410 Sundancer/Express Cruiser and 400 Sundancer/Express Cruiser **Official Thread**

oh - this may be a total coincidence, but the same week after talking smack about your boat, I experienced my first no-start condition on my boat ever. (almost 20 years of ownership)

I think it's the distributor. ugh. should've kept my smart-@ass mouth shut.
 
pcarp said:
Hi
Quick detail question for you.
What was the part number you used at Flounder Pounder?
Thanks
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The product I ordered is:
Trim-8349030 Windshield Screw Cover Trim
 
Gary has always been trouble. He is having trouble typing these days because the Doc just broke his arm in 3 places for some necessary surgery.
 
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Hey mistercomputerman,
I would love to hear your opinion on the 410 with gas power. I'm not hear to start a gas vs diesel debate. Just looking for someone with real experience running a big gasser. Are you satisfied with the performance of your boat? Would you go diesel next time considering the added cost upfront and maintenance?
Thanks, Dono10
 
Hi,
I am a new owner of a '97 400DA with 3116TA diesels. We are in Westbrook, CT and look forward to getting to know everyone. The boat needs a bit of TLC so I am in process of getting new canvas, bow cushions, cockpit interior, cockpit carpeting. Also have the port engine that won't start unless I jump a wire across the fuel solenoid so that is puzzling, if anyone knows the solution let me know. I am sure I will have lots of questions as I get to know the boat. Thanks!

John
 
Dono10 said:
Hey mistercomputerman,
I would love to hear your opinion on the 410 with gas power. I'm not hear to start a gas vs diesel debate. Just looking for someone with real experience running a big gasser. Are you satisfied with the performance of your boat? Would you go diesel next time considering the added cost upfront and maintenance?
Thanks, Dono10
Click to expand...

I have the 8.1S's in my 410. I tested the same boat with 3126's. Both boats performed the same at sea trial. Docking as well. The 8.1S's have plenty of tourqe to put my 410 on plane quickly. I carry 400lbs of house batteries between the engines and a 500lb dinghy on a sealift platform. Sure I burn more fuel than diesel. That doesn't bother me a bit.

Two reasons I walked away from the diesel version. One, At cruise the turbo was ear piercing and two the gasser I bought had a SeaLift option added in 2012.

Love my 410DA!
 
OK, I know the diesel guys are going to pound me but I also love my 7.4L's! We do a ton of low speed cruising and the lack of the diesel smell is a huge plus. All the diesel guys swear their boats don't smell but every person I have boated with that has CAT's the fumes have been nauseating! Just look at the exhaust outlets and transoms that are black. I estimate my fuel consumption is about 50% greater than the diesels so that is just a fact. Mine gets on plane with no issues but I certainly cruise slower than the oil burners. The repair and replace topic comes up occasionally, I can repower my boat 3 times and will still be ahead from a single diesel repower. I was way up in Parry Sound Ontario Canada and a fellow 410 had a cylinder head crack, the CAT dealer told him he could get him a rebuilt head in 3 weeks! I could get a complete crate engine in 2 days. For the time being I am sticking with gas.

OK I will sit back and let the beating start!

You guys know I love you!
 
Well, lets not throw the baby out with the bath water..........

I've had Cat engines for 20+ years and my situation allows me to run a lot of boats of all types. Cat engines in Sea Rays do not normally smoke and there is no odor running them. If the boats you reference smoke up the transom, then that indicates some amount of unburned fuel in the exhaust and that is due to either overloading or intake air restriction..... both of which are owner problems, not Caterpillar problems.

Further, the Caterpillar powered Sea Rays after 1997 were delivered with Walker AirSeps. The AirSep muffles the intake noise considerably. If you object to the turbo whine, then the boat either has no Airseps or the breather element is long over due for replacement..........another owner problem.

The reason every Cat dealer does not stock a replacement head for 3116/3126 is because they almost never fail, unless the owner has over heated the engine........Now, do you care to guess why you can get a reman 7.4 in 2 days ?


Everyone has a right to his opinion, but painting with too large a brush and assuming every boat is like the 1 or 2 you didn't like is misleading. BTW, I love the pro-gasoline posts on CSR for over 40 ft boats........the more people you you convince to drink your Kool-Aid, just means more diesel powered boats for those of us who can see the big picture.
 
fwebster said:
Well, lets not throw the baby out with the bath water..........

I've had Cat engines for 20+ years and my situation allows me to run a lot of boats of all types. Cat engines in Sea Rays do not normally smoke and there is no odor running them. If the boats you reference smoke up the transom, then that indicates some amount of unburned fuel in the exhaust and that is due to either overloading or intake air restriction..... both of which are owner problems, not Caterpillar problems.

Further, the Caterpillar powered Sea Rays after 1997 were delivered with Walker AirSeps. The AirSep muffles the intake noise considerably. If you object to the turbo whine, then the boat either has no Airseps or the breather element is long over due for replacement..........another owner problem.

The reason every Cat dealer does not stock a replacement head for 3116/3126 is because they almost never fail, unless the owner has over heated the engine........Now, do you care to guess why you can get a reman 7.4 in 2 days ?


Everyone has a right to his opinion, but painting with too large a brush and assuming every boat is like the 1 or 2 you didn't like is misleading. BTW, I love the pro-gasoline posts on CSR for over 40 ft boats........the more people you you convince to drink your Kool-Aid, just means more diesel powered boats for those of us who can see the big picture.
Click to expand...

No big paint brush here. I grew up with diesels in my parents 45' Sport Fisher. I just prefer the 8.1S. If I go beyond 410, my next boat will have Cummins. Just a Merc guy...
 
No soot on boat or diesel smell while I am running my 2001 410 with cat 3126’s. As per Frank W’s direction, 7 or 8 years ago, I made sure my boat was properly loaded the first season of ownership and my air seps are kept clean.
 
Mine only smokes when 1st starting but then disappears. No diesel smell while running, and even when rafted off on the hook with the genie going, all is good. As far as noise, this boat is quieter then my Silverton 360 with Crusader 454 XLI's in it. The admiral and I can actually carry on a conversation while cruising without yelling, nor do we have to have the stereo on full blast in order to hear it. I think as far as what's better diesel versus gas, it's a personal preference and what are you, and more importantly your checkbook comfortable with. We had this conversation a little over a year ago and for me this boat with diesels just made more sense. To each their own as my dad used to say.
 
Captain Brian said:
I knew the beatings would start.
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It certainly doesn't need to be. There's no wrong answer for everyone as a whole. There's only right or wrong answers for individuals and everyone's situation is different. By nature, everyone touts the positives of their personal choice. It doesn't mean it's the right thing for you. I think everyone just needs to read these posts as pros and cons - realizing that every decision has both. Make your list and see what best supports your requirements.
 
I agree, it is all about how you use your boat. For example, a dock friend wishes he had diesels on his 2000 380 dancer. He has 7.4’s and the boat gets up and runs beautifully. Until recent, the gas engines were fine for how he used the boat. He is now retired and would take the boat to Florida for the winter if he had diesels. With 800 plus hours on his gassers and the xtra fuel burn, he won’t attempt the 2000 mile rountrip journey.

From a handling standpoint, he loves the way the bigger props and torq grab the water, immediately sending the boat in the direction you want. He is a great captain and has no trouble docking his 380 in the worst of conditions. But, he has to really goose the throttles to get the boat to react.

From a noise level standpoint, I think his gasser runs quieter than my diesels.
 
TitanTN and Dani-Lu are dead on! Everyone's situation and use cases are completely different. For me short local trips means gas is the way to go, without any doubt if I could go on long trips (retirement someday) with significant time away from port the diesel would be my choice! It all depends on your circumstances.
 
Question for the 410 owners with the Cat 3126’s:
Getting stuff together to prepare for winterizing.
I know the raw water side of the Cats take about 7 gallons of antifreeze each.
My plan for each motor is is to take the intake hose off the seacock and stick it in a container with 7 gallons of antifreeze in it then have a helper crank until the antifreeze gets sucked in to the motor then shut it off.
My question is: What kind of container are you using to hold the antifreeze and get the relatively short length of intake hose to the bottom of it so it gets all the antifreeze?
Space is tight back there between the motors by the intake hoses and I’d like to get something that fits and still leaves room to work.
 
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