560 DB Owners Club

Paul, did you post pictures of your upgrades? I Just purchased a low hour 99' last week and want to up grade the helm seating as well. Several friends have the Stidds and really like them but 10-12K is out of my budget. I would even consider the up grades Sea Ray seating with the bolsters if I could find them. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks Greg
 
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Thanks for the quick response! I'm really excited about the boat and hope survey goes well on Friday. Great choice on the helm seats! lm going to do some digging to see if I can locate something similar. If you don't mind me asking what was the final cost on the Nuteak? It looks great. I have my eye on a beautiful 30" x 66" high gloss table with a 6" polished adjustable pedestal and high back padded teak folding chairs to complete the cockpit. Thanks again for your input and quick response! Greg
 
Hi Greg,
the stuff wasn't cheap. The NuTeak was added in two phases and now covers the swim platform, cockpit, steps into the boat and stairs up to the bridge. I believe the total was around Cdn$12k. I would have to think that pricing structure may have come down since with more competitors and more experienced installers.

Good luck with you purchase!

Paul
 
Thanks. I figured it would be 12-15US. I hope to be a 56 owner in the next 72 hours! Thanks again.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for all the great info, really good stuff! I am looking at a 2001-2004 560 to live aboard in Florida and then eventually move to Maryland. I've looked at one in Destin and have extensively researched them with a plan to get one in the next couple months. Any last minute advice??
 
Hi all,

Thanks for all the great info, really good stuff! I am looking at a 2001-2004 560 to live aboard in Florida and then eventually move to Maryland. I've looked at one in Destin and have extensively researched them with a plan to get one in the next couple months. Any last minute advice??
 
Hello 56 DB members. I am new to the forum and have a 1999 56 Sedan Bridge. Glad to see the upgrades happening here. I am debating upgrades to my platform, including plasteak, pop-up cleats to secure my Mercury 350 tender as well as fold-down cradle so it flush-mounts to remove tripping hazards. Also curious about replacing just the cushions on the helm seats or replacing the seats altogether. Also in the middle of replacing the holding tank (cracked during last pump-out due to clogged air vent) and looking to upgrade the head pumps for "turbo-power" flushing capabilities while the yard is at it. Any comments/ideas would be welcome.
 
DO IT! Great boat! Go for the largest power plants you can find. I have a '99 with the CAT 3406 and love them. We also converted the bunks to a full bed and it has been great because the top bunk was useless. I have an 11-year old son and a 16-year old daughter and both can use their staterooms with friends over and now we can cruise comfortably with two adult couples as well. Good luck!
 
Mike, I am new to Club Sea Ray and just came across your outline of the 560. I have a 1999 560 and LOVE it! You nailed it about everything that is fantastic about the boat. The only thing I have done to improve our experience (besides bridge enclosure and electronics upgrades) is to convert what you called "the closet" starboard side stateroom to a single birth. It wound up a tiny bit smaller than a queen. I have pics on my profile page. We had the closet cut so just the "top cabinet" was left to make room for the bed. The upper bunk actually fits exactly in the space between the lower bunk and the interior wall. We kept the hinge in place to allow access to the storage in the floor and had the new mattress made to bend along the hinge. A small notch needed to be made for the trim by the door but that is it. Our combo washer/dryer was horrible and we never used it so we ditched it and made the cabinet into a large closet and built in a flat-screen TV facing the bed as well. Our 12-year old could never have friends with the bunks because no one wanted to sleep in the top bed. Now, when he has friends, they just sleep head-to-foot and it works great. We have also traveled with two other couples (no kids while they are at camp over the summer) with this "new" layout and it's awesome that all three couples can have a decent size bed to sleep in. Just wanted to share so others having the same issue could benefit.
 
Just a quick note of thanks for the many pictures and words of wisdom in this thread!

We are in the pre purchase stage and still considering different boats, and this thread has been amazing!
Probably the one thing that has convinced me that this boat is for us, is the Thanksgiving meal onboard picture, with loads of people in the main salon and room for a few more yet!
 
Thank you very much for your help. By the way cool boat
 
Marc C. said:
Mike, I am new to Club Sea Ray and just came across your outline of the 560. I have a 1999 560 and LOVE it! You nailed it about everything that is fantastic about the boat. The only thing I have done to improve our experience (besides bridge enclosure and electronics upgrades) is to convert what you called "the closet" starboard side stateroom to a single birth. It wound up a tiny bit smaller than a queen. I have pics on my profile page. We had the closet cut so just the "top cabinet" was left to make room for the bed. The upper bunk actually fits exactly in the space between the lower bunk and the interior wall. We kept the hinge in place to allow access to the storage in the floor and had the new mattress made to bend along the hinge. A small notch needed to be made for the trim by the door but that is it. Our combo washer/dryer was horrible and we never used it so we ditched it and made the cabinet into a large closet and built in a flat-screen TV facing the bed as well. Our 12-year old could never have friends with the bunks because no one wanted to sleep in the top bed. Now, when he has friends, they just sleep head-to-foot and it works great. We have also traveled with two other couples (no kids while they are at camp over the summer) with this "new" layout and it's awesome that all three couples can have a decent size bed to sleep in. Just wanted to share so others having the same issue could benefit.
Click to expand...

Can't find the pictures for the bunk conversion but am very interested HELP!!!
 
Hi guys I figured this is a shot in the dark but Im in the Market for a 2002-2004 560 With CATS if anyone is interested in selling or know of someone let me know thanks!
 
Greg3883 said:
Thanks for the quick response! I'm really excited about the boat and hope survey goes well on Friday. Great choice on the helm seats! lm going to do some digging to see if I can locate something similar. If you don't mind me asking what was the final cost on the Nuteak? It looks great. I have my eye on a beautiful 30" x 66" high gloss table with a 6" polished adjustable pedestal and high back padded teak folding chairs to complete the cockpit. Thanks again for your input and quick response! Greg
Click to expand...
If they ever have another real boat show Stidd will be there and offer great deals. I bought a pair of new Stidd Low Back Admirals for $7K delivered including the base adapters when I was at last year's Ft Lauderdale Boat Show. And by the way one of the better boat purchases I've done.... The SR seats on my boat were crippling.
IMG_4343.jpg
 
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ttmott said:
If they ever have another real boat show Stidd will be there and offer great deals. I bought a pair of new Stidd Low Back Admirals for $7K delivered including the base adapters when I was at last year's Ft Lauderdale Boat Show. And by the way one of the better boat purchases I've done.... The SR seats on my boat were crippling.
View attachment 88843
Click to expand...
My helm chairs kill me too. Spent the day on the water and was thinking about winter boat shows and looking for new seats. Are these 7000 worth of comfortable?
 
Charlesoceanone said:
My helm chairs kill me too. Spent the day on the water and was thinking about winter boat shows and looking for new seats. Are these 7000 worth of comfortable?
Click to expand...
For 4 and 6 hour trips - absolutely! Go sit in one. If they were an option on a new boat that box would get checked.
 
Good evening all, we are in the market for a 560 Sedan and am looking at a few from 2001, 2002, 2004 and if they aren't in good condition will wait til the northern market opens in spring. Seems most have the MAN and 1 with CATS. I do most of the maintenance myself, not a pro but handy, also know my limits. You guys have lived it and rather than here say hope you can help me decide which one to pursue.
MANs are expensive but I ready anywhere from 3000 to 7000 per year average if you do the coolers etc on a 3 year cycle. I know oil, filters etc are within my ability, anyone who is not a pro do the coolers, etc? Think I read MANS run on Synthetic oil in engines and transmissions?

CATS - I know very little of them, seems they have a great record but don't know anyone who runs them.

In regards to the 56 itself, I get that there will be wear and tear items, comes with buying used. Have had a number of boats but no Sea Rays, will the gelcoat last 18 years and be able to keep shiny? Will the 24 AC unit on the bridge keep you cool, I live in SE Florida.

Any particular system I should be aware of that will pose a big problem, leak sites, etc. How is the factory installed hydraulic platform, had another brand and it was a night mare. I'm 6' 2", will the master bed be long enough, is there enough engine access to get to both sides?

Guess I'm looking for any comments form the guys who actually have and use the boat to guide me. I know you've all heard same question before and hope you have some patience. Very little on the web about the model, I'm appreciate.
Barney
 
Hi, I have a 2001 with Cats, I have had her 8 years and do all my own maintenance, mine have 1400 hours on them. I have the Cat mechanic inspect engines once a year. My Cats are a breeze to work on, plenty of room around engines, as well as the genny. I have two friends with Mans and they really struggle with working space in the engine room. As well as cost of maintenance. I did the coolers myself at 1000 hours. I do oil, filter and impellers at the end of every season. I have never felt under powered vs the Mans. I cruise at 23-24 knots at 1850ish rpms, burns around 60 gal an hour at that speed. My gelcoat is 19 years old, I polish and wax it once at the start of season then wax only mid summer, it shines like new. It was pretty chalky when I got it 8 years ago, but it shined right up with a 3 step. Sea Ray gel will last a long time if maintained. But thats my Michigan experience, I've had 3 Sea Rays here. I'm 6' the bed is fine for me. My hydraulic platform has always worked and with heavy use. I replaced pump and a motor two years ago, and the wired control and remote 1 year ago. My air on the bridge works great, even when its 95 and humid. I can't think of any real downsides. Typical maintenance over the years, I have replaced both fridges, all electronics, the washer/dryer died so I took it out, and put shelves in. Ask away, happy to answer any thing I can.
 
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