420 DA Thread

You are right Pete, I have been looking at a 48 since they came out. I just can t figure out how 4 extra feet is worth 300k. I guess there is not rhyme or reason to boat pricing. I guess I just wait to see what happens. With the current US Dollar/CDN exchange, you will see alot of Canadians buying boats in the US and licensing them here.
 
48 is definately a little nicer if you get rougher waves, etc. Plus the full glass enclosure is nice compared to the 42. Below - hard to say - but not too much of a benefit if you ask me - a little more room, that's it.

55 / 62 - well, that's a whole nother story if you ask me!
 
420 Newbie - draining Racors

I am the proud owner of a 2005 420DA. I had a 240 DA, 340DA and now the 420 - I introduced myself a few months back and in the mean time I have been reading and soaking up all that I could find on this and other boards. I also shot a few private emails to Frank W and Frank for some clarification.

Well today I decided to drain my Racors because I detected water and sludge in the botttom of the bowl. First let me say, by day I'm a desk jockey and consider myself pretty handy. Well the first thing about draining the Racors is the location - I'm not that tall and the location is difficult to get to even for me. I started on the starboard Racor with my diaper and coffee can at the ready. I shut off both of the valves to the filter. I began to unscrew the drain plug ever so gently but realized the outer fitting that secures the metal cowling was also turning. At this point I decided it was too late to turn back and removed the plug along with the outer fitting as the water and sludge droped into the coffee can. I quicky screwed in the fitting not really sure if I drained enough of the crud. Next time I will be a little smarter and have a second wrench available - still a lille concerned about the amount of crud so earlier in the season.
 
Mark,
I'm sure you know this but try to get fuel from a dock that has lots of diesel fuel turnover. I was using the fuel dock at Southwinds on Forked river (they Have Valetech) and I had minimal "crap" buildup.

Glad to hear you're enjoying "Southern Cross". Are you coming to BIH?
 
Thanks. I can't make the BIH due to my business travel too bad
 
Hi Mark:

Have you filled up since your initial fuel from delivery at Brant Beach?

The reason I ask, is that I am also noticing some sludge in my bowls and I am still running on the first tank that BB supplied at delivery. It may be that whereever BB got gas for our boats could have had a bad load of diesel. I know that we both took delivery around the same time this spring. I'm waiting to run the tanks down before I drain and change filters. I'm embarrased to say that I still have more than 1/2 tank left......I need to get out and put more hours on her.

There are a few threads here about adding drain valves to the bottom of the Racors. The previous owner of my boat was kind enough to take care of that task for me.... :grin: ...you may want to consider it....

Good luck....too bad you can't make it to BIH with us.....hopefully your travel plans will open open up.....


See you on the bay....
 
420 DA versus 390 DA - help requested1

Hey folks

There are a lot of very experienced big boat owners here and I would like to be able to benefit from your experience. I currently own a Chaparral 300 Signature, which is a nice little boat for our family for weekends. However, I want to cruise the Bahamas next year for 2+ months and I definitely want one of the bigger Sea Rays.

I have narrowed it down to either an 03+ 420 DA or an 04+ 390 DA. Most of the 420's seem to have the Cummins oilers and it seems most of the 390's have Mercruiser Horizons. Given everyone's experience of gas vs diesel and the relative size differences, what would you recommend?

By the way, I have 3 daughters, aged 12, 10 and 7 (I know, I know... raging hormones just down the road!)

Best wishes
 
Your Goal is to Extensively Cruise the Bahamas, Right?

There are so many considerations for choosing the right boat to meet your overall need, but fuel has to be a big one.

On this factor alone, diesel is far and away the gold standard for cruising. In the Bahamas, Diesel is curretnly $3.35 to $3.65 a gal vs. Gas at over $5.00 per. On the fuel cost alone Diesel is most attractive. Then consider that Diesel fuel vapor is not explosive in typical concentrations and pressures. Carbon Monoxide is less of a issue and finally, diesel engines are less complicated. These advantages are offset by a higher initial purchase cost.

Diesel engines develop high torque, provide the same speeds as gas and they cost less per mile in fuel costs to use in the Bahamas.

These are just a few considerations let alone the wonderful "rumble" that diesles make! :wink:
 
One thing I like about the Diesels is that because of their tremendous torque - they are able to run in a boat much closer to their "normal" operating range of RPMS. I can cruise at 2200 RPMS all day long - which is not too hard on a diesel.

In my previous 340DA with gas engines we were running near 4000 RPMS to make cruise - really running the balls off them when considering that in normal automobile installations gas engines only run in the ~2000 RPM range or less "at cruise".

There is much more energy per gallon of diesel fuel than gasoline - making diesels generally more efficient. This on top of the price of diesel right now makes them attractive.

I also read somewhere that a properly operated and maintained set of diesels can last between 3,000 to 6,000 hours before overhaul...likely the life of the boat in some cases.

So far in my 420 the only downside to the diesels is a bit of smoke & smell on startup when cold - but its minimal and I would never consider this significant enough to consider gas engines.

At first its kind of weird to hear that diesel rumble down in the engine compartment - especially when you power one up during maneuvering and hear that "nickel-ing" response...I usually get a smile out of the male passengers on board as it kinda exudes a feeling of overwhelming power down below. The closest sound I can relate them to is the Jet Express ferry that runs to the islands around here - though that thing has several thousand horsepower per side!
 
Re: 420 DA versus 390 DA - help requested1

Quint said:
Hey folks

I have narrowed it down to either an 03+ 420 DA or an 04+ 390 DA. Most of the 420's seem to have the Cummins oilers and it seems most of the 390's have Mercruiser Horizons. Given everyone's experience of gas vs diesel and the relative size differences, what would you recommend?

By the way, I have 3 daughters, aged 12, 10 and 7 (I know, I know... raging hormones just down the road!)

I used to own a 2001 380 with gas engines before my 480 and I have 4 boys. When I had the 380, my boys ranged in ages from 4 to 12 so I know what you are going to be dealing with. I'll echo the diesel comments above and with kids, the generator is always running and a low-rpm diesel generator is great.

The big issue for you though is going to be bathrooms (yeah yeah... "heads"). The 390 as a single bathroom and the 420 has two. That makes a BIG difference with kids on the boat. I'm not sure about the mechanicals of the dual heads on the 420, but the 480 has independent vacuflush systems so if one toilet stops working, there is a backup. You need to think about the "What if my only bathroom stops working in the bahamas" and what 3 girls and wife would do.... :grin:

Good luck...
 
Dominic,

I am embarassed as well as I have about a half tank remaining from my initial delivery. I will be careful where I fill up.
 
Quint,
I went from an 02 320DA with 300 MAG Horizons to the 03 420DA with 450 Cummins. I've previously posted a lot of the decision process we went through before my family and I made the switch. Unfortunately many of those posts were gone with SRO, the previous Sea Ray owner's online hangout.

Send me an e-mail and I will give you my thoguhts on the 03 420DA with Cummins power. Sea Ray got a lot right on this boat, and I have found I can live with the compromises.
regards
Skip
 
Gary, Shawn, Chad & Skip

Thanks for your responses - you all make good points. The diesel issue is more significant than I thought, from fuel usage, cost and cruising performance. All very important points.

Also, I didn't really think about the two heads issue, but with 3 girls and a modest women on board, I wouldn't be winning any polularity contests if the one and only head packed up. I can just hear it now: "Dad, when can we go home? This sucks!"

"Yeah Dad, who's big idea was it to come here in the first place? Drop us at the nearest resort!"

Little princesses...

I think if I want any peace and sanity in my life, I'll take two heads for the girls, and two diesels for the skipper!

I'll keep you all posted... :smt001
 
THat is interesting about the bad diesel...
Luckily (knock on fiberglass!) I have not had a problem in Milwaukee - nor has anyone else I know....

I was out running all last weekend - flat lake - just a little bump here and there - system monitor was saying 30-35 gph - and I was doing anywhere from 28 to 32mph... I did a rough calculation after I got back Friday night - and I would say I was more about 25 gph - not 35 like it said...

I have a small leak under Starboard enginee - working it out wtih dealer - it appears to be a OEM defect.

Other than that - so far, has been a good year on the boat. Only a few little trips...Got a big one (weather dependent) next weekend across the pond - 90+ miles - and then once over there -a different town each day.
 
Rob / Others - Any more issues with your windshield vent?? Two weeks ago, mine didn't want to open. I "encouraged" it with the boat pole and all worked fine. This past weekend, it failed again and neither boat pole nor sweet talk had any impact. If I actually "helped" it along while boss pressed switch, it would move about 1/4 open. It then needs to "rest" for an hour before it'll move at all again.

It sounds and functions as if power gets there for a split second and then trails off to nothing.

Yours still good?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.
 
Glory -
No problem on my end with the vent - and I operate it daily each time I go out...

Beautiful weekend here for boating on the lakes - it was a sheet of glass all weekend - went about 40 miles south on Saturday for dinner - coming home - 32 mph - 2400 rpm - system said 38 gph...smooth as could be!
 
The problem I have with the vent is that the insulation sticks to the window. It puts added pressure on the motor and then finally breaks loose. I wonder if you have the same issue and it overheated the motor?
 
Gervie-

Yes, you are spot on. The insulation did stick somewhat and then broke free and worked fine....until the last two weeks. I guess I'm looking at a new motor. Good news is I had it apart and it looks pretty straight forward to replace (although I've said that before about a lot of things..)
 
What a great weekend

I spent Father's Day weekend with the fam on a quick overnight trip to Atlantic City. The ocean was magnificient. This was the first real test of my new (pre-owned) 420 DA. Wow - now I understand the power of the diesels! Also got a chance to work with my auto-pilot. Now I understand why everyone says they can't live without. With the AP on it is easier to perfect the radar settings.

Dom - I looked for you at the Deck. Were you there?
 

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