Ky 420 da

[kysearay]

Hello all,

Im finalizing my purchase of a 05 420 DA hardtop pewter hull 8.1s and cant wait. I also have a Monticello 60 HB and cant wait to be able to cruise with my better half without a crew.
She is bristol and very well cared for.
So...... is there anything you seasoned SeaRayers can help me look out for??? I am considering updating the smart craft to a new 5" screen and J boxes - $1000 along with new plugs and wires. All mechanics check out great along with airs!

I cant want to float that sexy beast!!

Chris

KY

 

[carterchapman]

In '05 and '06, all models with pewter hulls had a lot of blister problems due to flawed gelcoat (so I've been told). I'm sure your surveyor checked for that during your survey haulout.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I would find it hard to buy a forty plus foot boat with gas engines, love my Cummings s 8.3 500 HD deisels.

 

[LG111]

The 8.1 496 engine is solid and very reliable. The 420 will handle like a dream with plenty of tourqe. Run her at 3400 to 3600 for best fuel consumption. That should deliver 21 - 25 mph @ .75 mpg. Diesel would deliver around 1mph but the performance will be very very similar. I know because I have ran these boats with both versions.

If you have an extra $50k then diesel, if not you will not be disappointed with the 8.1s.

 

[kysearay]

Thank you LG111, exactly my thinking and as I am cruising the Ohio River up and down - not a huge issue for me with not having diesels. I did have the bottom checked and she just received fresh bottom paint and boot - checked out really nicely!!
Thanks alot
chris

 

[mjoplin]

Nice! You might take a look at a Smartcraft gateway to NMEA2K and pipe it into a Raymarine (or other) MFD. I did it on my 280 using an ES78 and really like the color display. You are in a great area, I've always wanted to take the Ohio to the Mississippi and see where it could take me. I went to school in Murray and always enjoyed the water in that area. Congrats on the new boat!

Thank you LG111, exactly my thinking and as I am cruising the Ohio River up and down - not a huge issue for me with not having diesels. I did have the bottom checked and she just received fresh bottom paint and boot - checked out really nicely!!
Thanks alot
chris

 

[kysearay]

Thanks very much MJ, my son is a junior at Murray currently. So I love the idea of the gateway but have no idea the rest of that.... what is NMEA2K? I have looked at upgrading the smartcraft display at the helm - the new one is slightly smaller - the larger one is 2700$ alittle more then I want to spend.
thanks alot
chris

 

[JC3]

Ky Searay, Welcome to the forum. I had been meaning to reply before but got sidetracked. I am one of the "old guys" and its good to see other Ky captains on here. Great boat you picked out! If I can be of any assistance please feel free to PM me. BTW, my daughter graduated from UK last year and just finished her 1st year of Grad school. She wrote for KSR for 4 a little over years. True blue for sure. Again, good to see you on here and welcome. JC

 

[kysearay]

Hey there JC3, thanks alot. I have two at UK this coming fall, congrats on your daughter thats awesome!
My favorite vessel was a 34 DA so its nice to get back into a DA and the 42 is bristol. Working out some '05 items and trying to get over my ocd with a seasoned boat. She is well maintained and clean. Thank you for reaching out!
chris

Ky Searay, Welcome to the forum. I had been meaning to reply before but got sidetracked. I am one of the "old guys" and its good to see other Ky captains on here. Great boat you picked out! If I can be of any assistance please feel free to PM me. BTW, my daughter graduated from UK last year and just finished her 1st year of Grad school. She wrote for KSR for 4 a little over years. True blue for sure. Again, good to see you on here and welcome. JC

 

[copb8tx]

The 8.1 496 engine is solid and very reliable. The 420 will handle like a dream with plenty of tourqe. Run her at 3400 to 3600 for best fuel consumption. That should deliver 21 - 25 mph @ .75 mpg. Diesel would deliver around 1mph but the performance will be very very similar. I know because I have ran these boats with both versions.

If you have an extra $50k then diesel, if not you will not be disappointed with the 8.1s.

I have an 05 420DA w/8.1S and don't get the numbers quoted here. I agree that 3400-3600 is the sweet spot of cruising but with a clean bottom and 3/4 fuel I'll be going 21mph @ 3600 while getting .55mpg at that speed.

Gassers are popular for boaters on inland lakes and rivers. Fuel is readily available, we don't travel long distances, maintenance is cheap and readily available. Diesel mechanics are much harder to find and much more expensive. If you do have a catastrophic failure the gas engine is relatively inexpensive to repair/replace. The diesel is big $$$. That said, if I were on the coast or the great lakes I'd definitely want the diesels for longer distance traveling.