The Smell of Diesel exhaust in the morning...

Mike-
I think you'll be surprised at how quickly you get a very accurate "feel" for where the boat ends, both fore and aft, and you won't need that second set of eyes (although it's always nice to have). Think about it... you can't see where your car ends, but you can parallel park, right? It's the same thing. It will come with time.

Awesome stuff!
 
Frank W.....................how many 450DA sales are you now responsible for? :smt001

Mike..........sounds like a wonderful boat and hope you will enjoy it for many years to come.

Dave
 
Mike,
The next thing you are going to fall in love with is how you can keep that big girl on plane down to 13-14 knots. This is a lifesaver in really steep, nasty chop. By staying on plane at lower speed you can dramatically soften the ride and not hurt the boat by pounding through the slop--all the while maintaining good visibility forward because the bow is not climbing as you fall off plane. I'll occasionally use my tabs to lower the bow in this sort of water, but it is not really necessary.

I have found it is far easier getting the 420DA in and out of the slip, especially with a cross wind, than it was the 260DA with BIII. Many people do not believe that--but once you get used to the size of the boat, the maneuverability with the diesels makes close quarters handling a snap.

You done good.
 
The trick is to think way ahead of the boat.........anticipate rather than react to the influences of nature, i.e. tides, current and wind, and , of course, the marina jackass who cannot understand what a no wake zone is.
 
Dave S said:
Frank W.....................how many 450DA sales are you now responsible for? :smt001

Mike..........sounds like a wonderful boat and hope you will enjoy it for many years to come.

Dave
Click to expand...

This is a good question. My guess is that FW is responsible for every single 450DA user on this site in one form or another. It's his unequaled knowledge of the boat and his generosity in giving that knowledge.

While I knew about the 450, I never really considered it due to it's size and it's age. When I started to change my cruising habits and pushed the limits of the 280, I began looking at all kinds of boats. Never once did the 450 come to mind 2+ years ago. It wasn't until Dave introduced me to his 450 in Greenport 2 summers ago that I really set foot on one. Needless to say that when you get on a nice late 90's sea ray that is taken care of, you begin to consider one as a "move up". That year and the year after I was privileged to be on Dave's 450 many times and every single time it impressed me on it's great build, layout, and economy. So Dave is really the one that "sold" me on the 450DA, but it was Frank that helped me sift through, learn about, and put together a purchase of one.

Here's another BIG important piece of info that FW gave me in the "heat of the moment". He said "Make sure everyone walks away from the deal happy". It's easy to feel compelled to bend someone over so far in this economy that you leave a really really bad taste in the sellers mouth. during the negotiations back and forth and after the surveys and getting a list of little things that need to or should be fixed, that bit of advice stuck in my head over and over. At the end of the day, not only was I thrilled with the deal I got, but the seller was thrilled with how the deal went down and that I didn't bend him till he broke. It's not cause I didn't negotiate because I did, It's not that I didn't ask for things to be done cause I did, but I was respectful and we BOTH went through the list and BOTH decided who was going to do what. As a result, the seller is my biggest allie and cheerleader in my new boat. He stops by the boat pretty much every day and checks the lines and texts me a pic. After I leave the boat, he stops by and checks the systems and makes sure i have everything set right on the panels. We communicate every day on what this is, how does that work, where to get one of those.

I can't tell you how important it is to have the seller on your side at the end of the day. That relationship is worth FAR more than a couple more grand I could have put in my pocket during the deal. I would say just in the 3 weeks I've officially owned the boat, I've saved 10 times that with his help and time. It also makes the whole process an unbelievably great time. Everyone in South Florida knows who I am, I cruise down the ICW and people get on the radio and say "Hey, you're the guy that bought Ed's boat. He told us all about you and thinks you're great. Let us know if you need anything while you're down here." How freakin' great is that!
 
One thing I want to say about the 450DA. It is a great boat to move up to IMHO. I went from a 26 foot to the 450DA. It handles sooooooooooo well. I spent one day with a Captain, conversations with FrankW and away I went. It is truely a great boat and i would recommend it without hesitation. We almost moved up to a 500DDA but after much thought i just couldnot do it. The 450DA handles great, fuel economy is great, engine room is great, you get the picture. Been to Bahamas twice and hopefully this July we are going as far as San Salvador(6 Weeks). AND i cant tell you the piece of mind i have knowing FrankW is there if needed. If i were looking to move up the first boat i would look at is the 450DA. Some other thoughts, i personally tested the 4OODA, 410DA, 460DA, 500 & 510DA and they are GREAT boats as well. You could not go wrong with any of these. JC
 
carterchapman said:
Darnit Mike - I can't use the "B" word on this Forum! I would if I could!!
Click to expand...
You mean Bas....nevermind.

Dave S said:
Frank W.....................how many 450DA sales are you now responsible for? ....Dave
Click to expand...
It's sure made me consider a 450DA instead of jumping to the 340DA I've always dreamed about. The reason is the diesels make so much sense.

TurtleTone said:
This is a good question. My guess is that FW is responsible for every single 450DA user on this site in one form or another. It's his unequaled knowledge of the boat and his generosity in giving that knowledge.

While I knew about the 450, I never really considered it due to it's size and it's age. When I started to change my cruising habits and pushed the limits of the 280, I began looking at all kinds of boats. Never once did the 450 come to mind 2+ years ago. It wasn't until Dave introduced me to his 450 in Greenport 2 summers ago that I really set foot on one. Needless to say that when you get on a nice late 90's sea ray that is taken care of, you begin to consider one as a "move up". That year and the year after I was privileged to be on Dave's 450 many times and every single time it impressed me on it's great build, layout, and economy. So Dave is really the one that "sold" me on the 450DA, but it was Frank that helped me sift through, learn about, and put together a purchase of one.

Here's another BIG important piece of info that FW gave me in the "heat of the moment". He said "Make sure everyone walks away from the deal happy". It's easy to feel compelled to bend someone over so far in this economy that you leave a really really bad taste in the sellers mouth. during the negotiations back and forth and after the surveys and getting a list of little things that need to or should be fixed, that bit of advice stuck in my head over and over. At the end of the day, not only was I thrilled with the deal I got, but the seller was thrilled with how the deal went down and that I didn't bend him till he broke. It's not cause I didn't negotiate because I did, It's not that I didn't ask for things to be done cause I did, but I was respectful and we BOTH went through the list and BOTH decided who was going to do what. As a result, the seller is my biggest allie and cheerleader in my new boat. He stops by the boat pretty much every day and checks the lines and texts me a pic. After I leave the boat, he stops by and checks the systems and makes sure i have everything set right on the panels. We communicate every day on what this is, how does that work, where to get one of those.

I can't tell you how important it is to have the seller on your side at the end of the day. That relationship is worth FAR more than a couple more grand I could have put in my pocket during the deal. I would say just in the 3 weeks I've officially owned the boat, I've saved 10 times that with his help and time. It also makes the whole process an unbelievably great time. Everyone in South Florida knows who I am, I cruise down the ICW and people get on the radio and say "Hey, you're the guy that bought Ed's boat. He told us all about you and thinks you're great. Let us know if you need anything while you're down here." How freakin' great is that!
Click to expand...

Mike your write up and these comments are great. As you know I'm so happy for you and Dave with his new monster. It's simply great to read good experiences like this, and gives me hopes to get there in a few years.
Enjoy it.
 
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Frank W. was also a great help to me in the decision making process...thanks again Frank. Ric
 
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Great thread.

Mike, thanks for sharing the excitement of the new 450. Gives us all something to look forward to.
 
Mike,

Great accounts on your first diesel experiences/thoughts a page or two back. I was wondering what was going through your head. I am also glad you and the seller came to good terms and have not only remained friends throughout the process, but probably become better friends in the end. I look forward to someday be in the same boat (pun intended) as you are.

Keep us posted throughout the learning process.

Doug
 
OK, so I'm a bit slow...never caught this thread until now. Congrats Mike!!! Thanks for sharing all the info on your experience. May you enjoy every moment!

Cheers,
 
Wow, slow here too; thanks for bumping it up!

And congrats on the new boat! I saw other recent posts and noticed your boat description of a 450 and recalled that you had a 280 previously; I had wondered how I missed that?

So how is it going? Is she up in NY now? If so, how was that cruise?!!

Edit: I just read your blog link and see that you are now traveling northward! Great reading on that site, I'll be tuned in.
 
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