420/44 DB Owners Club

JNMNL52 said:
Thanks Alex; I think I will give the behind the genny route a try and see if I can fit.
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Recently replaced my duckbills. My vacuflush was running too often. I read in a previous post that the duckbills would be 2" but found out they are 1 1/2". Anyway, after replacing with new 1 1/2" duckbills (which was quite a project!) I am still having the same issue. The bowl holds water but my vacuflush still cycles in between flushes, about every 10 minutes.
Looking for any recommendations/solutions from owners with similar vacuflush problems. Thanks!


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Yes, I have checked all hoses and connections. Don't hear any leaks. Today, I ordered a new pressure switch. I'm hoping that will do the trick. I will update after install. Thanks!
 
So I changed the oil and fuel filter by myself on the genny for the first time. The oil filter was easy enough. Then I got to the fuel filter, there is no room under it to put a bucket so I used towels and those special oil absorbing rag things. When I started to unscrew the filter it leaked diesel everywhere but I had the towels so I was fine for a minute until I tried to get the filter out between all the hoses that are in the way. Long story short I spilled a lot of diesel in the pan of the generator. Spent at least an hour cleaning it up and I think I got most of it that I could see, but there is not much room in there so I don't know if there is more under something else further back that I cant see or reach.

Two questions:

1- If there is a little residual diesel on the floor pan of the genny is it a big deal?
2 - For next time how do I get this thing off without making such a mess?

Thanks,
 
For the spillage, i put a large zip lock bag around mine when removing it and the bag catches the spill may work for you.


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Johnnyg44 said:
So I changed the oil and fuel filter by myself on the genny for the first time. The oil filter was easy enough. Then I got to the fuel filter, there is no room under it to put a bucket so I used towels and those special oil absorbing rag things. When I started to unscrew the filter it leaked diesel everywhere but I had the towels so I was fine for a minute until I tried to get the filter out between all the hoses that are in the way. Long story short I spilled a lot of diesel in the pan of the generator. Spent at least an hour cleaning it up and I think I got most of it that I could see, but there is not much room in there so I don't know if there is more under something else further back that I cant see or reach.

Two questions:

1- If there is a little residual diesel on the floor pan of the genny is it a big deal?
2 - For next time how do I get this thing off without making such a mess?

Thanks,
Click to expand...

From what you described, it sounds like you had the fuel supply valves wide open. Remember that on our boats genny has two feeds (either tank). So, make sure to close both sides. In fact, I do all fuel systems at the same time and close all 4 valves (2 on each tank). Make sure each valve is closed completely. One of my port side was hitting a balkhead, so I had to fix that.


I usually get only few drops of spillage. As Joe said, zip locks come very handy. But, they meant to catch only some amount from the filter. If you have more fuel coming, that's a primary issue you have to address.


As for the diesel left in the drain pan, IMO, it's not only not safe, but not heatlthy either. The ER is NOT really 100% sealed, so you'll get diesel smell in the salon. Just take you time and clean it all.
 
Thank you Alex. I see the off position on the fuel shutoff valve now. I should have realized to do that. For some reason I did not have this problem when I changed the fuel filters for the engine. Don't know why?


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Need to replace some hoses on my cummins 480ce. 6CTA 8.3 M. Any recommendations on suppliers or a vendor that might sell hose kit? Thanks
 
newfreedom said:
Need to replace some hoses on my cummins 480ce. 6CTA 8.3 M. Any recommendations on suppliers or a vendor that might sell hose kit? Thanks
Click to expand...

The Cummins dealer will have most of them -- try sbmar.com. give them a buzz.

Other things like fuel lines are sometimes custom - and you'll have to pull them off, take them to a shop, and have replacements made.

What hoses are you replacing? pics?
 
My 2 1/4" coolant hose is collapsing on both engines. Thanks...great website!!


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newfreedom said:
My 2 1/4" coolant hose is collapsing on both engines. Thanks...great website!!


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Marianne,

If by collapsing you mean that after you shutdown the engines and they cool off, and then you observe collapsing coolant hoses. Don't worry about, as it's very normal.
 
Alex, yes only after shutdown... thanks that's good to know.


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I'm new to the whole sedan bridge, cause I'm looking to upgrade. Lots of ppl have chimed in on my plus and minus of DB vs DA and I am truly leaning in the bridge direction. Just finding the right price point and coming off a 2009 to possibly an older model makes the decision harder to make.
From my research, I am trying to figure out between the 420/44/450DB.
Looks like the 420 was made up to 2005, 44 sedan bridge from 2006-2009 and 2010-2012 450DB. The lay out interior all seem the same, except maybe the length, are they any major differences between the 3, primarily 2 [420 vs 44]? As i said earlier, I'm coming off 2009 350DA and I do like the newer modern style of the later models. Also seems like the 2006 and up are very scarce on the market, maybe I'm shopping in the wrong season...
 
420/44 same boat engine package changed somewhere in there though (mech vs common rail) also hardtop and bridge air are big price drivers on these - 45 is a different boat
 
Thanks. I'm assuming the bridge air is a simple radar arch? Also what is mechanical vs common rail? I also noticed the vessel view and helm are different
 
Bridge Air meaning A/C on the bridge level. This was an expensive option that not all 42/44 DB's have.
 
In 2004 and 2005 the boats were branded '420 Sedan Bridge'. They were powered mostly by Cummins 8.3 Diamond Series mechanical motors, or an upgraded version with electronic fuel management 'high output' 480 CE motors. The latter being about a 20k option on the boats base price.

In 2006, the branding changed to a 44 Sedan Bridge. Engine changes were made to the new QSB version of the 8.3 Cummins. These 'Quantum Series' have more electronics/sensors/technology. The QSB motors are still used in boats today.

There's been alot of option changes, and small improvements between 2004 and 2009. Whether it's a slightly enlarged hard top, or a rare option like bridge AC. The boats core systems were pretty common throughout the entire span -- locations of freshwater systems, vacuflushes, layouts, etc.

In 2010, they updated the hull, layout, and motors and released an updated boat. I don't think they built many of them - our area Seattle only saw 1 or 2 make it's way here. The one I know of sat at the dealership for 2-3 seasons and had some issues with the bridge AC water line coming loose and flooding the cabin (not good).

Great boats for 45', with 2 beds, 2 baths, open layout, etc.
 
As mentioned earlier, I know of only 3 items that defer 420DB from 44DB. There are: engines, half of hard top and darker cherry interior cabinetry. Other than that, it’s the same boat 420 that “grew” 2’. Same hull 45.5’ with 14.3’ beam.
420DB came with 450C (fully mechanical) or optional 480CE (electronic fuel management control).
44DB is equipped with QSC500 (not QSB), as standard package.

450DB is a totally different boat. New and redesigned hull, different power package with Zues. I like the layout for the most part, but I like entertainment center layout on 420/44 much better, including the loveseat instead of two armchairs.

I think we looked at one 3-4 years ago, if memory serves me right, besides that I wasn’t too happy about the Zues, I hated the fact that the salon access panels no longer work as on my boat. These are not huge yachts, so you want as many access options as possible. During maintenance window, I use the salon access panels all the time. It would be a real PITA if my boat didn’t have them.

Climate controlled bridge is awesome. It’s around $10K option. Depending on the region, you can find few, but in general it’s rare to see one installed.
 
Thank you very much for these information. My wife and I are leaning towards a 450, but the price point is killer on my budget. U definitely am not familiar with the Cummins diesel, just always owned boats with mercs. I'll do more research on the different Cummins motors.
my wife is completely indifferent towards mini vans and she wants a larger cruiser or the newer 450, more the cruiser since she feels like the bridges are like mini vans. I'm trying to convince her otherwise.

One thing I do like in the 450 is the fwd stateroom has port Windows to view outside, haha and my son would love the bigger tv's
 
If you are going to look at the 450DB (and the prices associated) - you should look at the Meridian 441 as a point of comparison as well. Both great boats.

You might also skip the 40's, and just move up to a 500 Sedan Bridge (2005). They renamed that boat to a 52 Sedan bridge from 2006 to 2009.
 
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