500DA or 48DA
- Thread starter JV II
- Start date
Morgan Jane
Active Member
As you guys know, I have my boat for sale. Regardless, I would be more than happy to help you guys find the right 48DA whether its my boat or not. For the most part, I know the 48DA inside and out and I know the things to look for that indicate inproper maintenance or if you just have some general questions about the 48DA and options and such. You can ask things right here on CSR, PM me, or PM me your e-mail and we can do things that route. Good luck guys.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Did you get my long reply to your PM? I don't think I can see the sent items unless there is a response.
Thanks for offering your assistance in finding a 48DA.
What made you believe there was stress on the transom with the hydraulic platform?
How is the air circulated under the bed with the HVAC unit in there?
Is it noisy to sleep there when it is running? Does it make the bed hot?
Did you find the vinyl on the cockpit seating is of poor quality or rips easily?
Can you see out your tinted windows at night?
Morgan Jane
Active Member
Just checked the INBOX. Didn't get your reply. Not sure what happened.
But let me answer your questions on CSR in detail. I will be good for all to hear.
1. Stress on the Transom? I had noticed that from the first time I stepped on the lift, it kind of "gave" a little. Just more than I thought it should. I even had the Sea Ray Dealer look at the right after I bought the boat. There response was that "they are all that way". So I checked some of the Sea Rays in the Marina. Yep, they were right, they all did it. So I just forgot about it and got used to it. However, after a couple of years owing the boat, one day I was standing on the lift when it was down in the water. I wanted to see what was giving on the transom. What I noticed that it wasn't the whole transom moving, it was just the area on the transom right around the where the lift mounts to the transom. Maybe at most 3 to 4 inches either side of the mounts. I had previously thought it was the whole transom moving as a whole. Again, I looked at some other Sea Rays, and they were all the same. So I decided to strengthen the stucture inside the Engine room to take some of the load off the transom as well as spread the load over more the transom using some steel plates. Again, would any thing ever have happened. Probably not. I haven't heard of anyones transom failing. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened though. I just didn't like the way it was. My platform is rock solid now. No give.
2. How is the air circulated under the bed? The heart of the system is two - 14x14x14 3/16" plate steel boxes. Each one contains a squirrel cage fan very similar to what you would find in your house AC system. The AC unit discharges into one of the boxes and that box sends the cold air up to the cockpit via 7" round HVAC ducting. The other "return" box is connected to another 7" round HVAC duct that sucks air out of the cockpit. This return air box then just dumps its air into the bed compartment. The AC unit then picks up this air and sends it back thru the system.
3. Is it noisy to sleep there? I sort of figured that it would be loud in back bedroom with the cockpit unit running. The first time I fired it up and had the oppurtunity to shut the lid, I couldn't believe how quiet it was. Seriously. I was amazed. Then once I put the mattress on top, you couldn't even hardly tell it was running.
4. As far as being hot. Not even remotely. One key fact is that there are 2 supply fans, (the one that is internal to the AC unit and the one in the supply box.), but there is only one return fan.
I also have a vent in the side of the bed. So, some of the already cooled air in the back bedroom is also getting sent up to the cockpit. However, on top of that, I never run the cockpit AC once I go to bed. Just never had to. You could if you wanted to, just never had the reason to.
5. Vinyl quality. Yes, I found that the quality of the vinyl that was used for the 2005 and possibly the 2006 an up was poor. My vinly looked bad from the first day I bought the boat. I just lived with it for 5 years. Last year, I noticed that the vinly on a friend of mine's 2007 44DA was of much high quality in my opinion. This year, I decided to get all new Vinyl for the boat. I went to Sea Ray and they said that they could order me a whole new set of Vinyl, minus the helm chairs for $2700. I thought about it but before I bought them, I tried to find someone who would install them for me and what it would cost. The first guy I went to said that he would install them but he couldn' gaurantee they would fit right. So I decided to have that guy make all new vinly seat skins for me from scratch. They turned out unbelievable. He used the same vinyl that by buddies 07 44DA used. They are absolutely perfect. The correct embroidery and everything. I didn't not do the L shaped one across from the helm because it just didn't need to be done.
5. Can you see out the tinted windows at night? Yes and No. glad you brought that up. You guys that want to get a 48DA or any other boat that has an all glass windshield are going have to get used to one thing. Looking out the front windshield at night is a waste of time. It is actually decieving. there is alot of glare and you just don't see what you think you see and you can't see things you should see. When I drive the 48DA at night, I am 100% on radar and chart plotter. I don't even look out the front. It took alot of getting used to but I am good with it now. Must be what flying a plane is like on nothnig but instruments. Now that I use 100% instruments at night, I feel much safer. So can I see out the tinted windows? Yes, it isn't much worse than looking out the factory Tinting. However, I did go out of my way to find the best (and most expensive like $1800 worth) tinting that would give the most reflectivity as well as be able to see out at night. The tinting I used is a ceramic based item that is very similar to what they use on commercial buildings.
Hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions or PM me.
Bill
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Morgan Jane
Active Member
Thanks. The boat has only been on the market for a week or so. I am in contact with a few CSR members as we speak. Hopefully it will go to a good home.
- Jan 26, 2008
- 2,839
- Boat Info
- SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
- Engines
- 2018 Sea Hunt 255se w/Yamaha 300hp
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That makes sense. We can only wish that our buyers take a good care of our boats as we did. I'll PM you.
Boston Jim
New Member
Congrats Mike, you'll love it!
- Mar 25, 2008
- 5,524
- Boat Info
- 2006 Sea Ray 58 DB
- Engines
- MAN CRM V8-900s, Twin Disc Drives; Onan 21.5 Generator
Congratulations Mike,
Beautiful boat!
Beautiful boat!
Converse48
Well-Known Member
While you're waiting for Jim to answer... 45GPH is probably a safe number for planning purposes, but you will probably burn a bit less. My QSC-500s burned 40GPH at 2400, so the 540 has got to be in that ball park. Great boat, congrats and enjoy!
ziekman@cox.net
Active Member
Congratulations Mike, enjoy that beautiful 48!!!!!!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Boston Jim
New Member
I usually cruise around 2250-2300 and burn about 40-42 GPH
When are your bringing it up?
When are your bringing it up?
- Jan 26, 2008
- 2,839
- Boat Info
- SOLD 2005 420 DA w/T-8.1S Horizons
- Engines
- 2018 Sea Hunt 255se w/Yamaha 300hp
Congrats! You've bought a beautiful boat.
The date is not set yet. It will ride out the remainder of the winter in VA and have some work done at the marina down there. Your max RPM should be 2,600? What is your speed at cruise?
HUMPH
Well-Known Member
- Nov 4, 2009
- 7,618
- Boat Info
- 2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
- Engines
- CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
Just show up in Atlantic City so I can see the new beauty you bought!
Boston Jim
New Member
At 2250-2300, I'm doing about 21-22kts. WOT is around 2600 and about 25kts
Jim, your Admiral must have loaded a lot onto the boat. 
My 2005 48 (with QSC-540s) at WOT runs 31-32 knots. But I agree with everyone's advice, I usually burn 40-42GPH but for planning purposes I always plan on 45GPH.
Regards,
Jason
My 2005 48 (with QSC-540s) at WOT runs 31-32 knots. But I agree with everyone's advice, I usually burn 40-42GPH but for planning purposes I always plan on 45GPH.Regards,
Jason
