QSC-600's

BOB TYSON

Active Member
Oct 5, 2017
295
Kansas City
Boat Info
2005 460 Sundancer (SOLD)
Engines
Boatless
The boat model i'm fond of (this month) was built with only QSC-600's. I've been reading about the potential reliability issues of these engines compared with other Cummins engines. The old adage of pushing more HP out of similar size engines is often mentioned. I would appreciate owners comments on their experience
with this model engine?
Thanks!
 
I can't speak for boat applications, but will say that I regularly work on these engines in forestry/construction equipment. In these applications they are only rated at 260-300hp and run at a 30-50% duty cycle at that hp. Just thought I would add that as it may influence your decision as to what your boating expectations may be. 300-400hp with those duty cycles for QSL9 and 4-500 for the M11's. Lots of ponies for an 8.3.
 
I can't speak for boat applications, but will say that I regularly work on these engines in forestry/construction equipment. In these applications they are only rated at 260-300hp and run at a 30-50% duty cycle at that hp. Just thought I would add that as it may influence your decision as to what your boating expectations may be. 300-400hp with those duty cycles for QSL9 and 4-500 for the M11's. Lots of ponies for an 8.3.
Thanks Thorton69. Thats what I thought.
 
Selecting a boat means the total package.

It's not like you pick the boat, then select the engines. The manufacturer has already done the pairing of engines to the boat.

When we were looking at our most recent purchase I divided power into 3 categories:

A: My favorite engines

B: Those that were not my favorite but I could live with

C: Engines that were not considered.

Before this boat we had a 47DB. Loved the boat. The only engines that are available on that boat are QSC600's.

After owning and operating QSC600's, I put them in category B. Not my favorite due to some of the items listed, but if the boat (layout, etc.) was something that had strong alignment to our requirements, I would buy a boat with QSC600's again.

# 1 factor is how the engines have been maintained.

Mark
 
Hi Mark,
Yes, the 47 DB is our favorite now although it will be a bit befote we pull the trigger. Anything you can add about the boat and what to look or look out for is appreciated.
Bob
 
Have you been on one yet? That's the first question.

People tend to fall into two camps: Really love the layout or really do not like the layout, not much in between.

We love the layout, so worked for us.

Overall I think it is a great boat. We decided we wanted something in the 60' range.

Never saw a 3 stateroom configuration though it is listed on the spec sheets as an option (when shopping I traveled and was probably on 8 or 9 different 47DB's). Not sure I would want a 3 stateroom 47DB. At that size it does 2 state rooms very well.

We loved the aft galley with the window opening up into the cockpit.

Rode well, not stern heavy with a RIB on the back. There were a couple of times we were in fairly significant seas.

I think it would be hard to find one that was not fully loaded. That was the concept of the boat, they put everything they could think of in the base model. Power conditioning, inverter, all chain rode, interior finish out, etc. Very few options compared to other SR's of the time period.

@Zach312 who is on this forum currently has one. He may chime in about his experience with the boat.
 
Have not been on one yet. We originally thought the 48 Dancer was the boat for us. Toured a few and were impressed. We went to the Maimi show again this year. Got the hard sell on the Regal 42 fly but didnt bite. However, being up on the bridge made us rethink our interest in only sundancer type boats. Came home and cruised the net and came accross the 470 DB and really liked the layout. I can definetly see morning coffees up on the bridge with the ability to see over many of the other boats in the dock. In addition, the room below is remarkable. Boattrader only has 4 on the site, currently. Looks as if the production run was small due to the recession. Good for current owners as supply keeps prices up. Thanks for your input!
 
Get on a 47DB and a 50-52 ft DB. Very different, see which layout you prefer.
 
Have not been on one yet. We originally thought the 48 Dancer was the boat for us. Toured a few and were impressed. We went to the Maimi show again this year. Got the hard sell on the Regal 42 fly but didnt bite. However, being up on the bridge made us rethink our interest in only sundancer type boats. Came home and cruised the net and came accross the 470 DB and really liked the layout. I can definetly see morning coffees up on the bridge with the ability to see over many of the other boats in the dock. In addition, the room below is remarkable. Boattrader only has 4 on the site, currently. Looks as if the production run was small due to the recession. Good for current owners as supply keeps prices up. Thanks for your input!

Bob,
We looked long and hard for a 48 sundancer that fit our very picky criteria. (we are fresh water boaters after all) We sort of got pushed into looking at the 47 sedan by the broker we had been working with. It has been a great choice, we happened to love the lay out especially the full beam master and aft galley. I would highly suggest finding a boat with the dresser option in the master state room as it provides significantly more storage than the bench option. I would stay away from the TV that raises from the counter in the galley, again for us this took away from storage. Also some models have a grill on the bridge in my opinion this was a very poor location. At the time of our purchase we looked at two of the 47's currently available and passed on both for some of the above reasons.

I agree with Mark's comments, I don't even notice the RIB and the boat handles around the dock with ease and we don't have a stern thruster.

Ours is currently for sale as potential job changes have my wife and I looking into a multitude of boating options including doing the great loop in the next few years.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. If your curious on cost you may expect to update concertina systems I have most of that laid out in our boat trader ad. We updated/rebuilt/serviced all systems when we purchased the boat. It adds a significant cost.

Boat shopping can be a fun but painful experience(as was for us) as few people keep a boat to the standards my wife and I expect.

Good luck!
 
I guess I never addressed the engine question.

I 100% agree with Mark on this one. Man would I have loved Man 800's or QSM-11's in this boat but it just wasn't an option. With that being said I would purchase this boat again. I fall into category B below. Maintenance is a bigger factory for me to consider. For example we purchased a fresh water boat with 250 hours on the engines with full documented service history going back to the boats 'in service' date. That along with proper engine survey had me feeling much better about the purchase.

We also don't run long hours at high rpm. Most of our boating is cocktail cruising. We do a few trips down river each year that we will run at cruise speed for an hour or two but try to mix in some hull cruising speed and enjoy the river as it passes.

Selecting a boat means the total package.

It's not like you pick the boat, then select the engines. The manufacturer has already done the pairing of engines to the boat.

When we were looking at our most recent purchase I divided power into 3 categories:

A: My favorite engines

B: Those that were not my favorite but I could live with

C: Engines that were not considered.

Before this boat we had a 47DB. Loved the boat. The only engines that are available on that boat are QSC600's.

After owning and operating QSC600's, I put them in category B. Not my favorite due to some of the items listed, but if the boat (layout, etc.) was something that had strong alignment to our requirements, I would buy a boat with QSC600's again.

# 1 factor is how the engines have been maintained.

Mark
 
Zach & Mark, I agree about the boat shopping experence. I was amazed at the poor condition of severel boats that we have been on, given how impactful first impressions can be. The 50-55 SB's present an interesting alternative and they add to the universe of potential boats to choose from. They offer different hull designs, straight shafts vs v-drives, engine models and certainly the interior designs and room.
 
and make sure you let me know which one you finally decide on too, Bob...a lot of tremendous help on this thread. I see this boat buying project lasting a few months but you will find the one. And with the experts above helping, you can't go wrong.

Rusty
 
Hi Rusty! Good to hear from you! Mary and I hope all is well with you and your family. You are right about this site, so much great information. I have learned so much from so many.
Thanks for keeping in touch,
Bob
 
Selecting a boat means the total package.

It's not like you pick the boat, then select the engines. The manufacturer has already done the pairing of engines to the boat.

When we were looking at our most recent purchase I divided power into 3 categories:

A: My favorite engines

B: Those that were not my favorite but I could live with

C: Engines that were not considered.

Before this boat we had a 47DB. Loved the boat. The only engines that are available on that boat are QSC600's.

After owning and operating QSC600's, I put them in category B. Not my favorite due to some of the items listed, but if the boat (layout, etc.) was something that had strong alignment to our requirements, I would buy a boat with QSC600's again.

# 1 factor is how the engines have been maintained.

Mark

+1!

Exactly how I see it as far as the A, B, and C above.

Bennett
 

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