calling all 420 Aft Cabins owner

[Out2win4U]

Dear 420 Aft cabin owners
My wife and I are discussing upgrading to the lager 420 AC. We like many improvements over the our 1989 380AC. Such as the helm seating in the 2001 model the Aft Bar and open floor plan. We are curious about it’s handling at slow speeds as well as it’s sea handling. Any info from actual 420 owners would be greatly appreciated

:smt100

Antonio

 

[Gimme Time]

Antonio,

The 420AC handles very well but does not turn on a dime like smaller cruiser. Slow speed maneuverability is great with the 20"+ inch props and Caterpillar engine with great torck. WOT is 2800 which will push the boat 24-26 knots depending on loading, fuel, water, windage with tops up and isinglasses on depending on the current/tide conditions. 2400 is 80% WOT or cruising RPM which provides 18-22 knots again depending on all of the o=above loading. We have Saint Croix Daviy lifts on the back of the boat and the above speeds are with the lighter tender we carry with 9.9 four stroke engine, When we put the Redova center console with the 30HP Honda the speeds drop1-2 knots becuase of the added weight and location of the weight on the stern of the boat.

You want find more useable space/rooms on the 42' hull out there that I know of. My wife and I have plenty of room on board to have quite time and just curel up and read a book. With the upper bridge, rear fiberglassed covered deck sitting area, main salon, kitchen area, front bed room, front full bath with seperate show, rear master suite with it's on bathroom with seperate shower area you get alot of space to seperate when you want quiet time.

Since we boat now mostly around the bay since bringing the boat up from N, Miami Beach we spend just about every weekend on her as well as most weekends through the winter months as well. With the (3) dedicated heating and cooling system it is always warm an cosy during the winter months. We heat the upper bridge area and baack encolsed louging area by letting the door to the salon stay open as heat rise and heats the additonal area very well.

Brough the boat up form Miami Beach in March 2008 and needed cooling for the first 3 days but then had to switch to heating once we got up into the Myrtle Beach area we had to start heating the boat and found we had more than enough heat for topside as well. The previuos owner kept here under roof as we do as well. Sun works on any hull and the more it is within a covered slip the better the wax job last.

 

[murraybeck]

We bought our 2000 model on the Tennessee River and have found it to be a great boat for us. Ours is the 3 stateroom model (Master Aft, guest forward and single under dinette. While river handling is much obviously different than open ocean, we've experienced no problems, very stable, easily handled by two people. I recommend it.
Gas model is not nearly as good on mileage as diesel, but the cats can be problematic. Be sure to have a competent, non-biased mechanic check them out if you are looking at diesel.

 

[Out2win4U]

Thanks for all the Info
I need to justify going from a paid off Small Boat to a Larger one
John
Some of the issues that my 1989 380 Aft cabin has that bother me is a slight bow down at rest but a 5 to 10 degrees bow high at cruise. Even when stepping on the Trim tabs fully the attitude seems a bit high. Conversely when I slow down to 8 to 10 Knots her heading wonders worse than a politician under oath. Im not sure if that is a function of her small rudders or shallow 31 " draft. In addition backing down on a slip with moderate wind is a kin to getting deck quals in sea state 5. You dont mention any of these bad habits. Are they gone in newer model?

Murray beck
"cats can be problematic" ? How so? Do they over heat and puke oil all over the bilge or is just general Diesel issues. We have the 7.2 Mercs and although they are a bit gutless, the are dependable. Also you mentioned the third cabin. My wife thinks that the Raised table steals some of the openness from the cabin. I think that equipped with a Nintendo and an outside door lock it would be a great child storage unit. What is your opinion?
Antonio & Anita

 

[JC3]

Ant, The Cat issue has been dicussed in GREAT lenght. Do a forum search and read and reread FrankW thoughts. He is the real expert and gives great insight into these big ole girls. Good Luck, JC

 

[Out2win4U]

Thanks for the info on the Cat. Sounds like the oil issue is settled. Im a bit sceptical about the French engines. (not surprised French = weak core)

We found a 2001 420 AC with 8.3 6CTA Cummins in Stuart, FL. She looks grrreat! At least on paper and pictures. 632 Hours and Kept under cover, with a fresh water history. We are making travel plans to visit her next week. Hull# SERP50380H001 Is there anything specific I should be looking for? I there a good surveyor that anyone recomends in south FL. I have a bad feeling this may be a very expensive trip. I better tell my kids to work really hard for a scholarship. They will understand. Doe anyone whant to buy and Older 380 AC ?

Antonio & Anita

" Nice Aft"

 

[Gimme Time]

Antonio

I wouldn't be so quick to right off Cats as you will find they are great engines and highly preferred over many brands. They like all manufacturers will as some time or another have a supplier or self made problem with a production engine but what really counts is how well they step up to the plate to resolve them. If you check with Frank you will find out that they stand behind there products as well if not better than most and certainly would be a mistake to right them off. The few 3126 engines that had a problems were taken care of very professionallyby Cat and more than likely you'll find the reason SeaRay made the change came down to less money for the engine they currently use.

Good luck in your search as you will find the 420AC offers alot of space for the boat & buck.