440 Express Bridge

Steve S

Steve S

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2007
3,132
Northern IL.
Boat Info
2000 400 Sedan Bridge with twin CAT 3116's

2000 340 Sundancer - SOLD!
210 Monaco 1987 - SOLD!
Engines
Twin Caterpillar 3116's 350 HP straight drives
So there is a boat show here at Winthrop Harbor (IL). Just saw a nice 440 Express Bridge with Cat diesels. I really like the layout and losing the "cave" feeling. I like all the storage available. It s a 96 but has low hours

What are the thoughts on this boat? Any bad things to be aware of?
 
If you do most or all of your own work a 20 year well maintained boat is probably what you should buy. A 44ft boat needs diesels and will be expensive to repair when something breaks. If you can do some of the minor diesel work it will save you $$$.
 
Steve, I bought a 1995 SR with diesels in 2010. Didn't know anything about them or the maintenance on them or anything like that and really didn't know much about buying a bigger boat. I hired two good surveyors, one for the engines and one for the hull/equipment and relied on them for their advice.

The boat had Cat 3406C's and everything I learned about them is they are bulletproof. I don't know anything about the Express Bridge boats but can say that we've never, ever been happier with a boat than we are with this one.

Find good surveyors, tell them about your lack of experience with diesels and boats that size and trust them to lead your right.

Then go have fun with your new boat.
 
I also like that boats layout.
Thinking its a cored hull so, like any boat utilizing that construction (not that's its bad) ensure it's not wet with a proper survey.
Obviously have the motors checked as well from a certified Cat. Tech.

Good luck,
 
We just purchased a 94 440eb this season and love it. Being able to fix and repair is key, parts are tired after 20 years. As an example, my first oil change today became a all day affair as the oil change pump valves were frozen, replacement parts no longer available, so i built my own manifold. Hired out this would have turned into a $1200 oil change job. What was the boat name you looked at? I have been watching all the local 440 eb's. What was the price?

cale
 
Steve, we've had our EB for 8 years, and we love it. Great visibility both forward and aft from the helm and handles well around the dock and open water. It's center of gravity is higher than the SD but lower than the SB. The forward access to the bow makes the bridge seem larger, makes the bow access both safe and easy, and allowed the salon to be wider. Since nothing is free, it does come at the cost of narrower side decks. Our 03 450EB has good side rails and hand grabs such that the Admiral and I, both 70+, have no problem negotiating under normal conditions.


Hope this helps, if you have specific questions, I'd be glad to respond. Good luck, Art
 
I looked at the 44 and 45 EBs before I picked up my SB last year. Love the layout. The 45 has a bit bigger beam and the layout is more modern with a change in the stateroom set up. The 44 is a bit narrow to traverse along the sides. Making spring lines a bit of a balancing act. Love the steps to the bow. Still surprised more boats don't do that. As mentioned earlier it's a cored hull. Get a good survey. Also, they are V-Drives and engine room access is a bit tight. Finally some of the CATs during those production years had "soft" blocks. Most were fixed/replaced under warranty. Good luck.
 
I have a 1995 440 Express Bridge. Seems my Hot Water heater is on the way "out". The problem is that the hot water heater is located under the seating, behind the Washer/Dryer. The problem I am having, is figuring out how to get back to the faulty heater. I thought I would have to remove the Washer/ Dryer, but it appears the only way to do this, is to almost disassemble the entire seating area, to remove this Washer/ Dryer. There must be a simple solution....but for the life of me...I don't see it. Has anyone attempted this feat? Love to get some input. Thanks in advance!
 
Access for removal i have been told is through the guest stateroom bulkhead. Remove that and wh comes out towards the rear of the boat. What exactly is wrong though? The element is a 10$ part. Not much to go wrong on these. When replacing the element access was a stretch but doable from the center bilge compartment. Our heating element had a square flange, 2 of the 4 threads were stripped out. I got some thin nuts, correct size bolts and made it work. Fyi the element can be bought at a local hardware store.
 
Steve S said:
So there is a boat show here at Winthrop Harbor (IL). Just saw a nice 440 Express Bridge with Cat diesels.
Click to expand...

We looked at that same boat at that show last year. I know the boat sold, and I'm curious whether you ended up buying it, and what your experience was.

We are in the market for a 37, but were up at that show and my wife just fell in love with it. It's outside our budget for now, but there are two more for sale in this area - $99k each.
 
No, I did not buy it. Someone offered more than I was willing to go BUT then that deal fell thru because they found a number of places with wet fiberglass. I am not really in the market right now but the model caught my eye and if the deal made sense...

yobub said:
We looked at that same boat at that show last year. I know the boat sold, and I'm curious whether you ended up buying it, and what your experience was.

We are in the market for a 37, but were up at that show and my wife just fell in love with it. It's outside our budget for now, but there are two more for sale in this area - $99k each.
Click to expand...
 
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