Working through the purchase of a new to me 400 sedan bridge

TRG

TRG

Member
Jul 20, 2022
60
Vancouver, WA
Boat Info
2000 SeaRay 400 sedan bridge
2011 Mastercraft X45 (for sale)
Engines
(2) CAT 3126 diesels
Hoping to purchase a new to me 2000 400 sedan bridge. We had the surveys completed and found a few issues but surveyors did not seemed concerned for a boat at this age.

1. Main bilge pumps were not working. Surveyor said wiring looked fine so thinking they just need replaced. Does anyone have the replacement brand, model, cost of these?

2. soft spot area on bow next to main stateroom hatch. Said can be expensive if fixed by a yard but is a cheap fix for parts if I did it myself. Remove headliner, cut fiberglass, replace wood core, and then reglass along with resealing the hatch. I worked as a carpenter for 10hrs so I feel like I could tackle this.

3. Extended swim platform w/ tnt lift has water in it that has absorbed in the core. When we hauled out the boat there are cracks on underside in some of the fiberglass where water came in, mainly on most outer support stringer. Surveyor said it is not the biggest deal as most platforms on boats from this era would have this issue if not previously repaired, but the weight could add some strain to the lift.

4. Missing starboard side exhaust trumpet/torpedo on outside of hull, not sure of correct terminology. Was just sealed to boat no fasteners were drilled into hull. Port side is still there and no fasteners holding it on just adhesive or sealant glued to hull. There are holes for fasteners but doesn’t appear anything was ever drilled through. Assume these were installed by sea ray when boat was new? Is this part available and is it going to be something that costs a lot to replace? Mechanical surveyor said it is important to help pull exhaust to not add extra pressure on the engine.

Bilge pump issue a little concerning since I would need to transport the boat a few hundred miles

looking for anyone that has had the soft bow issue and repaired. Comments?

swim deck looking for comments.

Expected cost and availability of exhaust piece. Should they be attached with fasteners?


Thanks for input in advance
 
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The underwater exhaust piece isn’t cheap because it’s bronze. This likely isn’t the exact one, but gives you an idea. You can call them for your correct replacement. Our underwater outlets are in fact attached with thin fasterners and lock nuts on the inside of the boat. They’re small by design so they shear off if that exhaust port hits something.

https://www.searay-parts.com/Bronze-underwater-exhaust-port-p/18030 underwater exh outlet.htm

i agree with your surveyor on the core work. The job itself is simple, hard part is getting the headliner down without damage. The other risk is you find more rot and have to repair a larger area than you thought but it’s a common repair for boats of the era that the hatches and deck fittings were never rebed since new

same for the platform. Easy fix if you can remove it and work with it on a bench.
 
Nothing too killer on that list. Would depend how big the soft spot is. If small you might be able to tackle it from the side. Doing it from underneath is not easy as gravity is working against you.

Swim platform is typical. I would consider just tackling it from the top with the platform still on the boat. You could cover the top with Sea Deck to hide the mismatch.

Bilge pumps aren’t necessarily specific to the boat. They are probably rule brand. Find out many GPH they are rated for and get one 50 to 100% bigger. Relatively easy to replace.

Good luck
 
Every pump in my boat (2004 400DB) is a Rule 2000 GPH, including the shower sump. They are all original so that's what Sea Ray put in it.
Be careful running without an underwater exhaust outlet. A friend knocked one off on his diesel on our way home from Cleveland a few years back and his exhaust gas temperatures climbed to dangerous levels on that engine (Diesel). I want to say around 1200 F iirc . They should run 850ish, so that's significant back pressure. They are supposed to be bolted through with hardware designed to shear as stated in the post above. My friends did shear off clean with no hull damage but I don't remember if water entered the boat through the bolt holes or if the sheared bolts stayed in the hull and prevented leaking. Maybe he will see this post and help my foggy memory. He may be able to tell you where he got a new one. Did it just happen? Could the owner have possibly plugged those holes because he just decided to run it the way it is?

FWIW, I would get the seller to take care of the underwater exhaust and bilge pumps so that is taken care of for your ride home or negotiate it and do those things before you leave.
Good luck.
 
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my3sons said:
Every pump in my boat (2004 400DB) is a Rule 2000 GPH, including the shower sump. They are all original so that's what Sea Ray put in it.
Be careful running without an underwater exhaust outlet. A friend knocked one off on his diesel on our way home from Cleveland a few years back and his exhaust gas temperatures climbed to dangerous levels on that engine (Diesel). I want to say around 1200 F iirc . They should run 850ish, so that's significant back pressure. They are supposed to be bolted through with hardware designed to shear as stated in the post above. My friends did shear off clean with no hull damage but I don't remember if water entered the boat through the bolt holes or if the sheared bolts stayed in the hull and prevented leaking. Maybe he will see this post and help my foggy memory. He may be able to tell you where he got a new one. Did it just happen? Could the owner have possibly plugged those holes because he just decided to run it the way it is?

FWIW, I would get the seller to take care of the underwater exhaust and bilge pumps so that is taken care of for your ride home or negotiate it and do those things before you leave.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure he's talking about the underwater exhaust as your right it should be thru bolted. Isn't there a plastic vent cover around these boats that was just "super glued" on and is prone to fall off. I know I looked at a boat that was missing one.
 
Golfman25 said:
I'm not sure he's talking about the underwater exhaust as your right it should be thru bolted. Isn't there a plastic vent cover around these boats that was just "super glued" on and is prone to fall off. I know I looked at a boat that was missing one.
Click to expand...
Yes, is the underwater exhaust port on port side.

does anyone have the exact part # for this? The motors are catapillar 3126. When I checked FP it specified a 2001 but not 2000 400 sedan. Anyone know of a cheaper vendor?
 
TRG said:
Yes, is the underwater exhaust port on port side.

does anyone have the exact part # for this? The motors are catapillar 3126. When I checked FP it specified a 2001 but not 2000 400 sedan. Anyone know of a cheaper vendor?
Click to expand...
Wow. Previous owner is running the boat like that? Yikes.
 
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Also, Algonac Casting made struts and rudders and such for our boats, maybe try them for this part? It might save a couple bucks but likely would be made to order
 
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