420/44 DB Owners Club

douglee25 said:
I'm saying that regardless of what lift you have, in order to take full advantage of the entire swim platform, it has to be moved into the water.

Sure you can use part of it or access a ladder, but again to use all of the space to setup chairs, the equipment has to be moved.

Doug
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Oh yeah, with Presto you have no choice. With other traditional type you don't have to as you'll have about 70%-80% (in my case) of the space to utilize.
 
The presto lift is ~7K less than a SeaLift. I like that the entire unit is out of the water, I think there will be less maintenance and repairs needed. I hate to lose the swim platform but 7K is a good chunk of change. When I called SeaLift to ask about their lifts the weight difference between the platform and the cradle was less than 100 pounds and the price was the same. Additionally the Presto lift weighs considerably less than other lifts and having the PWC closer to the boat should improve performance and fuel economy. Overall price, maintenance and performance has me leaning toward the Presto but I really don't want to lose use of the swim platform and I don't know of anyone who has this presto lift. I can't seem to make my mind up.
 
A word of wisdom: Not sure - don't do it.

Have you look at their video? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6u2JBMQBhk&feature=youtu.be

My additional thoughts are:
- The setup is bulky, it's a huge obstruction. Based on their video clip it looks like there's no room to walk behind the PWC or a tender. That would be a huge problem b/c you'd have to work around this obstruction anytime your tender is on (it looks like the platform is completely useless with a tender on, this would be a huge problem for me). I guess that exactly what Doug pointed out.
- The bulky look may kill the slick look of the boat and hurt you in resale. So, you may end up loosing a lot more than $7K. When I was shopping for 420DB there was one on the market with St. Croax (don't remember exact spelling) but it's similar looking system. I didn't even put that boat on my list (only because of that ugly looking setup), even though it was the cheapest boat on the market (it was about $25K-$30K less than others).
- Look at about 7-11 seconds in the video and you can see that each ramp is independent. You see how the PWC is kind of loosely moved out having each ramp move on it's own, so I think this adds some risk during the loading/unloading process.
- There's no such thing as maintenance free or anything to last forever. So, you have ramps and two cylinders to take care of. Granted having them out of the water will make them last longer, but they're still will be exposed to the water no matter how you twist it and turn it. The way I looked at it was, let's say a lift like SeaLift has the cylinder life span 5-7yrs, you pay $1.5K and you're good for another 5-7yrs. It's not too bad, IMO.
-$7K difference? So, let's say you pay $11K vs. $18K and you're not happy in the end. You just pissed $11K away, drilled tons of holes in the boat and there's no magical "UNDO" button. So, you're most likely stuck with it for the rest of the boat ownership, unless you're going to pay to fix everything back and then go for a different solution.

Don't get me wrong, I have no affiliation with any of the brand discussed here, so I don't want to sound like a sales guy. I know that $7K is a lot of money, but you have to look at the bigger picture. As I mentioned before, with complex machines like our yachts there's a lot more that just "let's get the lift installed". This is one of those things you want to do ones and you want to do it right the first time.
 
My first "upgrade" is complete. I had the cockpit fridge replaced with a ice maker. I know that this was an option when bought new, so some of you may already have this. Can't wait to make the first margarita of the season. (if it will ever get here already)
 
Congrats on the new icemaker. Galley fridge upgrade is a lot more fun, though. :grin:
 
So I decided to go with the SeaLift. Just put the order in today, they say I should be installed about first week of May. Thanks to all on this board for the valuable info, it really helped with this very expensive decision.
 
Johnnyg44 said:
So I decided to go with the SeaLift. Just put the order in today, they say I should be installed about first week of May. Thanks to all on this board for the valuable info, it really helped with this very expensive decision.
Click to expand...

Johnny,
You won't be disappointed. I recommend having them install the lift so it's flush with your existing platform, no step down. It looks a lot better too. The one con but also a pro for having the dinghy flush which is roughly 3" higher is the dingy doesn't float away when the lift is done but it's also takes a little effort to slide the dinghy off. Might not be the case for all dinghies but is for mine. One more thing I did was I purchased the larger lift platform, I think it's 8inches longer than the standard, allows for a wider dinghy. The one tricky thing for me was finding the best locations for the eye bolts, location for the tie downs. I now have one on the lift and one on the existing platform for the aft and forward part, dinghy doesn't move.
 
CAMELLA,
The size I ordered is 46"x 139" I am putting a SeaDoo GTS130 on it which is ~750 LBS dry. Sea-Lift told me that the lift is good for 900 LBS. I guess I assumed that the lift would be flush with the existing platform, I will call them to ask.
 
I'm interested in re-doing my bridge enclosure. I currently have strataglass.
I would like to do EZ2CY on my front panels and keep strataglass on my back panels. I've notice there are other products similar to EZ2CY. For example-RANIER or ANINA enclosures. They are offered as hard glass options from some local canvas installers.

My main concern switching my forward panels to a hard glass is not having the flexibility. I like rolling my side curtains for fresh air. I don't really like the idea that I would have to remove entire panel to do the same.
The front panel directly in front of the helm would not be an issue because I can snap it up overhead.

I welcome any thoughts on EZ2CY,RAINIER or ANINA products. Any recommendations for installers in NY area and Any solutions for side panels....possible snapping up like front panel. ( I do not have bridge air)


Thanks!
 
newfreedom said:
I'm interested in re-doing my bridge enclosure. I currently have strataglass.
I would like to do EZ2CY on my front panels and keep strataglass on my back panels. I've notice there are other products similar to EZ2CY. For example-RANIER or ANINA enclosures. They are offered as hard glass options from some local canvas installers.

My main concern switching my forward panels to a hard glass is not having the flexibility. I like rolling my side curtains for fresh air. I don't really like the idea that I would have to remove entire panel to do the same.
The front panel directly in front of the helm would not be an issue because I can snap it up overhead.

I welcome any thoughts on EZ2CY,RAINIER or ANINA products. Any recommendations for installers in NY area and Any solutions for side panels....possible snapping up like front panel. ( I do not have bridge air)


Thanks!
Click to expand...

You can snap up the front center but you cant swing it up. I would have it made with a divider in the middle. Open the bottom 1/2 down to rest on top of the helm or leave it in place while you snap the top half up.
 
Re: 420 DB Owners Club

Anyone know where the Gen battery solenoid is located in the engine room on the 420DB?
 
If you have Owners manual look at page 105 (Section 6 "Electrical System").
 
newfreedom said:
I'm interested in re-doing my bridge enclosure. I currently have strataglass.
I would like to do EZ2CY on my front panels and keep strataglass on my back panels. I've notice there are other products similar to EZ2CY. For example-RANIER or ANINA enclosures. They are offered as hard glass options from some local canvas installers.

My main concern switching my forward panels to a hard glass is not having the flexibility. I like rolling my side curtains for fresh air. I don't really like the idea that I would have to remove entire panel to do the same.
The front panel directly in front of the helm would not be an issue because I can snap it up overhead.

I welcome any thoughts on EZ2CY,RAINIER or ANINA products. Any recommendations for installers in NY area and Any solutions for side panels....possible snapping up like front panel. ( I do not have bridge air)


Thanks!
Click to expand...

My whole bridge is done with EZ2CY. If you can wait until our Flotilla trip I can show you everything and explain all the details. In short, I love it. The way mine is designed is to have only two side panels to be taken off and stored in dedicated cover for each panel. For the most part it provides good ventilation. The front panels are huge and there's no way to have them open. Swinging the panel up doesn't work b/c the bottom of the panel hits the dash and I would have to bend it too much to get it pass the dash. To take the large panels off is a PITA and you'll have an issue with storage, so I wouldn't count on having it as your daily process. While taking the two side panels is a 30 seconds thing.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Alex, I plan to update this spring. I'm looking into having a storage pouch installed up on my bimini top to slide my side curtains into when not in use. I am also looking into venting the front curtains. I let you know how I make out.
Thanks again, I always appreciate your input!
 
No need for additional storage just for the side panels. Make nice covers for them and slide them between the port side companion seat and the wall. Two of my panels fit perfectly in there and no one notices that they're there. The hatch barely touches them when open, but even so they fit fine behind the hatch and it also provides extra protection in that small part.

Making a small vent in the front panel would be a good idea as long as you don't compromise the strength of the panel.

I'm looking forward to see your final product.
 
Another quick tip, when you make the covers for the panels make sure they're soft on the inside. Otherwise the panels will get scratched.
 
My boat had a MAJOR refit done by previous owner. I would say that EZ2CY (which was part of the upgrades project) is about 3-5 years old. The job was done by www.seafarercanvas.com (they're located in CT), I would highly recommend them.
 
Re: 420 DB Owners Club

Checking to see if any of you with 44db had a hi press error on thermostats and after flushing and cleaning strainers, forward a/c was perfect but salon a/c stopped cooling. Compressor kicked on but no cool air. Would not even cool using a hose directly connected to dock water and bypassing pump....usually this creates ice cold air coming from salon while flushing it. Had tech aboard yesterday (yes..Sunday call with 4 hr min) and tech said had NO freon in it and later said had a leak somewhere on lower area of coils near drain pan. Said system sucked up some trash into it (how can u tell without being able to see?). Said there is no way to clean this system out and now need a new unit. Said he charged it with freon to last until Tuesday but would need to pull it then to inspect further or replace likely. We were aboard 4 hrs after he left and it was 87 degrees in salon. Turning wrenches since I was a kid, something about this doesn't seem right. A/c was working fine all day Saturday. I can understand if maybe there was a week area and the hi press forced a crack but for it to lose a "full charge" in 4hours or less seems like the mechanic would have known this if he staid any time observing the unit after charging it to check for leak. Thanks.
 
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