40 sedan bridge forum

[Milestone]

I have not driven a cummins powered 400SB and I am very happy with the cats. From my research before buying it seems the cummins have a bit more power but the cats run more efficient. The previous owner put larger props for better handling around the docks and left me the factory ones in the engine room. I am going to change them over the winter and see the difference next season. Cruising speed now is about 20mph at 2300rpm. I'm on Lake Ontario which can get rough and the cats just plough through with ease and never fall off plane.


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[Prosideus]

Thanks. I do plan to do the two steps. I plan to replace the treads with the proper thickness hardwood that I will stain to the right color and hopefully remove all that crappy factory carpet stick to the stairs. Or, I may just build a full replacement from scratch. I think that may be cheaper and much less effort than struggling with that glued on carpeting.

I ultimately rebuilt my steps. I had only one step from the salon to the galley and after spending a weekend on the boat, it would wear me out going up and down from the height of the step. Not to mention I thought it was a safety issue.

Pics below show you the before and after on the steps. Unfortunately I don't have any pics with the final flooring installed. We replaced what the PO had installed so you can see the work in process on the flooring.






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[roger275]

I have looked at two of these and both seemed well maintained but the paint the aluminum arch had bubbled and chipped in several places on both. Has anyone had the arch removed and repainted?

 

[ZZ13]

I have looked at two of these and both seemed well maintained but the paint the aluminum arch had bubbled and chipped in several places on both. Has anyone had the arch removed and repainted?

Mine is fiberglass. I guess the switched from aluminum on 2001. I sea trialed a 1999 with the bubbled paint on the aluminum arch. I got quoted $900 to have it repainted.

 

[roger275]

Mine is fiberglass. I guess the switched from aluminum on 2001. I sea trialed a 1999 with the bubbled paint on the aluminum arch. I got quoted $900 to have it repainted.

Interesting because the two I saw with chips and bubbles were both 2001. It looked like corroded aluminum behind the chipped spots.

 

[truk911]

First day on the new boat, what a great day. We're loaded up and fueled up ready for our trip from Holland, MI to our slip in Burnham Harbor in Chicago. The final leg of the journey that began 600 miles ago from Sandusky Bay, OH.

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[Prosideus]

Here are some pics of the completed stairs and hardwood throughout the cabin we had installed.

 

[ZZ13]

Looks great. So what did you do over the engine hatches with the pull handles and all. Your carpet is covering that.

 

[Prosideus]

Looks great. So what did you do over the engine hatches with the pull handles and all. Your carpet is covering that.

The PO had removed the pull handles when they put in a shabby hardwood install. So our installers did a great job building around/over all the hatches. Here are pics with the carpet rolled back. In the first pick, the seam for the hatches runs right down the middle. You can't even see it. I have to open the hatches from below deck.

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[ZZ13]

Now that is some beautiful work.

 

[Prosideus]

Thanks ZZ. The installers were exited and eager because the job really allowed them to use all their skills with the special cuts and angles. True craftsmen. I have been very pleased with their work.


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[roger275]

First day on the new boat, what a great day. We're loaded up and fueled up ready for our trip from Holland, MI to our slip in Burnham Harbor in Chicago. The final leg of the journey that began 600 miles ago from Sandusky Bay, OH.

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Boat looks great. Did you see any other likely candidates when you were shopping?


We spent a week at Burnham Harbor when we did the loop and had a great time. If you get ready for a long trip, Mac Island and Georgian Bay were among the high points. There are great ports between you and Travers City too. Enjoy!

 

[oceanpearl]

[h=2]Transmission oil change[/h]

Did a transmission oil change yesterday. First time on my own and a big surprise as to capacity.
Checked the Mercruiser 454 specs and according to what I read, there was approximately 2.5 litres per engine. Did I read it wrong?
Surprisingly pumped out 4 litres per engine which is almost a gallon.
Anyone have any idea as to the correct capacity?
Dipstick measurement on the second notch. Is this enough oil?
Thanks
​

 

[truk911]

First day on the new boat, what a great day. We're loaded up and fueled up ready for our trip from Holland, MI to our slip in Burnham Harbor in Chicago. The final leg of the journey that began 600 miles ago from Sandusky Bay, OH.

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What an adventure. Left Holland, MI for Chicago (about 95 mile trip) on Saturday morning with forecasted winds 20-25 knots, waves 5-7 feet. Quickly discovered that the forecast was dead on. We were going straight into it taking water over the bridge. After burying the bow into a few big waves, we decided we had enough. We could only make 9-13 mph somewhat comfortably (not launching off the tops of 7 footers). We quickly decided, we were not going to like this ride for long. While the boat handled it without any issue, we had enough and pulled into South Haven for the night. The Municipal Marina South Harbor is a great harbor, a short walk to downtown and all the shops the Admiral could ever want.

The forecast for Sunday was much more favorable, 10 knot SW winds, waves 1-3 feet. We decided to leaving by 8AM to get an early start. The first half of the trip (total of 77 miles), we were in 2-3 footers and running 21 mph comfortably (meaning not complaints from the Admiral). Just about mid-lake, the wave subsided to 1-2 footers and about 35 miles from Chicago the lake was flat. We were able to cruise at 2200 rpm, making 27-28 mph. It was a perfect way to end the trip.

All and all, it was a great experience, learning quickly what a great boat we've just purchased and knowing that if we get stuck in rough seas, she can handle it. And...next time they forecast 5-7's, we'll probably just stay in port another day.

A welcoming sight for us:

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[truk911]

Flag? The new (to us) boat doesn't have a flag, which I think is really strange. I am considering several difference places to mount a flag staff (i.e. transom, next to stearn light, on the radar arch, just pop it i the rod holder).

Do you fly a flag and where did you mount the flag staff?

 

[truk911]

Boat looks great. Did you see any other likely candidates when you were shopping?


We spent a week at Burnham Harbor when we did the loop and had a great time. If you get ready for a long trip, Mac Island and Georgian Bay were among the high points. There are great ports between you and Travers City too. Enjoy!

Thanks Roger! We only looked at 2-3 other candidates when shopping. Most were 1000+ hour boats and some needed a lot TLC. Actually, we were just kicking the tires this season and didn't expect to purchase for 2 more seasons, until we found the boat we purchased. Once we walked onto her, it hit us and we wanted this one. Everything just fell into place.

We are planning some 4-5 day trips next season on the Michigan side of the lake. Depending on our schedules, we may try to do a 3 week trip up to Mac Island next season. Can't wait to get up North.

 

[truk911]

Amazing flooring, I really like the look and the expert installation is perfect. Congratulations!

 

[mjmason1]

Flag? The new (to us) boat doesn't have a flag, which I think is really strange. I am considering several difference places to mount a flag staff (i.e. transom, next to stearn light, on the radar arch, just pop it i the rod holder).

Do you fly a flag and where did you mount the flag staff?[/QUO
My flag is mounted on the radar arch behind the radar.

 

[NaughtyDog]

Hi - I want one of these boats with diesels. We recently sold a 380DA Dancer after our attempt to move it to the PNW failed. Since we still hadn't sold our 280DA, we trailered it from Galveston to Tacoma ourselves. It was a 4-day adrenalin rush and I won't do it again. We met a nice family at Sucia Island in the San Juans who invited us aboard their 2001 400 SD and this sealed the deal on selling the 380DA. Anyone with knowledge of an exceptional diesel powered 2001 - 2004 400SD for sale is welcome to PM me. Oh, and what is the deal on the balsa coring I need to be wary of? Was that prior to 2001? The 380DA has 3126TA Cats and I had no complaints about them, but it seems most of the 400SD's have Cummins and I was wondering how Searay decided which engine to use between models.

Well Roger275, you are definitely welcome for the tour and I'm happy to hear you might be joining the club. I did some extensive research before buying ours and a lot of it is in the thread "Getting Serious about a 400 Sedan". Had I found one available in my area I defiantly would of gone with the Cummins with the additional HP. Having said that, my CATS have been bulletproof so far and I love 'em. Let me know if I can be of any help in your search. BTW the crab was delicious! ahoy!


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[ZZ13]

My flag is on a stick about 3 ft long and just smaller than the diameter of the rod holder. I can move it around to any one of 5 rod holders along the back of the boat.