Looking at buying a 400 sedan bridge

[annie]

Hi all,

It's been a while since I have been on here as we have a New Zealand built boat at present.

I have had a look through the 400 sedan bridge thread and picked up on heaps of maintenance related info.

We are currently looking at yr2000-2002 400 Sedan bridges in America. They seem to be priced at about 160-180,000 USD for a Cummins (6cta) powered machine.
Can anyone give me a run down on their handling characteristics in different sea states, speeds, mileage etc.

I know this is a loaded question but is twin Cummins 430 hp better than the 350 hp Cats? Does the added Hp help with cruise speeds or do they push water?

We would be looking at deck freighting this to New Zealand so any inside information would be much appreciated.

Thanks Mike

 

[Newman]

I'm sorry that I can't help with your question. I will say that I'm in the planning stages of a trip to NZ and there is a lot to see! Beautiful country and the people that I've met so far (friends of friends) have been great. Good luck with your search for a new vessel.

 

[annie]

I'm sorry that I can't help with your question. I will say that I'm in the planning stages of a trip to NZ and there is a lot to see! Beautiful country and the people that I've met so far (friends of friends) have been great. Good luck with your search for a new vessel.

Hi Newman, thanks for the wishes... If you get to the Marlborough Sounds PM me and if I'm in the middle of the country I'll take you out on the water for the day, show you some sites ..... ><}}}*>

 

[mjmason1]

I can't answer the comparison of engines. I will say that the 3116's 350hp engines move the boat to my satisfaction. You're not going to do 30kts. but you'll save on fuel while doing 19-24kts.

 

[Newman]

Hi Newman, thanks for the wishes... If you get to the Marlborough Sounds PM me and if I'm in the middle of the country I'll take you out on the water for the day, show you some sites ..... ><}}}*>

Sounds like an offer I'd be a fool to refuse! :thumbsup:

 

[annie]

I can't answer the comparison of engines. I will say that the 3116's 350hp engines move the boat to my satisfaction. You're not going to do 30kts. but you'll save on fuel while doing 19-24kts.

Thanks... Good info. Do you have to trim these boats much or is it set up and leave the tabs?

 

[annie]

Ouch.... Just got one shipping quote back at 45,000usd

 

[BritLady]

Sounds like an offer I'd be a fool to refuse! :thumbsup:

Yes you would! Returned in Nov from a wonderful trip to both OZ & NZ and the scenery and people were just so friendly. The Sounds we visited in NZ were just beautiful. Have a good trip when you go!

 

[Mikemapva]

Mike,

Hopefully ZZ13 (Bill) will chime in as he recently purchased a 400 Sedan Bridge. If I'm not mistaken he may have driven both power engines, and he felt he needed more power. I tried to find the thread before posting and didn't have any luck.

Good luck!

 

[ZZ13]

That is correct Mike. Although I trialed the 300hp version of CATS and not the 350hp version. So I can't speak for the 350hp. The 300hp was just not enough for me for long range cruising. It's probably just fine for lake boaters and weekenders. I have heard from several 350hp owners and not one said they could really use more HP. But if you can find the Cummins, then you'll know you got the most engine they put in these models.

Good luck with the search.

 

[mjmason1]

Ouch.... Just got one shipping quote back at 45,000usd

How far of a trip is it? Maybe we should get a group together with a crap load of fuel and deliver it!

 

[my3sons]

Thanks... Good info. Do you have to trim these boats much or is it set up and leave the tabs?

I do not find that I am fooling with the tabs any more than I did with my sundancers. With the DA's I used the tabs to keep the bow down so I could see while climbing up on plane, visibility isn't a problem with a bridge boat, but these are stern heavy, and I still use the tabs to help keep the wake down when climbing up, but it is not necessary to use tabs, as some owners with lesser power have stated, to achieve plane.
Good luck with your search

 

[annie]

That is correct Mike. Although I trialed the 300hp version of CATS and not the 350hp version. So I can't speak for the 350hp. The 300hp was just not enough for me for long range cruising. It's probably just fine for lake boaters and weekenders. I have heard from several 350hp owners and not one said they could really use more HP. But if you can find the Cummins, then you'll know you got the most engine they put in these models.

Good luck with the search.

Thanks Bill, great information. I'll have a search and see if I can find some fuel burn info on the 3116's

 

[annie]

How far of a trip is it? Maybe we should get a group together with a crap load of fuel and deliver it!

Ha ha... Just to the west of Hawaii..... And south a tad lol

 

[annie]

Thank you for your comments so far.

Next question... How long are the beds?
I'm 6'3"

 

[Trinity]

I've got the 450 cummins in our 99 400DB and have owned the boat for 13.5 years
we love them - they are bullet proof

 

[annie]

I've got the 450 cummins in our 99 400DB and have owned the boat for 13.5 years
we love them - they are bullet proof

Now that's a testimonial.... 13.5 years. They must be good

 

[mjmason1]

For the fuel consumption, my 3116's burn a little less than a gal/mile at 2200-2300 rpm. This will change with load and speed. For instance, the boat gets on plane at about 1500rpm. Thats around 13-14 kts. You will save a lot of fuel that way.
I'm 6'2" and i fit the master as well as the guest. I had a hard time finding a boat I could sleep on.