vanburen
New Member
Thanks everyone who has given me much needed advice over the last few weeks as we've been contemplating, and then executing, the move to the new boat - 2005 420 DB.
We took delivery yesterday, and I moved it up to Annapolis today in cool but basically pleasant weather. Despite an initial loss of all gauges (corrected by cycling all DC power), the ride was uneventful. Given the large number of people who seem interested in the DA to DB conversion, I thought I'd offer a few observations.
1. Ambient Noise - Being able to hear appears to be an improvement, although my screaming 2 year old WAS NOT on the boat so I can't state that conclusively. However, running noise is so much less - it's fantastic.
2. Ride - much bigger boat, enough said. My 6 year old spent the whole trip watching movies and not getting seasick (I seem to recall hearing that this would happen from Festivus).
3. The aft canvas dramatically reduces concern about kids transiting to the bridge. It essentially makes the stairs an interior option. Not too applicable during the hot summer however. Handheld radios also made communicating easy (DAD, I NEED A SNACK!!!).
4. I now understand why there is so little written about the Sea Ray Navigator. It has great functionality, but that doesn't help if it is in a continuous reboot cycle. The Raymarine C120 was solid the whole time.
5. Love the diesels (didn't check fuel prices entering back creek however, on purpose). Ran solid at the same pitch the whole time with no concerning little noises or hiccups that add stress. Basically had 25Kts, 32 GPH, 2400 RPM.
6. Docking - the visibility is different but it was not more stressful than our 320. The large props/Diesels make it stop/start whenever you shift. Very responsive. 2 days without using the bow-thruster!
Question for the experts - we only saw 2700 RPM at WOT with the 480 CEs. I will be asking the PWM expert about this on Tuesday, but I thought the RPM was supposed to be 2800? 85% is not quite 2300 which is a bit slow.
Also - is there a preferred method of accessing the the masts etc - my mast head light has rotated sideways and needs to be tightened up.
Definitely looking forward to BIH, should be a great time.
Great Weekend!
We took delivery yesterday, and I moved it up to Annapolis today in cool but basically pleasant weather. Despite an initial loss of all gauges (corrected by cycling all DC power), the ride was uneventful. Given the large number of people who seem interested in the DA to DB conversion, I thought I'd offer a few observations.
1. Ambient Noise - Being able to hear appears to be an improvement, although my screaming 2 year old WAS NOT on the boat so I can't state that conclusively. However, running noise is so much less - it's fantastic.
2. Ride - much bigger boat, enough said. My 6 year old spent the whole trip watching movies and not getting seasick (I seem to recall hearing that this would happen from Festivus).
3. The aft canvas dramatically reduces concern about kids transiting to the bridge. It essentially makes the stairs an interior option. Not too applicable during the hot summer however. Handheld radios also made communicating easy (DAD, I NEED A SNACK!!!).
4. I now understand why there is so little written about the Sea Ray Navigator. It has great functionality, but that doesn't help if it is in a continuous reboot cycle. The Raymarine C120 was solid the whole time.
5. Love the diesels (didn't check fuel prices entering back creek however, on purpose). Ran solid at the same pitch the whole time with no concerning little noises or hiccups that add stress. Basically had 25Kts, 32 GPH, 2400 RPM.
6. Docking - the visibility is different but it was not more stressful than our 320. The large props/Diesels make it stop/start whenever you shift. Very responsive. 2 days without using the bow-thruster!
Question for the experts - we only saw 2700 RPM at WOT with the 480 CEs. I will be asking the PWM expert about this on Tuesday, but I thought the RPM was supposed to be 2800? 85% is not quite 2300 which is a bit slow.
Also - is there a preferred method of accessing the the masts etc - my mast head light has rotated sideways and needs to be tightened up.
Definitely looking forward to BIH, should be a great time.
Great Weekend!
