Getting Serious about a 400 Sedan

NaughtyDog said:
I will be viewing a 98 400 DB with the 3116 Cat 292hp this weekend, since all of my research up to now has been on later models (2001-2002) with the Cat 3126 or Cummins 6CTAs, I don't know much about the earlier years or these Cats. Anybody have some input on these engines or model years that I should be on the lookout for? Any pros vs cons?


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I contracted on and sea trialed a '99 with the same smaller CATS before I bought the '01 with Cummins. I loaded it up with full tanks and about 6 people. The owner had never run it with more than half full tanks and mostly ran it at 1500 rpms. At trial it never got much over 18 knots and 2500 rpms. Was told afterwards swapping the 24 pitch props with 23 would have helped the performance. But I chose to back out of the deal and pay more for the newer with Cummins.

One other thing, if not already replaced, the '98 will have one generation earlier electronics than even the '01. A lot more room on the engine room though. Those CATS are much smaller than the Cummins.
 
My "96" 400DB has the 3116's, but they are 350hp. I find that to be plenty of power. A boat that age check all the intake hoses for cracks. The po had to replace all the engine intake hoses before I would purchase it.
 
NaughtyDog said:
So after another failed purchase attempt (couldn't agree on a price) I'm back in the hunt again. With our Cdn Loonie dropping lately it makes the thought of a long distance purchase even less appetizing. Anyone know of someone thinking of selling their 400SD in the Pacific Northwest area? I'm looking for a 2001-2002, but beggars can't be choosers! I may have an opportunity on a gasser in the near future and was wondering if there were any owners on the forum that might throw in their comments. Thanks!


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NaughtyDog,

Roosevelt14 here (Todd),

I just sold my 96" with 454 mpi the boat did fine with the "gassers"

But I will tell you they loved there fuel!! the best I ever got was right at between .50 and .6 mpg at cruise running them between 3600-3800 RPM burning in the neighborhood of 44-48 gallons per hour!!

Even around the dock she handled "ok" just had to bump up the Rpm's a little to about 900 and horse it a little!! otherwise at 650RPMs it took for ever to get the boat to move!!

Good luck in your search, as I now am in the same boat! "looking" "shopping"
 
NB

I'm going to put my '97...3116's.....900 hrs. on the market in the next few weeks. Many upgrades.
I'm in La Conner near Anacortes.
 
mjmason1 said:
My "96" 400DB has the 3116's, but they are 350hp. I find that to be plenty of power. A boat that age check all the intake hoses for cracks. The po had to replace all the engine intake hoses before I would purchase it.
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Check engine intake hoses - Got It, Thanks!

Anyone know if these were the years with the "moisture" problems?

Thank you to everyone else for their replies too!
 
Not sure what you mean about moisture problem. I can say make sure you taking it over to ge fuel dock and put some diesel on it to see if the intake hoses are leaking. Mine are and I wished I had that checked out to make the fix part of the sale.
 
Prosideus said:
Not sure what you mean about moisture problem. I can say make sure you taking it over to ge fuel dock and put some diesel on it to see if the intake hoses are leaking. Mine are and I wished I had that checked out to make the fix part of the sale.
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Oh Sorry, I meant possible moisture problems in the hull...
 
My "96" was surveyed in Nov. The were no moisture spots and no delamination. I don't know if there is a problem with these years, maybe Frank can comment. Just have a good survey done. If there are moisture problems on the boat you are looking at, bargain the price down or walk away.
 
NaughtyDog said:
Oh Sorry, I meant possible moisture problems in the hull...
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Holy cow my cell phone typing stinks....

No moisture on my survey two years ago, and nothing earlier this year when I pulled the boat for installation of electronics. Purposely had a hull survey done and came back clean....


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Well after two months of negotiations, surveys, sea trials, etc., we are now FINALLY the owners of a 2001 Sea Ray 400 Sedan. My dream boat! its been a two year journey and we are pretty excited to be picking up the keys tmrw (sat) and hopefully spending the night on her. I honestly don't think I could of done it without all of the help and information from this site. Club Sea Ray rocks! Thanks to everybody and I look forward to being a contributing member to the forum!


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When the smile settles down, don't forget the photo's.

Congratulations


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Congrats! I'm doing pretty much the same thing - going from a Sundance to a DB. Seems to be a pretty common progression. Looking forward to pictures.

Scott
 
That's great, Darren. Definitely need pictures. Also, from my recent purchase of the same boat/year, if you don't have precise records of aftercooler, transmission cooler and heat exchanger cleaning then get them cleaned as one of your first tasks.

Congratulations!
 
ZZ13 said:
That's great, Darren. Definitely need pictures. Also, from my recent purchase of the same boat/year, if you don't have precise records of aftercooler, transmission cooler and heat exchanger cleaning then get them cleaned as one of your first tasks.

Congratulations!
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Thank You! Actually these were all done as part of the negotiations including the sea water pumps so I can cross them off my immediate list and add them to my scheduled items. I'll also make sure to do the balance of the engine zincs ASAP also. Thanks for the advice though.

I'll work on getting some pics up ASAP!

Any other advice of recommended 'first to do' items from current or previous owners?

BTW its a 2001 400DB with 350hp Cat3126s, ZF220A transmissions, propped at 22x23, Westi 8kw genny, Sidepower bowthruster, single helm, 2stateroom, cherry interior, came with a AB 320VS RIB w/25hp Merc 2stroke (both year 2003) on a Seawise electric Davit. Also has a Freedom 30 inverter. That's about all I can think of in regards to options.




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Dinghy and bow thruster. Excellent. You hit the jackpot. Only other thing I ran into was lots of compromised bonding connectors. I had to fix a bunch of those on strainers and seacocks. But mine is a lifetime saltwater boat so you may not have any issues.
 
Mine saltwater also, purchased Vancouver, BC


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