Finally....410DA

920richardf

920richardf

Member
Dec 25, 2007
84
Great Lakes
Boat Info
2000 410DA
Engines
CAT 3126TA
After looking for nearly a year (and lurking on this forum most of that time) I'm headed out tomorrow to pick up a 2000 410DA with CAT 3126 (385) power. Completed CVS and engine survey and all came back clean - sticky stbd tach, bad lamp in spotlight, small gouge in gelcoat at bow, air filters need changing. Hull, deck and engines, etc. are reported as otherwise solid. Moving up from a 33' express and I'm pretty excited about the space, the ride and the diesels.
Anyway, I wanted to express my thanks to the contributors here who helped me better understand how to approach the challenge of finding and evaluating a boat of this sort. Been both fun and frustrating at times, but I look forward to enjoying the rest of the summer in what I think is a great boat for our family.
Again, thanks!
 
Congratulations! Speaking from experience, you'll love the boat. BTW, could you please share your location? It's nice to keep track of other 410 owners, and I'm sure the usual suspects will be jumping you soon to get your location in the signature line!

As for the air filters, K & N makes a cleaning kit available at most automotive stores. As long as the filters are in otherwise good condition, cleaning them with the kit basically makes them new. The kit is about $15 versus about $90 a piece for new filters. And the bulb in the ACR spotlight, I change mine every few seasons, and interestingly enough, I never use the spotlight. The bulbs are about $45 a piece at West Marine, but I just found a source for $24 each. Sticky tachs are Sea Ray trade secret - they all do it and replacements are the safest remedy.

Post away with questions on your new-to-you awesome boat and thanks for sharing with us.
 
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Thanks to this site, I too bought a 410da approximately one month ago. You will ove the 410, especially the diesels. My 410da with 3126's is much easier to handle in close quarters than my 310da.

Have fun.
 
Congratulations...why the hell didn't you buy my boat ???

Now I will never get a boat with a "tree house".

But seriously...Great boat, you will not be dissappointed..Good luck.
 
Congratulations Rich....You made a great choice. The 410DA is an excellent family cruiser.

I'd love to know your performance with the 385HP CATs. I've looked into having my 350HP motors re-tuned for the extra HP.

Maybe you can post here....

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3566&highlight=digital+tach

In that thread you will also see my post about digital tachs. IMHO, don't bother replacing the analog tachs with the same junk. They 'suck' (can I still say that?). Go with a set of Aetna Digitals and you will not be disappointed.

Good luck with your new ride...
 
Last Wednesday we ran the boat up from Winthrop Harbor to Sturgeon Bay - about 7 hours. Left the harbor at 0500 and it looked like a beautiful day ahead. At least for the first 20 minutes. The rest of the trip was in the fog, but a great experience for getting comfortable with the radar and chartplotter.
The family came aboard on Thursday and we headed north to Escanaba for the weekend. Everybody is smiling and now I get the thing about diesels. Very cool!
 
I need all you 410 guys to tell the rest of the board what a great boat it is (with diesels) :thumbsup:so they can buy mine and I can get an SD:smt038.....season's running out!!!!!:smt013
 
You'll have to give me a little help with what you are looking for when you want a report on performance. I know they burn a bit more fuel at a given RPM than the 350s, but the RPM vs. speed (given a constant loading of the boat) would seem to depend on the prop size and pitch and the gearing rather than HP and torque. The added torque may get it up on plane a little faster, but I don't have anything to compare it to - same with handling around the dock.
I'll gather some information in the coming weeks and share what I'm able to make sense from.
Any advice on having the props scanned if there is no apparent issue that demands it?
BTW - the engines turn right about 2825 WOT. And in the for what its worth category the blow by test was in the 140 range on both sides.
Lots to learn....
 
Rick,

From one cheese head to another, welcome!

How do you like the bay? (Green Bay)

Chambers Island?

Washington Island?

What is your favorite boating destination?
 
920richardf said:
You'll have to give me a little help with what you are looking for when you want a report on performance. ....
Click to expand...

A few things I'd like to know are:

What is your trans ration. On the 410DA with factory 350HP CATS we have 1.64:1

What size are your props. Factory on the 350HP is 22 X 23 LC

What is your speed at different cruise RPMs like 2200, 2300 2400 and WOT

I'm curious because I had thought about having my 350HP CATS re-tuned to 385HP and I was wondering what the advantages, if any, would be. From my research, 3126 TA motors can be upgraded from 350HP to 385HP without any new 'Iron' (turbo, aftercooler, etc). The only difference is the tuning of the govenor and reseting the rack. I confirmed this through CAT and the local certified CAT shop (Ransom CAT in NJ). The cost would be somewhere in the range of $2K-3K per motor. After some further discussion I was talked out of the upgrade, but I would still like to know some real world specs and I appreciate your feedback.


Thanks and congrats again.
 
Rick:

I sent you a PM with regard to the 385HP motors. I hope to hear back from you.
 
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