540DA or 500DA?

nrage

New Member
Jul 10, 2015
2
Sarasota, FL
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Hello All,

I'm new to CSR and have been surfing the forums for the past couple weeks. What a great community!!! This site is certainly a factor in my decision to search for a Sea Ray.

I'm in search for a new boat. I've been boatless for nearly 16 years now and wanting to get back the water. My earlier boats have all been <=30ft of mixed types.

I've been looking at 48-55 DAs & DBs (leaning towards 94-2002 DA)

My main question is: Besides the obvious difference in size, what are the differences between the 50' & 55'? Are there hidden things I should be considering here? If it were your purchase where would you lean? Should I consider anything else in a similar price range? (48 maybe?)

Thanks for the help, and all the knowledge I've already soaked up from surfing all the earlier posts!! Again WoW, what a great site and community.

~Nrage
 
When I started looking, thought the 50 SunDancer was the way to go...but the interior layout (essentially bunkbeds in the 2nd cabin) changed my mind. Also looked at the 54 Dancer, even a 58. All 2000 or so vintage. Thought the larger boats would be difficult to handle solo...looked at a 460. Has everything one could ask...much space below, full-size fridge-freezer, excellent cockpit layout with good sightlines fore & aft. Easy to handle with 6CTA Cummins, W-Beke genny quiet enough to not be intrusive. Cabin Bose audio system, SAT TV and radio...these boats have everything. Bought a 2000 460 about a year ago, couldn't be more pleased with the boat. BTW...canvas was getting tired...Boatswain's Locker in Jacksonville (OEM SeaRay supplier) had all the data/measurements/patterns for my boat. Took them approx 3wks to produce excellent canvas/eisenglass...and price was VERY reasonable. Would highly recommend.
 
How do you plan on using the boat? Be specific. Where you are means you will def. want cockpit a/c or you will roast when canvass is up
 
Hello All,

I've been looking at 48-55 DAs & DBs (leaning towards 94-2002 DA)

My main question is: Besides the obvious difference in size, what are the differences between the 50' & 55'? Are there hidden things I should be considering here? If it were your purchase where would you lean?
~Nrage

NRAGE,

Not sure what you are considering as 50' for 2000 era, the 510DA has a very nice, large salon but reportedly has some bow rise issues (loss of horizon when getting on plane). I did consider it briefly but knew a guy in my marina that had one then quickly sold it.

Two full state rooms in the 540DA/550DA (not bunks), mid-ship master. Straight drives with very little bow rise in the 540/550. The 540/550 has a very large cockpit w/ fold out cockpit sun pad that can be used for additional 2-3 guests when necessary (kids love it for slumber party, adults w/ day boats who perhaps had a few too many like it too).

540DA & 550DA are a progression of the same hull, are very similar but have the salon reversed. Both have pro's & cons but we chose the 550DA with split VIP head/shower & lots of kitchen counter top area as we entertain a lot.

The 540's typically had Cats, while the 550's had MANs. Cummins had some overlap in both. There are hours of reading on this forum on the pros and cons of each, everybody has their opinion..... If you do your research and realize what you are getting, you could be happy with any. Being on the coast as it seems you are, qualified service personnel should be in abundance.

The hard top came out in the later years of the 540. It was modified on the 550 to reduce noise and lowered in the rear for better access for canvas.

The creature comforts, appliances, accessories etc. all changed quite a bit with each year during the time you are considering. Go see as many as you can as you will quickly develop a list of preferences, must haves and must not have.

Regarding the size, I handle the 550DA solo on a regular basis with no problems. It really helps that Vetus has a wireless bowthruster addon. Also, keep in mind that I am on a lake.... no current or tides.

One really nice feature of the 540DA/550DA is the two part air conditioners. The compressors are located in a separate compartment. The fans are located in the cabin. This tremendously reduces the cabin noise.
 
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Thanks for the replies,



To answer a couple of the questions posed:


  • I am looking loosely at SRs between 46'-55' but leaning towards the larger boats. There seems to more 500s on the market that are well priced but there are a few 540s as well. Trying to get my head around all the models and their differences.
  • The majority of my use will be social day boating and weekend trips with our family of 4 (2 early teens). Occasionally, once I'm well familiar with our new purchase, I would like to make trips down the west coast of florida to the keys and Bahamas. This is another reason I'm leaning towards the larger boats.


I'm still actively reading the past posts and am starting to look at the locally available SRs. Looking forward to finding the right fit for us.


Thanks for all the help so far,


~Nrage
 
Might want to think about looking at newer smaller boats a 55 is a really big day/weekend boat. You can always move up if you find yourself taking longer trips and getting more use out of it.

Also might check with potential insurance companies about the step up in size/recent experience. I was questioned in my move from owning my then current 28' twin outboard to a new to us 44' twin diesel. They agreed to insure me based on my experience larger commercial fishing boats in college and my few months at sea on a sail training ship. Have to admit I was a little scared by the questions since I already had a deposit on the new boat and an agreed offer on my old one!
 
I am biased but I absolutely love my 450 @ 51' loa she handles great & I single hand her all the time.... 2 bedrooms & 2 heads w/showers.
 
Love my 540 and agree with everything Brett said. The only reason I got the540 vs the 55 is $$$ otherwise the 55 refinements would be mine. However, my cats are great on fuel, I would be ok with cummings, but wouldn't want Mans. I know millions of boats have them some friends included, but I personally would not want them
 
First welcome to the forum - excellent group of knowledgeable people here who can provide a wealth of decision quality information.

Point raised above about how you will use the boat - that is critical. You mentioned that you had initially considered either DB or DA, but now leaning towards a DA.

There are a reason there are both - based on how people spend their time on boats.

The point raised on insurance is a good one. If you are making a 10ft move up in a boat and have the experience, typically not a problem. I have known of people who got way down the line in the purchase process - then the insurance company spoke up and said they had to have a licensed captain for a year.

Call a marine insurance broker, ask them to do a quote on a boat that you are thinking about. They will send it through underwriting and you will know exactly what restrictions are required. A good insurance broker will shop multiple providers. For this size boat don't use your homeowner/automobile guy - use a marine broker.

Have them quote a "yacht" policy. Liability for a fuel discharge is higher than the value of the boat. I think the federal cap is around 800K now. (that's what the EPA and various government groups can fine you if something happens that puts diesel in the water).

Next point - have you downloaded the specifications for each boat from the Sea Ray website? If you have not, got to searay.com, navigate to past models, pick the year and the model and you can download the detailed specification sheets.

Most models have a dedicated thread on this site for specific models - find and read those threads.

Ask more questions.

So many people on here have helped me so much over the years.

I am in the buying process right now - depending on how you approach it - can be a lot of work - and maybe a lot of fun. The work on research at this stage will make life much easier after you have closed on the boat.

Mark
 

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