420/440 Sundancer Hydraulic Lift

[CTSurfrider]

We are in the market for a new to us 2003-2005 460 Sundancer or a 2004-2007 420/440 Sundancer. We really like both boats for different reasons and the biggest issue I'm contemplating is the hydraulic platform. We spend almost every weekend of the summer on anchor or at a mooring and we keep our boat on a mooring when not in use. Therefore a dinghy solution is a must for us and while I've read mixed reviews about the Nautley and Hurley davit solutions, I think we would regret not getting a hydraulic platform for our 300 lb RIB with a 15-hp 4 stroke engine.

We are leaning towards the newer 420/440 since it's more than enough boat for our needs but I'm concerned about burying the hydraulic platform as I come up on plane and in rougher seas. A good friend with a 460 Sundancer has a hydraulic lift and has not had these issues since the platform does not extend as far off the transom.

Any insight you all have on the performance of the hydraulic lift on a 420/440 Sundancer would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ASH]

I have the 2005 420 with heavy diesel power and the hydraulic lift extends about 4 feet extra and I am convinced you could NEVER even get remotely close to "dragging" it while trying to get on plane........I think that is what you were asking......... We use our lift for swimming and easy entry from water to boat....Inland boater with no tender.....Hope this helps

 

[CTSurfrider]

ASH, It does help, thank you. We plan to get diesels as well and from what I've read on the forum it doesn't seem like there is an issue. That being said, in speaking with a broker this morning who said he runs a 420 with a hydraulic platform he said he's dragged it in the past. I'm guessing he may not have had the boat trimmed right but I figured I would reach out to the group for some feedback.

 

[swaterhouse]

Alex F has a lift on his 420 sedan bridge, same hull as the 420/44 sundancers and he has lots of miles under his keel. Hopefully he will chime in with some info.

I currently have the Hurley H30 Davit, after trying the H20. We had a 9' rollup floor with 6hp yamaha 4s and it was extremely hard to pull up with the H20, we then moved to a 9' AL RIB with a 9.9 and it was IMPOSSIBLE to lift on using the H20. We upgraded to the H30 and its much better but I still wouldn't let my father use it even if we did upgrade to the power winch.

I would say your on the right path thinking of going with the lift.

If we don't move up to a sedan bridge in 2-3 years we will likely put one on our 44DA. I am trying to convince my parents to sell their Massachusetts boat since they barely used it the last two summers. If I am successful, they will either feel comfortable taking our boat by themselves - in which case we will need the hydraulic lift, or not and they will just go with us which will mean we want a 3 cabin boat.

 

[CTSurfrider]

Thanks swaterhouse for the reply. Have you looked into any hydraulic lift installers in New England yet? While I hope to find a 420/44 with a lift, I won't walk away from a good deal without one.

 

[swaterhouse]

I haven't since I am not ready yet until we know if we will be keeping this boat long term or moving up.

I have seem MANY good reviews of Florida Bow Thrusters from this site and others. Don't let the name fool you, they have mobile crews on the road for days(weeks) at a time and will go all over the east coast. They offer a couple different lifts.

The other one I am interested in is the freedom lift since it is lighter and the cradle is removable. I am not sure how far they will let me stick out of my dockspace, the finger is 40'. There are a couple of 50's on my dock, but they are closer to ends.

 

[CTSurfrider]

Ok, thanks again