Older 460 EC

[Macjeffff]

I'm looking for comments on the late 80's 460 EC with 550HP Detroit Diesel 6V92 engines. There are several on the used market that seem to be in great shape.

It's my understanding that the old 6V92s have the ability to run forrever with proper maintenance. True? Are rebuilds required at 1000 hrs, 2000 hrs or what? Are these old bears incredibly noisy?

I like the look of the boat and the power, with it's higher cruising speed, etc.

I welcome any and all comments. Thanks.

 

[sbw1]

Can't comment on the diesel question but make sure you look at the stringers on the 460. SR used to foam areas between stringers and then cover them up with plywood floors. The area beneath the plywood was chronically wet and rot was a big issue on this model. The floor in the galley is another place to look for rot. Limber holes...same thing.

 

[Macjeffff]

Thanks for the comment.

The one I'm most interested in has new stainless steel engine mounts.

Anyone have any idea how loud those old Detroit Diesels are?

 

[fwebster]

Detroit's are notoriously noisy, smoke a lot and leak oil everywhere, including in the crankcase fumes. If you get good ones, they are dependable but require maintenance. Part of the Detroit maintenance is an in-frame rebuild at about 1600 to 1800 hours, depending upon how well they were serviced and maintained. AN in-frame rebuild on 6v92's usually is new liners, pistons (depending upon the wear found) rings and a valve job. This is more than a few days work and is certainly more than a financial hiccup.

These are 2 stroke engines and while serviceable, with a combustion stroke 2X as often as a 4 stroke diesel, you get 2X the cylinder wear in the same engine hours as a 4 stroke.

They are slower due to the lower engine output, but I'd rather have one with the Cat 3208's than Detroits.

There are also some gotchas on the hull and construction you need to be aware to look for. If a boat has had a leak under the engine room or cabin floor, some rot may exist, but I certainly wouldn't rule out 460EC unless you bored some test holes (part of a survey with the owner's permission, and you'd have to pay to repair the bilge floor.) and physically looked for water under the floor.

Another problem may be exposed and unsealed plywood edges in the cockpit side walls and seat bases. Construction varied by model year, so you are going to have to make that part of your survey as well. It will rot if it gets wet and while its reasonably easy to repair, it gets expensive because Sea Ray is no help on older boats like the 460EC so you will be dealing with a fiberglass or wood working specialist to repair any rot, and you have to tear the cockpit completely apart to do the work.

Inexpensive is not always the most economical route with boats. If I had the hots for a 46' boat a few years old, I'd have to look at a '95-'99 450DA. They have none of the aforementioned problem areas, are 1/2 the age of 460EC's, have Caterpillar or Cummins power, are more modern and represent a real value in today's market. Besides, they have a classic, timeless look and are one of the best 2-3 boats Sea Ray ever built in this category................but, I'm partial; I own one.

 

[Macjeffff]

Thanks for your knowledgeable comments, Frank. I think I'm going to go back to thinking about a late 90's 370 or 400. They're more affordable for me and seem like a safer bet. I really appreciate your expertise!

 

[Big Al]

Besides, they have a classic, timeless look and are one of the best 2-3 boats Sea Ray ever built in this category................but, I'm partial; I own one.

Frank I am interested to know what, in your opinion, are the 2 other best boats Sea ray ever built.

Thank you.

PS: Macjeffff, I recently acquired a 95 SR 370 DA and I am very pleased with it.

 

[Macjeffff]

Thanks, Bigal. The 370 looks like a great boat. What kind of cruising speed to you get, and what kind of engines? I have a need for speed, and so the attendant compromises with larger boats are always a challenge. I'm hoping to be able to cruise at 30 mph at times (longer trips).

I noticed in the Powerboat guide that the 95-99 370s have "fully cored" hulls. I'm surprised. I might accept the hull sides being cored, but having wood in the bottom and stringers seems like a poor choice. Is this typical of larger Sea Rays?

Thanks.

 

[fwebster]

I don't want to offend anyone by leaving their boats out, but my personal favorites are the 450, the '89-'90 390EC, the ''03-'05 500DA, and the '96-2000 370EC. In the smaller sport yachts, the '97-'00 330DA, older '92-'95 330DA's are great, and the mid to late 80's 300EC's and DA's were really well designed boats.

I don't spend much time on smaller boats to coment on them, but I am a fan of the Sundeck series............

 

[PMvdb395DA]

.. the ''03-'05 500DA, .

Mmhh, think about upgrading Frank?

I know for shure that you don't have problems selling your 450 :grin:

Yep nice looks...........

 

[Big Al]

Thank you Frank. I sure would like to verify your opinion on the 500 DA, maybe one day, but chances are I would upgraded to a 450 first.

Macjefff, the 370DA is no speed demon. I have twin 7.4 gas in it and my cruising speed is around 19-20 knts at 3100-3200 rpm. The gas powered 370 DA's are also quite thirsty. I never tried WOT speed. The gas powered 370 DA is well suited for my "relaxed" type of boating (ie: enough room, good design, stable, lot of storage space and very nice looks). If you are looking at 370DA's and want to get more speed out of it maybe you should look for diesel powered ones. I don't know the speed specs, but I would not be surprised that the diesel powered 370 DA's have higher cruising speed.

As for the cored hull, I am not experienced enough to comment other than saying that if it is well done(Sea Ray have good and bad experiences, but they have experiences), I would not worry about it.

 

[Macjeffff]

Thanks, BigAl. I noticed that in 1998 and into '99 the 380 hp Horizons were available. I wonder how much they improved performance (and efficiency) over the previous 310 hp. Does anyone have the 380 hp Horizons?

 

[osd9]

Thanks, BigAl. I noticed that in 1998 and into '99 the 380 hp Horizons were available. I wonder how much they improved performance (and efficiency) over the previous 310 hp. Does anyone have the 380 hp Horizons?

Be carefull with those years as that was kind of when the nasty water ingestion issue really started to raise it's ugly head....Sea Ray/Merc had to replace a ton of engines in that era of 370DA and also made modificiations to the exhaust systems. I spent a lot of time looking to upgrade from my '93 330DA to a 98-99 370DA and ended up in another (newer) 98 330DA becuase at the time the real "fix" hadn't been in place long enough for a good evaluation. A few years later I ended up in my current '02 380DA....

Some of the 370DA owners, even after the fix, continued to have problems and many simply traded out or sold off....probably a few here on this board can offer first hand experience...

My 380DA, with the 8.1s, will cruise very comfortably at 3400RPM, 26 MPH and aprrox. .80 - .85 MPG (Instantaneous)...