420 DA Thread

Alex F · Feb 1, 2015

brewster16 said:
Oooops.....35KG not 35 lbs

Now that's some serious upgrade. I bet you sleep worry free on the hook.

swaterhouse · Mar 10, 2015

In another thread I mentioned we have been considering the Sundancer 420/44 over what we thought was going to be a Sundancer 40.

It seems that in general the 2006 or 2007 boats with 600-1000 hours are priced at least $30,000 than those with 300-500 hours. To me that seems way out of wack, if all else is equal (features, condition, maintenance records) what do you feel is the true value of "low hours" versus "high hours". Is there a major service due in the 800-1200 hour range that could be the difference between the two? From what I read beyond , lube and filter changes, the major service is cooling at least every 3 years (2 is better) and valve adjustments every 500 hours. Am I missing some other big ticket item?

Rocket · Mar 11, 2015

I have no issues with a high hour boat as long as the discount and maintenance records are there.
Annual - Oil change, fuel filters, oil filters, oil Analysis, coolant check (DCA)
Bi annual - For north east boat - Raw water impellers and Cams, gear oil change, belt change.
Every 3 years or 300 hours - Service the after coolers and Valve Lash adjustment, service fuel cooler, and gear oil cooler.
Every 5 years - Service the raw water to coolant heat exchanger, Coolant flush, pressure test, and replenish coolant and change thermostats.
10 years or 1000 hours - Replace all hoses.
The above is an aggressive schedule which will yield reliable service from the 6cta or qsc motors. I am not aware of any 1000 hour service that is anything more than the above.

While searching for my current 48da, i found the majority of the boats i looked at basically just changed the oil and replaced the raw water impellars. I dont think a $ 30k discount for 1000 hour boat is worth it. 600 hour boat with proper maintenance, yes. spread that over a 20 year note and it is not significant compared to the resale you will get on a low hour boat.

Also dont assume a low hour boat is properly maintained. I bought my 2007 with 300 hours and spent $ 15k in maintenance and repairs to get within my spec.

Also be aware on the qsc motors, chronic issues are turbo waste gate leaks, replacing front crankshaft seals, oil leak at breather drain line.
My 6CTA's had very little repairs other than routine maintenance.

swaterhouse · Mar 11, 2015

A couple of months ago we did a pre-offer sea trial in a 2004 Sundancer 39, the one complaint we had was my wife, who is 5'2" could not see over the bow while under way when sitting in the companion seat. She could not see any water from about 10 o'clock to about 2 o'clock. Me at 6' had no problems seeing at all. Does the 42\44 have the same issue or does the bow ride lower/is the seat higher? No big deal if its no different, we just planned on putting another cushion on the seat for her.

copb8tx · Mar 11, 2015

My wife is a little taller at 5'7" (mostly legs) and was struck at how well we see out of the 420 vs our old 400EC. I can't see it getting any better than the 420 with its bow swooping down as it does.

paul1543 · Mar 16, 2015

I have a quick question for the group, what I hope is something easy.

Just down at my 2005 420 to start the spring cleaning process. Noticed that one of the over head lights in the galley is out. However, I couldn't quite figure out how to get the bulb out to replace it. Does it pull down or does the whole unit unscrew? I didn't want to force anything.

Thanks for any help.

brewster16 · Mar 16, 2015

paul1543 said:
I have a quick question for the group, what I hope is something easy.

Just down at my 2005 420 to start the spring cleaning process. Noticed that one of the over head lights in the galley is out. However, I couldn't quite figure out how to get the bulb out to replace it. Does it pull down or does the whole unit unscrew? I didn't want to force anything.

Thanks for any help.

If it's the same overhead light fixtures I'm thinking of (I replaced the bulb in my master head) you take two butter knives or any other flat implement you can get leverage with and slide them between the metal rim on the housing and the ceiling, then pull them down or rotate them so the knives force the spring loaded housing and bulb down and out of the ceiling. After you replace the bulb just push the housing back up and it will snap back flush into place. Don't bother trying it with your fingers though. Way painful!

paul1543 · Mar 16, 2015

Thanks. That sounds like it. I was pulling on it with my fingers and it hurt, but I got to the point where I didn't want to force it too much.

420 Sundancer · Mar 17, 2015

Two butter knives will do the trick. Be careful with your fingers as the fixture comes out - the springs will grab them. It's not easy, but you will get the hang of it.

swaterhouse · Mar 30, 2015

I am looking at a 2005 420 Sundancer that does not have the optional cockpit Heat/AC installed. Could this be added?

I know the AC unit is under the companion chair, and it looks like there are just three (or four) outlet ducts, one on the starboard side of the engine gauges, two (or three) along the vertical part of dash in front of the companion seat. The thermostat and controls are on the radar arch/hardtop support.

Is there room to snake the duct hoses from under the companion seat to under the dash or is this nearly impossible to do after the fact?

Other than this one option, the boat has everything we want.

Rocket · Mar 31, 2015

swaterhouse said:
I am looking at a 2005 420 Sundancer that does not have the optional cockpit Heat/AC installed. Could this be added?

I know the AC unit is under the companion chair, and it looks like there are just three (or four) outlet ducts, one on the starboard side of the engine gauges, two (or three) along the vertical part of dash in front of the companion seat. The thermostat and controls are on the radar arch/hardtop support.

Is there room to snake the duct hoses from under the companion seat to under the dash or is this nearly impossible to do after the fact?

Other than this one option, the boat has everything we want.

It can be done. I priced it out to be about $5500.

copb8tx · Mar 31, 2015

I believe there's also another big vent at the base of the radar arch, behind the captain's chair, blowing back onto the U-shape seating area.

swaterhouse · Mar 31, 2015

Rocket said:
It can be done. I priced it out to be about $5500.

Thanks, price sounds about right.

I assume that was for as close to factory setup as reasonable?

swaterhouse · Mar 31, 2015

copb8tx said:
I believe there's also another big vent at the base of the radar arch, behind the captain's chair, blowing back onto the U-shape seating area.

That would make sense, but I don't remember seeing one on the 2007 we looked at and don't see any vents in the pictures online.

Rocket · Mar 31, 2015

swaterhouse said:
Thanks, price sounds about right.

I assume that was for as close to factory setup as reasonable?

Yes, it only included the one large grille at the arch. To run vents to the helm would have involved more labor and ducting. I believe it was another $ 1000 to run the helm. THe only other extra was the installer wanted to cut in an aluminum return air grille. I was going to have the starboard door reworked with slats like the factory. If i recall another $ 300.00.

brewster16 · Apr 1, 2015

Has anyone recently replaced their pencil zincs on the engines, generator and bow thruster? Who makes the bow thruster on our boats? Anyway, these are the zincs I've ordered:
E-1G x 1 for Onan generator,
E-2 x 4 for both engines
E-1 x 8 for both engines
ZC-406 x 1 large transom anode
R-3H x 2 rudder zincs

Additionally, I've see some 44DA's with shaft zincs and some without. I don't know the answer to this. The bow thruster and it's zinc remain a mystery to me as well.

copb8tx · Apr 2, 2015

swaterhouse said:
That would make sense, but I don't remember seeing one on the 2007 we looked at and don't see any vents in the pictures online.

You can see the vent I'm talking about in the attached picture. It's behind the captain's chair and forward of the black AC controller

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/68608749/420DA Seadek Platform.jpg

swaterhouse · Apr 2, 2015

copb8tx said:
You can see the vent I'm talking about in the attached picture. It's behind the captain's chair and forward of the black AC controller

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/68608749/420DA%20Seadek%20Platform.jpg

Yes saw that once I went back to look at pictures on some listings. The last 44 we looked at had the TV right there and I didn't go looking all that deep.

Thanks for all the help, were going to look at the 42 with no cockpit AC tomorrow, if that doesn't work out the 44 already has it installed.

We will be making an offer on one of them in the next few days, so looks good to be joining the 42/44 DA owners club!!

Robski97 · Apr 27, 2015

Guys,
Pretty urgent requests.

1) grease ur engine hatch lifting rams. They have grease fittings. USE THEM ( mine just failed from lack of grease )
2) STB side battery cables on my boat were run to tight to the water heater. It wore its way tru the plastic covering and started to chaff on the battery cables. INSPECT IMMEDIATELY and take appropriate action if required.

Rob

swaterhouse · Apr 27, 2015

So I am within hours of joining the 42/44 DA Owners Group! I am sure once we take possession and start tinkering I will have a ton of questions.

What RPM range do you guys normally cruise at on the QSC's, do you normally run at 2400rpm if the sea state allows or do you run a little slower. If slower is that for fuel mileage or just to ease load on the engines?

420 DA Thread

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paul1543

brewster16

paul1543

420 Sundancer

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Rocket

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swaterhouse

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Rocket

brewster16

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