The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

[Forrestkk]

Quick afternoon run to Crab Island today.

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Hi All,

I am still struggling with rainwater intrusion into the port engine pan. I know I have stopped the shaft seal leak, and I also know that it is not freshwater from on-board, and not sewage. From what I can tell, somehow rainwater is getting into the area just in front of the port engine pan underneath the port waste tank. There is wooden divider that separates that area from the port engine pan that has a notch cut out in the middle about 6" wide. I have tried several times with my borescope to get a camera into the location, but I really can't get a good look. It seems like there is a limber hole leading to the forward bilge from that area, but I have stuck a long screwdriver through that hole (and cut my head several times) when I knew there was water in that location and it didn't seem obstructed. Does anyone have an idea of what it looks like underneath that port waste???

View attachment 112213

Hi All,

I am still struggling with rainwater intrusion into the port engine pan. I know I have stopped the shaft seal leak, and I also know that it is not freshwater from on-board, and not sewage. From what I can tell, somehow rainwater is getting into the area just in front of the port engine pan underneath the port waste tank. There is wooden divider that separates that area from the port engine pan that has a notch cut out in the middle about 6" wide. I have tried several times with my borescope to get a camera into the location, but I really can't get a good look. It seems like there is a limber hole leading to the forward bilge from that area, but I have stuck a long screwdriver through that hole (and cut my head several times) when I knew there was water in that location and it didn't seem obstructed. Does anyone have an idea of what it looks like underneath that port waste???

View attachment 112213

I had the same issue and I know this sounds crazy but check for a leak around the ground strap on the port side underwater exhaust. I chased this exact same leak condition and found that I had lost my port side underwater exhaust. There is one 1/4 inch through hull bolt that passes through the exhaust plate and hull and is then bolted in place with the ground strap. With that bolt missing I had a very small leak that ran all the way forward and slowly filled the compartment beneath the portside black water tank which given several days would then spill over into the engine compartment.

 

[Forrestkk]

I had the same issue and I know this sounds crazy but check for a leak around the ground strap on the port side underwater exhaust. I chased this exact same leak condition and found that I had lost my port side underwater exhaust. There is one 1/4 inch through hull bolt that passes through the exhaust plate and hull and is then bolted in place with the ground strap. With that bolt missing, I had a very small leak that ran all the way forward and slowly filled the compartment beneath the portside black water tank which given several days would then spill over into the engine compartment.

First, welcome to the thread, nice to have you!

Oh wow! Lost the whole underwater exhaust! I will definitely investigate that ground strap.

I am planning on sitting in the ER during the next heavy rain (that isn't in the middle of the night) and just looking around.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I had the same issue and I know this sounds crazy but check for a leak around the ground strap on the port side underwater exhaust. I chased this exact same leak condition and found that I had lost my port side underwater exhaust. There is one 1/4 inch through hull bolt that passes through the exhaust plate and hull and is then bolted in place with the ground strap. With that bolt missing I had a very small leak that ran all the way forward and slowly filled the compartment beneath the portside black water tank which given several days would then spill over into the engine compartment.

Thank you for posting Tony!
I have been admiring Tony's boat on Facebook for over a year now. I would have used his upholstery guy for my flooring if he still had the templates for the teak Infinity product he used. It turned out great. His latest addition is this incredible folding table for the flybridge built by his son that is a work of art. Amazing craftsmanship! Welcome again to the group Tony!

 

[Forrestkk]

Thank you for posting Tony!
I have been admiring Tony's boat on Facebook for over a year now. I would have used his upholstery guy for my flooring if he still had the templates for the teak Infinity product he used. It turned out great. His latest addition is this incredible folding table for the flybridge built by his son that is a work of art. Amazing craftsmanship! Welcome again to the group Tony!
View attachment 113347

That table is incredible and love the floors!

Is there a 450EB FB group???

 

[Shoyrtt]

That table is incredible and love the floors!

Is there a 450EB FB group???

No, there is a "CSR" group and a "Sea Ray Owners" group. I want to say I have come across three to four other 450 EB owners there.

 

[Forrestkk]

First, welcome to the thread, nice to have you!

Oh wow! Lost the whole underwater exhaust! I will definitely investigate that ground strap.

I am planning on sitting in the ER during the next heavy rain (that isn't in the middle of the night) and just looking around.

Hi Tony,

Ran down to the dock after soccer practice...both of mine are intact. Port pictured below. I didn't yank on them for fear of breaking. Also didn't see any water. Did yours look intact?

 

[Shoyrtt]

Apparently the 450 EB makes "...the biggest wake that has ever been made behind a boat..."

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Thank you for posting Tony!
I have been admiring Tony's boat on Facebook for over a year now. I would have used his upholstery guy for my flooring if he still had the templates for the teak Infinity product he used. It turned out great. His latest addition is this incredible folding table for the flybridge built by his son that is a work of art. Amazing craftsmanship! Welcome again to the group Tony!
View attachment 113347

Jim per your request here is the Cockpit table he made for me 2 years ago. Wonder where he learned this stuff?? lol......

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Hi Tony,

Ran down to the dock after soccer practice...both of mine are intact. Port pictured below. I didn't yank on them for fear of breaking. Also didn't see any water. Did yours look intact?

View attachment 113356

Yes that is the ground strap that I am referring to and it looks in tact. And yes lost the underwater exhaust, these things are made to break away pretty easy to avoid damaging the hull. Spring time boating on the Mississippi can be a bit tricky a lot of submersed objects floating down river. Luckily it just took out my exhaust port and not the running gear. I picked up a used replacement for $250 of Ebay. I was pulling the boat for bottom paint anyway so had the marine service team replace it.

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Apparently the 450 EB makes "...the biggest wake that has ever been made behind a boat..."

Jim that's the one!! I will drive!!

 

[The Bill Collector]

Yes that is the ground strap that I am referring to and it looks in tact. And yes lost the underwater exhaust, these things are made to break away pretty easy to avoid damaging the hull. Spring time boating on the Mississippi can be a bit tricky a lot of submersed objects floating down river. Luckily it just took out my exhaust port and not the running gear. I picked up a used replacement for $250 of Ebay. I was pulling the boat for bottom paint anyway so had the marine service team replace it.

That is an awesome price !!! flounder pounder =
Bronze Underwater Exhaust Port for Sea Ray 1215581, 850529
2Reviews
Our Price: $1,244.88

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Hi Tony,

Ran down to the dock after soccer practice...both of mine are intact. Port pictured below. I didn't yank on them for fear of breaking. Also didn't see any water. Did yours look intact?

View attachment 113356

Actually any water intrusion in this area will make its way forward(cockpit shower is directly above) to compartment beneath the black water tank. If you have ruled out other sources I would watch this area closely. This had me scratching my head for several days.

 

[Forrestkk]

Actually any water intrusion in this area will make its way forward(cockpit shower is directly above) to compartment beneath the black water tank. If you have ruled out other sources I would watch this area closely. This had me scratching my head for several days.

Thx Tony!

So far I have fixed the rod holder issues, re-bedded ER vents, fixed flloor drains, re-bedded all cockpit locker doors, and filled holes on the cockpit floor under the steps (previous owners mechanic didn't re-install the brackets).

I do need to check the shower locker. I made sure it wasn't leaking at the valves, but didn't think about rain getting in there (duh). I am also going to re-caulk the transom locker which is letting water come in the cabelmaster, but that is a starboard issue. Also, plan to re-caulk the whole cockpit floor seam as it looks like the last time it was done they didn't use a tool to smooth the caulking which may have left some gaps/bubbles that aren't apparent.

I also think I self-inflicted some ER hatch issues which I just got the parts in to fix.

I just need to watch for the next T-Storm and then go sit on the boat and work until hits and then jump i to the ER for the duration.

More to follow!

 

[Shoyrtt]

Jim per your request here is the Cockpit table he made for me 2 years ago. Wonder where he learned this stuff?? lol......
View attachment 113364

Can I send your son my table? I like how my table turned out, except I wanted that deep epoxy look/mirror finish if possible.

 

[SR450EB Captain]

hey guys new to the sea ray 450 EB world . I am really close to buying a 2001 450 EB, Cummins mtrs 3 stateroom model. I have had big boats for 20+ years but only gas units. this is a fresh water boat since new, 700+ hours on mtrs and similar hours in genset. boat is in pretty good condition from what I can see. It has sea deck & led lighting installed as well.
my questions are on these engines, should I prepare for a lot of maint costs on these mtrs. ?
the ac's need work & the main salon unit does not blow much air / volume is really low . I only found 2 small ac vents up high by the tv. I have yet to find and 2nd or 3rd vent for the salon. this is a pretty big room for only those 2 small vents. what am I missing here?
I have been reading all your comments & can see that guys really know these EB boats & love them. thanks in advance Ken in Dallas

I also have

Can I send your son my table? I like how my table turned out, except I wanted that deep epoxy look/mirror finish if possible.
View attachment 113372
View attachment 113373

That table looks GREAT! Assuming you have some of finish on the table I doubt you could cover with epoxy. Most likely would have to take it back down to raw wood and then start the epoxy pours, even the slightest residual from previous finish could be problematic. Epoxy coat is labor intense, 3-4 pours total, with sanding between each pour then full compound, polish, buff and wax on the final coat.

 

[LMBoat]

Jim, table is great, but what caught my eye is the flooring. It looks great. Is that woven vinyl? Your thoughts/comments? Does it hold water, clean easy, etc. Did you have someone make/install it? DYI? And the color?

Thanks
Larry

 

[Shoyrtt]

Jim, table is great, but what caught my eye is the flooring. It looks great. Is that woven vinyl? Your thoughts/comments? Does it hold water, clean easy, etc. Did you have someone make/install it? DYI? And the color?

Thanks
Larry

Larry,
I tried to detail my journey with the flooring earlier in the thread on pages 1 & 2. It is vinyl flooring from Corinthian. Tony has the vinyl flooring from Infinity.
I like but it’s not perfect. The downside is it does get hot, so I usually spray some fresh water from the lazarette hose on the swim platform or I wear flip flops on the cockpit. Other than that they are great, easy to clean and are very durable. Another bonus with Corinthian is each piece is numbered and in their computer system so if you did by chance damage it, it can be replaced. We used their Solar Tan pattern, but they have lots of options and will send you samples. The only change I would make is I went with traditional snaps instead of their Aqualoc (Velcro) system. If I were to do it again, I’d keep the traditional snaps on the swim platform, but do the Velcro everywhere else, especially on the stairs.

 

[SR450EB Captain]

Just received my new cup holder from Gripmate and put it to the test this past weekend. I have got to admit this has exceeded my expectation. Non skid bottom material with added velcro security strap and weighs enough not to take flight. Out all day up running 2200 rpm this thing didn't move once! Tom does nice work www.thegripmate.com

 

[Forrestkk]

Just received my new cup holder from Gripmate and put it to the test this past weekend. I have got to admit this has exceeded my expectation. Non skid bottom material with added velcro security strap and weighs enough not to take flight. Out all day up running 2200 rpm this thing didn't move once! Tom does nice work www.thegripmate.com

View attachment 113587

Is that center area just open for phones and such?