The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

[Forrestkk]

Forrest, did you get your canvas from Boatswain? I just did mine from them. My back two panels are wrinkled like yours. I could not get them any better.

I had issues. Mostly from the frame, not Boatswain fault. Apparently, my frame had been adjusted/modified when the canvas was redone before we got the boat. It took a few phone calls to Boatswain to get it all figured out. I still can't get the aft sides attached to the radar arch. They are too short, but I have a couple of ideas.

And I could not get the awning installed correctly. I got it decent and quit.

The windshield covers came out great.

All in all, much better that what I had, but not as good as I had hoped (my fault), but happy. This is one of those projects that I wish I had a "do-over". And, I saved a ton vs local canvas guys here.

Thanks
Larry

Larry,

Yes, from Boatswain's Locker

That image of the back is misleading. It is completely flat in person.

My whole set fits perfectly. The only issue I have had is that the nuts that hold the grab rail on the port side of the helm are causing a little wave in the small window between the side window and port windshield beacuse it doesn't let the canvas lay flat. Gonna ask Boatswain on that, but guessing it is a known issue as the original was one large piece instead of two small and one large.

I am thrilled with mine, and $7K cheaper than the local guy.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Thanks for posting.
Survey must have found a lot of $hit wrong with the 5th one from the bottom. My bet is she must have been wet along with what ever else they found. Thoughts?

To knock the price in half, there must have been something really bad found in a survey. It was a 1999 boat, maybe it had a "soft block" Caterpillar issue requiring an engine or two.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Here are some vintage sale ads from Executive Yacht Brokerage Inc. (which appears to no longer be in operation) from 2000. EYB specialized in Sea Ray and Formula yachts. In the bottom left corner is an ad for a 2000 450 EB. The ad reads: "2000 45' Sea Ray Express Bridge. Twin 450hp Cummins. Raytheon Electronics. Sale Price $439,000.00."

The December 2000 ad had three 450 EBs listed. A 1998 and two 2000 models. $389K for the 98 and $449K for the 00s.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Here is a 1999 ad from C&S Marine.
"1999 Sea Ray 450 Express Bridge. Twin 412hp 8 hours. Birds eye maple interior, bow thruster, TNT lift, top knotch electronics, stored inside, crazy to buy new. Try $485K." "Also available 98 450 Express Bridge 80 hours. Try $440K."

 

[Shoyrtt]

Last one for comparison. Here is Executive Yacht again in 2006. They had four listed.
1998: $259K
1998: $269K
1999: $269K
2001: $359K

 

[Shoyrtt]

I found a picture of a Disney World 450 EB on this website promoting honeymooning at the Grand Floridian Resort in 2004.
https://www.travelersjoy.com/blog/2019/10/plan-your-whimsical-honeymoon-at-disney-world.html

I wonder if it is this boat that we have discussed before:
https://www.hmy.com/yachts-for-sale/45-sea-ray-450-express-bridge-2004/

 

[Shoyrtt]

More Disney World 450 results. It looks like our boats were not necessarily just for VIPs, anyone could book them as a "Specialty Cruise." Here is another link to the details and information: https://allears.net/walt-disney-world/wdw-planning/specialty-resort-park-cruises/
This must be an early boat. Notice the Sea Ray emblem on the spoiler is white.

Following the retirement of the 450EBs, Sea Ray supplied 52 DBs to the resort. This link on the 52 gives more details on rates and what the cruise entailed:
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/specialty-cruise-on-disney-worlds-grand-1-yacht/

 

[Shoyrtt]

I installed the new anchor light today. It was really easy using the original bracket and drilling out the upper hole to bolt the BD bracket to. I found some shoddy workmanship on the spoiler. Whoever installed the Garmin left a couple of open holes that may have been the source of moisture.
Other than that, it was a fun project. Out with the old dim light and in with the new!

 

[Forrestkk]

I installed the new anchor light today. It was really easy using the original bracket and drilling out the upper hole to bolt the BD bracket to. I found some shoddy workmanship on the spoiler. Whoever installed the Garmin left a couple of open holes that may have been the source of moisture.
Other than that, it was a fun project. Out with the old dim light and in with the new!
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Looks good! Bummer on the holes, but at least you were able to fill them.

Like your radar mount.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Same radar .The mounts look similar. As a pilot, yours is more aerodynamic.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I found some more vintage treasures on my boat. Here is the listing when the original owner sold the boat in 2004. He had it priced at $329k. I also found the sales contract for $313k.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Greetings from Marco Island Yacht Club. 90nm yesterday from Key West. Back to home port Ft. Meyers today, 40nm. 12mph West wind open water transit very rolly polly lots of spray, boat handled magnificent in 3-4' seas.

 

[Forrestkk]

Same radar .The mounts look similar. As a pilot, yours is more aerodynamic.
View attachment 126057 View attachment 126056

Aerodynamics! You are killing me bro...lol!

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Need recommended seacock handle extension wrench. Aka gear wrench? Or do channel locks suffice? My discharge valve is tough angle under batteries. Currently half open. All seacocks are tough reach for that matter. Seems to me there's an appropriate handle extension tool to provide leverage. Thought I saw a reference to one on here a while back. Thanks.

 

[Forrestkk]

Jack,

I have this one (large) and it works great on all of our sea cocks. In fact, after making sure to exercise the valves once or twice a month I don't use it anymore. It is sitting right near in case I ever need it, but regular use seems to have negated the need for the extra leverage
It still helps with reach.

https://www.topshelfmarine.com/product/sea-cock-ball-valve-helper/

 

[Shoyrtt]

Need recommended seacock handle extension wrench. Aka gear wrench? Or do channel locks suffice? My discharge valve is tough angle under batteries. Currently half open. All seacocks are tough reach for that matter. Seems to me there's an appropriate handle extension tool to provide leverage. Thought I saw a reference to one on here a while back. Thanks.

Jack, I second Kevin’s recommendation. I have the same handle on my boat and agree that after exercising the valves regularly I don’t need it anymore. My black tank/macerator/discharge valve was really stuck when I bought my boat. Coming from fresh water it wasn’t used for decades. I used some penetrating spray (blue & green can that I can’t remember the name of) and the magic handle to gradually over a few weeks free up. It’s still a pain in the ass to crawl down into the ER to open and close each trip under the batteries. I know when we chartered the Aquila it had an electric valve, but I’m not sure that would pass USCG’s standards.

 

[Shoyrtt]

I’m guessing this is the valve the Aquila used. Pricey in both sizes, but it would be nice pump out all of the black tank waste from the comfort of the salon.

 

[Forrestkk]

I’m guessing this is the valve the Aquila used. Pricey in both sizes, but it would be nice pump out all of the black tank waste from the comfort of the salon.
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Jim,
Curious, are pumpouts not free in CA? I have yet to use my overboard pump.

We don't even come close to filling the black tanks between fuelings and the dock hands are happy to pump anytime we are getting fuel. We may be the exception though.

 

[Shoyrtt]

Jim,
Curious, are pumpouts not free in CA? I have yet to use my overboard pump.

We don't even come close to filling the black tanks between fuelings and the dock hands are happy to pump anytime we are getting fuel. We may be the exception though.

The pumpout docks are free in the marina where you rent a slip, but they are separate from the fuel dock. We also have the "Royal Flush" boats that will come to the slip, pump out the black water tanks and even rinse with fresh water for $35.
When our valve was stuck, I would make a stop at the free dock at the end of the trip to pump out. On a three day weekend trip, the tanks are usually half full. The Admiral isn't very patient and the time at the dock was counterproductive, so I got the valve open and we can pumpout on the fly. I usually slow down to idle speed to open and close the valve, but while it is pumping I bring the speed up to 12 knots or so. If the seas are rough heading back, I just pay the $35 to keep the peace.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Had a head clog is why 1/2 opened waste seacock to run waste discharge 10 sec. to see if would help. Nope. Nor did a standard plunger. Hand down into open toilet valve cleared a paper wad then suction took over. Luckily able to retrieve my hand! Lol. Aware I should operate my seacocks regularly. Waste one not new or operated in a while. Usually get a pump out on fueling. Need that tool, thanks!