410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

[SeaNile]

I always used 6 lines in my floating dock situation. 2 bow, 2 stern and a spring line on each side. Never had an issue going out solo either. This boat will be my biggest, assuming it happens, and I won't hesitate to move the boat around by myself.

 

[Strecker25]

I always used 6 lines in my floating dock situation. 2 bow, 2 stern and a spring line on each side. Never had an issue going out solo either. This boat will be my biggest, assuming it happens, and I won't hesitate to move the boat around by myself.

your 340 was probably pretty well behaved but I couldn’t believe how this boat handles at idle compared to my 290

 

[SeaNile]

your 340 was probably pretty well behaved but I couldn’t believe how this boat handles at idle compared to my 290

My 31 Bertram with diesels was extremely responsive but the 340 felt like it weighed more and was actually easier to handle due to the slower response times. I'm looking forward to getting this shopping thing into high gear. But, it's December and it's hard to buy a boat here in the NE. Even if I bought something tomorrow there is nothing I could do with it for a good 3.5 months.

 

[Strecker25]

anyone rebed the stanchions? Most look like their backplates are accessible but the ones behind the forward head look near impossible

 

[dtfeld]

I always used 6 lines in my floating dock situation. 2 bow, 2 stern and a spring line on each side. Never had an issue going out solo either. This boat will be my biggest, assuming it happens, and I won't hesitate to move the boat around by myself.

My 410 is the easiest docking boat I've ever owned. Bigger /inboards are much easier even in a crosswind.

 

[SeaNile]

List price is out of my budget but this is an interesting boat with a compelling asking price. I'm not a fan of PODS only because I've never had them nor worked on them. Still leaning towards the 400/410 but this caught my eye....

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2008-cobalt-46-express-7573031/

 

[RollerCoastr]

Still leaning towards the 400/410 but this caught my eye....

Something (probably many things) are not right with that boat. Aside from the fire-sale price and the accidental honesty in the comment, "with just a few tweaks it will be a true dock queen".

He meant to acknowledge deferred maintenance, but to most of us a "dock queen" is a boat that doesn't leave the dock!

That was a nice boat. It isn't one anymore - guaranteed.

 

[SeaNile]

Something (probably many things) are not right with that boat. Aside from the fire-sale price and the accidental honesty in the comment, "with just a few tweaks it will be a true dock queen".

He meant to acknowledge deferred maintenance, but to most of us a "dock queen" is a boat that doesn't leave the dock!

That was a nice boat. It isn't one anymore - guaranteed.

You are right. Two page list from the broker with items needing to be fixed. Was fun to look but I am still confident we will always stay with Sea Ray.

 

[Stee6043]

List price is out of my budget but this is an interesting boat with a compelling asking price. I'm not a fan of PODS only because I've never had them nor worked on them. Still leaning towards the 400/410 but this caught my eye....

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2008-cobalt-46-express-7573031/

With an OAL of 46' that Cobalt looks to be very similar in size to a Sea Ray 400/420? There's gotta be 4'+ of platform on that beast.

Either Cobalt's are super cheap to begin with or, like Roller said, there's something wrong with this one. Screamin' price...

 

[ttmott]

You are right. Two page list from the broker with items needing to be fixed. Was fun to look but I am still confident we will always stay with Sea Ray.

If you are looking at boats that size you should consider Frank Webster's @fwebster 450DA. It's a peach.

 

[nealtrombley]

If you are looking at boats that size you should consider Frank Webster's @fwebster 450DA. It's a peach.

wow, are you stalking posters lol
i have a 410, recent purchase but thanks.

 

[ttmott]

wow, are you stalking posters lol
i have a 410, recent purchase but thanks.

Sorry, am I missing something?

 

[nealtrombley]

Sorry, am I missing something?

no sir, how did you know I opened up that link to look at that Cobalt ?

 

[ttmott]

no sir, how did you know I opened up that link to look at that Cobalt ?

That is weird.... I didn't; I was responding to @SeaNile and his/her looking at the Cobalt....

 

[nealtrombley]

Sorry, am I missing something?

no sir, how did you know I opened up that link to look at that

That is weird.... I didn't; I was responding to @SeaNile and his/her looking at the Cobalt....

all a huge misunderstanding my friend, I thought you were responding to me, I misread the response, my deepest apologies

 

[ttmott]

no sir, how did you know I opened up that link to look at that

all a huge misunderstanding my friend, I thought you were responding to me, I misread the response, my deepest apologies

Not needed, a cold beer sometime....

 

[SeaNile]

The Cobalt is beat. Don't like the POD system either. Oh well, was fun to look at for a few minutes. Now back to 400/401 shopping!

 

[SeaNile]

I will say the asking prices are a bit inflated but as of now I am trying to decide between a 99-00-01-02. For argument sake, I can't see spending 20k more for an 02 vs 99.

Ah, the joys of wintertime online shopping.

 

[Stee6043]

I will say the asking prices are a bit inflated but as of now I am trying to decide between a 99-00-01-02. For argument sake, I can't see spending 20k more for an 02 vs 99.

Ah, the joys of wintertime online shopping.

At this point in the age of the boats you're looking at the model year should really have no impact on sell price. 97-02 400/410's can vary by more than $100k in asking price on an average day. The difference is condition, hours, options, powerplant, upgrades, fresh vs salt water and sometimes insane sellers/brokers. I mapped out 30+ 400/410's in a 1,500 mile radius from my home when I bought my 400 back in 2018. I listed options, configuration, etc and so on for all of them. At the time diesels were worth, on average, $20k over gas. Fresh water was worth, on average, $20k over salt. Those were about the only two consistent items driving sell price across the lot I was looking at. Other things like newer canvas, newer electronics, bow thrusters, hydraulic swim platforms, $30k stereo systems were not as consistent in their impact on list price.

The other interesting thing I learned, unrelated to list price, is that boats in the Chicagoland area are generally trashed. Hard. Consistently Those guys know how to party down there...

 

[SeaNile]

I'm finding there are not a lot of differences in the 99-02 boats as far as options. Two things stick out as far as separating all the diesel boats for sale, aside from the engine hours, would be if the electronics are original or replaced and the age of the canvas. Also seems the asking price increases with the year with the 99's being the least expensive and the 02's being the most expensive. Not sure it's worth 20-30k for an 02 over a 99.