460DA versus 500DA

[Jaws]

Frank, I agree about the speed thing. It's just that my friend has a '99 450DA with 3126 CATs and I have trouble keeping up. However we carry more beam and weight. Happy hours are fine on either boat.

John, the sidewalks are very secure on my vessel. There are wells that deepen as you go forward, similar to the 450DA. Maybe it's the same with the 500DA.

Jack, the single best modification to our boat is unquestionably the camper back. We have a three season room that allows us to get out of "the cave". The Strataglas unzips in two minutes. The cockpit air is a bit undersized but does a nice job warming or cooling. However on the hottest of days, it has trouble keeping up. It's 16,000 BTU and 120v.

The galley is quite adequate because of my wife's philosophy. She says it's her weekend too so we only have light meals aboard and dinners out or BBQ. I showed her that there was a beautiful three burner smoothtop under the Corian but she was unimpressed and quipped something about it being used as much as the ones on the previous boats. I added to the cupboard storage a bit but if we wanted to prepare larger meals or entertain more, we would have bought the 480DB.

As far as the aft cabin goes, we prefer this layout. It is large and open but when we have guests they can be aft in their separate stateroom by closing the divider, otherwise it's one larger space. The only other layout that we liked more is the 540/550DA. Again, personal preference.

Good luck with your decision Jack. I like that 500DA but this 460 suits us fine.

James

 

[Jack]

James,

I agree with you 100% about the 2nd stateroom layout. That is the one of the main reasons we began looking at the 460 is the roominess of the midcabin, its ability to be part of the salon or seperated and the second head would be great. Do you find the fold down berth in the midcabin to be comfortable for two people? I would worry about sleeping a second couple in the 2nd stateroom on the 500.

 

[Jaws]

Jack, there are two "tricks" to the comfort of guests in the aft cabin. First, any couch that converts to a bed is handicapped to begin with because of the joints in the articulated construction. So, we'll put a blanket or some egg-crate foam layer down first, under the bottom sheet. Second issue is the position once it's made from couch to bed. Ours is electric so it's easy to move. Once it's down, keep it about 8-10" from the aft wall. Place some throw cushions (there are lots of those on a Sea Ray) into the gap. Then put the fitted sheet on. It transforms from a smallish bed into almost queen size proportions. It's been comfortable even for my elderly parents.

The only other issue is air flow back there if the door is closed. The salon A/C has an outlet in the aft cabin and aft head. But if you want to turn it off then a small battery powered fan with a port opened up works well. All in all fairly comfortable back there.

James

 

[osd9]

My 410DA came with a filler cushion for the space made between the bulkhead and the side of the bed. I would guess the 460DA came with the same filler from the factory and the previous owner still has it in his attic...also, notice the fan to circulate the AC....

]

 

[Jack]

"My 410DA came with a filler cushion for the space made between the bulkhead and the side of the bed. I would guess the 460DA came with the same filler from the factory and the previous owner still has it in his attic...also, notice the fan to circulate the AC...."

I have been on a 410 when the bed was made up in the midcabin and I was amzazed at how short the berth was back there. Do you find this to be a problem? Good idea on the cushion, maybe if there is not one from the factory you could have one made!?!

 

[osd9]

I've never slept back there. But honestly, it's looks plenty big to me. And, the pull down bunk bed is great for kids.....

 

[Jaws]

Maybe there is a filler cushion?? Anyways with the bed moved forward, it's fairly generous. Thanks

 

[Jack]

Thanks for the continued information guys. While I love both boats I have to say I am leaning hard toward the 460 because of the room in the 2nd stateroom. We have other couples on board a lot and we need a 2nd berth that can sleep a couple comfortably. James, when you bought your 460 did you choose to stay with the mechanical over semi electronic cummins?

We are leaving next week for 10 days on the bay and I plan on looking at several 460's while we are gone.

 

[Pietro]

Thanks for the continued information guys. While I love both boats I have to say I am leaning hard toward the 460 because of the room in the 2nd stateroom. We have other couples on board a lot and we need a 2nd berth that can sleep a couple comfortably. James, when you bought your 460 did you choose to stay with the mechanical over semi electronic cummins?

We are leaving next week for 10 days on the bay and I plan on looking at several 460's while we are gone.

Jack, couriosity...hasn't the guest room on the 500 a double plus an upper single bunk???

 

[Jack]

Jack, couriosity...hasn't the guest room on the 500 a double plus an upper single bunk???

Yes it does but the "double" lower bunk is very tight. Not nearly as large as the 460 berth when folded down. The desire for the 2nd stateroom with head and diesels is what is driving my search and my wife and I want to stay in an express so the options are limited.

 

[Jaws]

James, when you bought your 460 did you choose to stay with the mechanical over semi electronic cummins?

Jack,

When I searched for a 460DA, I heeded the advice of people on the board, Frank W, Skip, etc. They suggested that the simplicity of the mechanical 450s was an asset. The first year of the semi-electronic (2003 in the 460) had a few stumbling problems but the horsepower was up to 480.

All I can say is that the mechanical motors (my '02 was the last year in the 460) are nearly bullet proof. They are efficient and smoke very little. Wolverine pan heaters installed last winter have virtually eliminated cold start smoke.

My decision about which 460 to purchase was influenced by factors such as condition, options, and price. Also my preference was to get non-balsa cored sides which changed starting with hull #518 in 2001.

James

 

[merlin]

James, you mention NOT going with a bolsa wood core hull. May I ask why? Was there a blistering or other problem?

Thanks

Merlin

 

[Jaws]

Merlin,

You have to be a bit careful of the way the port holes are bedded. There are a few boats that had some water intrusion issues that necessitated fiberglass repair. With hull #518 in 2001 I believe they deleted the balsa core in the sides. Balsa if wet can deteriorate and turn to a powder. This is due to the action of a fungus, I was told. I just thought I would rather avoid the issue. Do a search on the subject. This is a completely different beast however than the thin strips of balsa in the hull bottom and transom in select areas. That doesn't seem to be a problem as long as the thru hulls are all in solid 'glass areas.

James

 

[Petep]

Good luck in your search...the 460 never came with the "fill cushion" like the 410's did...I push the button and the push the bed (retacted) back in for 2 or 3 inches. Only draw back we have noticed is if you flush the forward head or use any water...those pumps are going to wake anyone up that's "lucky" enough to be sleeping aft. Oh well, rise & shine!

 

[sellnit]

I have a 2003 500DA/QSM-11 with a hydraulic lift and a 650 LB Sea doo on the back. Very little bow rise coming out of the hole, and when the ski is off there is none. Hope this helps. I love the open salon below it allows for entertaining, and while the 2nd stateroom is a bit snug it works well. I just had 5 of us sleeping on board for 3 nights and no complaints. Even the fold out sofa with a cushion on it sleeps well. The updated galley over the 46 and the raw amount of storage space/ bilge space made the decision over a 460DA a easier one than I thought. In the end they both are great boats, but have their own shortcomings as well. I would try to spend some time on one. If you are ever in my neck of the woods pop me a PM I will be happy to take you out.

 

[copb8tx]

While I have no experience with either boat I do have a comment about the layouts. My 400EC had a forward-mid guest cabin layout that could be enclosed when a guest was using it. My 420DA has the aft(mid) cabin with a convertable couch, separate head and closing door.

On the 400 I didn't care for the guests being only separated from us by a thin wall. I could actually hear snoring from there. On the 420 you are complete separated and have much more privacy. Even when they flush the head in the middle of the night (remember, we're old men here) I can barely hear it forward. The pumps are all in the bilge so they're pretty well muffled.

While I really like the salon of the 500, and the more modern lines, I think the cabin layout would be a deal-killer for me on the 500.