420/44 DB Owners Club

[Bruce Davenport]

I don't know the answer to your question, unfortunately. I would say it seems like a major undertaking in the middle of a trip.

Are there destinations along the Western Erie Canal you are interested in, or is it solely part of a transit? If just a transit, you can always hop out to Lake Ontario in Oswego then take the Welland Canal. You are clear on the Eastern leg to the Hudson.

I am trying to get the the boat to Chicago, The Canadian border is closed to US recreational boaters, so I am considering this option. As well as others. Thank you.

 

[Bruce Davenport]

Mine is off at the moment while I have the transom module repositioned aft. I’ll talk to the shipwrights and get an estimate. She’s an 08’ model so it has the forward roof overhang.

Thank you for the response, I dont believe I will have to lower the arch off the helm. I am thinking I can just lay it down and secure it up there. The lowest bridge is 15'

 

[my3sons]

Thank you for the response, I dont believe I will have to lower the arch off the helm. I am thinking I can just lay it down and secure it up there. The lowest bridge is 15'

I'm not saying you'll make it, I'm just saying to check your actual measurements on your boat as it sits in the water. You may be ok by just removing everything on the arch if that works better for you. Height to the top of our bridge enclosure is 15.5'. We usually clear the lowest bridges by at least 6", Flood pool a little less. NYS Canal Corp lists the lowest bridge at 15.5, there is a little leeway. I didn't buy a 420 because hinging the items on that arch wouldn't get us where we needed to be. I know it's a hassle, but during these covid times, hiring the captain to run it through the Welland might be the best option.
Good luck.

 

[Bruce Davenport]

I'm not saying you'll make it, I'm just saying to check your actual measurements on your boat as it sits in the water. You may be ok by just removing everything on the arch if that works better for you. Height to the top of our bridge enclosure is 15.5'. We usually clear the lowest bridges by at least 6", Flood pool a little less. NYS Canal Corp lists the lowest bridge at 15.5, there is a little leeway. I didn't buy a 420 because hinging the items on that arch wouldn't get us where we needed to be. I know it's a hassle, but during these covid times, hiring the captain to run it through the Welland might be the best option.
Good luck.

Thank you for response, we are also considering hiring a transport captain and 3 two crew to transit the canal for us.
According to the owners manual if I remove everything attached to the arch it gets me down to 15'7" which is very close and might make it with some extra ballast on board.

 

[Bruce Davenport]

I'm not saying you'll make it, I'm just saying to check your actual measurements on your boat as it sits in the water. You may be ok by just removing everything on the arch if that works better for you. Height to the top of our bridge enclosure is 15.5'. We usually clear the lowest bridges by at least 6", Flood pool a little less. NYS Canal Corp lists the lowest bridge at 15.5, there is a little leeway. I didn't buy a 420 because hinging the items on that arch wouldn't get us where we needed to be. I know it's a hassle, but during these covid times, hiring the captain to run it through the Welland might be the best option.
Good luck.

Are you talking about bridges on the Western erie canal? You are able to clear by roughly 6 inches?

 

[my3sons]

Are you talking about bridges on the Western erie canal? You are able to clear by roughly 6 inches?

Yes, we live near the west end of the canal, we transit it a lot to get to the east coast and to the finger lakes and the Thousand Islands, our favorite cruising grounds within a few days travel. We always loved our sundancers because bridge height was never a problem, but when the decision was made for a bridge boat, it was based on only if it would go through the western Erie Canal. The 400 makes it with the radar hinged down, and it is relatively easy to do with the old style arch that is easily accessible out the "back window" of the bridge.
This is the lowest bridge on the western Erie, there are three that are the exact height everything else is at least slightly higher. (I know, my wife and I personally measured every one of them before committing to buying the 400)

It might be worth your while to measure YOUR boat, forget the owners manual. As I said in the post above, sometimes in the spring flood conditions the clearances are a little less, but it has never been a no go and we are exactly 15'-6" to the top of the canvas with half fuel. You would have to clear everything off the arch for sure, but it might make it.

This is my current set up I built for the radar, just not something that would have worked on the 420. It works for us.

 

[Bruce Davenport]

Yes, we live near the west end of the canal, we transit it a lot to get to the east coast and to the finger lakes and the Thousand Islands, our favorite cruising grounds within a few days travel. We always loved our sundancers because bridge height was never a problem, but when the decision was made for a bridge boat, it was based on only if it would go through the western Erie Canal. The 400 makes it with the radar hinged down, and it is relatively easy to do with the old style arch that is easily accessible out the "back window" of the bridge.
This is the lowest bridge on the western Erie, there are three that are the exact height everything else is at least slightly higher. (I know, my wife and I personally measured every one of them before committing to buying the 400)
View attachment 103810

It might be worth your while to measure YOUR boat, forget the owners manual. As I said in the post above, sometimes in the spring flood conditions the clearances are a little less, but it has never been a no go and we are exactly 15'-6" to the top of the canvas with half fuel. You would have to clear everything off the arch for sure, but it might make it.

This is my current set up I built for the radar, just not something that would have worked on the 420. It works for us.
View attachment 103811

View attachment 103812

Nice set up, and thank you very much for the info. We will be doing some measuring when we get the boat back in the water. Currently she is in a barn in Alexandria Bay New York. Again, Thanks for response.

 

[my3sons]

I should have also mentioned that if you try it, be sure to sign up on the NYS Canal website for the "Notice to Mariners". It lets you know dates and times of upcoming projects or issues that might reduce overhead clearances, and other things that can impact travel as well.
Notices and Alerts - New York State Canals (ny.gov)

 

[bajturner]

I am trying to get the the boat to Chicago, The Canadian border is closed to US recreational boaters, so I am considering this option. As well as others. Thank you.

Ah, yes. The COVID border. Ridiculous. There should at least be a way to transit. Hopefully this will be done soon...

 

[bajturner]

Ok, here's some fun! In about 4 years or so (gotta get the kids out of high school!), when September comes we plan to head south to the Bahamas instead of packing-up the boat. We could do it with the 44DB. I have seen some videos from a couple doing the loop in one. Maybe we would change to something different, although I don't know what...I really love the 44DB!

If we take the 44DB, I have a wish list of upgrades (and some that are not coupled to the journey as well). Here is the list so far...I am sure others have some great ideas and input:

Helm
- better, more ergonomic captain and navigator seating
- replace all the factory-original electronics (chartplotters, autopilot, radar, VHF)
- add AIS, N2K bus
- replace SC5000
- complete the installation of the Pepwave cellular router and related networking
- install some ventilation for rainy days (fans?)

Galley
- upgrade the convection microwave with a better, modern unit
- upgrade the cooktop to induction
- replace the aging fridge
- trash compactor maybe...where would it go?
- I am pondering a garburator for the galley sink...good idea, environmentally horrible?

Utility
- install a water maker
- add solar panels and upgrade the battery and charging system
- add a main inverter to replace point of use inverters
- add a raw water washdown (more for freshwater use)

Entertainment
- complete the upgrade of the Fusion audio system to 4 discrete zones
- maybe modernize the satellite TV system

Other
- add a Freedom Lift (will get a different dinghy)
- add shelving in the engine room to increase storage
- add cameras in the engine room
- figure out a convenient, safe way to store some gasoline jerry cans

This is somewhat off the top of my head this morning. Maybe I should just get a new boat!!

 

[NorCalRobert]

I have a 2007 44db. I am considering removing the radar arch in order to navigate under a few bridges on the Erie Canal. Does anybody know the approximate weight of the radar arch?

Recently had mine removed and reinstalled for transporting and it they used a forklift to lift it off.

 

[NorCalRobert]

Thank you for the response, I dont believe I will have to lower the arch off the helm. I am thinking I can just lay it down and secure it up there. The lowest bridge is 15'

I have the same 07 44DB and from the water line to the top of sat tv unit I am between 18.4 and 18.6
Edit. If you remove the arch and your highest point is the windshield it is approx 13 to 13.5 feet to the water line

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Ok, here's some fun! In about 4 years or so (gotta get the kids out of high school!), when September comes we plan to head south to the Bahamas instead of packing-up the boat. We could do it with the 44DB. I have seen some videos from a couple doing the loop in one. Maybe we would change to something different, although I don't know what...I really love the 44DB!

If we take the 44DB, I have a wish list of upgrades (and some that are not coupled to the journey as well). Here is the list so far...I am sure others have some great ideas and input:

Helm
- better, more ergonomic captain and navigator seating
- replace all the factory-original electronics (chartplotters, autopilot, radar, VHF)
- add AIS, N2K bus
- replace SC5000
- complete the installation of the Pepwave cellular router and related networking
- install some ventilation for rainy days (fans?)

Galley
- upgrade the convection microwave with a better, modern unit
- upgrade the cooktop to induction
- replace the aging fridge
- trash compactor maybe...where would it go?
- I am pondering a garburator for the galley sink...good idea, environmentally horrible?

Utility
- install a water maker
- add solar panels and upgrade the battery and charging system
- add a main inverter to replace point of use inverters
- add a raw water washdown (more for freshwater use)

Entertainment
- complete the upgrade of the Fusion audio system to 4 discrete zones
- maybe modernize the satellite TV system

Other
- add a Freedom Lift (will get a different dinghy)
- add shelving in the engine room to increase storage
- add cameras in the engine room
- figure out a convenient, safe way to store some gasoline jerry cans

This is somewhat off the top of my head this morning. Maybe I should just get a new boat!!

That is huge list! What are the chances though of finding a boat with all of that gear and then would you would want at least a year to make it yours and shake it out before starting the loop so maybe it would be worth the investment. Better get started now though

 

[bajturner]

That is huge list! What are the chances though of finding a boat with all of that gear and then would you would want at least a year to make it yours and shake it out before starting the loop so maybe it would be worth the investment. Better get started now though

That is my thinking.

I likely won't do it all. If I were to prioritize, my top 3 are likely the watermaker, the lift, and the electronics, in that order, and I could get by with the existing electronics and a good tablet as they all still work. A bunch of the smaller things will get done this or next summer...the fridge, the stereo, maybe the galley appliances, the washdown and the shelving.

Fun to plan...it's all I have to keep me sane these days!

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I've got a water maker on board that I am not sure if I will ever use. It was put in new in 2014 and supposedly is pickled, I need to do a lot of reading to figure it out. Its kind of a liability of sorts to have it and not use it as the membranes I understand require attention or replacement. It takes up room and is mounted on the starboard side to add to the listing issue. Its a $15,000 upgrade that was done so i don't take removing it lightly but why have it if I'm not likely to use it?
Its pretty far down the list of things to worry about though.

 

[todd choops]

Thank you for response, we are also considering hiring a transport captain and 3 two crew to transit the canal for us.
According to the owners manual if I remove everything attached to the arch it gets me down to 15'7" which is very close and might make it with some extra ballast on board.

Bruce I also am planning on bringing a 06 44db back from Boston to buffalo ny via the Canal I believe I.ll make it just by taking everything off the arch and worse thing I’m figuring I’ll unbolt it and lay it down also going to bring some 55 gallon drums and fill them with water if need be when are you planning on making the trip I’ll be heading out hopefully last week of May

 

[Bruce Davenport]

Bruce I also am planning on bringing a 06 44db back from Boston to buffalo ny via the Canal I believe I.ll make it just by taking everything off the arch and worse thing I’m figuring I’ll unbolt it and lay it down also going to bring some 55 gallon drums and fill them with water if need be when are you planning on making the trip I’ll be heading out hopefully last week of May

My current plan is to be beginning the transit on or around the May 21.

 

[Jeff Carrick]

I’m about to upgrade my anchor rope from what I believe is 100 feet that came with the boat to 300+. I’m not near the boat does anyone know what size rope and chain it came with? I’m thinking 3/4 inch rope and 3/8 chain? Thoughts?

 

[todd choops]

Good luck make sure you let us know here how you make out I’ll be right behind you would love to know which way you decide to go

 

[bajturner]

I’m about to upgrade my anchor rope from what I believe is 100 feet that came with the boat to 300+. I’m not near the boat does anyone know what size rope and chain it came with? I’m thinking 3/4 inch rope and 3/8 chain? Thoughts?

From the parts manual: