480 DB Owners Club

I say if you ever think you want to haul a reasonable size dinghy around, get the lift. It is a bit more in terms of maintainance, but it is very nice.

When we anchor, we not only use it to drop the tender, but the kids like it because I can lower it so they can be closer to the water.

I actually would like to have a way to lift a dinghy and a a PWC. There was a pic of a 480 with a davit on the bow. Not pretty, but would be useful.

Our boat is in the water now, but the entrance to the marina is blocked by dredging pipes.:smt013

I guess I could practice docking :huh:
 
I have a hydraulic lift. Great for tender, dogs, retrieving swimmers and just sitting on. I think it's larger than the standard platform. Only downside is it requires maintenance. there are four teardrop zincs and the hydraulic lines need to be checked every now and again. Also the under water lift hardware needed to be painted with different bottom paint than that on the hull which was slightly more expensive than usual.

Mine has a locked capacity of 800lbs with a lift capacity of (i think) 2000lbs.

I say go for it!
 
Reb13: I had a small coolant leak that turned out to be coming from the overflow bottle cap. I swapped the caps over and the leak went away...

If you can't find a cheaper source you can always get the coolant overflow bottle or associated parts from your local Cummins dealer.
 
I've had the boat for 7 years with the factory installed lift and no problems except with the remote control. I was carrying a waverunner but yesterday bought a boston whaler 110 sport to use as dingy. We are leaving on a 2800 mile round-trip to Baltimore in 2 weeks. I think the water will be a bit cool for a waverunner. Go for the lift.
 
Big Daddy II said:
...... We are leaving on a 2800 mile round-trip to Baltimore in 2 weeks. ....
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WOW, that's nice...make sure to share your trip storries and pictures.

Good luck and enjoy the voyage.

As for the lift, if you're buying 480, the lift is kind of assumed to be part of the must have items. It's a big hyach that will be always away from a beach (when anchored) how will you get to shore? I think if you don't get it you'll regret it. Get the boat that has most of the items on your list. If you pay a little more for it vs those that have less you'll be still ahead of the game, b/c when you start adding all the stuff later on you'll pay x2 or x3.

When selecting a boat with a lift, there're number of different options. So, take your time to learn the pros. and cons. I can't comment too much on them as I just got my 420 with the lift. However, from what I've learned, there're models that have over 4 cylinders and those that have only 1 (like my SeaLift). It's no brainer that it's less problems and $$$ to maintain the lift with only 1 cylinder, but this of course may also mean that lifts with 4 cylinders can carry heavier tenders. Know what you need and make your choice wiselly.
 
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Just dumped $3500 to replace both main cylinders on the lift, nevertheless, can't see a boat this size without one --for resale, utility, convenience, etc. Since the haul out to repair the lift was $700 alone, went ahead and had the bottom painted while on the hard, props changed, hull waxed...about a $7,000 bill altogether. Just an FYI on maintenance costs that aren't unusual for a boat this size.
 
After reading through this entire thread it appears it has become a source for prospective (or hopeful) 480 owners. So, why not add one more- here are my questions; not a lot of talk on the subject but would I be correct in saying the QSM's are the preferred power? I understand the MANN's are great but a little costlier and harder to find service- quite frankly the overhaul $ numbers I have heard still have me gasping. Also is there a preferred year? Such as bugs were worked out, preferred options offered? Initial research seems to be anything 2000 and newer. My intent is to purchase in the next year or two, running south for winters and keeping the boat long term. I was initially thinking a little smaller but plan to spend 6+ months on board. Thoughts? Input? Much appreciated.
 
Russ,

I'm sure everyone will have an opinion on this but... 2003 is the best year :grin:

But seriously, when I was looking for my boat I decided QSM-11's are the way I wanted to go. That narrowed my choices down to 2003+. Although since then I have seen some 2002's with them.

I am still very happy with them. Even the mechanics at the marina commented, that my boat started right up after the winter, no smoke or hard starting that they had with other boats. Didn't ask what other engine types had given them troubles.

Searay also made some changes / improvements for 2003, one of which is the addition of an A/C vent in the dinette area. They say it use to get warm up there without it.

As for options, be sure to get the lift and bridge air. Although you do lose the garbage chute / cabinet when you get bridge air. What does everyone else do for a garbage container on the bridge?

Living on the boat down south for the winter. That right there, is my dream...
 
Thanks Greg, I didn't realize those motors were not an option until 02/03. A lift and bridge air are definitely on my list.
Have you started flying lessons?
 
Well for me, I'm not sure if I want to live 6 months aboard these boats, but maybe a month or two will do, dreamin it's what I do daily. As for the QSM's it is the preferred engine on these boats, the MANS aren't for thw weak and timid and I've never been neither... I want the MANS and it looks like I'm heading this was as well And I will NOT bash any type of engine anyone buys...they are all good, even the CATS once they are upgraded.
 
Russ Calasant said:
Have you started flying lessons?
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I go on Tuesday, to set it all up and get all the paperwork done. I won't have my first lesson until I get back from Hawaii in a couple of weeks.

I am really looking forward to it though...
 
Greg said:
I go on Tuesday, to set it all up and get all the paperwork done. I won't have my first lesson until I get back from Hawaii in a couple of weeks.

I am really looking forward to it though...
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Nice Greg!! Flying should be fun!

Doug
 
Greg said:
I go on Tuesday, to set it all up and get all the paperwork done. I won't have my first lesson until I get back from Hawaii in a couple of weeks.

I am really looking forward to it though...
Click to expand...

Excellent! Let me know which books and series they are using, I may have them. I have the cessna flight kit and the jeppesen training kit including flight computer. I also have a nice pair of avcomm headphones. You can have it all if you want them, I think my flying days are over. I am keeping my ass in the sand and my toes in the water!
 
We have found a 480 and we Love it, the wife fell in Love with how clean it was when we went to see it last weekend, this boat we could have eaten on the floors and No dust... can't believe it. She has MANS under her hood and a Bow and Stern Thruster.... imagine that..!!!!
I did notice though, it had a few spots that need to be polished a little dull, one is on the stern..
Now we have to close the deal, we're going to lose money on our boat, that's a given....and in all fairness, he's going to lose money on his boat too. I may start to clean out the 320 this weekend, but I do not want to spoke the deal, yeah know..
 
Congrats! They taKing your boat on trade?
 
Yes that's how we're going to have to work the deal, I figure we'll lose about 30K from purchase price, but after 2009 who's actually making money on anything lately unless your a scpeculator making oil purchases everyday...
We will end up rolling the loss into the new loan, the bank is all ready anyways, they know an d can't wait to sink their claws into me....hahahh
 
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