Looking for knowledge and opinions on a 400DB

[Alex F]

Almost all transoms are cored... even yours.

Wow, I just learned something new...

Are there several other models that have the platform sitting too low to the water having the bolts in the water or is 400DB among the unique exception?

 

[quality time]

CAT powered 380, the bottom bolts are right at or below the waterline depending on loading.

 

[HUMPH]

In regards to the engines it seams like all 3 should work fine and CATs might be even beter choise due to the economy. I'm currently cruising at 21-23kts burnig 24-26gph. If I can cruise at 20-22kts in 400 and burn 22gph I'll be a happy camper. I love cruising, so if I get to my destination a bit later I'm ok with it.

It seams like I have to live with the fact that hydraulic lift and 400DB are not made for each other. I'll have to determine if this is a show stopper for me or not. But, let me ask you guys would this setup be a solution to the problem?

Are these cranes good product or they have issue?

One thing I see as a problem is the huge mount in the middle of the sundeck, which is in the way of the sunpads. So, it fixes the dinghy wight issue, but adds another. Is there any other issues that this setup might create?

I rafted next to a boat just like this over the weekend. He loves the boat, does not like to run with the dink on the top as he doesn't want to look at it (it is a center console with a 30HP OB) but it does run better than if it is on his hydraulic SP. They are great boats and in our area I talked to a couple of people with 8.1HP's and they say they are more than adequate for delta boating just not for bluewater trips. There are a number available in my area and if I had the ability to pull the trigger right now I probably would.

 

[Four Suns]

Deleted.

 

[dpmulvey]

Can't speak to the boat other than the fact it is very nice looking. I can speak to a good survey/surveyor.

The following is from another site. The surveyor is from NY. He is top notch. He does a lot of his work in the commercial side. I don't know if he has ever done a megayacht. This is one of his toys that he uses in addition to the hammer to check for moisture. He surveyed a 330 for me. The seller would not come down to the surveyors value, so I passed. The seller sold it two months later for the surveyors value.
=====================================
I have some great thermals i would like to share with the forum. They have all been taken by me with my imager.

Just a heads up. With the cold weather the way it is, moisture shows up on thermal images like a sore thumb. The time to check is while the boats are out.

 

[fc3]

Gary's not the only guy who can squirt lighter fluid on a fire.

From October, 2002
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[Alex F]

............You just have to make sure if the thing was installed outside of the Sea Ray factory, that it was done correctly. If it was done at the factory, I would assume Sea Ray is going to stand behind it (but who knows). This kind of stuff scares me:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35841

Most people don't realize that their transom has coring in it and you see them drill all kinds of crap in it for lights and wires and screws and bolts and think they can just goop it up with caulking or 5200 and all is well... it isn't... Any hole in the transom has to be sealed with epoxy/glass and then you can goop it up for the bolts... but hey... if it doesn't leak right away, it MUST BE OK!!!!
........
Keep screws and bolts and holes away from the transom unless it's a person or yard that is doing it correctly.

It seams like the heavy water toys might creat a lot more problems and become a huge nighmare vs. the fun they provide. I don't want to spend a fortune, so it sounds like I'm better off with lighter version of a RIB that can be pulled on the swim platform using smoe kind of davits.

.... You may want to call Sea Ray and see if there is something similar for the 400 DB. I think the 400 DB was made in the same plant as the 480 DB (I could be wrong though) so a change in one would probably mean a change in all of them.
....

I emailed SR yesterday and hope they'll answer eventually.

 

[SR400DB]

This is what I use with an Avon 9' rib and a 6 hp merc (4 stroke). Works pretty well, can be done with one person, easier with two:

I also looked at multiple crane and platform options, but in the end stuck with this davit. There are others out there so look around. I know of several with the Roskelley Olson transom fork in so cal, they work very well and are easy to deal with.

 

[Alex F]

That's very interesting setup. Looks like the ramps can come off when dinghy is not needed.

I was really hoping that with the move to a 44' boat I don't have to worry about extra weight in the stern and will be able to have a very cool dink or PWC. I guess my imagination of 40+ers was wrong, at least in Sedan Bridge category. From all the feedback I'm getting here it comes down to the same principals I applied to my 320DA, keep the numer of drilled wholes and weight in the stern to minimum.

I got an interesting link form another CSR friend on SR cored hulls: http://www.yachtsurvey.com/searay_balsa_core_bottoms.htm

The good thing is that this article was written in 2001 and it appears that SR changed something in 2002. So, I hope that the innformation Gary had from SR doesn't just apply to 480DBs, but other models as well.

I guess, something like this solves the issue with drilling wholes under the water line, but I think that the weight issue will still exist:

 

[SR400DB]

I spoke with someone at SR several years ago, they stated the same things Gary has said. I don't know if it's true or not. I do use a moisture meter and an IR camera when my boat is out of the water, just to monitor it. The coring really is not too much of a concern for me any more.

I do know of two 400db's out here that came from the factory with a hyd lift (there are probably more, just two I have seen) they haul pwc's around all the time so it is possible. If you really want this model and a lift, just keep looking, I am sure some are out there and will be on the market from time to time.

My dinghy cradle does come off with two quick release pins and frees up the platform fairly well.

 

[Alex F]

I spoke with someone at SR several years ago, they stated the same things Gary has said. I don't know if it's true or not....

I hope it's true. May be someone will chime in with more info. If I hear any offical response from SR I'll post as well.

At this point it sounds like it's safer to shop for 2002 or newer with the hope that those boats have less risk of having an issue after all the scandals that reached the media in 2001. But, being more on a realistic side, there are tons of boats prior to 2002 and do just fine. At least I know that moisture test is one of the most critical items on these boats.

.....I do use a moisture meter and an IR camera when my boat is out of the water, just to monitor it. The coring really is not too much of a concern for me any more. ....

Sounds like a great idea to have the tool and monitor periodically.

..... If you really want this model and a lift, just keep looking, I am sure some are out there and will be on the market from time to time....

I do see them with the lifts on the market. However, I no longer think "wow...great, it's got the lift I wanted...". At this point I'm not sure if it's good thing or bad thing to have the lift with all the wholes under the water line with the cored hull.

 

[Alex F]

Got the official word from SR on balsa cored hulls:

"All of the 1999 - 2002 400 Sedan Bridges have balsa core in the hull bottoms. 400 Sedan Bridges prior to 2001 models have balsa core in the hull sides. 400 Sedan Bridges after 2001 models do not have balsa core in the hull sides. Early 2001 model 400 Sedan Bridges have balsa core in the hull sides and later 2001 model 400 Sedan Bridges do not.
The use of balsa core is a very sound design and we still utilize this type of construction technique in many of our models. The down side of the balsa core is it can be affected by moisture intrusion. Under normal conditions, the core should not be exposed to moisture. However, if a seal or the outer fiberglass skin is compromised, the core could be exposed to the affects of moisture.
With the use of a hand held surface moisture meter, a good surveyor should be able to evaluate moisture levels of a balsa cored area. "

 

[Alex F]

In case if anyone is still following this thread I got some additional clarification from SR:

"The construction of the hull sides of the 400DB changed during the 2001 model year. Early 2001 model 400 Sedan Bridges have balsa core in the hull sides and later 2001 model 400 Sedan Bridges do not.

The use of or elimination of balsa core in the hull sides of a 400DB would be a minimal weight difference. Therefore the published weight specification was not changed.

The 2004/2005 420 Sedan Bridge does not have any balsa core in the hull sides or hull bottom."

 

[320Bob]

So, are you now considering only later vintage 2001 400DBs without cored hulls?

 

[Alex F]

That would be a huge plus. The problem is that some 2001s, 2002 and newer 400DBs are priced way too high. I'm keeping my options open.

 

[rondds]

Alex, did the 400DB evolve into the 420DB and later the 44DB? Meaning, are the layouts and LOAs/Beams around the same?

 

[Alex F]

Alex, did the 400DB evolve into the 420DB and later the 44DB? Meaning, are the layouts and LOAs/Beams around the same?

In general terms, yes. Obviously, design, power packages, electronics and (now I've learned) the hull construction is different. But if you're looking from realestate point of view it's almost the same boat.

 

[Vince_nj1]

The model changed considerably from a 2002 400 DB to a 2003 420. But the 420/440 now 450? are the same. The 420 was redesinged and the swim platform became molded in, while the 400 had a bolt on.

400:

420:

440 DB:

 

[rcknecht]

In general terms, yes. Obviously, design, power packages, electronics and (now I've learned) the hull construction is different. But if you're looking from realestate point of view it's almost the same boat.

And they all evolved from Ron's 340 DB... It is kind of like the Adam of the modern Sedan Bridge...

 

[Vince_nj1]

I found a good example of one that might have some moisture issues: :grin: