums, super quality shirts. (not internet printer junk)

Boat_color_LOWRES.jpg
 
Last edited:
FeLizDream said:
Hi, everyone.
I just create a new group in Facebook is called " Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge". Feel free to post pictures of your boat, remodeling pictures, travel tips, easy to upload pictures, this is the first and only group for this specific model, hope to get a lot of tricks and fun stories...go to Facebook , copy and paste this link
Sea Ray 400 Sedan Bridge




FeLiz Dream
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I am waiting on your acceptance of my request to join the page! Thanks in advance!
 
Arickosmo said:
Anyone interested in custom shirts/sweatshirts with whatever text you like? Back will be a quality shot of a 400DB. Text can be your boat name (in font) and whatever else you like. No Minimums, super quality shirts. (not internet printer junk)

View attachment 79602
Click to expand...
Pretty nice. I love the "nuke the passengers" radar dome angle.
 
Tigger said:
I'm back!... and looking for some help/advice from the Great Lakes members out there... had to give up my search for a Fairline (nothing decent on the market in the US and can't go another summer without a boat!)... so, we have bought a beautiful Azimut 58 Fly... HOWEVER, she's in the Great Lakes and I'm on Long Island!... an air draft of almost 20' makes the Western Erie a non-starter, so it's Welland Canal, Oswego, Eastern Erie and Hudson for me (petty much half the great loop!)... I'm thinking a day for Michigan, a day for Huron, a day for Erie, a day for Welland Canal, a day for Ontario, a day for Oswego, a day for Erie and another 2 for the Hudson (7-10 days in all, depending on weather)... I'm interviewing captains to join me, as local experience is going to be crucial, but would welcome any advice you have on:
- Anyone done a similar trip (or part of it?)?
- Places to stop/fuel on the Great Lakes? We are Yacht Club members with reciprocity, so that may be an option.
- The NYS canals don't open until May 15th, so I can't get to Oswego before that date
- What's the weather typically like on the Lakes in early/mid May (anything to watch for)?
- Anyone been through the Welland/Oswego/Erie canals? I read that fender boards are essential to save fenders?
- I hear pleasure boaters are 2nd class citizens to commercial traffic on the Welland... any advice to keep me sane?
- On a more practical note, should I change the magnesiums to zincs before I leave, or when I hit salt water?
- Anything I missed?

A lot to unpack there, I realize... if it's easier, PM me.

Thanks in advance for the help.

PS Loved my SB400, as you know, so will stay connected to this forum and chime in where I can help.
Click to expand...
You don't say where in Lake Michigan you're coming from, so assuming Chicago, I'd say that trying to do Lake MI and Lake Huron each in a single day is optimistic. I'd budget at least 2 days for each, and while you're there enjoy the great MI DNR ports, they are fantastic. Watch the winds carefully because you don't want to be caught in those big lakes when the winds are howling. I've heard from a number of ocean boaters, including the great Rusty Higgins, that the great lakes waves are a whole different experience. Lake Erie can often be the most treacherous, because it is so shallow. The waves in Erie can be brutal if the wind is at you, checking forecast is very important.

Fuel should not be a problem, there are plenty of places to get fuel in both MI and Huron. Almost all the DNR harbors have fuel, just make some phone calls ahead of time to check prices.

When you're coming down the St. Clair river, be conscious of the no wake zones around Harsen's Island that are in effect due to the high water levels.

Should be a fantastic trip.

Scott
 
Tigger said:
Not sure if you're sorted, yet, but, when I had my SB400 in Long Island, my insurance was around $1000 with Geico (Seaworthy)... HOWEVER when I asked them to quote my new boat it was almost $9K... Progressive was a similar story... not sure they want to be in the boat insurance market?!... my advice is same as everyone else's, shop around, I found significantly better quotes (and coverage) from Pantaenius and Boater's Choice, but eventually settled with Global Marine... give them (all) a try and good luck!
Click to expand...

I recently joined the ranks of 400 SB owners. I found a very clean updated 2001 in MD on the Chesapeake. Now I just have to bring it home to Buzzards bay this summer, and oh, sell my current 2000 310. Very excited about the new, to me, boat.

I was able to contact an insurance agent and received a competitive quote from Chubb. 1% deductible, but I guess that is the standard. I
 
Boston-boater said:
I recently joined the ranks of 400 SB owners. I found a very clean updated 2001 in MD on the Chesapeake. Now I just have to bring it home to Buzzards bay this summer, and oh, sell my current 2000 310. Very excited about the new, to me, boat.

I was able to contact an insurance agent and received a competitive quote from Chubb. 1% deductible, but I guess that is the standard. I
Click to expand...

welcome! Sounds like you’ve got a nice one! That’s a bucket list trip home!

For anyone in the market, there’s a 2000 available thru Bluewater that is in really nice shape. Not mine (ha ha). She’s not for sale!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,154
Messages
1,427,384
Members
61,060
Latest member
Danileo
Back
Top