480 DB Owners Club

SeaNile said:
Yes, think it was located in Edgewater? Had the redone dash on the bridge with newer Garmin displays.
Click to expand...
I know this boat well and the owner that did the dash rebuild. It was in great shape and a very good/thoughtful owner. The new owner just bought a fantastic boat and the new flat helm was a great upgrade.
 
We are getting ready to go to survey on the first of December on a 2003 480DB.... finally. Tough market. What I would like to know and ask help on is this: Are there any special items to look for that a typical surveyor might miss that is important on a 480DB? Common problems or things to look out for? We are so excited to move forward, but we surely dont want to make any mistakes or rush to a decision.

So I appreciate any help in the area that this group could lend a hand with. I have read through at least half of the messages here and last so much in a short period of time. Invaluable information coming direct from the owners themselves... cant ask for more. Thank you.

We are also getting the QSM-11's surveyed as well as the oil analyzed to ensure all is well to the best of our knowledge. From what I understand, the after-coolers need attention on a semi-regular basis and I am hoping the owner took good care of this. The boat has been in fresh water all it's \life with the exception of the last 2 years, so that should help some.

I welcome any and all advice to make this a detailed process to the best of the surveyor's ability and my own due diligence. Thanks Club Sea Ray!

Vince Caruso
 
Check the maintenance records for when the valves were adjusted. Also, records for Turbo, After Cooler and Heat Exchanger maintenance. If you find no records of those maintenance items, you might be looking at a roughly $20K expense in your future. We own a 2003 480DB, and they are great boats. Love the QSM-11 engines, but you have to love them back with proper maintenance.
 
Thanks Mike. I appreciate your words of wisdom as an owner. I did hear from a number of people talk about the "After Cooler & Heat Exchanger" being an area to make sure it is thoroughly looked through. Not sure how else they test it, but I hired a separate engine surveyor in addition to the boat surveyor so hopefully they know exactly what to look for.

I have a lot to learn as we are going from 8.1 Merc's on our 380DA to these big machines. If there are any guides or reading material you could point me to to help me learn more about diesel engines, and ultimately the QSM11's, that would be very valuable to me.

Thank you for your time,
Vince
 
LattitudeAdjustment said:
We are getting ready to go to survey on the first of December on a 2003 480DB.... finally. Tough market. What I would like to know and ask help on is this: Are there any special items to look for that a typical surveyor might miss that is important on a 480DB? Common problems or things to look out for? We are so excited to move forward, but we surely dont want to make any mistakes or rush to a decision.

So I appreciate any help in the area that this group could lend a hand with. I have read through at least half of the messages here and last so much in a short period of time. Invaluable information coming direct from the owners themselves... cant ask for more. Thank you.

We are also getting the QSM-11's surveyed as well as the oil analyzed to ensure all is well to the best of our knowledge. From what I understand, the after-coolers need attention on a semi-regular basis and I am hoping the owner took good care of this. The boat has been in fresh water all it's \life with the exception of the last 2 years, so that should help some.

I welcome any and all advice to make this a detailed process to the best of the surveyor's ability and my own due diligence. Thanks Club Sea Ray!

Vince Caruso
Click to expand...
Look closely around the exhaust manifolds from the top of the engine as well up under the aftercooler and heat exchanger for soot traces. If you see soot then there are exhaust leaks, a common issue. There are quite a few posts and threads on the exhaust leaking issues and how to correct but it is a fairly high cost and if the owner has deferred the correction, it is a $15K to $20K negotiation element. Secondly, look closely also at the exhaust riser coming off the turbo which has a heat resistant fiberglass insulation around it. These require replacement around 10 years due to corrosion and temperatures. Generally, the failure on these risers is coincident with the manifold leakage and over-propping of the boat. In many cases the bonding wires were removed and not reinstalled over time on the stainless exhaust section between the water lift muffler and riser/showerhead. Pin hole leaks are inevitable without the bonding and the exhaust piping requires replacement; look for that bonding wire to be installed and for any rust spots on the stainless.
Some of the early QSM11's had issues with the front crank bearing which ended up breaking crankshafts (very rare however); the sign there may be an issue is oil leaking around the front seal.
Look also closely at the hydraulic hoses in the high pressure and low pressure steering system for signs of cracking in the rubber material.
If the oil was recently changed in the engines the analysis will be skewed. It's almost not worth the analysis if less than 20 hours is on the oil; really want to see 100 plus hours on the oil before sampling. Make sure they also analyze for fuel in the oil.
 
That is some fantastic information to help us during our important time and thank you, I cannot convey my gratitude enough to you. Such good, valuable information that could be easily overlooked. I will check these all myself and let the surveyor see if he check them. It will let us know if we hired the right guy or not. The broker has a call into the owner with a list of questions and one of them is when was it last serviced including fluids. It makes sense if he just put new oil in, it most likely is going to show up as a good oil analysis. I never thought about checking for fuel in the oil, but that CAN and DOES happen. Great call there TTM. This I believe one of the best blogs on the net. I spend very little time on the internet, but when I do, this is one of the few sites I will spend time educating myself at.

Thank you for your detailed reply and your time. It is graciously appreciated.

Vince
 
Vince, check out SBMAR.com. Tony is a wealth of info on the Cummins engines.
 
LattitudeAdjustment said:
We are getting ready to go to survey on the first of December on a 2003 480DB.... finally. Tough market. What I would like to know and ask help on is this: Are there any special items to look for that a typical surveyor might miss that is important on a 480DB? Common problems or things to look out for? We are so excited to move forward, but we surely dont want to make any mistakes or rush to a decision.

So I appreciate any help in the area that this group could lend a hand with. I have read through at least half of the messages here and last so much in a short period of time. Invaluable information coming direct from the owners themselves... cant ask for more. Thank you.

We are also getting the QSM-11's surveyed as well as the oil analyzed to ensure all is well to the best of our knowledge. From what I understand, the after-coolers need attention on a semi-regular basis and I am hoping the owner took good care of this. The boat has been in fresh water all it's \life with the exception of the last 2 years, so that should help some.

I welcome any and all advice to make this a detailed process to the best of the surveyor's ability and my own due diligence. Thanks Club Sea Ray!

Vince Caruso
Click to expand...

Vince,

The 480 is a great boat. There will be things that will not pass survey, which is normal for an almost twenty year old boat. Expect some issues. What I have found is boats that have some hours and been kept in good shape usually have been maintained. The overall engine room upkeep will show the level of maintenance also. I say this due to the two other 480’s that I’m aware of that look “used and abused”. They probably are. Get a good survey. Good luck with the boat. I can say this honestly….there are very few boats I would trade mine for.

Keith
 
Radar question.... this is about radar mounting on a 480DB, not the electronics aspects of a new radar so I've posted it here.

I have replaced all of the old electronics on "Sea Casa" with new Garmins (2 x 8612 MFDs, Heading Sensor, Fantom 24" dome, N2K network) and it all works well. :) The old radar was an open array Raymarine mounted on an extension platform in front of a SeaView mast upon which the sat tv antenna is mounted. Photo (array removed).

To get the new Fantom array at the same height as the Raymarine array, I added a SeaView 10" extension. Photo.

The angle of the existing mounting platform combined with the extension mount gives the new radar a noticeably forward-downward tilt. Photo1, Photo2. While I understand that some forward tilt is desirable to use the radar's 12.5 degree up and down vertical range from the array's center line to accommodate the higher bow angle at cruise, it "feels" like too much down angle so I'm interested to know of other's experience with radar mounting angle and what's optimum. SeaView offers shims of 2, 4 and 6 degrees so the extension mount can be adjusted or, more simply, I've also thought of just adding a few stainless washers directly under the Garmin (vs the entire mount) to adjust the angle.

It's worth mentioning that the folks at SeaView were very helpful understanding what I wanted to do and recommending the appropriate parts (extension mast and mounting plate specific to the Garmin Fantom).

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice.
 
CLC3 said:
Radar question.... this is about radar mounting on a 480DB, not the electronics aspects of a new radar so I've posted it here.

I have replaced all of the old electronics on "Sea Casa" with new Garmins (2 x 8612 MFDs, Heading Sensor, Fantom 24" dome, N2K network) and it all works well. :) The old radar was an open array Raymarine mounted on an extension platform in front of a SeaView mast upon which the sat tv antenna is mounted. Photo (array removed).

To get the new Fantom array at the same height as the Raymarine array, I added a SeaView 10" extension. Photo.

The angle of the existing mounting platform combined with the extension mount gives the new radar a noticeably forward-downward tilt. Photo1, Photo2. While I understand that some forward tilt is desirable to use the radar's 12.5 degree up and down vertical range from the array's center line to accommodate the higher bow angle at cruise, it "feels" like too much down angle so I'm interested to know of other's experience with radar mounting angle and what's optimum. SeaView offers shims of 2, 4 and 6 degrees so the extension mount can be adjusted or, more simply, I've also thought of just adding a few stainless washers directly under the Garmin (vs the entire mount) to adjust the angle.

It's worth mentioning that the folks at SeaView were very helpful understanding what I wanted to do and recommending the appropriate parts (extension mast and mounting plate specific to the Garmin Fantom).

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice.
Click to expand...
That does sound like too much.
The down angle needs to be calculated.
So, you know it is 12.5 degrees bow down when the boat is static.
Take an angle measurement at a convenient flat location on the deck and jot that down. Let's say 2 degrees bow up.
Now take the boat out and run at cruise speed.
While at speed take another angle measurement on the same place on the deck. Let's say that is 8 degrees.
Subtract the two deck measurements and that will be the radar down angle relative to level. In other words that is how much the bow raises. The bow raises 6 degrees at cruise speed.
Now you know how much of that 12.5 degrees needs to be taken out to get to that calculated down angle. Which in this hypothetical case would be negative 4.5 degrees (radar needs to lean back).
 
The crime scene said:
Vince,

The 480 is a great boat. There will be things that will not pass survey, which is normal for an almost twenty year old boat. Expect some issues. What I have found is boats that have some hours and been kept in good shape usually have been maintained. The overall engine room upkeep will show the level of maintenance also. I say this due to the two other 480’s that I’m aware of that look “used and abused”. They probably are. Get a good survey. Good luck with the boat. I can say this honestly….there are very few boats I would trade mine for.

Keith
Click to expand...

Thanks for the vote of confidence and what to look out for Keith. I kind of get the feeling that this boat is going to be with us for a while too. Since 1982, we have owned 16 boats and have never really hung on to one for a lengthy period of time. This boat check so many boxes on my list it seems to defy the odds. This boat has a little over 500 hours as it was stored way up on the Potomac river in fresh water and spent a lot of time winterized. I guess our engine surveyor will be the judge of the low hour story good or bad.

My wife and I like to fish in the G.O.M. (gulf of mexico) and the stern of this boat is set up pretty nice for a Sea Ray, which is where my wife wants to be, not as Viking or Hat. So I am quite happy with the nice sized fish box and the live-well too! On our last boat, a 380 SunDancer, we had a rule... all fishing must be done on the swim platform. On the 480DB, we can snap out the carpet or just stay on the platform and do our thing. Our last trip with the 380DA, before we sold it, I got us on a small ledge in shallow water. While all the other multi-outboard boards were sailing by us at 40+ kts., we were catching 30-36 inch grouper. Local knowledge helps with these spots. :)

The owner had just replaced all new Garmin electronics with a bill of 33k+, so I have been reading some manuals and watching some videos.

So I am planning trips and I don't even own the boat yet. We go to survey for the boat and the engines on the 1st. of December and sending oil samples away that day. A couple days later should hopefully deal the deal and we will be cutting across the middle of the state using the Okeechobee Waterway System, headed for Palm Harbor of Florida's west coast.

Thanks again for your time and your info Keith. It is much appreciated and I will be sure to let you know how the surveys go.

Best regards,
Vince
 
CLC3 said:
Radar question.... this is about radar mounting on a 480DB, not the electronics aspects of a new radar so I've posted it here.

I have replaced all of the old electronics on "Sea Casa" with new Garmins (2 x 8612 MFDs, Heading Sensor, Fantom 24" dome, N2K network) and it all works well. :) The old radar was an open array Raymarine mounted on an extension platform in front of a SeaView mast upon which the sat tv antenna is mounted. Photo (array removed).

To get the new Fantom array at the same height as the Raymarine array, I added a SeaView 10" extension. Photo.

The angle of the existing mounting platform combined with the extension mount gives the new radar a noticeably forward-downward tilt. Photo1, Photo2. While I understand that some forward tilt is desirable to use the radar's 12.5 degree up and down vertical range from the array's center line to accommodate the higher bow angle at cruise, it "feels" like too much down angle so I'm interested to know of other's experience with radar mounting angle and what's optimum. SeaView offers shims of 2, 4 and 6 degrees so the extension mount can be adjusted or, more simply, I've also thought of just adding a few stainless washers directly under the Garmin (vs the entire mount) to adjust the angle.

It's worth mentioning that the folks at SeaView were very helpful understanding what I wanted to do and recommending the appropriate parts (extension mast and mounting plate specific to the Garmin Fantom).

Thanks in advance for any feedback or advice.
Click to expand...

TT is spot on with the angle measurement, but you also need to adjust based on how you will be using the radar. I tend to use mine at night in the ICW at a slow speed so my angle adjustment needs to pick up items with close proximity. I also run in rain and fog, but when inshore or approaching the channel I run slow and need close proximity so I don't hit anything. So set your angle up based on how close or far you need clear target separation.
 
mquiet said:
TT is spot on with the angle measurement, but you also need to adjust based on how you will be using the radar. I tend to use mine at night in the ICW at a slow speed so my angle adjustment needs to pick up items with close proximity. I also run in rain and fog, but when inshore or approaching the channel I run slow and need close proximity so I don't hit anything. So set your angle up based on how close or far you need clear target separation.
Click to expand...
+1
 
I Have a drippy sink faucet in the master head. Trying to get the cartridge out, no luck so far and I don't want to break anything by turning a wrench to hard. Does anyone know the brand or manufacturer of the faucet?
 
Ranger Mike said:
I Have a drippy sink faucet in the master head. Trying to get the cartridge out, no luck so far and I don't want to break anything by turning a wrench to hard. Does anyone know the brand or manufacturer of the faucet?
Click to expand...
Mike-

I would think it’s in the Parts Manual. They are Grohe’s on the 58, but that may be no help to you…
 
Does anyone have pictures of their AC pump and manifold arrangement in the forward bilge of the engine room? I don't like how mine was designed NC I'm looking for a better/neater solution. Thanks.
 
I would like to say a big thanks to everyone who helped out on the questions I had about the 480DB. The past Wednesday we had the surveys, both boat & engines (with oil samples taken & analyzed). The boat surveyor told me that this was the cleanest 480 he has ever been on and that we have a gem. Very few items needing attention and an overall rating of "Above Average". I was glad to hear all this good news.

The same for the engine surveyor. Just a couple of minor items which are expected for a 2003 boat. Oil samples returned perfect without any foreign particles or issues. These guys are a great resource and both said I could call on them with questions if needed. I was surprised to hear that, yet comforting to have access to a couple pro's who could answer most questions I could come up with.

The boat was in fresh water for all it's life with the exception of the last 2 years. It really shows that fact clearly in all areas of the boat. My wife & I are looking to close Tuesday, provision Wednesday and get under way Thursday. Jupiter, FL to Clearwater, FL via "The Ditch"

Again, thanks to all who have helped and thanks to CSR for a great forum!

Vince
480 On Sling.JPG
CARUSO KNOT TO US bottom.jpg
CARUSO KNOT TO US bottom.jpg
 
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