The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

[Jack O'Brien]

I clean the baskets, and glass at least once a month. After I remove the basket I use a shop vac, and pump out an inch or two of water and pour in some Simple Green then agitate it with a brush, quickly brush the sides, and prime if needed.

-Tom

Perfect! Simple Green, great idea.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Perfect! Simple Green, great idea.

I visually check all of sea strainers to make sure they are clear before we leave the slip. I clean the strainers and the glass quarterly like TNT8808 with Simple Green and a brush. To remind me of maintenance dates and hours on systems in the engine room (including the strainers) I picked up a little Brother label maker. I also keep a log, but the labels I find keep me on my toes to make sure everything is addressed.

 

[ScubaChuck]

I remember when the Disney boat at issue was listed in the late winter or early spring of last year. I would say there were 7 or 8 450EBs for sale at the time which seems to be the norm. The Disney boat was priced at $225k…..

Speaking of the Disney boat, I actually own the 2001 Disney boat. It’s on the St Croix River in Minnesota where it’s been it’s whole life.

 

[ScubaChuck]

Hi folks. New here. I have a 2001 450 EB. I’m trying to put a cockpit refrigerator in. It came with an ice maker out of the factory. When I bought the boat, no appliance was in that spot. Has anyone replaced this unit? If so, with what? Trying to take advantage of someone else’s research so I don’t have to do a bunch of measuring and research (at least I hope to avoid this). Any feedback is very welcomed. Thanks so much.

 

[Forrestkk]

Hi folks. New here. I have a 2001 450 EB. I’m trying to put a cockpit refrigerator in. It came with an ice maker out of the factory. When I bought the boat, no appliance was in that spot. Has anyone replaced this unit? If so, with what? Trying to take advantage of someone else’s research so I don’t have to do a bunch of measuring and research (at least I hope to avoid this). Any feedback is very welcomed. Thanks so much.

Hi Chuck,

I have a Uline ice maker on the bridge and have pulled and re-installed it to do some work.

Not sure on a fridge, but my icemaker is AC only, which I don't think is a good option. If you are on the hook and not running the generator it's not cooling. If I replace mine, it will be an AC/DC model as there are two big battery busses under the helm to hook into. I agree, a fridge is better than an ice maker with yeti type cups and can holders. Even in Florida drinks stay cool in the dead of summer.

Would love to see pics of your boat.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Speaking of the Disney boat, I actually own the 2001 Disney boat. It’s on the St Croix River in Minnesota where it’s been it’s whole life.

Hey Chuck,
So is the story with your boat the same as the other Disney boats? Once she finished her duties in Orlando was she sent back to the Palm Coast plant and refurbished before heading to Minnesota?

 

[Shoyrtt]

Hi folks. New here. I have a 2001 450 EB. I’m trying to put a cockpit refrigerator in. It came with an ice maker out of the factory. When I bought the boat, no appliance was in that spot. Has anyone replaced this unit? If so, with what? Trying to take advantage of someone else’s research so I don’t have to do a bunch of measuring and research (at least I hope to avoid this). Any feedback is very welcomed. Thanks so much.

Hi Chuck,

I have a Uline ice maker in the cockpit and have pulled and re-installed it to do some work.

Not sure on a fridge, but my icemaker is AC only, which I don't think is a good option. If you are on the hook and not running the generator it's not cooling. If I replace mine, it will be an AC/DC model as there are two big battery busses under the helm to hook into. I agree, a fridge is better than an ice maker with yeti type cups and can holders. Even in Florida drinks stay cool in the dead of summer.

Would love to see pics of your boat.

I’m guessing you both are talking about the space on the helm on the flybridge where the factory fridge or ice maker goes? I have never seen a 450 EB with appliances in the cockpit.

Our boat did not have anything on the flybridge/helm when we bought it. I put a Uline ice maker in the hole that fit perfectly. It is AC only so I have an inverter under the helm that is powered by the battery buss. I did this before my big inverter/lithium battery swap in the engine room. I could probably get rid of the inverter on the helm, but the same AC circuit that powers the outlet under the helm also powers the outlet in the port side cabinet in the cockpit. That port side outlet powers my Traeger grill that is too big of a draw for an inverter. Sorry about the long answer.

 

[Forrestkk]

I’m guessing you both are talking about the space on the helm on the flybridge where the factory fridge or ice maker goes? I have never seen a 450 EB with appliances in the cockpit.

Our boat did not have anything on the flybridge/helm when we bought it. I put a Uline ice maker in the hole that fit perfectly. It is AC only so I have an inverter under the helm that is powered by the battery buss. I did this before my big inverter/lithium battery swap in the engine room. I could probably get rid of the inverter on the helm, but the same AC circuit that powers the outlet under the helm also powers the outlet in the port side cabinet in the cockpit. That port side outlet powers my Traeger grill that is too big of a draw for an inverter. Sorry about the long answer.
View attachment 123816

Never even thought of an electric grill!

I had been looking at Bunker Up Fishing' Grill and Magma.

I am now probably going with this baby right here - https://www.lowes.com/pd/GrillPro-GrillPro-Electric-Table-Top-Grill/1003259690

Will probably buy this rod mount and do a little mod - https://citimarinestore.com/en/kuum...uuma-60-176-rod-holder-grill-mount-58180.html

 

[Forrestkk]

LOVE MY BOAT, but it leaks a lot

Had some intense rains here today and discovered another leak missed by my surveyor.

Looks like both windshields leak, starboard worse than port. Maybe it isn't normally enough to show on the fiber glass up top, but today I had a puddle starboard and the boards for the dinette bed were damp externally.

When I touched the starboard trim it disintegrated so it has obviously been happening for awhile. Beginning to think my previous owner didn't know how to fix, or didn't want to fix these leaks, so he sold it and my surveyor wasn't thorough enough.

Anyone ever reseal these things???

Starboard

Port

 

[Jack O'Brien]

LOVE MY BOAT, but it leaks a lot

Had some intense rains here today and discovered another leak missed by my surveyor.

Looks like both windshields leak, starboard worse than port. Maybe it isn't normally enough to show on the fiber glass up top, but today I had a puddle starboard and the boards for the dinette bed were damp externally.

When I touched the starboard trim it disintegrated so it has obviously been happening for awhile. Beginning to think my previous owner didn't know how to fix, or didn't want to fix these leaks, so he sold it and my surveyor wasn't thorough enough.

Anyone ever reseal these things???

Starboard
View attachment 123858

Port
View attachment 123859

Mine appear very similar. Thought the condensation was creating some black mold. Not awful yet, no puddling visible, not coming apart far as I can tell. Trying to keep it clean is a challenge just to climb up to reach. I wonder if clear silicone could help, applied to the external trim seams. Could be tricky to make as tiny a bead as possible. Removing and resealing sounds like very painful project.

 

[Forrestkk]

Mine appear very similar. Thought the condensation was creating some black mold. Not awful yet, no puddling visible, not coming apart far as I can tell. Trying to keep it clean is a challenge just to climb up to reach. I wonder if clear silicone could help, applied to the external trim seams. Could be tricky to make as tiny a bead as possible. Removing and resealing sounds like very painful project.

I though about clear from the outside, but that often goes poorly as it looks funny after application.

I think if I went the silicon route I would use uv stable black sikaflex 295.

Probably tape off the glass and the metal trim and run the sika into all the seams and press in with a trim tool and then a skim coat over the rest of the gasket.

I can't imagine finding the actual gaskets is a possibility.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Mine appear very similar. Thought the condensation was creating some black mold. Not awful yet, no puddling visible, not coming apart far as I can tell. Trying to keep it clean is a challenge just to climb up to reach. I wonder if clear silicone could help, applied to the external trim seams. Could be tricky to make as tiny a bead as possible. Removing and resealing sounds like very painful project.

I do have one slight cabin leak onto the pillows of the forward sr when torrential. Cannot figure origin but covered my windlass, seemed to correct it. Speaking of windlass chain hold, pulled all the chain out & found the scuppers for the hold packed with debris and hold itself a giant mess. So, I inherited someone's neglect and got it all cleaned out. When pulling anchor, I run the wash-down hose onto the chain during hoisting. I also had to replace the foot pedal caps that were busted.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

I though about clear from the outside, buy that often goes poorly as it looks funny after application.

I think if I went the silicon route I would use uv stable black sikaflex 295.

Probably tape off the glass and the metal trim and run the sika into all the seams and press in with a trim tool and then a skim coat over the rest of the gasket.

I can't imagine finding the actual gaskets is a possibility.

Good approach to avoid replacing the seals. If me, I would go that route first. But correct, silicone can end up a poor appearance but there again, taping and using black is a good tactic.

 

[Forrestkk]

I do have one slight cabin leak onto the pillows of the forward sr when torrential. Cannot figure origin but covered my windlass, seemed to correct it. Speaking of windlass chain hold, pulled all the chain out & found the scuppers for the hold packed with debris and hold itself a giant mess. So, I inherited someone's neglect and got it all cleaned out. When pulling anchor, I run the wash-down hose onto the chain during hoisting. I also had to replace the foot pedal caps that were busted.

Have you checked your anchor locker door. I had to re-bed mine after I pulled the door and the wood core was rotted.

Scraped it out, filled with Total Boat Pentrating epoxy, used filler to smooth and used 4000 on the door going back in.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Have you checked your anchor locker door. I had to re-bed mine after I pulled the door and the wood core was rotted.

Scraped it out, filled with Total Boat Pentrating epoxy, used filler to smooth and used 4000 on the door going back in.

Thanks! Should inspect that cabinet door more thoroughly. Probably the culprit as you suggest.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Thanks! Should inspect that cabinet door more thoroughly. Probably the culprit as you suggest.

Must be my imagination that a cover over the windlass helped. Besides, water entry there goes into the anchor hold. Here kicking myself not looking closely at that door to the hold.

 

[Forrestkk]

Must be my imagination that a cover over the windlass helped. Besides, water entry there goes into the anchor hold. Here kicking myself not looking closely at that door to the hold.

Not impossible that it is getting in a bolt hole at the windless and then staying inside the hull and running down through the door, or a combination of the two.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Not impossible that it is getting in a bolt hole at the windless and then staying inside the hull and running down through the door, or a combination of the two.

Yep. Water finds it way in. Have to also look at my drains under the bridge steps and figure out if port bulkhead bilge area water came from my missing vent, now fixed, or that floor beneath the battery switches. Must be a drain scupper in there? Already replaced caulk around the bottom where steps meet the cockpit floor.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Never even thought of an electric grill!

I had been looking at Bunker Up Fishing' Grill and Magma.

I am now probably going with this baby right here - https://www.lowes.com/pd/GrillPro-GrillPro-Electric-Table-Top-Grill/1003259690

Will probably buy this rod mount and do a little mod - https://citimarinestore.com/en/kuum...uuma-60-176-rod-holder-grill-mount-58180.html

I used the Magma rod mount and an industrial sized cutting board to place the Traeger Ranger on. The pellet grills just do an amazing job cooking and smoking everything IMO. We had a brand new Magma grill (still in the box) that came with the boat. It was horrible. I gave it away to a friend and warned him it was junk.

 

[Forrestkk]

Yep. Water finds it way in. Have to also look at my drains under the bridge steps and figure out if port bulkhead bilge area water came from my missing vent, now fixed, or that floor beneath the battery switches. Must be a drain scupper in there? Already replaced caulk around the bottom where steps meet the cockpit floor.

So, my steps don't have a drain and there are aluminum brackets to support them and there seems to be an intentional gap to let water flow out from under the steps. Or, mine is screwed up.