Let me ask the Buyers a question

ttmott said:
I'd push to a bridge boat. The 400DB's are a great boat; they run good, are straight shaft boats, and are well balanced. Running from the bridge is simply another aspect that is better, much more enjoyable. Having a real cabin above the water is another plus-plus. I miss my 400DA and all of it's simplicity and ease of use but the Sedan Bridge is another massive step up in pleasure. You will find for spending days and nights on a boat that the bridge boats bring a lot to the table in comfort.
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Okay so I’m coming to the realization that our Sundancer isn’t the best option for us. Which sucks because I love the boat.
What are your thoughts on a bridge boat vs an aft cabin? We have been looking at aft cabin since we are somewhat limiting ourselves to something under 45’ due to ease of finding slips in our area. Anything over 45’ pretty much means you’re limited to t-heads at a lot of the local marinas
 
dwna1a said:
So you see a boat you’d like to get eyes on but the boat is in another state, How do you go about this? I can’t fly, I’m scared to death of flying. I get massive panic attacks.
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I flew to Chicago and drove up to northern WI to see and put a deposit on a boat. After winter passed, I drove from Florida to WI and towed it to Vero Beach, FL. I'll go anywhere to buy a cream puff.
 
jmauld said:
Okay so I’m coming to the realization that our Sundancer isn’t the best option for us. Which sucks because I love the boat.
What are your thoughts on a bridge boat vs an aft cabin? We have been looking at aft cabin since we are somewhat limiting ourselves to something under 45’ due to ease of finding slips in our area. Another over 45’ pretty much means you’re limited to t-heads at a lot of the local marinas
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The deck level cockpit and a step out to a large swim platform is the difference that would drive me to a DB. There are a couple of aft cabins on our dock and they seem to struggle a bit getting into their slips - visibility and getting to their aft dock lines. I can single hand my boat but not sure I could on an Aft Cockpit. The only other thing I've heard but not actually worked is access to the rudders and things in the back of the engine room is quite the challenge.
 
Aft Cabins = Steps. To go anywhere there are steps...

My DB has some steps but mostly to the bridge. Couple steps to the galley.
 
I like the interior of an aft cabin, especially the aft cabin, but I don't like how they look or function outside. I don't like climbing up a set of steps to get on to my boat and I don't like being that high up on the water, kind of isolated from everyone at the dock. I like the openness of a cockpit on a sedan and cruiser. I almost feel like I'm indoors when I'm in the back cockpit of an aft cabin boat.
 
Smart man, make the trip, the 400DA w/diesels is a nice boat. Stop trying to talk your self into other boats closer to home ;-) It's a 2.5 hour cruise to the mouth of the Potomac, probably 2-3 hours to the mouth of the James from there, that will be a wonderful cruise.
 
Just looked, the 40 has the same motors
 
Ok so I went yesterday and looked at the 39EC, I just did a walk around. IF I buy it I’ve already seen the first thing that will go, see if you can spot it.
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New bottom paint, tuned props. Stuffing boxes were done. Diesel guys I have a question. There is a good bit of soot but only on one side. Should I be concerned? Remember both motors are from 1988 and passed a survey
 
dwna1a said:
New bottom paint, tuned props. Stuffing boxes were done. Diesel guys I have a question. There is a good bit of soot but only on one side. Should I be concerned? Remember both motors are from 1988 and passed a survey
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Passed who's survey? Get your own.
 
dwna1a said:
New bottom paint, tuned props. Stuffing boxes were done. Diesel guys I have a question. There is a good bit of soot but only on one side. Should I be concerned? Remember both motors are from 1988 and passed a survey
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3208s are known for a lot of soot. Your dockmates will love you ;)
 
All of the 400’s seem to have the 3116. The CAT guys said to stay far away from them.

The survey were done by two folks looking to by. That’s another story. One couldn’t get the funds, the other wanted to ship the boat to the west coast. Both were independent of each other.
 
dwna1a said:
All of the 400’s seem to have the 3116. The CAT guys said to stay far away from them.
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Really? The 3 series engines are one of the most prolific engines made. About every school bus had the 3116....
They are rock solid engines with one electrical device critical to them running. I put over 2500 hours on a pair of 3116's and they surveyed well when I sold the boat.
If the "CAT guy" said to stay away from a specific engine in a specific boat I could buy that but he is full of it to allude as a generic statement. Many of the 3 series engines are getting long in the tooth and are coming due for a major but that is no different than any other, right?
 
Good friend has a 400 with the 3116's. Has had the boat for12 years and the engines have been bullet proof.
 
@fwebster Frank will tell you about the 3116's. Good engines. I have them in my 400DB. Very economical. 22.3GPH @ 2,400 RPM. (max cruise RPM).
 
You need to fire the CAT guy, 3116/3126 are amazing engines. I have the 3126s in mine, absolutely love them.
 
mrsrobinson said:
You need to fire the CAT guy, 3116/3126 are amazing engines. I have the 3126s in mine, absolutely love them.
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Yeah, this. Never had one in a boat. But driven other vehicles with them, and they are bullet proof. My wife's cousin has a business repairing and rebuilding diesels. They specialize in locomotive diesels, but he loves the 3 series CATs.
 
highslice said:
Yeah, this. Never had one in a boat. But driven other vehicles with them, and they are bullet proof. My wife's cousin has a business repairing and rebuilding diesels. They specialize in locomotive diesels, but he loves the 3 series CATs.
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Love my Cat. 3306 engine. Doesn't float well though.
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