40 sedan bridge forum

[Alex F]

It depends on how you dock your boat? Facing forward? Or aft? I face aft and use my right hand for the shifters and left hand for bow and stern thrusters ( if needed) its really up to you I've seen them everywhere some are very hard to reach .I like to have it close just in case I need a little bump . Mine are actually next to the throttles ,I'd like it on the other side next to the shifters as I rarely need the throttles when backing in.

I agree with Joe. Mine is located near the throttles as well, which obviously almost never used on diesel boat. It's not a bad spot and works most of the time well, but I think that it would be more convenient to have the joystick next to the shifters. In my configuration there is no room, b/c they place trim tabs controls and system monitor just on top of it.

 

[Prosideus]

Thanks Cruz'n. I had the boat pulled this week and going to check it out tomorrow. The service advisor said he found the leak and I will not need a water heater. I'll post the cause once I found out.

No luck on the fix. He tightened a few connections and when we went to check it out water had accumulated. He is still searching...



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[randerson]

I have a question for all of you 40DB owners:

How hard is it to access to the engines from inside of the salon? I read with interest the difficulty on 480 DB thread. I realize these are completely different boats but I was just curious? Does furniture have to be moved (other than table)? How's the access from above to outboard side of engines?

 

[Peter S]

In a word, access is lousy. It's not about moving furniture, no problem there. Access to the outboard side of the engines is just short of impossible, especially the port. I want to change the impeller on the port engine but the Cummins mechanic said to wait until it is absolutely necessary or when I have other work done in that area. The cost will be substantial. Starboard engine no problem.

Thanks for your question. I hope someone else can give us a more helpful answer.

 

[SR400DB]

While the access is lousy, its not quite as bad as stated. I do all of my own maintenance, and am able to get to everything. My impellers are changed annually, this past January I replaced both raw water pumps. It's very tight, but doable.

This is the only down side to this boat IMO.

 

[randerson]

Thanks to both of you for your candid responses. We have looked at few of these over the last 2 years and it looked tight. I've looked at both diesels and gassers and both appear to have equally poor outboard access (realizing that the port motor is worse due to impeller replacement). I had never viewed the ER from the Salon, hence my question. Once again, thanks!

 

[PartnerShip]

How often have most owners had to replace their outside stereo speakers. I'm needing my 4th
set. Also, what brands has everyone tried? I've had 2 sets of Clarion, and 1 set of Sony's. The cones just deteriorate.

 

[Prosideus]

Bridge Layout Change Question.

My bridge has the L shaped lounger attached to the helm with sunning space behind the lounger with a sun pad. I am thinking about rearranging the lounger and moving it as far back as possible on the sun deck, similar to what I believe would be the alternate bridge layout or removing the lounger altogether.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this type of mod, or has removed the screws from the lounger? Lessons learned? thoughts? I am wondering if the screws are wood screws or machine screws with an attached bolt.


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[Matt]

While the access is lousy, its not quite as bad as stated. I do all of my own maintenance, and am able to get to everything. My impellers are changed annually, this past January I replaced both raw water pumps. It's very tight, but doable.

This is the only down side to this boat IMO.

How do you get to the port impeller?
do you got from the top around the front of the motor?
i need to do mine this year and have no idea how to get there.
Thanks Matt

 

[SR400DB]

I can access from the top with the engine hatches open, but its a *****. My preferred method is to remove the after cooler and crawl between the outboard fuel tank and the engine. I have it down to about 1.5 hours start to finish for this side. It really helps to have someone assist and hand tools if needed. I am 5'10 and 195 and fit reasonably well. It is not for you if claustrophobia is an issue though. Let me know if you need further assistance

 

[Prosideus]

How do you get to the port impeller?
do you got from the top around the front of the motor?
i need to do mine this year and have no idea how to get there.
Thanks Matt

I get to it by laying over the top of the engine. Knowing what needs to be done by changing the starboard first really helps out. The trick for me is to lather up the impeller with dawn dish soap so it slides on easily and can be rotated easily to get the slots aligned to slide in the key/chuck (whatever that thing is called).

 

[Prosideus]

Bump.

Bridge Layout Change Question.

My bridge has the L shaped lounger attached to the helm with sunning space behind the lounger with a sun pad. I am thinking about rearranging the lounger and moving it as far back as possible on the sun deck, similar to what I believe would be the alternate bridge layout or removing the lounger altogether.

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this type of mod, or has removed the screws from the lounger? Lessons learned? thoughts? I am wondering if the screws are wood screws or machine screws with an attached bolt.


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[Nepenthe]

How often have most owners had to replace their outside stereo speakers. I'm needing my 4th
set. Also, what brands has everyone tried? I've had 2 sets of Clarion, and 1 set of Sony's. The cones just deteriorate.

I installed a new amp and JL Audio speakers. I am very pleased with the sound. Although the Clarion 6.5" speakers were deteriorated, the sub is original and has held up well.

 

[Matt]

Thanks,

Thats great to know. I will give it a try as soon as the boat is off the hard. I have a spare pump that needs to be rebuilt and I have stripped it down so I know what needs to be done. I will do the starboard pump first so I will have a idea what I need to do.
Again thanks for the help.

Matt

 

[Caseclosed]

Just purchased the KVH direct tv system .Can anyone offer any advice regarding the best way to pull the cable and wire.The splitter is on the port side. Next to the vacuum. The receiver is in the cabinet on the starboard side.Can anyone advise if there is a wire chase on the boat to pull these cables .Thanks any advice is appreciated

 

[ekruze]

Bridge Remodel:

I actually did this last year and was very happy with the outcome. The L-portion just unscrews from the walls and the floor. I pushed it back to where I still had about a foot of room behind the couch and the rail. Kind of nice to keep a little area for misc. items. A few things about this though...

1. Not sure how your canvas is (solid or clear) but when you move it back, part of the corner of the fiberglass base of the couch shows past the arch. I had new canvas made and kept it solid so no one can see it.
2. The backrest supports will move, so you will need to fill the holes in the fiberglass. Also one of my supports landed on the arch and it is aluminun, so screws do not very well on that leg.
3. The holes in the floor also will need to filled or caulked so no water penetrates your roof.
4. You will also create a gap about 18" from the dash and the L-couch. I had my local canvas guy build me a solid cushion using the sunpad material. This way your cushions all look the same and are of the same age.
5. You will also need new carpet because your old one will not work anymore.

If you want, I am going down this weekend and I will take some picture. All in all, the bridge is much more usuable. Cost is basically the carpet and making the cushion. Figure around $1200.

Erik

 

[Prosideus]

Bridge Remodel:

I actually did this last year and was very happy with the outcome. The L-portion just unscrews from the walls and the floor. I pushed it back to where I still had about a foot of room behind the couch and the rail. Kind of nice to keep a little area for misc. items. A few things about this though...

1. Not sure how your canvas is (solid or clear) but when you move it back, part of the corner of the fiberglass base of the couch shows past the arch. I had new canvas made and kept it solid so no one can see it.
2. The backrest supports will move, so you will need to fill the holes in the fiberglass. Also one of my supports landed on the arch and it is aluminun, so screws do not very well on that leg.
3. The holes in the floor also will need to filled or caulked so no water penetrates your roof.
4. You will also create a gap about 18" from the dash and the L-couch. I had my local canvas guy build me a solid cushion using the sunpad material. This way your cushions all look the same and are of the same age.
5. You will also need new carpet because your old one will not work anymore.

If you want, I am going down this weekend and I will take some picture. All in all, the bridge is much more usuable. Cost is basically the carpet and making the cushion. Figure around $1200.

Erik

Erik,

Pics would be great. I like the idea of leaving some space. I didn't realize the arch could be aluminum. I will need to double check mine. A question for you. Do you like having kept the lounger? What are your thoughts about totally removing it?


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[ekruze]

Erik,

Pics would be great. I like the idea of leaving some space. I didn't realize the arch could be aluminum. I will need to double check mine. A question for you. Do you like having kept the lounger? What are your thoughts about totally removing it?


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He is a link to pictures (sorry for the long delay!) of the bridge remodel and from my overall remodel. The bridge pics I believe are the first ones.

http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/ekruze/slideshow/

As for your question, I like how it turned out. The problem I see with removing it is the fiberglass helm (where the head cushion is located) is molded for that cushion. I think it might look a little funny with it removed.

Something else I forgot to mention, you also will need to move the speaker forward on that side. It is now in the wall below the new cushion that was made. The old hole was filled with a round plastic access cover you can find at most marine stores. Let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck! If you do change, would love to see pictures.

Erik

 

[randerson]

Nice remodel!

Regarding the bridge on these 400 DB's, I've noticed that Searay has a 6 person/weight maximum (1,080?) tag for the bridge. Can 8 people fit comfortably and are there concerns about the weight?

 

[ekruze]

Thanks! However, I can't take all the credit. A good friend (and fellow boater) did most of the work. He is an architect and owns a design/build firm here in Cincinnati. As for your question, I believe you are right with the weight capacity. However, I usually only have my family and a small group of people on board, so never really thought too much about it...