First Post

[Ray O]

Hello Everyone,
First post and great site. A little back ground I have been a fresh water guy with a 67' houseboat and I am ready to do something a little diffrent. I have been looking at the 400 Sedan Bridge and the 420MY aft cabin in the 1997-2001 range. Both boats have features I like. I like the easier access on the SB but like the view and enclosure space of the AC. Etc. I know you cant help me make up my mind on the style I like better but are than any major handling diffrences or maintenance issues with either design? Is one easier to service as far as access to engines etc or other areas I need to know about? I will be new to diesel engines and have been reading up on them. I haven't see too many bad things said about the cummins but look like most I have seen have the Cat 3116. Cat's seem to have mix reviews but alot of you that have these here have made me feel better about the Cat's if well maintained. I will keep the boat around Hilton Head or Beaufort SC area. I know I will have alot to learn about the salt life. Thanks in advance for any advice and sugestions
-Ray

 

[Gimme Time]

Ray,

Welcome on board. As you can see e have a 2001 420AX with 3126TA Cats and have loved them. As with any boat purchase even from your best friend have a proper survey as well as the engine. We've had GT since 2007 and are on the Great Loop and want be back in our home port till next May. That should say enough about our Cats and the 420AC. Every boat you look at will have trade offs and that is to be expected. We love the space the 420AC gives you inside and top side. Been a piece of cake doing the locks as everything is very convenient to get to with great visual eye site as well.

Best of luck with your purchase and holler if I can be of any help with questions on the 420.

 

[ZZ13]

Ray, there is an 01 400 Sedan Bridge with Cummins for sale right here in Beaufort, SC at my marina.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I think you'll find that the AC boat acts more like a sail than a sedan bridge boat when the wind is blowing. There's a lot of side area for the wind to push against.

I would also consider you view to the bow and stern on an AC boat. Sight lines to the bow should be good unless the helm is at the aft end of the fly bridge. Sight lines to the stern are likely to be non existent. That's an obstacle you can overcome, but it takes a lot of practice to get the feel of how far your stern is back there. My aft bimini prevents me from seeing the stern and swim platform but I've learned "by feel" where the swim platform stops.

 

[Ray O]

Thanks for the replies!
John.
While searching I have found some usefull information about the AC and some of things you and others have encountered. Sounds like a awesome trip you are on, I hope it has been trouble free.

Bill,
Thanks for the infomation I seen that one online listed as a 2002 a little more than my budget will alllow. Spoke to the broker about another boat and he told me about that one at Port Royal. Not even 200 hours on the engins which sometimes makes me nervous. What are your thoughts on a boat that has sat so much? I believe he told me the owners mostly use it as a floating condo and had it trailered in from TX. Do you know the owners or much else about it? I will be visiting some family next weekend they live over on Battery Creek just around the corner I may come take a look.

GFC,
Thanks for the reply as well. You confirmed what I have notice about the sight lines on both boats just standing on the bridge. I know what you mean about a sail coming from the houseboat world for the last 20 yrs. I will definitely have to get use to backing a boat in.

Thanks Ray

 

[ZZ13]

Ray, you are right. I mis-typed. It's an '02. I will send you a PM about what I know.

 

[Ray O]

Bill,
Thanks I will keep a look out for the PM.
-Ray