420/44 DB Owners Club

[bbwhitejr]

The boat is missing the actual steel frame to which the canvas is attached. I have looked at multiple 420DB images and haven’t seen a single one missing a part of the roof. I have the canvas curtains that go on top but not the actual back steel frame and canvas. Also no holes in the arch where the frame would have attached if it was originally there.

Strange stuff

We looked at a 2004 420DB in Ft. Lauderdale in July of 2017 that was missing the rear bimini-frame and all. It did not meet our expectations, so we walked away from it. That is the only one I have ever seen w/o the the complete package.

I think, and may be wrong, that the frame is aluminum tubing. A local fabricator can make the frame using the front one as a pattern and then upholstery shop can make the matching canvas. Just my $0.02....

Bennett

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Hey Rusty,

Have you ever contacted Gioia Sails? Before we bought our boat, we had looked at another one and it needed part of the bridge enclosure, cockpit enclosure, or something....can’t really remember. I saw their tag on what was there and called them. They told me under the outboard bunk in the midcabin there would be a print/drawings and I would need that for them to replace what I wanted. According to the person I spoke with, they did not have patterns....just what I was told.....

Bennett

I have not used them myself. A buddy used them to replace his bridge enclosure, Now that I think about it he did send them his enclosure parts to have duplicated. I do have a set of the patterns for my boat under the mid cabin bunk. Xdream39's best bet will be to find a local fabricator and have the entire enclosure built. I would actually have think about selling him my aft half as I am considering building a new one that is extended to match the length of the aft bridge deck.
CD

 

[Carpediem44DB]

xdream39, in what part of the country are you based? Perhaps one of the CSR members are close by and can allow a pattern to be made from their boat.
CD

 

[newfreedom]

Rusty, can you tell me about your davit system? I am trying to decide on what to do to carry a Walker Bay center console dinghy on the 44. The set up is about 500 lbs with a 20hp outboard.
Thanks,
Rob

Rob,
My Sedan Bridge has Walker bay center console & sealift combo. Love it! no complaints, no problems. I’m going on 10 plus years. If you have the money it’s worth it. Also I have 480CE Cummins, no valve problems. Check out sbar.com regarding issue and proper running instructions. This will help in avoiding future problems.

 

[scooper321]

We looked at a 2004 420DB in Ft. Lauderdale in July of 2017 that was missing the rear bimini-frame and all. It did not meet our expectations, so we walked away from it. That is the only one I have ever seen w/o the the complete package.

I think, and may be wrong, that the frame is aluminum tubing. A local fabricator can make the frame using the front one as a pattern and then upholstery shop can make the matching canvas. Just my $0.02....

Bennett

This. I had a local canvas shop fabricate an additional aluminum frame piece on my 400 - to extend the Bimini aft a bit and drop straight down, allowing full use of the seating area. They also built the entire new canvas for us. I’m sure a good canvas shop near you can do the same. I’d highly recommend finding a good local shop and working with them. Trying to get someone to do it from far away, with being about to get on your boat and measure, seems like a can of worms. If you’re in the Chesapeake, I can recommend an a excellent local shop.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

This. I had a local canvas shop fabricate an additional aluminum frame piece on my 400 - to extend the Bimini aft a bit and drop straight down, allowing full use of the seating area. They also built the entire new canvas for us. I’m sure a good canvas shop near you can do the same. I’d highly recommend finding a good local shop and working with them. Trying to get someone to do it from far away, with being about to get on your boat and measure, seems like a can of worms. If you’re in the Chesapeake, I can recommend an a excellent local shop.

Scooper, If you could post some pics or PM me some time, Id love to see your set up. My canvas is getting long in the tooth and when it comes time to replace it I want to do just as you describe. I'm collecting as much info as possible in terms of design and execution before I embark on this project. I will be doing the entire thing myself.
Thanks
Rusty

 

[Xdream39]

We looked at a 2004 420DB in Ft. Lauderdale in July of 2017 that was missing the rear bimini-frame and all. It did not meet our expectations, so we walked away from it. That is the only one I have ever seen w/o the the complete package.

I think, and may be wrong, that the frame is aluminum tubing. A local fabricator can make the frame using the front one as a pattern and then upholstery shop can make the matching canvas. Just my $0.02....

Bennett

 

[Xdream39]

It’s probably the same boat. I bought it in Ft. Lauderdale a month ago and had it delivered over water to NYC last weekend.

It had a ton of work done since 2017, and I just put almost 60k into upgrades over the past month. The aft Bimini is the only thing left

Will likely try to get the frame fabricated in Brooklyn.

Also, Does anyone have a reliable Cummins mechanic in NYC or surrounding areas?

Thank you everyone - this board is a lifesaver.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Rusty, mine has them as well. Was like this when we purchased. Are you planning on doing anything about it on yours?
I was once told that if the gelcoat is too thick it can result in stress cracks. Since it is in the same spot, it might be seeing a little more deflection that was designed for.

Tomco, I don't know how I missed your post, its not like I am on the sight everyday. I do plan on addressing the cracks here in a few weeks when the weather is warmer and consistent. I plan on Veeing out the cracks with a razor knife, then sanding the immediate area within an inch or so of the cracks with about 80 grit and brushing on a couple of coats of gelcoat. Then Ill wet sand smooth and polish. It won't be un detectable but it will look better than the spider cracks. I've been holding off to see that the cracks have stopped growing. Ill let you know how it turns out. Now that I am done with the updating for now its time to concentrate on the cosmetic details.
Rusty.

 

[BEH]

Scooper, If you could post some pics or PM me some time, Id love to see your set up. My canvas is getting long in the tooth and when it comes time to replace it I want to do just as you describe. I'm collecting as much info as possible in terms of design and execution before I embark on this project. I will be doing the entire thing myself.
Thanks
Rusty

There’s a 44DB for sale in Jacksonville that has the aft top extended.
Listed on yachtworld.
Maybe owner or broker will help.

 

[scooper321]

Scooper, If you could post some pics or PM me some time, Id love to see your set up. My canvas is getting long in the tooth and when it comes time to replace it I want to do just as you describe. I'm collecting as much info as possible in terms of design and execution before I embark on this project. I will be doing the entire thing myself.
Thanks
Rusty

Here’s what we did on our 400. The arch is different than yours, but you could do something similar. We just couldn’t stand not being able to have folks sit in the U of the bench seat without bumping the glass!

No reason you couldn’t extend the aft part of your Bimini either.

 

[becnme]

When I saw this top I thought it had been changed by a previous owner for the better but I think Searay changed it in 2007. The frame looks just like a Pipe Welders frame or a t-top on a center console.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

When I saw this top I thought it had been changed by a previous owner for the better but I think Searay changed it in 2007. The frame looks just like a Pipe Welders frame or a t-top on a center console.

That’s what I have in mind, I grabbed some shots of one that was on YachtWorld and have a pretty good idea of how I’ll design it. It with certainty feel much roomier and I’m hoping the rear glass looks better too.
Thanks
Rusty

 

[craigswardmtb]

It’s probably the same boat. I bought it in Ft. Lauderdale a month ago and had it delivered over water to NYC last weekend.

It had a ton of work done since 2017, and I just put almost 60k into upgrades over the past month. The aft Bimini is the only thing left

Will likely try to get the frame fabricated in Brooklyn.

Also, Does anyone have a reliable Cummins mechanic in NYC or surrounding areas?

Thank you everyone - this board is a lifesaver.

There is a Cummins marine service center in the Bronx. Although Mako Marine in Freeport is really good and Cummins certified. I had them do my engine survey last year when we bought our 420 DB up in Haverstraw.

 

[Irie308]

My kids complained that the lighting in the guest stateroom was a bit lacking. I tend to agree as there is no port light window in that state room on the 04 model. I added some led strips to each cubby as well as changed out the factory rope light. Huge improvement thus far.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

My kids complained that the lighting in the guest stateroom was a bit lacking. I tend to agree as there is no port light window in that state room on the 04 model. I added some led strips to each cubby as well as changed out the factory rope light. Huge improvement thus far.View attachment 82951

Just what that room needs. Looks great.

 

[scooper321]

My kids complained that the lighting in the guest stateroom was a bit lacking. I tend to agree as there is no port light window in that state room on the 04 model. I added some led strips to each cubby as well as changed out the factory rope light. Huge improvement thus far.View attachment 82951

Did you fish wire behind the walls and connect to the main switches or are the LED's just turned on/off at their location?

 

[Irie308]

Did you fish wire behind the walls and connect to the main switches or are the LED's just turned on/off at their location?

I wired the leds to the wall mounted "reading lamps" when you first walk in. Similar to the one on the wall in the pic.

 

[Tomco]

My kids complained that the lighting in the guest stateroom was a bit lacking. I tend to agree as there is no port light window in that state room on the 04 model. I added some led strips to each cubby as well as changed out the factory rope light. Huge improvement thus far.View attachment 82951

Nice idea! I've tossed around the thought of adding a port hole - both for light and air movement. What is the black thing on the ceiling?

 

[Irie308]

Nice idea! I've tossed around the thought of adding a port hole - both for light and air movement. What is the black thing on the ceiling?

That is the old flip down tv/dvd player.