480 DB Owners Club

Peter G said:
Hi BigStick - From when I purchased our 480DB the carpets (and Port side internal panels) were water damaged. I found the blocked AC drain as others have mentioned; and also found that water was coming down through the 'inside cavity' where the 'hard top' joins the 'cabin' in the sedan bridge. This was due to the 'drain hole' being blocked by a piece of candy wrapped (I assume was a token of generosity - left by one of the assembly workers at the factory). The 'drain hole' is located outside, above the rear of the side window, directly below the Four Eighty badge on the join between the 'Top Section' or 'Sedan Bridge floor' and 'Lower Section' or 'Saloon Sidewalls' (there is a drain hole on both port and starboard sides). 'Drain holes' are only visible when looking up, underneath the 'Top Section'. Carpets were wet after rough ride/port side, heavy rains or wash down. External water enters 'inside' the cavity via deteriorated sealant/caulking around the sedan bridge (note: the inside edge of the joint - behind removable panel in sedan bridge had no sealant/caulking allowing external water to freely enter cavity). Due to blocked drain hole, water accumulates within the cavity and then flows down through the glad/opening and a compromised seal around DB AC drain hose, behind panels to 'saloon floor' near the Saloon AC, then flows under the cabinetry and carpet.
I only discovered the blocked drain hole(s) when I was investigating water damage and removed/replace Port side internal panels (see photos below).
Unfortunately, bad design means that these drain holes direct water to the vulnerable 'radius' area of the side window and creates havoc with the window seal and vinyl cover.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Peter G for the detailed description and photos. Will check this weekend for those drain holes on port and starboard. My floor seems to be drying out now that the a/c is draining. Thanks.
 
mquiet said:
Peter, that is some horrible cracking. Unfortunately I don't know of anyone producing that product anymore. Maybe remove, sand, and then use a wrap. Also, good job on the port side rebuild. It looks good. The corner cabinet looks much better than the original.
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Thanks mquiet, just now saw very helpful http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/interior-delamination.92172/
dated Apr 20, 2019 from PlayDate - Feel free to email him at: john@restorationmarine.com
I sent John an email and he responded very quickly with;
  • The finish is Sovereign Cherry which was Sea Ray’s most popular finish in those model years;
  • Explained that the cold pressed 0.40" was prone to cracked due to expand/retracting with changes in ambient temperatures; and
  • The repairs are pretty straightforward for someone with 'good wood working skills'; and
  • The repair uses 0.20" laminate which he can supply (ship worldwide)
Thank you PlayDate
 
just bought an 8D AGM battery. opened the top to a cell and the leaf and agm were dry. asked the seller if i add water or electrolyte and he didn’t know. anybody know?
 
I have been looking at 480's for the past year and now getting more serious as I just listed my Cobalt R7 for sale. But I am hearing insurance is on the rise and there are fewer folks writing boat insurance, (specifically larger boats) so looking for recommendations on who others with a 480 are using. Chubb insures my R7 so maybe I can get a little better rate since I have a good track record with them....? Thanks in advance!
 
TruckerTim said:
I have been looking at 480's for the past year and now getting more serious as I just listed my Cobalt R7 for sale. But I am hearing insurance is on the rise and there are fewer folks writing boat insurance, (specifically larger boats) so looking for recommendations on who others with a 480 are using. Chubb insures my R7 so maybe I can get a little better rate since I have a good track record with them....? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I have Chubb Insurance also. They are great to work with and about 30% cheaper than boatus.
 
I need a new gas cylinder for my bridge door. I have an ameritool cylinder and for the life of me cannot find a source on the internet. I am not sure what the numbers mean on the cylinder either.
315\668\2172
1384932/120#
I have emailed ameritool for a replacement and waiting on their answer, but hoping for good advice from the experts. The plastic ends on my shock are crap, which caused the cylinder to bend.

Keith
 
The crime scene said:
I need a new gas cylinder for my bridge door. I have an ameritool cylinder and for the life of me cannot find a source on the internet. I am not sure what the numbers mean on the cylinder either.
315\668\2172
1384932/120#
I have emailed ameritool for a replacement and waiting on their answer, but hoping for good advice from the experts. The plastic ends on my shock are crap, which caused the cylinder to bend.

Keith
Click to expand...

Check out www.Guden.com they have all the replacement parts
 
Bridge hatch lower mounting bracket after several light weight repair processes failed. Eight good size SS screws spread the load out well and been on two years now. If you look close you’ll see the original SS bracket now with finish matching new enlarged base plate. Problem solved in my opinion.
 

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Ok, I have looked everywhere and can not find where the mid AC unit dumps into the common pipe. I have found the sumps and the salon AC, but can not find the mid. Is it behind the dang sofa? The others where behind the fuel selector switches under the stairs to the bridge. I'm going crazy with this. I can follow the line to the port fuel tank and then it works back to toward the stern, but it's not with the others.
 
My wife and I are searching for the ideal 480DB (Sedan Bridge). I am wondering if there is sort of a list of things that are common to the boat to look out for before we spend the $$ on a survey. Kind of like a punch list of known, common problems that we should make sure we do not miss when initially viewing a prospective boat. All boats have their quirks, but I have not found anyone who has compiled a list of what to look out for on the first visit. If it exists, I would be thrilled to see it. If not, maybe some owners on here will share their "things to look out for" and I will compile the list, post it and get owners buy-in on the validity or agreement of the items on the list.


We have been having a tough time finding the right boat that meets our needs... we are a day late, it is too far away or the price is not justified. We sold our 380DA in early spring which is prime boating time for our area, and it sold in 4 hours (scuttlebutt on the dock found our buyer). We did not think it would take us 6 months or more to get our next boat ☹.


So, any help in making sure we are looking at the right things before we hire a surveyor would be welcomed. And if you know of anyone wanting to move out of a 480DB, we would love to meet them.


Thanks C S R, any input is valued and appreciated!


Vince
 
mquiet said:
Ok, I have looked everywhere and can not find where the mid AC unit dumps into the common pipe. I have found the sumps and the salon AC, but can not find the mid. Is it behind the dang sofa? The others where behind the fuel selector switches under the stairs to the bridge. I'm going crazy with this. I can follow the line to the port fuel tank and then it works back to toward the stern, but it's not with the others.
Click to expand...
I can tell you that on the 52DB which has many similarities that it is behind an access cover against the gunnel in the locker under the bridge stairs.

Edit - nope that is the Solon AC unit. I believe it ties in behind the liquor cabinet just forward of the engine room plenum yet aft of the guest cabin raised area where also the forward engine room bilge pumps connect.
Common Drain Port.jpg
 
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ttmott said:
I can tell you that on the 52DB which has many similarities that it is behind an access cover against the gunnel in the locker under the bridge stairs.

Edit - nope that is the Solon AC unit. I believe it ties in behind the liquor cabinet just forward of the engine room plenum yet aft of the guest cabin raised area where also the forward engine room bilge pumps connect.
View attachment 112381
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Thanks TT, but ours looks different. There is some similar, but a lot different. I might have to pull my salon port aft corner seating and cabinets to find it. But thanks for the try.
 
Matt, there is an access panel (it's actually another panel behind the upholstered panel) behind the couch. That is where the forward engine room bilge pumps dump into the common drain. It's been a few years since I've had it opened up but I would guess that is where the mid unit dumps also.
 
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