550 Sedan Bridge

Capt. Rusty,

I'd be honored to have you aboard. You've probably forgotten more about boating and Sea Rays than I currently know. PM me.

Best regards,
 
I need to get the 400 out and some fuel burned - dock space where you are at?
Maybe I can get Capt. Rusty to go with on a short jaunt south... If not we'll do the drive.
 
No Pete...it would be my privilege to come see that fine machine. That and having Tom buy me lunch, it just doesn't get any better than that !

I am his buyer protection agent and charge accordingly....burger and a soft drink is my fee, lol.

Rusty
 
Come on by. Satellite Beach. Grand Canal. My dock is full of boats. I have a bit of a boating problem. :) Fender up to Double Trouble. I'll have some boating "sodas" ready for you.

Just so you know, she is not for sale. We just got her in July and plan to keep her for a long time. It would be great to meet some local CSR folks.
 
I own a '99 56 sedan bridge and LOVE it. Huge bridge fan because of the sight lines and views. We don't have the full beam master but our forward master is very large and private. We have 3406 CATS and they are great and have more than enough power. A plus for the forward master is the CATS location in the boat so its center of gravity is great and we have a huge storage space aft of the engine room that I could not imagine not having. We don't have a lower helm but I have heat and A/C on the bridge and installed a polycarbonate enclosure so it's basically a raised pilot house at this point. For us the investment saved by going a few years older outweighed the need for the full beam master and we used some of the money saved to upgrade electronics, the new bridge enclosure, new Thedford macerating heads and holding tank (didn't like vacu-flush heads) and converted the bunks to almost a queen in the port side stateroom. I love having the hydraulic lift and carry a Mercury 350 rib with a 40hp that we use constantly. We have 2-kids (12&17) so they love it. I have not had abnormal maintenance or fit and finish issues. I have had the boat in 8s and it did great (better than I did). I will keep this boat until I win Powerball.


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I'm scoping out dinghies that work for a hydraulic swim platform. Do you mind uploading some pictures of yours? Thank you!
 
Thanks Marc C.! How could you not love it?
So, My engine mechanic was at the boat (400 DA) today and I was talking about making the move up to a 550 or 580 and the conversation went to engines. When I mentioned they all came with MANs he basically said he didn't prefer or wouldn't work on them and they were "very" expensive to maintain. That raised my antennas.... Albeit he was a Cat corporate mechanic for fifteen years before going out on his own so I understand the propriety but he was quite animated in discussing the MANs regarding parts availability, and the scheduled maintenance scope and cost.
What do you MAN owners have to say?

Tom
 
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Sandydlc, Here is a pic of the dinghy on and of the boat.

IMG_2537.JPG
IMG_1997.JPG
 
Tom, I honestly ran into the same response from my independent mechanic. He did not work for any of the manufacturers prior. He did the initial survey, which included oil samples, etc. and was pleased that the boat had the CAT 3406s. My brother also drives large coach buses on the side (for fun?) and said that the non-marine 3406s are "bullet proof" the only engines that the bus company will run. I am in fresh water Lake Michigan so I can't compare to anything in salt water and don't know anything about MANs so I am just the messenger here. I know people with MANs that love them. My opinion is that as long as the oil samples come back perfect and the maintenance was done and documented, you should be ok, but I'm not a mechanic and really don't know as much as I should about the engines. I am learning every day though!
 
This is what we have. Zodiac YL340 with 40hp Yamaha. Fits the boat perfect, great option for us. Not sure about loaded (wet) weight, but would not want anymore than this on the platform.





From the angle of this picture, looks like the motor might extend out a bit on the port side - but it is just the angle. Still inside the width of the swim platform.

The cradles attached to the platform fit this Dinghy well. Gaps which are cut out over the splines.



It is close between the Dinghy and the back of the boat, but you can still move easily across the stern - Lazarette door is not impeded.





The Dinghy is secured at three points. Bow, and two on the stern. There are 1 inch half circle loops bolted through the swim platform. Then a stainless turnbuckle with a quick connect coupling on each end. This is clipped into either the bow fixture or the two stern fixtures, then twist the turnbuckle down to pull tight into the cradle. Lock nuts are on the turnbuckle to keep it from vibrating loose.



Have been in some pretty rough conditions, never had any movement or issues with the mounting.

Hope this helps,

Mark
 
bmac said:
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.
Click to expand...

bmac,

Would love to get some knowledge from you. I currently have a hydraulic platform. Much improved over other systems I have dealt with. However I am intrigued with the concept of a davit (not on this boat, but on the next boat). Have visited with people and got mixed reviews. Sending you a PM.

thanks
 
Mark's set up is great. I got the chance to meet him and his wonderful admiral a couple years ago in BaldHead NC. The set up is awesome and a beautiful boat.


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Thank you for those details Mark!! I think our built in davit system is a bit different. When we were out at the boat yesterday we finally got the make of our hydraulic swim platform and it's a "Sealift". It has built-in chocks that hold up the dinghy. With a beam of 13'2" we're right on the edge of whether we should get a 10' dinghy or an 11'. Too bad it's not possible to test each size before we buy. I really like your stainless turnbuckles with the quick connect coupling. That seems very secure!

Thanks,
Sandy
 
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