500DA or 48DA

[Rocket]

Rocket,
Why are you considering upgrading to a 48DA from a 420DA? Just curious. The 48DA is not that much different except for the full glass in the front. Both have 2 staterooms, 2 heads and a separate shower. Don't get me wrong the 48DA is one of my favorites but it's almost double the price of the 420DA.

Jon, the 48da has been one of the boats on our Radar and I do agree it is a hard sell. Not that much of a gain in size. I had the pleasure to pilot a 48 sedan bridge this past weekend as this was the other boat we had been considering and makes more sense with 3 children and wife aboard. Wow what a different experience. You could feel the weight of this boat and power needed to get her moving. Although it was solid I walked away saying I am not ready for such a different style of boating. I am committed to the express layout for now and concluded that we will stay with the style. The 48 although not that much bigger is a better layout than my current. 2 kids in the aft stateroom and one on the pull out couch.
Thanks again for the help with the canvas. I'll send some pix.

 

[Boston Jim]

That is odd. Is the 2008 heavier with build materials? Look at the displacement of the 48DA on the Sea Ray website. 2005 is listed at 28,000#, 2006 at 33,600#, 2007 and up at 34,250#. I think they made the 2005 out of Kevlar. Actually, it looks like they were using the 460DA specs on displacement for the 48DA. It would be interesting to weigh the two boats.

Right, just looked at the website and it says the dry weight of my 2008 is 34,250 lbs vs. 28,000 lbs for the 2005. I guess a 6,250 lb difference would explain a 1.5kt difference in speed.

 

[JV II]

Right, just looked at the website and it says the dry weight of my 2008 is 34,250 lbs vs. 28,000 lbs for the 2005. I guess a 6,250 lb difference would explain a 1.5kt difference in speed.

If I only gain 1.5 knots with 3 less tons of weight, I better replace my engines! I'm guessing the JV might be a little lighter, maybe on the order of 33,600 vs. 34,250 in displacement minus a hundred or so pounds of gear.

 

[Boston Jim]

If I only gain 1.5 knots with 3 less tons of weight, I better replace my engines! I'm guessing the JV might be a little lighter, maybe on the order of 33,600 vs. 34,250 in displacement minus a hundred or so pounds of gear.

Ah, I missed where you said that the 2005 dry weight appears to be wrong on the website.

 

[standers]

Five years ago, we moved from an '06 44 Sundancer to an '07 48 Sundancer. Yes, on paper, it may be hard to rationalize the incremental increase. But they really are two totally different vessels. You really have to spend meaningful time on a 48 (nose around in engine room, cook a meal, lay down completely straight on the sofa, use the swim platform, etc.) to truly appreciate the differences in the two boats. We have no regrets in making the move.

 

[JV II]

Five years ago, we moved from an '06 44 Sundancer to an '07 48 Sundancer. Yes, on paper, it may be hard to rationalize the incremental increase. But they really are two totally different vessels. You really have to spend meaningful time on a 48 (nose around in engine room, cook a meal, lay down completely straight on the sofa, use the swim platform, etc.) to truly appreciate the differences in the two boats. We have no regrets in making the move.

I agree. The 48DA is the replacement for the 460DA. The two boats are exactly the same LOA and beam, but the layout is completely different. I completely agree with everyone who sees not much of a difference between a 420/44DA and the 51' x 14'8" 460DA. An upgrade from the 45' x 14' 420/44DA to the 460 is not a worthy venture. You really don't gain much because the layout is exactly the same and the added inches and feet are not very obvious. On the 48DA, however, it seems like you've got a 55' boat with a 16 foot beam simply due to the layout and design. The 48DA seems larger than the 460DA it replaces and both boats are the same dimensions.

 

[CAMELLA]

All good points, the 48DA is a great boat. I can't justify the added expense or afford it but I sure wish I had one.

 

[CAMELLA]

I went aboard a 2011 500 Sundancer yesterday and I must say there is a big difference between the 420/44 and 48/500. Man that is a great boat!