Help - Looking for reviews on the 560

[Jackie J V]

Hi all,
I'm new to this site and am looking for help finding reviews, or receiving comments on the 2001 Sea Ray 560 (sedan bridge). I'm currently looking at a couple of options for 560's powered by CAT 3406e's and would like to hear from current owners. After having searched extensively through google, I have a tough time finding any reviews.

How is the seakeeping ability of the boat? The only review I could find seemed to imply that the boat doesn't handle moderate to heavy seas very well. I'm not planning a reshoot of the perfect storm or anything, however I'd want to make sure that I'm OK if caught off guard on the Great Lakes. The comment just doesn't seem to make sense to me.

How is the power with the 800 HP CAT's? I see later models have 1000HP MANs. Does this imply that 800HP wasn't enough?

Have people generally been satisfied with their ownership?

Any quirks I should look for when inspecting the vessels?

Sorry for the long list, however I'd appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Boatingfool]

Hi Paul,

The 560 is often overlooked, yet an extremely capable yacht. I am not sure what you read concerning the seakeeping ability, but I can tell you that this boat is extremely stable and handles like a sports car - no joke. Altough I've been fortunate enough to only experience 6ft seas, alongside a 57 Viking Sportfish the Viking commented "it looked like you guys were having a smoother ride than us".

I was torn between the 800 Cats and the 1050 Mans. Everyone and their brother online scared the heck out of me concerning reliabily of the MANS. To date I haven't had one problem. The Cats have also proven to be extremely reliable from what I've heard. My only complaint is that in the heat of the summer (90-degrees plus) the boat takes its time to get up on plane. Once up on plane, it cruises effortlessly up to 35/36 knots. She'll cruise easily all day long at 28/29 knots, but she is more economical at a lazy 1,600ish rpm and 23knots (give or take a knot, its been three months sense I've had her out).

The layout is near perfect IMO, and very dog friendly. The Salon will comfortably entertain 10-people if the weather gets bad. I really like, especially with large dogs, how the kitchen is sectioned off. If your technical, the engine room has great access to everything aside from the head filter and rear-most A/C unit.

There's also a ton of storage on the boat and in the stern.

And the helm/bridge is HUGE. Very functional & comfortable, wouldn't make one change!

Feel free to ask any questions you have, I looked at over 20 560's before I made a choice and still know most of the ones listed on Yachtworld.

If you get a good condition 560 you will not be dissapointed.

Hope this helps,

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks Mike. I appreciate your input.

Paul

 

[earthmover17]

I agree with Mike on all points. It's a great Boat that's got a great layouy. As for handling I came out of the Keys across the florida bay in 8 to 10 footers (unexpectedly) and boat was no problem. Although we did have to run 1400 rpms to keep from getting beat to death. I would'nt want to do that with any regularity but when things suddenly change it's nice to know the boat could handle it.
Also the 3406 is a good engine. You must be diligent about checking out the engines though. Run oil samples and get a good mechanic to survey the engines. It gets very costly and time consuming to work on them should there be an issue.
Jack

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks guys. I went to visit the boat today and it looks to be in great shape. Just need to give consideration to pricing and establish certainty that this is the direction we want to take. It's been almost two years since I last looked at getting one of these and had forgotten that it is a really HUGE boat! Do either of you ever back into a slip? If so, any issues?

I especially appreciate the comments on the seakeeping ability of the boat. You don't plan to get into these situations, but you've got to be prepared for the eventuality. I even once found myself in 14 fters, and don't ever want to be there again. It's nice to know how a vessel will handle itself when caught in a bad situation.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[Boatingfool]

Paul,

Great to see you found a clean one, these are huge boats but they are very manageable. What area are you going to boat out of?

With the MAN diesels and 37" of prop pitch the idle speed is 7+knots. So when you put the boat in gear it goes! This took a few times getting used to (my last boat would idle at 4knots), but now that I am used to it I actually prefer it this way.

Concerning the slip, I back into a slip every weekend, its a breeze. You'll find that if the wind is blowing the front bow thruster makes docking very straight forward. The front bow thruster allows you to pivot the rear of the boat wherever you need it.

Visabilty to the front and rear couldn't get any better IMO, you can see everything.

I got really down and dirty on pricing for 560's 1999 to 2003 model year before I found my perfect deal last year. If you want feel free to PM or e-mail me and I can let you know where I found the bottom of the pricing spectrum for the 560.

Hope this helps,
Mike

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks again Mike. I sent you an e-mail about the pricing.

I boat in Georgian Bay (part of Lake Huron) in Ontario, Canada. It is a beautiful boating area, but unfortunately boating is limited to half of the year, and right now is the bad half. During the summer months, conditions can change pretty quickly due to the constant possibility of pop-up thunderstorms and storm squalls, hence the questions about seakeeping capabilities. When I'm out for a couple of weeks, and in remote locations, guaranteed you'll have to deal with adverse conditions from time to time.

Paul

 

[earthmover17]

Bow thrusters who needs bow thrusters. Only kidding I have them and use them only when the wind is horrible. The 560 is a big boat but don't let that intimidate you. It handles very well. As far as backing in you will just have to get it out in an area with some room and play with it. If you have run a twin screw before it should not be an issue.
I personally like the fact about the 560 that we can load up with 8 people take off and spend a week out and be as comfortable as we are at home. If the price is right and the surveys check out I say go for it.
Jack

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks Jack,
I used to pick on guys with bow thrusters...before I got one. Like you, I don't use mine much, however it's sure nice in a pinch.

The length sure looks intimidating right now, but I remember feeling that way when I first stepped up to the helm on my current 45 fter. The current boat is my fourth twin engined, so I'm comfortable on that front. There is also the bonus that this boat that I'm looking at also has a stern thruster. The concern is principally visibility, but I'll figure it out...hopefully.

How does your boat handle with the 3196's? Mike had mentioned that it took a while to plane in hot weather. Any similar issues?

Paul

 

[earthmover17]

I think you wil be amazed with the visibility from the helm. I think a sedan bridge is probably one of the easiest boats to dock as you can see everything. With your experiance with twins you should have minimal problems with a 560.
The only issues I've had when docking is with a hard port or starboard wind. That makes it challenging as sedan bridges have so much side to them they act like sails. But once you get used to what the boat will do it's not that bad.
As for the 3196's they plane out ok for what they are. A lot of people said don't go with them but I did do dilligence in checking them out.
They are only 660 horse but cruise at 22 knots and top at 28. I have found that in the ocean you rarely can run faster than my cruise speed or you get beaten up.
Sea ray built these boats so well I just don't have a lotta problems with things other than regular maintenance.
Once again though check engines and trans. I don't care what engine it is small lacks of maintenance can result in huge $'s and time.
Let us know how you do.
Jack

 

[Jackie J V]

I have another question gentlemen.

Apparently the 560 has a balsa-cored hull. There may have been a problem with through hull fittings allowing water to seep into the core (which would be a problem). For 2002 and beyond, they apparently cut the balso back from the through-hulls and sealed with epoxy to better protect against water incursion.

Are you familiar with this? Have you seen significant problems with this water seepage issue?

Paul

 

[Four Suns]

You can call the Sea Ray support line (well... you used to be able to) and they will give you the skinny on the changes. On the 480 DB, there were a lot of changes in this area for the 2003 model year and later (which came out in 2002). Someone on this board even posted the hull number when the changes were made on the 480 DB. He got the info from Sea Ray.

 

[earthmover17]

I personally have had no problems with any seepage on my through hulls, fiberglass is rock solid. Bottom line a survey would pick this up.
It seems that when you start looking to buy and if you do enough research you can dig deep enough to find all kinds of stuff wrong with what you are trying to buy. Bad news travels a lot faster (99%) than good news.
If you like the boat do the surveys and you will either buy or pass.
Jack

 

[dgrumm]

My 400DB had moisture in the balsa from a port light. Yes, Sea Ray did fix it by making the hull side solid where holes were going to be cut. I think the SR guys working on my boat said it was fixed around 2003.
Sea Ray backed me up with my boat and is finishing her up as we speak!! Not bad for a boat way out of warranty.

 

[Boatingfool]

Paul,

Haven't had or hear any problems on a 560 with the through-hulls.

Mike

 

[Jackie J V]

Thanks guys. This is very helpful.

Jack, you're right that if you look hard enough, you'll always find something wrong with any boat. I just wanted to leverage your experience to determine how extensive the problem might be, given that this is a pretty serious thing when encountered. I feel more comfortable with your comments. And I certainly plan to get a survey done!

I am continuing my odessy looking for a 560. I have three that are on my shortlist and I'll probably end up closing a deal on one of them over the next month or so. I visited one of them last weekend. I am heading too Michigan to have a look at another on Sunday and the third will be scheduled in the near future...it'll require a flight.

Thanks again for your help.
Paul

 

[Jaws]

Paul,

With respect to the balsa coring in hullsides, check with someone who knows at Sea Ray and it may take a bit of digging to get the correct answers. When I did my research on 460DA and 480DB models, balsa was deleted sometime during the 2001 production run I believe. It may not make any difference but on a few boats there was some water intrusion around port lights and S.R. was initially very good about correcting this.

You will also want to check the hull construction and again, there may be some coring that is done for very specific reasons. Thru hull and transducer areas are usually done in solid 'glass. It may be the "third person" at customer service that finally puts it together for you on a particular H.I.N.

Good luck in Michigan. There is one other 560DB available at our marina that I did not mention in my P.M. to you and it's a 2003 model to go along with the '02 and '04.

James

 

[Jackie J V]

I'm getting close...

 

[Pozzo]

It is good to see someone else from my neck of the woods, I'm out of Grand bend.
I have a friend that has a boat for sale in Georgan Bay, Penetanguishene
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988/Californian-Cockpit-Motoryacht-1413721/Georgian-Bay/Canada it is 55'. He bought it to do the loop and now that he is back wants a smaller boat. He also has a 1997 55' sea ray in the Bahamas that may be for sale soon ( they enjoyed the Bahamas so much they bought a boat for down there also ) now they want a bigger for the south. Interested in doing half the loop? Buy the Californian and he'll probably throw in 2 weeks in the Bahamas.
Last month we were fishing in 6' for 3 hours in the sea ray, it does handle beautifully. It has twin 3406 cats and they do purr. Beautiful boat.

 

[dgrumm]

Where will you call home in Georgian Bay? We are moving there in August, and will probably end up in 12 Mile Bay. I am also considering South Bay Cove, Bayport, and Doral. Any advice is welcome.