550 Sedan Bridge

ttmott

ttmott

PhD in OCD
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TECHNICAL Contributor
Apr 3, 2012
8,147
Space Coast Florida
Boat Info
2006 52 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSM11
I've been kicking around stepping up (pun) to a bridge boat next year and considering options. Looking at 50' + boats. So I was on a mid 2000's 550DB last week and really enjoyed the layout especially the full beam master cabin which is a must have for me. This boat also had the optional davit which is also a big plus and I think a better solution from a maintenance aspect to a hydraulic platform (if that was even an option).
So the question to other owners is what are the upsides and down-sides of your boats? Handling? Noise? Access? Comfort? AC? Fit and Finish? Engines?

Thanks
Tom
 
ttmott said:
This boat also had the optional davit which is also a big plus and I think a better solution from a maintenance aspect to a hydraulic platform (if that was even an option).
Click to expand...

That's a major difference between the 550 and the 58. The platform/upper transom was redesigned to make the integrated platform too small to conveniently hold a tender.
 
We've had our 550 for just about 6 years now and love it. We bought it because of the layout--salon, galley and lower helm all on one level. Our boat has the 3406C Cats and that's a real plus over the Detroits. The Cats are quieter, smoke less, get better fuel economy and tend to run longer without breakdowns. The downside to the Cats is if they do break, get out your wallet because it's going to be spendy.

We've had the boat in up to 5'-6' waves with strong winds and she handles well. The bow entry angle is not as sharp as I'd like so when we're in head seas it tends to make the bow wander. Likewise, seas off the bow tend to push it to the side. But that's a small price to pay for such a nice boat.

If you have any specific questions, you can PM me with them or post them on here. I guess my best recommendation about the boat is if this one sank we'd try to buy another one just like it.
 
Thanks Rollercoastr and Gofirstclass
I'm interested in the mid 2000's boats. Looked at a 2005; it had 900 HP MANs. This one had an 11 foot center console RIB with a 40hp on it and it seemed to fit nicely on the integrated chocks.
 
I think we need to clarify that ttmott is looking at 550DB, which became 580DB after about 2yrs. It was the same as 420 became 44 and 500 became 520. Exactly the same hulls with minor changes to other components or accessories.

Based on my knowledge the 550DB had the standard 800HP MANNs while 580DB was offered with 900HP. In regards to the difference in other areas: 550DB came with crane for a tender, while 580DB had a hydraulic lift. 550 has combo washer/dryer, and 580 had an option of full size dual units, but then you're loosing top bunk bed in 3rd stateroom. Last one is the bridge frame. 550 has white (if I'm not mistaken it's a powder coated aluminum), while 580 has SS frame. Other than that the same boats.
 
I was referring to the mid-2000's. It's tricky because so many of the 550 owners or brokers will list their boat as a 58, but if you look past that, you'll see the transom and platform differences.
 
RollerCoastr said:
I was referring to the mid-2000's. It's tricky because so many of the 550 owners or brokers will list their boat as a 58, but if you look past that, you'll see the transom and platform differences.
Click to expand...

I noticed that on yachtworld.com. Seems the 550 was two years then the 580...
 
Not to hijack this thread too far off - but part of the discussion.

How do you feel about a davit crane versus a hydraulic swim platform for the dinghy?

Mark
 
I can clear some of this up from direct experience. The 550 Sedan Bridge was a new model in 2005. It was originally offered with the electro mechanical 800 hp V-8 MANs. Mid year Sea Ray changed to the 900 hp Common Rail V-8 MANs. In 2006 the 550 Sedan Bridge was renamed the 58 Sedan Bridge and continued with the 900 CRM MANs, no other engine was offered. The integrated swim platform was smaller on the 2005's and they were only available with the davit. In 2006 Sea Ray only offered the hydraulic swim platform and the integrated platform was extended and the hydraulic platform significantly improved the ability to carry a larger dinghy with room between the dinghy and the transom. Alex has correctly identified the primary other differences between the 550DB and 58DB (he does his research, but he clearly was listening when we discussed this at the CSR Port Jefferson Winter Rendezvous last weekend). The only other significant differences are the 550's have the older C Series Raymarine MFDs while the 58's have the newer E Series ( though both are outdated and have been or are being or will need to be replaced with current generation electronics). Many were delivered with Sea Ray Navgators, as well. The other difference is the 550 has the leatherette material on the wall from floor to ceiling in the hallway between the MSR and the forward stateroom while the 58 had the cherry wood on the lower half of the wall. Other than those differences they are basically the same boat. We love our 58 and am having serious cabin fever waiting to get back on the water. Any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
 
bmac said:
The integrated swim platform was smaller on the 2005's and they were only available with the davit.
Click to expand...

You meant to say larger, or we have different definitions of integrated platform...?

At any rate, the area behind the transom locker on the 550 was large enough to hold a tender, but of course that necessitated a davit. 550's can also be fitted with a hydraulic extended platform, which creates enough total platform for a tennis court!

58's carry tenders on the extended platform.
 
bmac said:
I can clear some of this up from direct experience. The 550 Sedan Bridge was a new model in 2005. It was originally offered with the electro mechanical 800 hp V-8 MANs. Mid year Sea Ray changed to the 900 hp Common Rail V-8 MANs. In 2006 the 550 Sedan Bridge was renamed the 58 Sedan Bridge and continued with the 900 CRM MANs, no other engine was offered. The integrated swim platform was smaller on the 2005's and they were only available with the davit. In 2006 Sea Ray only offered the hydraulic swim platform and the integrated platform was extended and the hydraulic platform significantly improved the ability to carry a larger dinghy with room between the dinghy and the transom. Alex has correctly identified the primary other differences between the 550DB and 58DB (he does his research, but he clearly was listening when we discussed this at the CSR Port Jefferson Winter Rendezvous last weekend). The only other significant differences are the 550's have the older C Series Raymarine MFDs while the 58's have the newer E Series ( though both are outdated and have been or are being or will need to be replaced with current generation electronics). Many were delivered with Sea Ray Navgators, as well. The other difference is the 550 has the leatherette material on the wall from floor to ceiling in the hallway between the MSR and the forward stateroom while the 58 had the cherry wood on the lower half of the wall. Other than those differences they are basically the same boat. We love our 58 and am having serious cabin fever waiting to get back on the water. Any other questions don't hesitate to ask.
Click to expand...
Sounds like the 58 has some key improvements from the 550. Were their issues with the 800 MANs or the 900's evolutionary? I'm not too worried about the electronics as I'll update the suite in any case. Any access or performance issues with the various systems from your experience?
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
ttmott said:
Sounds like the 58 has some key improvements from the 550. Were their issues with the 800 MANs or the 900's evolutionary? I'm not too worried about the electronics as I'll update the suite in any case. Any access or performance issues with the various systems from your experience?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

The updates on the 58 from the 550 were the reasons we focused on the 58. I agree with the electronics upgrade, with a 10 year old boat that is usually one of the least concerns. I understand there were some early issues when the CRM 900's were introduced for the mid-year 2005 550 model, though I'm not sure of the details. I haven't had any performance issues, though I did have a number of maintenance items that showed up at survey. The 400 and 800 hour service (some call it 1000 hour but there is no 1000 hour service in the MAN manual that differs from the others) are not cheap. In the Northeast, this service, mostly cooler maintenance, is about $20,000. You should make sure the ECM card update has been done. MAN did mine as a warranty issue for the cost of shipping back and forth. Engine room access is very good but some maintenance point access is not great, but it's not horrible either, even with an enormous engine room. Because these are V-8's they consume a lot of space, both outboard and inboard, between the engines. For the boat systems, they are pretty much the same as all my other Sea Rays and are fairly straightforward. I would even say that most systems access is better than my other boats.
 
FootballFan said:
Not to hijack this thread too far off - but part of the discussion.

How do you feel about a davit crane versus a hydraulic swim platform for the dinghy?

Mark
Click to expand...
I talked to the owner of the 550 with the davit and he thought it was "substandard". I didn't look at it but he said it was "electric" and should have been "hydraulic". My first take is the davit eliminates all of the mechanism under water for the hydraulic platform and it's such a clean installation. Here in Florida I've found anything in the water is a barnacle magnet.
 
ttmott said:
I talked to the owner of the 550 with the davit and he thought it was "substandard". I didn't look at it but he said it was "electric" and should have been "hydraulic". My first take is the davit eliminates all of the mechanism under water for the hydraulic platform and it's such a clean installation. Here in Florida I've found anything in the water is a barnacle magnet.
Click to expand...

i don't know what an "electric" davit is. The davit on my 52 had an electric pump that provided hydraulic pressure to the davit hydraulic cylinder. If I recall the davit on the 52, which was a Marquipt, was the same as the one on the 550. Both had 1200 lb. capacity. I did not use the davit much but it certainly couldn't be characterized as "substandard". In any event I was originally a fan of the davit over the platform for all the submerged in saltwater issues that could arise.....that was until I had a hydraulic platform. Now, I'd never go back to a davit.
 
ttmott,

I see that you are in my neighborhood, The Space Coast. You are looking at newer boat than mine but, I you want to see a '98 550DB give me a call. I love mine and I'm sure you will find that perfect boat. Good luck.
 
Reelsly said:
ttmott,

I see that you are in my neighborhood, The Space Coast. You are looking at newer boat than mine but, I you want to see a '98 550DB give me a call. I love mine and I'm sure you will find that perfect boat. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Now that's a great offer and I'd really like to see it; I'm up in North Merritt Island. I'll drop you a PM when I get a bit of a break. thanks!
 
Absolutely. I'm in Satellite Beach.
 
Will do Capt.; I'll give you a call regardless.
No HIN yet; still looking on the fringe of getting serious next year.
 
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