Considering 2000 46DA

[sprink56]

We have been toying with the idea of selling our 390EC and moving up to something larger if the right deal came along. We have an offer on our 39 and will probably close on the sale tomorrow. Things change in our lives from time to time that influence the decisions we make.

Meanwhile we are exploring a 2000 46DA with Cummins 6CTA 8.3M 430 HP power. This boat is loaded with options and may be a fit for us. I did some research on the forum and have found much discussion about these boats and would like to hear feed back from people who own one.

What are the issues with this boat? Is there something inherently "problamatic" like a cored hull or other "isms" that I need to know about?

I have not been on one of these yet and have no feel for the lay out.

All thoughts and suggestions are welcomed. :thumbsup:
.

 

[osd9]

Congrats on the offer....I hope it goes through well for you.

As far as the 460DA, if you haven't already, you may want to look here , here and here .
Good luck and keep us posted.....btw, I personally love the 460DA and if my local MM would take 2002 or 2003 with 480CE's in on trade, I'd have it in my dock....

 

[tobnpr]

John:

Man, you just set the record for "itis"...
You must've stole that 390 to flip it so quick. And I thought I was impulsive!

Seriously, though- that was disaster time for Sea Ray and their cored hulls. The big boats (40-56 ft)that came out of Merrit Island from 1995-2001 had more than their share of problems. Sea Ray cut deals with many of the affected owners to keep their mouths shut. I don't know that I'd even waste the money on a survey for one of them. Changes in manufacturing and QC were made beginning in '02.

I have the Powerboat Reports article that covers this. PM me with your fax # and I'll shoot it to you...

 

[Jaws]

Most of the coring issues that you are concerned with apparently happened in the first year, 1999. The 450DA which it replaced was also produced earlier that same year. As I understand it from discussions with Sea Ray when I researched my boat, the bottom in the area of the pick-ups and tranducers was cored as is the rest of the bottom so the first '99s had the potential for a core issue in this area. It was quickly rectified and a lot of solid fiberglass was then used in all areas where the thru-hulls existed. I thought that this problem was fixed by later that year and certainly by the 2000 model. I believe that the 460DA might have been produced at the Palm Coast plant.

The coring is actually two 2mm sheets in a 25mm thick section in my transom so if this is representative of the coring it sure isn't much in the '02 version.

The other hull issue was the balsa in the sides which was deleted part way thru the 2001 season, hull #617 (if I remember correctly). That's not generally as big an issue unless there is water intrusion around the sidelights but definitely you should have the hull surveyed and you might want to pick up a GRP33 and check it yourself if the boat in on land.

Going from a 390EC you will probably love the layout. The Cummins motors should give decent performance and are dead reliable. Just watch the seawater pumps and aftercoolers and get a sea trial with a Cummins mechanic aboard. The mechanical 450C engines were replaced by the semi-electronic version for 2003.

Good luck with the search. There are a few 460 and 450 owners on board who will be happy to chip in with advice.

James

 

[Asureyez]

The 460 is a good choice on balance. I know it has been for me and I waited two extra years to get more boat cash to pull the trigger on one rather than buying a SR 42 at the time I got the itch.

A perfect boat much of the time, a PITA .. some of the time, but then It is a boat! I'm pleased tell all I know and then lie about the rest..

 

[Carver370]

I have over 100 Hours running a 2000 460 Sundancer with the same motors, ask away!

 

[geriksen]

I like the 460 when it comes with the hard top. It is a nice looking b oat and has a good layout.
We have repaired the core issues on them in my yard. Once the are correctly fixed they should be fine boats.
The places to look at are under both engine vents and under the windows/portlights on the sides of the hull.
The problem was improper/insufficient sealing around these fittings. When we removed the vents we saw raw balsa core exposed all around. It is no wonder they rotted.....
Actually, in the "service gallery" on the eriksen marine website you can see pictures of one being fixed.
Even with their problems I still like them better than the newer models.

Some models were built at two different plants. Only one plant had the problem boats.
I am not sure if that includes the 460 but it might. Frank would know the answer to that one.

 

[sprink56]

Thanks for the responses. I'm scheduled to sea trial and close on my 390 today with the buyer..it's a great day for it too with near calm winds and smooth ocean/ICW.
I will get into this 460 deal in detail over the next few days. From what I can read the problems were primarily with pre-2000 models :huh: but admittedly I need more education on this subject.

We are going to miss the 390. I spent some time and $$$ bringing her back to her former glory. Several of the prospective buyers asked " Who painted the Awl Grip for you ?" my reply was, "That's the original gel coat...Connie Ray put a lot of gel coat on these boats and it still comes back after 20 years." After some faily long cruises I soon realized that on a boat of this size and weight and beyond diesels are the only way to go for any serious extended cruising. :thumbsup:

 

[chicru]

i have a 2001 460 sundancer and have put over 2000 hours on it. i think it is the perfect boat for cruising. the only issue i have is it is a little underpowered. i have the cummins engines with 430bhp. it cruises at 20 to 22 knotts.

 

[sprink56]

i have a 2001 460 sundancer and have put over 2000 hours on it. i think it is the perfect boat for cruising. the only issue i have is it is a little underpowered. i have the cummins engines with 430bhp. it cruises at 20 to 22 knotts.[/qu

That's not a bad cruise...all things considered.

What are your fuel consumption numbers at cruise? Range? I know you can't be exact but what is your real world experience?

 

[doozie]

I have a 01 with 03 3126B Cats, 21 knott cruise, 2400 Rpm, with Electronic readout 34 Gal.Hr. Bob