Getting Bigger by the Year...

[Converse48]

So somewhere in the vicinity of 2004 the 400DB became the 420DB. Admittedly, this was a significant change in styling, but the hulls are fairly similar from the rub rail down until you consider the integrated swim platform on the newer model.

Then, somewhere around 2006, the 420DB became the 44DB. These boats are virtually identical. Shortly thereafter they changed to the QSC500 engine (another upgrade) but the looks and layout are identical. In 2008, they added a half-hardtop, but kept calling it the 44DB.

Now, here we are in 2010, and the same boat is now called a 450DB.

Gotta love progress! I think the 400DB was introduced in the 1997 time frame. So for seven years the boat was 40' long, and in six short years, the same boat has grown five whole feet.

If I stick around long enough, my boat might be a 50 footer! (Not likely, of course, the stated LOA is 45'5")

 

[Four Suns]

Well... I have a 52.5' LOA... but it's still a 480 DB/48 foot boat.

 

[Nehalennia]

We're heading to the Seattle boat show this weekend. I will be interesting to see what they're laying out there.

 

[Converse48]

Well... I have a 52.5' LOA... but it's still a 480 DB/48 foot boat.

That's why the newer version of your boat is called a 52. The 480 to 500 to 52 transition followed the same basic time lines as the 400 to 420 to 44. It's the 450 part that's new...

 

[Four Suns]

That's why the newer version of your boat is called a 52. The 480 to 500 to 52 transition followed the same basic time lines as the 400 to 420 to 44. It's the 450 part that's new...

I'm thinking I could be in a 580 by next year and not even have to change boats!

 

[fwebster]

But just think how much that reduces your cost per foot................


Which is, I believe, the reason behind the new model name scheme. Buyers "Think" they are getting a bigger boat. I'd like to see which new model most closely parallels my old mid-90's boat.......might make me want to keep her a while longer!

 

[Carver370]

I'd like to see which new model most closely parallels my old mid-90's boat.......might make me want to keep her a while longer!

I think the 48 Sundancer (now called the 500) is probably the closest to the older 450 at least in size and overall space.

 

[carterchapman]

They've done the same thing to the 340. In mid 2003, a new hull design with integrated swim platform, 37.5' LOA, and 12' beam. In 2008 it became the 350. For 2010, they added a bolt on swim platform and it became the 370. I bet they grow this same hull to 380 or 390 in the coming years...

 

[Turtlesboat]

I think the 48 Sundancer (now called the 500) is probably the closest to the older 450 at least in size and overall space.

Yeah, the 500DA is the closest.

 

[Petep]

Wow my 460, which my State registration calls 51", with my platform lift is really 53'3; think of the money I just saved! I didn't realize that the 48 was rebadged as the 50, that really is the same boat as mine with-out the full windshields to the hard-top. I'm just glad when the dockmaster asks for transiet charges my length - I tell them 46.

 

[gerryb]

I find Brunswick's approach to naming their products (it done even outside of their SeaRay brand) rather absurd. They have left the naming process to the marketing people. They SHOULD follow a consistent and standard naming convention that they stand behind from technical perspective. I really don't care if it's LOA, LOA - swim plaform, etc... but pick one and stick to it for pete's sake..

 

[rondds]

In 1988, my boat was a 345DB. In 1989 it became the 340DB. EXACT same boat on the exterior - inside it picked up a second stateroom by moving galley up. Beam, LOA and LWL are the same. So my boat shrunk. I pay for 35.8' at the marina. They tack on a flat 2 extra feet to the boat model designation for ALL boats makes. I told them I'm not 36 but 35'8" so that's what they put on the contract. That 2/10' saves me a cool $19 every summer!