Your "must have" Sedan Bridge 36 options?

R

reastnt

New Member
Sep 22, 2009
7
Santa Barbara
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I'm shopping for a Sedan Bridge 36, and I wonder if folks would volunteer their opinions on "must have" options - or at least ones they particularly like or wish they had.

I'll be using this for cruising in Southern California - up and down the coast and out to the Channel Islands. Maybe some scuba diving once in a while.

I'm sure there are lots of opinions about gas vs. diesel engines.... But also: What about adding the lower helm? Thrusters? Flybridge archtop? Teak flooring? Gray water system? Macerator? Leather upholstery? Vacuum system? Etc.

Many thanks,
RE
 
Lower helm? That's an option on that boat?

Diesels... everything else is pointless.
 
Yes, according to the Sea Ray website (in the build your own section), a lower control station is a $37,500 (gulp) option. But it seems like a very handy thing for cruising in occasionally bad weather or rough waters.

I wonder how many they build with the lower helm, however - probably not many. But I do wonder how often people, especially in ocean cruising, wish they had one.

RE
 
I have seen the lower helm on the 480 DB, was okay, but limited the interior space and the visibility sucked. I have not been on the 400 DB with a lower helm, nor on a 36 with a lower helm. I do know the Old So Cal Riviera dealer pretty well, he got "stuck" (the boat was ordered and then not delivered to the buyer) with a 37 Riviera Bridge boat with a lower helm. After 18 months and many, many discounts he shipped the boat to Washington State and sold it in 2 months. That option is more common/desirable up north than So. Cal.
 
Diesel. Diesel. And diesel. Especially on that boat... ask Josh (overextended) he's had both...

The lower helm would probably gobble up the entire dinette on that boat. So I think you would pay $37K to damage your resale value (my opinion). I was going to say bridge A/C (that's the one option I didn't get that I kick myself over), but you probably don't need that in Southern California.

Thrusters: maybe, depends on your boat handling skill. Could get by without on this boat but there may be an expectation for it at resale.

Flybridge archtop: What is the alternative? How much? On a guess I would say: yes to this option.

Teak flooring: Where? How much? Could be nice, but is probably outrageous. If it's in the cockpit, that is really sharp.

Gray water system/Macerator: depends on local regs. If you NEED it, yes. If not, up to you how much $hit you want to touch/smell versus how much polluting you're willing to do. I don't have a macerator. Sometimes I wish I did.

Leather upholstery: what's the alternative?

Vacuum system: Yes, it's not that much and it works well and spares you always trying to remember where you left the vacuum cleaner. Plus, it sounds like a jet engine taking off (outside) when you run it, which is great for making friends with the sailboaters at the dock:grin:.
 
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And by the way, there is a $20,000 option for "Archtop, Molded Fiberglass (Seamless) w/Deck Hatch & Overhead Lighting w/Full Enclosure." I'm not really sure what this entails - are there SB 36s with no archtop? Does "full enclosure" mean a canvas enclosure for the flybridge?

RE
 
Having the grandfather of this boat, I would say...

Skip the lower helm since it takes interior space and has poor visibility. Get a wireless controller for the autopilot so on a long hop in open water, you can still pretend you have a lower helm (just keep a good watch)

Add thrusters if you want it or need it but it handles fine without

Get a good genset if it's not included

Diesel for sure. Too much boat for gas IMO

I can't tell you how much I wish I had a hardtop

The 36 is a nice clean looking boat, my only gripe is the reverse arch.
 
September 1, 2008



Mr. Larry Krestan
Vice President
Sea Ray Boats, Inc.
350 Sea Ray Drive
Merritt Island, FL 32953

Re: 36 Sedan Bridge
Customer Feedback

Dear Mr. Krestan:

Congratulations on the new line up for 2009. On behalf of myself (Hyannis Marina customer) and Brian Robinson (Bassett Boat customer), we wanted to give you our collective feedback on constructive ways Sea Ray can make the 36’ Sedan Bridge that much better. Brian and I each own a 36’ Sedan Bridge and are happy with our decision to step into a Bridge Boat from Sundancers. Brian boats out of Rhode Island and I out of Cape Cod. We enjoy our boats that much to want to correspond with Sea Ray in hopes of improving on the model for the next buyer. We both believe with a few changes (25 to be exact), the 36’ Sedan becomes even a greater boat.

Brian and I have now enjoyed our boats (Cummins QSB- 380 diesels) for two (2) full seasons and thought it would be helpful for Sea Ray to receive some honest opinions from the end user.

1) Sea Ray is terrific in requesting customer satisfaction surveys on our dealers. We both have high marks for our dealers. How about requesting information from the Sea Ray owners about the pros and cons of each NEW MODEL. Your engineers and design teams do a brilliant job maximizing space and creating the boat, but the owners are the ones that use the boat. You would get a different perspective or ideas from the common folk that might be outside the thinking box for people much smarter than us.
2) Sea Ray might find it helpful to invite a small demographic of good loyal Sea Ray customers who have bought a new model and do a round table discussion of how to make the boat better after initial launch. Brian and I would love to volunteer for this exercise at Merritt Island.
3) The location of the waste pump out (portside) is too close to the transom wall and swim platform. When doing a pump out, the male end of the pump out device that screws into the female threads make it difficult to lock it down in place due to the pump out being too low in the corner to the transom and swim platform.
4) When washing down the bridge deck or washing down the seas that find their way onto the bridge during transit, the scupper drains from the bridge drain right down into the cockpit and carpet. If you rinse the bridge area and the cockpit canvas is not installed, the water drains out of the two scuppers onto the cockpit carpet or people down below.
5) In line with item 4, the lone scupper in the starboard side cockpit is the size of a quarter. It should be at least the size of a ½ dollar for easy drainage.
6) The isinglass on the bridge does not last. Maybe a higher mil thickness or better quality or different design of the hard top might produce longer lifespan.




Mr. Larry Krestan
Vice President
Sea Ray Boats, Inc.
September 1, 2008
Page 2


7) This might help with item 6, but how about extending the hard top the length of the bridge deck. This would solve many issues with the design of canvas (eliminate) and isinglass. Most people do not like canvas for many reasons. I would make an assumption that people do not take the full canvas and enclosures down. I can not take mine down or I will never get it installed again properly.
8) The location of the light (s) panel in the head is not easily accessible or seen. Right now it is tucked/hidden under the vanity cabinet. The panel needs to be more visible or relocated so people not familiar with the boats design can access the lights.
9) As a follow up to item 8. The lights should not be on the same panel as the head pump and water switch. Too many times people see a green light on and touch the pad to extinguish all green lights before leaving the head. Needless to say, the next person using the head will have no water and/or no water pressure to flush the head. Results can be embarrassing for that person and forcing them to try to rid the toilet of contaminates in a manner that might clog the vacuum system.
10) The icemaker in the cockpit should be on a separate circuit breaker. Right now it is on the Bridge systems breaker.
11) Can there be an electrical bridge between the two electrical shore cords (i.e. a way to bridge one 30 amp shore cord into both sides of the electrical panel)? There are many times when we go to a marina for the day or night and have only the option of only one plug. It would be convenient if the one cord could supply power to both through a switching device.
12) Could cup holders be installed in the cockpit? Whether fighting a fish and needing a place to put your beverage or chatting on the dock and just having a secure place to put your drink. I do not allow red wines/drinks in the salon for obvious reasons. People that want to use the head just leave their drink on the steps and enter the salon. That is not good if people walk down the steps from the bridge.
13) The water pump is loud when it cycles on. It would be nice to have a quieter water pump or some sort of sound box.
14) In the head, it would be nice to have a removable/pullout hose like the faucet on boats that combine the head/shower. It would be easy to wash the head with a light spray of water and let it go down the drain. Right now the fixed faucet does not allow for this.
15) A secure place to store the upstairs cockpit table would be convenient when not in use. When entertaining a lot of people, we take out the table and leave it on the dock. There is no secure place for storage. Maybe a smaller table (add a few more inches of space too) and store on back side of engine hatch.
16) On the exterior of the port and starboard side salon windows, the water drains to the concave portion of the widow and stays stagnant. This is not good as dirt and grime stains the caulking and gel coat. Drainage from the location should be seamless.
17) As clever and good as the storage is under the master bed, two storage drawers might be a better system. You could also install a drawer in each bed in the second stateroom (narrow I know).
18) In the age of laptops and other portable electronic devices, an electrical outlet at the salon dinette should be incorporated into the boat.


Mr. Larry Krestan
Vice President
Sea Ray Boats, Inc.
September 1, 2008
Page 3


19) Caulking on the boat should be sealed or another type of caulking should be used. After one (1) season, it now has an integral dirty look. The caulking has been consistently inadequate on all our Sea Rays.
20) The backing on the cockpit and bridge deck snap in carpet should be upgraded to the clear type. This has been an issue on all Sea Ray boats. The black backing now falls apart and in some cases adheres to the non skid.
21) The location of the thermostat probe needs to be re-located in order to run the a/c and heat in the intermediate mode. Right now it is on the compressor and the compressor temperature (in a/c mode) is 15 degrees cooler than the actual ambient room temperature. After the a/c shuts down, it will not kick on until the compressor temperature comes back up to room temperature.
22) I would prefer a solid floor in front of the sink and freezer in lieu of the removable floor to access the in floor storage. This piece tends to warp/wobble as it is a very high traffic area.
23) The shower has a towel/robe hook and the bathroom does not. It would be nice to have a hook in there too.
24) It is time to switch all your televisions to HD (i.e. Samsungs) and get rid of the Sharps. It would also be nice to increase the size of each TV by one size. This would apply to all boat models. We are powerboaters, not sailboaters.
25) I know there is more to selling boats than my marketing 101, but how about keeping models for more than a few years and just keep making improvements and a better boat each year and strive for perfection. Once again my accounting 101 does not know if that will drop the coat of production in the long run and save on R&D.

We know your 2009 model line up is set and we hope you move a lot of product and have a successful year. Hopefully our comments will be incorporated in the 2010 models if they have not already been put into the 2009 model.

I have not seen the 2009 43 Sundancer in person yet, but I think you have hit it out of the ball park with the layout. The second stateroom, eliminating the isinglass in the cockpit and installing the zeus engine is a super change. People are looking for the 48’ not on steroids. If you would like for me to test this boat for Sea Ray as a test boat, I will sacrifice my time aboard the 36’.

Good thing we do not know where the engine room is.

Thank you.

Sincerely,


John C. Ahern Brian Robinson
Serf1440L607 SERF1724G708
 
Very nice letter, did you get a response?
 
:smt001 Gun Rack on radar arch:thumbsup:
 
Yes.....A nice response with a $100,000.00 rebate check......kidding.......Shirts and hats with the reply....
 
DIESEL.

Central Vac is nice but the hose on my boat is a pain to get at where it's stored so I use a dustbuster! Likely they've improved it by now.

DIESEL.

I agree with the detractors of the lower helm. Useless in your environment. Hard top would be nice (is that what they mean by flybridge archtop??)

DIESEL.

Thruster would probably not be necessary esp if you ordered the option for....

DIESEL.
 
Both Wetpaint and myself got nice responses from both Sea Ray as well as our dealers Hyannis Marina and Bassett Boat from that letter sent to Sea Ray with ideas for improving the 36DB. Be curious to see how many of those suggestions are incorporated into the 2010 model. Nice job posting that letter here Wetpaint....lots of good info on that!

Lower Helm Station - Definately no on this option. I have not seen one on this boat yet, but would imagine it would take away drastically on the living and entertaining space in the salon, and would take away from the nice layout down there. The bridge is plenty warm and spacious in foul weather. I know, it was snowing on my boat delivery day two seasons ago.

Diesels - YES, YES, YES. I have had both the gas and diesel version on this boat, and the diesel is by far much better in handling, noise and fuel efficiency. The diesels will save you a lot of money on fuel and will add to the resale value of this boat.

Thrusters - I have bow and stern in the gas version and used them quite a bit, although part of that could have been due to it only being my second season driving a boat. I have the bow thruster in the diesel version and use it only as a convenience sometimes and do not consider it a necessity. THere is so much thrust with the diesels, you can dock without much of a problem. Just a hint though when docking in heavy wind, open canvas on the bridge on all 4 sides to create less wind resistance...it really makes a difference on this boat.

Vacuum system - Why not...small option and it keeps a vacuum out of the way.

Just my opinions...feel free to ask any questions.
 
Yes

Diesel
Diesel Generator
Davit System
Dinghy
Bow/Stern Thruster
One Dedicated Chartplotter (I have Navigator)
One Dedicated Radar
Dyson Hand Held Vacuum

Maybe

Underwater lights (I have)

No

No Lower Helm
 
Some things that I look for in a Sedan Bridge:

  • Diesels (and not V-drives) I want the ability to plane at less than 20 knots and get close to .9 mpg
  • Full size fridge in the galley or least a seperate freezer.
  • Bridge Air conditioning is a nice to have
  • Fridge up in the bridge is also a nice to have
  • I want the helm seats to be able to spin around and face the back of the bridge/U lounge when hanging out on the hook or at the dock
  • I want to be able to see at least corner of the back of the boat from the helm. I don't want to have to rely on cameras or a helper yelling instructions.
Oh, 1 more thing.. The dam TV's better be High Def Digital !!!
 
Vince_nj1 said:
Some things that I look for in a Sedan Bridge:

  • Diesels (and not V-drives) I want the ability to plane at less than 20 knots and get close to .9 mpg
  • Full size fridge in the galley or least a seperate freezer.
  • Bridge Air conditioning is a nice to have
  • Fridge up in the bridge is also a nice to have
  • I want the helm seats to be able to spin around and face the back of the bridge/U lounge when hanging out on the hook or at the dock
  • I want to be able to see at least corner of the back of the boat from the helm. I don't want to have to rely on cameras or a helper yelling instructions.
Oh, 1 more thing.. The dam TV's better be High Def Digital !!!
Click to expand...

You wanna buy my boat?
 
Four Suns said:
You wanna buy my boat?
Click to expand...

Unless you are going to price it like a Marine Max "Clear the Deck" sale, it is probably out of my price range and more boat than I need right now.

However, I would be shopping for a used 480 long before I even considered a new 36.
 
Cummins is the only power option for this boat based on hours of running, docking and owning this boat in both versions.

Thrusters with Cummins are not needed, but if you feel that you need it get the bow.

The electronics package from the factory is nice (I have Raymarine)

Autopilot for me is a must.

Ice Maker vs the cooler is a must.

If you get an 09 or newer you will get the extended swimplatform - boat needs it (especially if you scuba/swim or want to carry a decent dink).

Hardtop is great but you can get a canvas enclosure with the arch sweeping backwards - there are a few out there but I don't care for the look.

I have LED surface mount underwater lights and love them - I also sell them so I am biased.

The front window screen is a must have option.

Go with a white hull.

Get the vacuum

Get the flag

We passed on the TV in the second stateroom the second time around (it took up too much space and was hardly used).

Cummins is the only way to go...
 
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