410DA or a 400DA?

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
We are close to the step up from our 330DA to ??

I really, really want a 450 or a 460 but the budget will not allow one at this point in time.

A dockmate just purchased a 97 400 with the twin Cats. We love the boat, perfect size for us, though a 450 or 460 would be more perfect though.

However, while in DC taking my father-in-laws boat to New York City we saw a 410. We only saw it from the outside though. My guess is the 410 replaced the 400?

Can anyone tell me the differences in the 2?
 
MR, I really liked the 1997-1999 40DA's. I looked at probably 10 of them. The 41 replaced the 40 in 2000 i think? I sea trialed several of these and actually surveyed one. The reason we didnt buy it was moisture in the Hull!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All of them had Cat 3116's. The boat seemed to ride and man good. Not much i can say bad about the 40DA. If you really start looking you will need to be aware of 2(two) Pot big problems. One is moisture in the hull and two is the Cats had some trouble during those years and engine survey with oil anyl and blow-by testing is mandatory. NOW, it is imho almost, i say almost as easy to get the 450DA as the 40DA price wise. Granted i looked for over 6 months and made 5-6 trips to Florida i bought our 98 450DA for a VERY reasonable price. As FrankW will tell you SeaRay got the 450DA right. Of all the boats we seatrialed and went on it stood out. Now that being said, i liked the 1997 40da and the 1999-2003 46 real well too, just not as well as i liked the 450DA. JC
 
jc3,
Any more specifics on the hull moisture issues? Were those issues around the deck fittings? Below the waterline?
Thks
Skip
 
Yes, Skip they were. It broke our hearts as we really liked that boat. It started about 10ft or so and ran another 20ft then got dry again. The boats maintence had been horrible but the price reflected it and then some. The owner had not surveyed the boat but for an "Ins Survey", What ever that is. I had been warned to really look for this esp if the boat had been neglected. I really liked how it handled but it didnt handle as well as the 450DA. I donot know if this is a systemic problem or isolated but iam glad we were really looking for it. It was not hard to find as it metered out for almost 20ft or so. JC
 
We too have been considering a 40/41 for the the next boat. I'll be watcing this thread. We haven't looked at the 450, but will look and check prices.
 
LM, I bought my 1998 450DA in Fort Lauderdale. I can 100% recommend Russ Schafer at Bollman Yachts!!!!!! He was the broker for the owner but was very honest with us during the boat buying ordeal and i will use him when we move up. If you have any questions about our 450DA just let me know. JC
 
Could be wrong...stranger things have happened.. :smt101 ..but I think the 400 became the 410 which became the 42 which is now the 44. Naturally, with each new model, improvements and modifications were made but the overall size remained pretty much the same. My 2001 410 is 45'6" overall length and a new 44 Dancer is just about 45' on the nose I believe.

All that aside, we love our 410 with Caterpillar power and have no need for anything bigger. It is perfect for my wife and I on weekends and the one or 2 trips we take each season. The privacy of a hard door and second head aft, make taking another couple (or kids for that matter) very enjoyable as there is ample privacy for all.

Be happy to try to answer any specific 410 questions you have as I am sure will Dominic and any of the other 410 drivers.. Good hunting! :thumbsup:
 
Mrs.Robinson, whats your budget on a step up purchase price?, there are some values out there on large boats.
 
Not sure yet, but off the top of my head $150K maximum but for the right step up we would spend more.
 
I'll put my pennies in....

First, I'll comment on your move up....You said that you Really want a 450/460......how much longer do you think you would have to wait for your budget to agree? If it's only a year or two, then I would suggest you wait. If you're thinking 4 or more years, then go for the 400/410 now and move up when the time comes.....in between that time....toss a coin....


As for the differece between the 400 and 410, mostly it is cosmetics and minor layout changes.

The helm layout is different, and the cockpit area has some very minor differences. Down below, again there are only minor layout differences. The biggest differences you will find is that in the 1997 400's, the vitracore wasn't available and. Also, you will find that the tan gelcoated dash wasn't available until, I think, the 1998 model years.

Assuming you are looking solely at Diesel, and also only at the Dancers and not expresses, then CAT 3116's for the 400 and 3116 in early 410's and 3126's in the later 410's. FrankW is the expert on the differences, so you'll have to wait till he get's back on the board to answer (I think he's out boating in some beautiful blue-green water somwhere).

I looked at 400's and 410's, and I like them both. The admiral like the more contempory looks of the 410, and that was mostly what drove me to the 410.

As for the 450/460, I also looked in that direction. I would have easily taken a 450, as they were right in my price range. I even looked at a few early 460's as they were close also. Once again,the admiral liked the 410 the best....so that's what we bought.

Bigger also has bigger expenses....more fuel, higher insurance, slip costs, hauls, etc, etc... Also, look at where you do your boating. For example, I like to go to Atlantic City usually 3-4 weekends. We travel with other boats upto 38. If I had gotten the 45/46, I would have to stay at a different dock and not be with my friends. Not a deal breaker, but something to keep in mind.....

Hope this helps....
 
Mrs.Robinson

What Dom said.


Considering your budget I would start looking for a clean 400, I think you will be getting a great value in that model(and a lot of boat) and will serve your needs.

Dont wait to save and dont stretch. You will always spend more than you think you can afford.
 
My only add, as I have never run a 400 or 410, is to try to dispel the notion that diesels are more expensive to maintain. Sure, diesels take about 5 gallons of oil per engine at annual services, and the filters for my 450 Cummins are more expensive, but the engine spaces are large enough that I can do 95% of the work myself. As an example, I did all my annual services this year at winterization time, except for the in the water shrink wrap. Everything, including shrik wrap, was uner $1K. Mains, trannies, fuel filters, cleaned the airseps, did the generator, etc. For the same service (less the walker airseps and trannies, which were not included in my local SR dealer's price sheet) I'd have paid over $5,000....or most of this year's fuel budget.

Go run a diesel boat if you have not already done so. If you aren't hooked when the turbos spool up and push you into your seat I will be surprised.

I belive there are deals to be had out there. I did this drill last year on the 420.

Good luck!

regards
Skip
 
I've been absent a while, but, from the looks of the answers above, I guess I can just stay gone ..............

But here are an observation or 2....the 400/410's are great boats and are very good performers. Not withstanding the handling comment, but the 400/410 is as easy to handle as the 450 but does not benefit from the larger shaft to shaft centerline distance which makes the 450 such a sweetheart.

In this sized boat, unless you want a dock queen, stay with diesel power, for future resale value if nothing more, but truthfully, the 400/410 with Cats is a real performer, a gas 410 isn't.

Avoid buying a cheap 450.......if you find one in the $150K area, you can count on spending a good bit more to bring it back. UNless you find a pristime boat (rare) count on spending another 10% after the initial purchase for a new bottom job, engine service and fixing stuff that isn't working right..........more if you freshen the electronics.

Have fun shopping!
 
Great feedback. I think when it's time, which may be soon, we will look at a diesel 400\410. I have cruised on our dockmates 1997 400 with twin cats and it's sweet and rides great. He was able to pick it up for under $140 and it's in great shape with low hours.
 

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