400 vs 460

[radaron]

We are actively shopping for the sundancer that's going to be a weekend live aboard, occasional weeklong trip and frequent sunset cruiser.

As the hunt continues, the questions raised mostly get answered easily, mostly on this fabulous forum and now we could use some input.

The range we are looking at are '98 to '01 400, or 460. Diesel engines.

We started out looking at 400's alone and started to find that there were 460's coming in reasonably close in price. Why? Is the 460 a less desirable boat for some reason? The main reason we surmise is docking fees and greater limitations on places to go vs the 400, but any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Any other thoughts re: the pros/ cons of these boats is appreciated as well.

 

[wetpaint]

Go bigger! Separate Second Stateroom!

 

[Two Peas]

Doesn't the 400 have a separate second stateroom?

The 460 often has a hardtop, plus it has that cool recliner in the salon.

 

[fwebster]

When the 460DA first came to market, Sea Ray priced the hardtop, the bow thruster and the hydraulic platform as options. Many dealers ordered canvas top 460's with no bow thruster and no hydraulic platform for inventory because the 460 was not initially well received. It replaced the very popular 450DA and there was a huge difference between the 450 and 460........like a loaded 460 was $720K vs. the previous year's 450 @ $400K. Dealers ordered the stripped 460 to try to fill a price point. There was about $115K difference between the soft top 460 and the hardtop, loaded ones.

When comparing prices to the 400/410's be sure you are looking at the boat, not list a price in a list of boats. The soft top 460's are great boats, but are not in very high demand, and the loaded ones vs. the cheaper ones still carry a large part of that $100K+ price difference.

As far as comparing the 400 and 460.........the 460 is like the 400 on steroids. Bigger, more stable, better sea boat, but the 400 is quick, nimble and handles wonderfully.

 

[Skuza]

I second the 460 is a 400 on steroids. Still would love to have a 460 hardtop one day. Our boat has the second seperate stateroom and 2 heads-hence the Sundancer layout.

 

[Warren]

Trust Frank's advice. Just as he says the 400 is nimble and a ton of fun - certainly enough boat for us!

Very comfortable, economical and excellent handling with the Cat engines. Feel free to contact me with a PM if you have specific questions.
Warren

 

[radaron]

Thank you for the replies and great input! The hunt continues as we hit the road tomorrow and will be looking at several of each. We're open to either one.

 

[katricol]

I'd look at 450's also.

 

[Warren]

Good luck, enjoy the search!
Warren

 

[Glen S]

We got out 400DA end of last summer so don't have a ton of expereince yet but I can say it is a great boat, pretty easy to manouver and is working great for us with 2 teenagers and a puppy every week-end. Lots of room and a nice size cockpit. I know in our area the 46 would be a challenge to find dock space in some marinas.

 

[radaron]

The hunt continues...this past weekend we made appointments to look at a 460 and a 400, both around the same age and same price :smt101. The 460 was nice, the 400 postponed. So we have a couple of 460's in the running but we still want to look at a couple of 400's before we decide. I called someone about a 400 today. unfortunately the 400 I called about was sold but ...the brokerage is all over us about a boat they are about to list.... yes it's true...another 460!!!