Considering a 2000 Sundancer 400

Admittedly biased - but one of the finest boats SR has designed and built especially if built at their Sikes Creek Plant (S/N starts with SERF).
The package with the CAT 3116TA's is essentially bullet proof provided these engines were taken care of.
The primary issues:
The Hurth transmission (HSW800) has a comparatively weak counter shaft assembly and has a history of the port one failing. Look closely at the gears when surveyed.
The fresh water tank if filled full will crack and fail. If it hasn't already never ever fill it to overflow. What happens is at overflow the tank, which is plastic and shaped like an "L", will bulge out on the top surface and put stress on that inside corner of the "L" causing a crack there. Besides the pain of changing it, it's replacement is about $1500,
If still has the original Norcold refer. plan on replacing it; it will fail.
The generator is a Westerbeke if diesel boat and although a bullet proof unit if not taken care of is very expensive to repair/ replace; important survey item. Need also to know the limitations on starting it; if you crank it too long it will aspirate raw water into the cylinders and be ruined; knowledge is paramount.
There have been some issues on the laminate used for the solon cabinets but I found if the boat remained air conditioned and has not gone through temp and humidity cycles (ie leave the AC off) the product is just fine.
The diesel boat uses Racor 500MA primary fuel filters; it's a must if traveling to, for example, the Bahamas to get rid of these and install the Racor 900MA's or 1000MA's.
 
ttmott said:
Admittedly biased - but one of the finest boats SR has designed and built especially if built at their Sikes Creek Plant (S/N starts with SERF).
The package with the CAT 3116TA's is essentially bullet proof provided these engines were taken care of.
The primary issues:
The Hurth transmission (HSW800) has a comparatively weak counter shaft assembly and has a history of the port one failing. Look closely at the gears when surveyed.
The fresh water tank if filled full will crack and fail. If it hasn't already never ever fill it to overflow. What happens is at overflow the tank, which is plastic and shaped like an "L", will bulge out on the top surface and put stress on that inside corner of the "L" causing a crack there. Besides the pain of changing it, it's replacement is about $1500,
If still has the original Norcold refer. plan on replacing it; it will fail.
The generator is a Westerbeke if diesel boat and although a bullet proof unit if not taken care of is very expensive to repair/ replace; important survey item. Need also to know the limitations on starting it; if you crank it too long it will aspirate raw water into the cylinders and be ruined; knowledge is paramount.
There have been some issues on the laminate used for the solon cabinets but I found if the boat remained air conditioned and has not gone through temp and humidity cycles (ie leave the AC off) the product is just fine.
The diesel boat uses Racor 500MA primary fuel filters; it's a must if traveling to, for example, the Bahamas to get rid of these and install the Racor 900MA's or 1000MA's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick and very thorough review. This was extremely helpful.
 
Only consider the boats with diesel, you will not be as happy with the gas boat
 
It is basically the same boat as mine. Other than maintenance items that will be required for a boat of this age, it is a truly great boat. The engine room with diesels is tight but at 6' 2" and 225 lbs, I manage to get around somehow! Find a good one with diesels and buy it! If you are lake boating, gas models would be fine IMO.
 
Great boat. Get a survey. If you can't ascertain the exact maintenance history, then do EVERY maintenance item up to the hours on the engines. There are some very important maintenance items. There was a lot of bad press about the 3126 Diesel engine, but all failures were early on and as long as the motors have more than a few hundred hours on them you won't find engines with those problems. The are awesome engines if well maintained. Ttmott and I can give you a lot of info through our personal experiences with the boat.
 
Gary B said:
Only consider the boats with diesel, you will not be as happy with the gas boat
Click to expand...

Greetings!

Is this comment for real? I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but seriously?! Lol!

Thanks in advance!

Cheers
 
I thought the 400 was replaced by the 410 for the 2000 model year. Did they make both simultaneously for a time? I love my 410.
 
The principal difference between the 410 and 400 decks and a discriminator for the 400 is the walkway behind the rear locker above the swim platform; the 410 doesn't have it. When my tender is on the swim platform there is little room if any to walk across the swim platform; that walkway above is great to have.
The difference between the 3116TA and 3126TA is 1.1 and 1.2 liters per cylinder more HP and Torque on the 26 but the 3126 has a raw water cooled aftercooler which I don't really care for albeit a cooler intake charge.... Either of the engines are a good selection in the later S/N's which a model year 2000 is a late S/N. Note that these engines do not have electronic controls consequently less prone to failure due to electrical issues. The only electrical thing that needs to operate is the fuel solenoid which I carry a spare; never have needed it but if I didn't have it I'd need it.......
Now for gasoline vs diesel; if you are spending time on a lake, day trips, and no, call it, endurance runs like to the Abaco's, gasoline is perfectly fine. Typically, with gasoline however, there are more hazards to deal with (flammability and CO) and insurance may be a bit higher and at 22,000 pounds you will be at pretty much the limit a gasoline can produce from a torque aspect. Many will agree these boats are at the limit for gasoline power. There is no replacement for the torque of the Cat engines and the diesel powered boats will pretty much run away from the same under gas power. Going in cost for diesel is higher but they will hold value and be more "marketable" down the road, condition being the same on both. For me it's a safety thing and reliability thing; the diesel is the better choice...
Oh and I get right at 0.9MPG Diesel at 22 knots - Gasoline is not near that mark.
 
Last edited:
RollerCoastr said:
2000 was an "overlap". SeaRay made both 400 and 410's for that model year.
Click to expand...
Not at the same time though. They terminated production on the 400 in 99 and picked up with the 410 in 99. The last 400 may have on the line with the first 410 right behind it....
 
Strypes said:
Greetings! Is this comment for real? I know that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but seriously?! Lol! Thanks in advance!Cheers
Click to expand...

Coming from someone who is running Chrysler motors.....seriously? :smt017
 
carterchapman said:
"Never pick a fight with a man who owns a Chrysler product...'cause he's mad already"
Click to expand...

That's funny! LOL!

I like my engines though! I have had zero problems, so far... knock on wood! I'm also confident that I can work on them or fix them if need be! I don't know anything about fixing diesels.

I know that on our next boat we want diesels, especially if it's 40' or longer!

Cheers
 
carterchapman said:
"Never pick a fight with a man who owns a Chrysler product...'cause he's mad already"
Click to expand...

I wouldn't let the 'Grand Poobah' of the Hole In the Water Club hear you say that.... Might be fightn' words :smt021
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,117
Messages
1,426,458
Members
61,032
Latest member
Brock340
Back
Top