420 DA Thread

Hey, JR
I noticed you are starting to look at a 420.
I have a 2005 420 that I use on the Great Lakes. The boat has every conceivable option. I will be selling her over the winter. She has the 480CE diesels.
If you want more info please PM me.
 
Hi JR,

The only major difference that I am aware of between the 03 & 04 420DA is availability of a hardtop. Other then that the boats are nearly identical. The hardtop can be significant if you are sensitive to the sun. It is also a bit quieter then the Bimini.

Personally I like a "white" boat. I am a fan of low maintenance and too many of my boating friends with blue hull boats have been in the yard for fiberglass work to repair the white scratches.
 
jrirvine1 said:
Greetings 420 dudes!
I just received permission from the admiral to begin the search for a Sundancer in the 40’ to 44’ size, with the 420 being a prime candidate. Astonishingly, this was actually her idea. As it turns out, all that was necessary to “plant the seed” was a few long cruises in less than perfect conditions on our 300. Who knew it would be that easy?

My question here is, knowing what you all know as owners, if you were looking for a 420 in the 2003 to 2004 year range, how would you like the vessel to be equipped? The boat will be used on the Chesapeake – both above and below the bridge.
Click to expand...

It ought to be equipped just like mine!

JR - I met you briefly at Aquapalooza this year. If you're interested in an '06 44 Dancer, let me know as I'm looking to move up to a 48. I'm real close to you and we could get together pretty easily if you'd like to look this year.

In terms of equipment, I absolutely love the hardtop and strongly encourage that. While we haven't had much call for its use, the cockpit air/heat is very nice to have those few times you're looking for it. Diesels, for about two three reasons mentioned thorughout this site. Central vac is a must have.

Here's a rundown of what's available and what I have on my boat:

Air Conditioning: Cockpit --- YES
Bow Thruster --- NO
Canvas, Dash Cover --- YES
Colored Hull: (Pewter) --- YES
DSS Satellite TV System: (Only available with Hardtop option) --- NO
Generator Sound Shield: (Diesel) --- NO
Gray Water System --- NO
Hardtop, Fiberglass: w/Full Enclosure --- YES
Lights, Underwater: Swim Platform --- NO
Macerator: w/Seacock Interlock System --- NO
Refrigerator, 120V: Cockpit (In Lieu of Standard Icemaker) --- YES
Rod Holders (2) --- YES
Spotlight: w/Dual Halogen Bulbs - Remote-Controlled --- YES
Sun Pad, Forward Deck --- YES
Swim Platform, Hydraulic Marine Lift: w/Remote & Manual Pump --- NO
TV, 15" Flatscreen: w/DVD - Mid-Berth --- YES
TV, 17" Flatscreen: w/DVD - Cockpit --- NO
Table, Salon/Dining: (Movable) Hi-Lo w/Stools & Storage --- NO
Vacuum System, Central: 120V (Beam®) --- YES
Windlass, All-Chain: (In Lieu of Std. Rope/Chain) --- NO
Yacht Flag & Flagpole --- YES
 
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Why do you say Central Vac is a must have, but you don't have it?
 
Thanks Standers, that’s the info I was looking for. The admiral loves the 44 after having been on one last weekend. It may be a little out of our budget, but these things can change, especially after spending some time looking.

I remember our Aquapalooza encounter. As I recall we were talking to a very odd man with 4 boys and 2 golden retrievers, when he suddenly left in a panic and ran to his dinghy. He was saying something about how his boat broke loose and was drifting into someone else’s boat named “Festivus”.
 
Looking at a few 420's. What is the opinion for this power package.
Cummins Engine(s) HP: T/417 Engine Model: 6CTA 8.3M
 
Jim,
03 model year boats will have the 6CTA 8.3M3 450. This is what I run in my boat. If memory serves these engines develop 417 horsepower at the shaft, turning 22 x 26 four bladed nibral props on a 2" diameter stainless shaft. I really like these engines. We bought it used in February 2006. When we purchased the boat it had 107 hours on the mains and 89 on the gen set. I am approaching 400 on both mains and genny. Last year I ran 147 hours and consumed 3020 gallons of fuel, for an average consumption of 20.5 GPH at a cruise speed of 23-24 knots depending on current, wind, and sea conditions. I am at 134 hours this year and my consumption per hour is up slightly (~1.0 GPH), because we are taking longer trips (Quantico to Baltimore Inner Harbor, Solomons, Rappahannock River, etc) and I find that I am cruising a bit faster (2150 RPM vice 2100, 24 knots vice 23) as I get more comfortable at the helm.
I really think Sea Ray got the 420 hull design and power combination with the Cummins 6Cs about right. I have had as many as 14 people on the boat with all their gear, full tanks, etc. and have never had to use any tabs to get on plane. The torque of the diesels is really something. There is almost no bow rise in a 420DA. You simply advance the throttle until you are at your desired cruise RPM and you are set. There is a noticeable acceleration at 1800 RPMs when the turbochargers spool up; it pushes you back in your seat a bit. Cummins service for the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay comes out of Cummins Power Systems in Glen Burnie, MD. Zack is one of several full time marine diesel mechanics and his service on my boat is uniformly outstanding. He did my survey and sea trial. I can also get parts via UPS in 48 hours from their parts warehouse in souteastern Pennsylvania.
Another really good piece of gear on the 420DA is the 9KW Onan gen set, which is powered by a 1.1 liter Kubota diesel engine. What a great set up. It puts out steady, quiet power all day long on about a gallon of diesel an hour. Can't beat it.

We routinely take another family with us for weekends and find the 420 to be plenty of boat. We have also run in 4-5 footers on the Bay and the boat rides pretty well. In those conditions I use the tabs to bring the bow down a bit, and concurrently slow down to 16 knots. This produces a fairly comfortable ride for my family in the cockpit and does not cause things to slide all over in the cabin. I am sure the boat will take much worse weather, but we have never had to run in any worse conditions.

What do I not like about my boat? The generator racor placement is not user friendly, there could be more knee/leg room at the companion helm seat, and the combination VHS/DVD/MP 3 player from Zenith in the salon is a joke. Mine has never worked properly. For 45' x 14' x 14 tons of production line boat, that is a pretty short list.

regards
Skip
 
Thanks Skip,
That is great information and is why this board is so helpful. We are in not hurry to make the purchase and can afford the time now to get educated and familiar with the 420 as much a possible.
 
Just figured id throw in my update. My stb side engine issue ( rough idle , Sluggishness ) has been resolved . I had a bad fuel injector . Only took the entire summer. Also my port side after cooler was a bad cast so it developed a leak. BOth items I was told have never been seen before on this motor.... SO IM TOLD !!!

All the best guys

Rob
 
Rob,
Sorry it took so long to get this resolved-
We just winterized-after 162 hours on the mains this season at an average burn of 21.5 GPH. This is up 1 GPH over last year, but I am running the boat a bit faster than last year as I get more comfortable at the helm. Only issue all season was the stbd starter, which was my own fault...I failed to let the engine stop turning before I reengaged the starter and sheared off two teeth. Otherwise no problems....am sitting at 414 hours on the engines-we bought her two years ago with 107 on the clocks..so we have been busy. Still love the boat-and I have sort of figured out what is working for me as far as fuel managment, rountine maintenance, etc.

regards
Skip
 
Skip,
Been reading ur posts... Glad all is well... I still got stuff going on but atleast the motor thing is resolved. Now i got hoses in the bilge that are cracking and yellowing gelcoat.
NEVER A DULL... and the wife wants a bigger boat... Not in my life time I told her... there's just more stuff to break.... I still got another month to go or until the buoys come out. WE got seals out by us ill post some pics once i charge the camera tonite. Havea great winter ... I look forward to hearing next years stories....

Rob
 
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Rob,
The hose replacement is fairly simple. I had to do all the raw water intake hoses on the mains and gen set within 6 months of picking my boat up. They might have gone a few more months, but this is sink the boat sort of stuff if they let go, so I got on it. The last two to be replaced were my AC raw water lines, from seacock to strainer and strainer to the water pump. New hose clamps and a liberal application of 3M adhesive (what the SR delaer calls Gorilla Snot) completes the deal. Did that job this past Friday.
Have you tried compounding your yellowing gelcoat? I finally broke down and bought a Makita rotary polisher and it makes quick work of compunding. It would be much quicker work if I were 23 and not 43, but so it goes.

I had to replace an injector as well. Part of the drill, I guess.

regards
Skip
 
All the 1" hoses on my boat have been replaced except for one with Trident #100 hose. I don't know where Sea Ray get's their "Premium Hose" but it is garbage compared to the Trident #100 stuff. I have not replaced my main raw water hose yet but I have noticed it is cracking now... I'll replace that with Trident this winter as well.
 
Gary:

Where do you buy the Trident hose? I think this might be a project to put on my list also.
 
I'll have to find where I bought mine as it was a few years ago. There are a bunch of places that carry it. The company is tridentmarine.com but I think defender and shipstore carry it online. I used the #100 stuff.
 
Guys the hose thing is bad... Hoses that were replaced a month ago are cracking already... they were blaming heat etc.... its 40 freaking degree;s out so something bad is brewing ..

Rob
 
Just a guess: The dealer service department failed to store their hose stockage properly, and the hose has been sitting for a while. it was already dry rotting when it was installed; the mechanic probably saw it but said screw it, not my boat.
It ain't heat. I replaced my raw water intake lines on the mains in June 2006; we get 90 plus degree temps here in the Old Dominion, and I have run 7 hours straight on hot summer days. Those hoses still look new.
Give 'em hell, brother.

Skip
 
Rob:

Did they use the same brand hoses as the original?
 
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