Z-Worthy
Active Member
My wife and I absolutely love our 1997 400DA. It’s basically the perfect boat for us and how we have traditionally used it. But we recently had our first child, and now we’re looking around the docks and realizing that there are certain items that would really come in handy with a growing family. Bow pads with back rests are my wife’s #1 wish-list item, but a hydraulic platform is my #1 item.
I hear horror stories about maintenance and high cost repairs on the hydraulics and mechanical components, but how much of that is due to saltwater use and/or differed maintenance? How reliable are the mechanicals on those platforms in a freshwater environment? Is it a bad sign if the previous owners were testing the weight limits with a heavy jet ski or dinghy? And what should someone look for when researching used boats?
It also seems really hit-or-miss when looking for 420/44 Sundancers with the hydraulic platform. Was that a factory option? Or are they all aftermarket on those models? If we want a factory OEM platform, what models and years did Sea Ray start offering them? Thanks guys!
I hear horror stories about maintenance and high cost repairs on the hydraulics and mechanical components, but how much of that is due to saltwater use and/or differed maintenance? How reliable are the mechanicals on those platforms in a freshwater environment? Is it a bad sign if the previous owners were testing the weight limits with a heavy jet ski or dinghy? And what should someone look for when researching used boats?
It also seems really hit-or-miss when looking for 420/44 Sundancers with the hydraulic platform. Was that a factory option? Or are they all aftermarket on those models? If we want a factory OEM platform, what models and years did Sea Ray start offering them? Thanks guys!