420 DA Thread

[NickHadel]

I am looking to buy a 42 or 44 DA and had a few questions

Is it possible to leave the gen and ac running while on plane? I have heard it is different for each boat.

Are 2004 - 2006 44/42 DA still reliable? My 02 sig 280 has had zero problems.

I am not going to be running the boat for long periods of time because I will be keeping it on a lake, so are boats with higher hours an ok choice?

I would appreciate any more tips or info about this boat, thanks.
Nick

 

[Jaybeaux]

NickHadel.....running the generator and AC at speed is no problem.

I have a 2004. Any boat of that vintage is going to be reliable if well cared for. I have spent the better part of the last 3 years getting my boat in the shape that I want it. I now have base-line data, and more, on all of the critical systems. It has been a labor of love, but I love it. I'll go anywhere, at any time.

Jaybeaux

 

[NickHadel]

Thanks for the reply.
I have had a 30” for over 13 years and I am so ready to upgrade. Do you have a bow thruster and if so do you recommend one? There have been times where I could have used one badly.
Nick

 

[Jaybeaux]

Yes, I have a bow thruster. Yes, I use it on occaision. It is a tool in my toolchest, but I hate using it. It is like cheating and failing! Ha! A 420 is a big, heavy boat. If you have diesels, turning 22 inch props, they produce a lot of torque. You can get that boat to do anything you want it to do. Anyone can use a bow thruster.

Put it another way.....I wouldn't walk away from a solid boat because it doesn't have a Bow thruster. You canalways add one. All it takes is money. But you may find that you don't need one.

Where are you boating? You mentioned a lake.

Jaybeaux

 

[NickHadel]

Yes, I have a bow thruster. Yes, I use it on occaision. It is a tool in my toolchest, but I hate using it. It is like cheating and failing! Ha! A 420 is a big, heavy boat. If you have diesels, turning 22 inch props, they produce a lot of torque. You can get that boat to do anything you want it to do. Anyone can use a bow thruster.

Put it another way.....I wouldn't walk away from a solid boat because it doesn't have a Bow thruster. You canalways add one. All it takes is money. But you may find that you don't need one.

Where are you boating? You mentioned a lake.

Jaybeaux

I have heard that the diesels put out an amazing amount of thrust for docking situations. Believe it or not, my sig 280 is harder to handle around the docks than boats such as the 420. I have twin Volvo 270-hp Volvo Penta 5.0L out drives. They suck for docking. The only advantage to them is the time to plane, and that might be on chaparral’s extended v-plane’s part. I can also maneuver the boat sideways if I crank the wheel to one side and throw one in reverse and one in forward, as if I had a bow thruster. But all in all that thing is harder to park than a sedan bridge ffs! So I do have quite the experience when it comes to docking. I have trailered my boat from fort Meyers a lot. I like the gulf. Believe it or not, she is parked at Lake of the Ozarks right now! Before you think I am crazy, I keep it there when I am too busy to fly out to the coast. A quick three hour drive and I can find my boat in Osage beach. Don’t know if you have been there or not but there are more motor yachts than run a bouts down where I’m at. The 42/44DA might be one of the most popular boats there, which is what inspired me to get one. I could go on and on about that place. Once I get my DA I’ll be hauling her back and forth, but hope to find more time to bring her back up to the coast.
Nick

 

[brewster16]

Once I get my DA I’ll be hauling her back and forth, but hope to find more time to bring her back up to the coast.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but did you say you will be hauling her back and forth as in trailering like you apparently did with your current boat??

 

[Jaybeaux]

A quick three hour drive and I can find my boat in Osage beach. Don’t know if you have been there or not but there are more motor yachts than run a bouts down where I’m at.
Nick

I used to work for Union Electric!

 

[radaron]

a little mystery to solve

I am about to replace the Clarion stereo and amp original to my 44 as well as the cockpit speakers. I am only able to locate 3 speakers and the woofer in the cockpit. 2 speaker on the sidewalls of the hardtop, one speaker to port of the cabin entrance and the woofer under the "admirals" seat. Thanks to those who have helped so far. Brewster16's '07 has a speaker behind the helm seat I don't have a speaker there nor a place where a speaker would have been.

The schematic clearly shows a 4th speaker in the cockpit. From the Owners Manual, "Stereo Wiring Diagram Figure 6.39.1" Drawing No. 09-611 Revision 2". On this schematic the 4 cockpit speakers are labeled "Stbd Fwd Cockpit Speaker", "Stbd Aft Cockpit Speaker", "Port Aft Cockpit Speaker" and "Port Fwd Cockpit Speaker".

This elusive speaker is the Stbd Fwd one. Any ideas?

 

[ASH]

NickHadel. I have the exact boat and it is a freshwater located in Osage Beach. I am on my 6th summer with it. I may list it this year if you are really interested in one.

 

[NickHadel]

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but did you say you will be hauling her back and forth as in trailering like you apparently did with your current boat??

I won’t be hauling it as if it were a ski boat or something like that. I am hoping to find a solid fresh water kept boat and keep it at Ozarks until I find time to get my ass to the coast. I’m hoping that I can bring it down south during the off season so that I can use it for more than 2 months a year. Once I bring her down there, it will stay for quite some time hopefully.

 

[NickHadel]

I used to work for Union Electric!

Around KCMO??

 

[NickHadel]

NickHadel. I have the exact boat and it is a freshwater located in Osage Beach. I am on my 6th summer with it. I may list it this year if you are really interested in one.

I am. Would you mind talking more specifics of the boat?

 

[ASH]

I am. Would you mind talking more specifics of the boat?

It has every option possible including hyd. lift. It is blue. It has been under a roof & stored on a dry lift most of its life. Nobody has ever slept or cooked on it since new. It is SUPER nice & has been maintained with open checkbook. Cummins diesel. 2005 hardtop.

 

[NickHadel]

It has every option possible including hyd. lift. It is blue. It has been under a roof & stored on a dry lift most of its life. Nobody has ever slept or cooked on it since new. It is SUPER nice & has been maintained with open checkbook. Cummins diesel. 2005 hardtop.

I am liking the sounds of this. How many hours does she have?

 

[ASH]

I am liking the sounds of this. How many hours does she have?

I havnt looked for some time. I think 800 possibly. Generator would be more. We use gen when coving at the lake.



We should trade emails to discuss further rather than dirty up this thread more than we have already.

 

[NickHadel]

I havnt looked for some time. I think 800 possibly. Generator would be more. We use gen when coving at the lake.



We should trade emails to discuss further rather than dirty up this thread more than we have already.

Yeah u can reach me at nhadel4850@gmail.com

 

[Larry Lonero]

After TONS of research I bought the Dometic CRX-65 with BLACK trim. Make sure you get it in black otherwise you'll be disappointed. Also buy the black flush-mount kit.

https://www.dometic.com/en/se/produ...efrigerators/dometic-coolmatic-crx-65-_-79707

I cut the front wood grain panel of my old freezer to fit the new unit. I now looks almost identical to the old unit and matches the refrigerator beautifully. Also has the advantage of being convertible between a refrigerator, freezer or half-and-half.

Any picutres been posted on this yet? I need to replace mine.

 

[villain style]

Today I replaced the front window vent gasket. The old one was original and in bad shape. I removed the actuator from the window piece, removed the actuator plastic housing, and the two screws that hold the actuator bracket to the dash were rusted and broken. The actuator was just sitting in its plastic house. The screws are broken off in the dash. I tried to use gorilla glue to glue the metal Actuator bracket to the fiberglass dash in the same location but it did not hold. I may try 3M 5200 next. Anyone have this issue or suggestion for repair?

 

[hynespa]

My wiper blades are shot. Anyone know how or where to replace them. Size?

Hey @brewster16 - I used @ASH reply directing me toward the NAPA 26" replacement. Unfortunately the NAPA's near my house are not open on Sunday.

Instead I went to the Pep Boys near my house and bought the RainX WeatherBeater (item RX30226) for $16.99. They had several other brands as well - and the clerk tried to upsell me - but we don't get much rain in the Los Angeles area.
The existing wiper blade was secured onto the arm with a locknut and a flat screw head. I was able to get it off easily using a flat screwdriver and a pair of pliers.
- Here is a view of the arm with the old wiper blade removed.
- Here is a pic of the new blade installed. Note - I reversed the direction of the screw / nut to match the direction on the starboard / captain's side.

As I removed the old blade I noted it was 28" not 26" like @ASH recommended. It wasn't a big enough difference to me (especially given this is the port wiper) to go back to Pep Boys and exchange. However if/when I replace the starboard side I will definitely go with the larger option which for the RainX WeatherBeater is RX30228 which also sells for $16.99.

 

[4Schrecks]

Guys, hopefully someone has had this issue and was able to repair on their own.

So, for the first time ever, began to have issues with the VacuFlush system, at first in both the Master and Guest heads but now only in the Master head. Not every time, but about every 3rd flush, both the red and green lights go out and I lose the vacuum. I also don’t hear the macerator engage. So this weekend I replaced all 8 duckbills (didn’t realize I had 8 either, thank goodness someone had extras; also, didn’t realize there is a small holding tank on the port side for the Master).

Anyway, Guest head is fine but still having the same issue with the Master. Eventually, green light comes back on in the Master so it is building and holding a vacuum. the macerator appears to be working fine. Also, family is very good about not flushing anything that should not belong on a boats system, all well versed on this. In addition, if possible we avoid #2 on the boat (use the facilities we pay for overnight at all of the marinas we stay at!)

1) I am leaning towards a small clog in the Master’s line...thoughts?
2) the small holding tank for the Master, that empties into the main tank, does so by gravity? Or is the vacuum and pump supposed to push all the way to the Starboard (main) holding tank?
3) this same tank appears to have waste in it. We had the tank pumped before I did the duckbill work. The main (starboard) tank appeared empty but the tank for this Master head appeared to have stuff in it. Could not tell for certain as it may just be “stained” from years of use. Can we add any chemicals to the system that head break down the waste (similar to septic system chemicals perhaps) without damaging system? Can I add at the toilets themselves?
4) what really throws me is that both the red & green lights go out when you flush occasionally on the Master. I know that normally, the red illuminates upon flush until there is enough vacuum built back up and then the green comes back on. Any ideas why this would occur?

Thanks for any input. This group always seems to come up with the cure!