Considering a 48 Sedan Bridge

[tadel001]

My family is considering buying a 48 Sedan Bridge. We are moving from sail cruising to the power cruising. We are looking at 2000-20002 boats. Have a few questions:

1) For those 48 SB owner's any thing you can recommend to look for in a boat. I would appreciate both good and bad comments.

2) What is the fuel burn at 10kts, 18-20kts and full speed (30kts?)

3) If we are considering the 48 Sedan Bridge (we want a salon with lots of light) what other models would you suggest.

Thanks,
Tim

p.s. If you know of any good boats for sale in the Annapolis/Kent Island area please let me know.

 

[searay40dad]

just purchased an '01 480 Sedan Bridge two weeks ago after several years of being around 480's. It had always been one of my favorite sea rays. runs unbelievable for a 45,000 lb-wet boat. 28-29mph fast cruise at .72 mpg is amazing to me for the size. Boattest.com has a test on the 480, you can get all the fuel numbers at several rpm/loads. 10K-18GPH; 22K-32GPH; 31K-58GPH...per their tests on a 480 Sedan w/ CAT 3196 motors.

obviously one major consideration is the engines, CATs through "01 vs. '02 models Cummins (altough not all 02's have Cummins I found out). I wasn't able to get any deals done for an '02 so forged ahead with the CATs. You have to thoroughly research the 3196s. I had to have a completely clean bill of health from inspections, upgrades, service history, etc before I did my deal. so, i'd advise you to do same due diligence. same with Hull moisture testing.

my family wanted the 3rd stateroom and more room. I wanted the hydraulic lift, thruster, big engines, bridge a/c. add it all up and it was easy decision for us.

good luck...you'll have fun looking and learning. this site is a truly amazing resource, alot of 480DB info.

 

[Four Suns]

I've documented a lot of stuff on the 480DB here on CSR. Too much to repeat here...

Do an advanced search with my name as the author and you'll find plenty to read.

The basic thing I'll say is that the 480DB has A LOT of systems and requires constant maintenance to keep it up to an acceptable level. It has 5 AC/heat air handlers, 2 fresh water pumps, 2 heads with separate systems, 2 sump boxes, tons of electronics, 3 staterooms, 4,000,000 light bulbs, 35 sinks, etc etc... If this stuff is not maintained, it breaks down and is a nightmare. Make sure all the systems are gone through very well with any boat you look at. If the boat has not been maintained, run... run fast.... I occasionally follow 480 DB's on yachtworld.com and it seems and there are not a bunch of them around for sale... I just did a search and there are 3 2003's and 8 2004's listed... only 5 are in the US. It is a popular boat though... I see them all over the place when we travel. Sorta like driving a Honda Accord.

Why would you rule out an 03 or 04 boat with QSM-11 engines? There were some major construction changes made with the 03 model year that addressed the possibility of having coring problems...

 

[Still LauCo]

I have nothing to add other than I love the 480, and someday hope to injure myself maintaining one!

 

[searay40dad]

i'd consider Gary to be one of (if not the most) knowledgable people around on the 480 and what he says wrt all the systems should be a consideration. definitely spend some time searching his posts, trust me, it'll be worth the time. after 5 years with a 400 Sedan Bridge, the 480 seems like it has 10x the 'stuff'...and it's all more expensive to maintain. your time is also a consderation, as its also alot of boat to clean. i thought I'd never get done the first time I washed down.

as for your question, what to look for, one of my preferences was a freshwater boat. rather than start a debate here on the merits of fresh vs. salt, I'll just leave it like I stated--a preference. maybe others will feel like chiming in with more perspectives.

another preference was engine hours. i didnt want a 100 hour dock queen nor something with 2000 hours (albeit thats still not even middle aged for a diesel). i wanted something that demonstrated some quality, general usage where I could be certain it was used enough to have everything rung out but not so used some things were on their way to wearing out.

Some specifics I looked for so I wasn't nickel and dimed to death after the deal include: bottom paint in good shape; canvas/isinglass replaced in last 2 years or so; bridge/cockpit carpets replaced in last 2 years or so; working electronics & mechanicals.

I also wanted some evidence the boat & its systems had been maintained professionally or atleast by a knowldgable owner. no gerry-rigging stuff or relacing OEM qualilty parts with knock-offs and cheaper, lesser quality materials.

of course there is all the stuff you want to cover during the survey/inpsections, haulout, sea trial, etc. i'd advise you leave no stone unturned on this boat as it just has alot of systems that need due diligence. you might take a quick look at a recent post I put up describing my "pre-deal" activities. it may give you some ideas.

with all that being said, it'll be the best honda accord you'll ever drive...and you'll look damn good driving it have fun....