The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

[Forrestkk]

Caught a glimpse of a 450EB entering Riverside Marina at Marco Island, from the yacht club, where we are docked. Grabbed the phone, snapped the distant pic, then hiked on over to it. They are from Houston, Tx, on trip to Key West and Dry Tortugas. They see our group posts, haven't joined per se, but say they will. I asked if they might snap a pic of their hull # and post it. It's a 2003 model, looks in great shape. I think he said bought it Sept. '21.

Jack - How did you and your boat make out with Ian? We've seen some horrible pictures from FTMyers / Sanibel.

We're up in Burnt Store Marina, about 10 miles north of you. We're floating, some hull damage, dinghy davit damage and we seem to have lost our helm to bow door and window. We also have someone's patio roof in our cockpit.

Brian, welcome and glad to hear you are floating with minimal damage!

 

[Forrestkk]

@Jack O'Brien not sure what direction you are headed on canvas, but wonder if you call Boatswains locker and see oif they were the OEM for your boats enclosure. They may have all your info on file and you could get ahead of what is bound to be a LONG waiting list.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

@Jack O'Brien not sure what direction you are headed on canvas, but wonder if you call Boatswains locker and see oif they were the OEM for your boats enclosure. They may have all your info on file and you could get ahead of what is bound to be a LONG waiting list.

Well, as far as I know, the cockpit and bridge structure was after-market by first owner. But, I don't have that as actual fact. I could do as you suggest tho. Meanwhile, 3 weeks ago, I got a canvas shop proposal for replace cockpit Stamoid ($3600), and repair all my bridge surround zip-outs where many were torn apart ($900). All the Eisenglass was in good shape. See "before" pic. They have $3000 deposit to proceed. As storm approaching I told them my scope might be much bigger! They acknowledged my being in their que pre-storm and would provide a newly dated insurance proposal. Lucky on so many fronts.

 

[Forrestkk]

Well, as far as I know, the cockpit and bridge structure was after-market by first owner. But, I don't have that as actual fact. I could do as you suggest tho. Meanwhile, 3 weeks ago, I got a canvas shop proposal for replace cockpit Stamoid ($3600), and repair all my bridge surround zip-outs where many were torn apart ($900). All the Eisenglass was in good shape. See "before" pic. They have $3000 deposit to proceed. As storm approaching I told them my scope might be much bigger! They acknowledged my being in their que pre-storm and would provide a newly dated insurance proposal. Lucky on so many fronts.View attachment 134743

That is helpful you are ahead of everyone else!

 

[Jack O'Brien]

That is helpful you are ahead of everyone else!

The canvas co. que was December. Now with so many boats destroyed, perhaps sooner! I have an image of my hull#, I think I'll just email Boatswain for the heck of it with a pic.

 

[Shoyrtt]

The canvas co. que was December. Now with so many boats destroyed, perhaps sooner! I have an image of my hull#, I think I'll just email Boatswain for the heck of it with a pic.

My guess is that Boatswain will have your HIN and Sea Ray number in their computer, however, with your custom bimini frame and canvas, none of the Boatswain canvas will fit. As I posted a short while back, the turn around on my order from Boatswain was incredibly quick, however all bets are off now due to the immediate demand likely created by Ian.

 

[Shoyrtt]

We're up in Burnt Store Marina, about 10 miles north of you. We're floating, some hull damage, dinghy davit damage and we seem to have lost our helm to bow door and window. We also have someone's patio roof in our cockpit.

Brian, how did your canvas hold up to Ian? With your standard bimini frame and shade for the slider, if you need canvas immediately, check with Kevin (aka Forrestkk), he might still have his old set available for you.

 

[Forrestkk]

My guess is that Boatswain will have your HIN and Sea Ray number in their computer, however, with your custom bimini frame and canvas, none of the Boatswain canvas will fit. As I posted a short while back, the turn around on my order from Boatswain was incredibly quick, however all bets are off now due to the immediate demand likely created by Ian.

I bet they make the frame too, would definitely ask.

 

[Forrestkk]

Brian, how did your canvas hold up to Ian? With your standard bimini frame and shade for the slider, if you need canvas immediately, check with Kevin (aka Forrestkk), he might still have his old set available for you.
View attachment 134744

@Brian Dobbs

Yup, would be happy to send it your way if you need it. The glass is a bit cloudy and it has some rough spots, but if your frame is still there, it should work. The helm bimini, sun shade, and cockpit bimini are new. The curtains and glass are older.

 

[Forrestkk]

Look what I just picked up for just one boat buck, lists for $4K new. Stainless Rocna Vulcan 33 (55 lbs).

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Look what I just picked up for just one boat buck, lists for $4K new. Stainless Rocna Vulcan 33 (55 lbs).

View attachment 134791

Great anchor I understand. I have a large Mantis, actually too big for the SS pulpit opening which prev. owner bent. Not only that, it's arm shape gets it stuck on full retract. I put a homemade bumper, short metal tube with rubber chair feet on the ends, onto the anchor arm when an inch from full retract, then snug it with the windlass. A small line is tied to it so I don't lose my contraption when dropping anchor. Can't take a pic right now.

 

[Forrestkk]

Great anchor I understand. I have a large Mantis, actually too big for the SS pulpit opening which prev. owner bent. Not only that, it's arm shape gets it stuck on full retract. I put a homemade bumper, short metal tube with rubber chair feet on the ends, onto the anchor arm when an inch from full retract, then snug it with the windlass. A small line is tied to it so I don't lose my contraption when dropping anchor. Can't take a pic right now.

Is yours the Mantis M2?

Our boat came with a galvanized Lewmar Delta 33 lbs. It is okay, but it is finicky. Some days it sets and holds well, others it drags or pops with even a small wave (yes, at least a 7:1 scope). I can't figure out why I am getting different results (same bottom type). After a bunch of research, I am hoping that I get more consistent results and less pulling and resetting. If not, it sure will look nice!

 

[ttmott]

Is yours the Mantis M2?

Our boat came with a galvanized Lewmar Delta 33 lbs. It is okay, but it is finicky. Some days it sets and holds well, others it drags or pops with even a small wave (yes, at least a 7:1 scope). I can't figure out why I am getting different results (same bottom type). After a bunch of research, I am hoping that I get more consistent results and less pulling and resetting. If not, it sure will look nice!

Interesting - I rarely have issues with the 60# Plow which is the same as a Delta. It seems your anchor may be too small for the boat. Typical Florida / Bahamas anchoring depth is 6 to 15 feet for us. I drop the anchor and let plenty of scope out then let the boat drift back on it. Bump it in reverse to set then let out more scope. That's it. You can definitely feel the boat react to a good set. Sand/silt bottoms. Occasionally, we may have set issues in heavy grass but that's about it. If we are going to spend the night or a storm shows up I install the bridle.

 

[Forrestkk]

Interesting - I rarely have issues with the 60# Plow which is the same as a Delta. It seems your anchor may be too small for the boat. Typical Florida / Bahamas anchoring depth is 6 to 15 feet for us. I drop the anchor and let plenty of scope out then let the boat drift back on it. Bump it in reverse to set then let out more scope. That's it. You can definitely feel the boat react to a good set. Sand/silt bottoms. Occasionally, we may have set issues in heavy grass but that's about it. If we are going to spend the night or a storm shows up I install the bridle.

Agree on the Delta being too small. The procedure you described is exactly the procedure is use in the same depths/conditions up by Destin. What puzzles me is the inconsistent result. If it is too small, then it should be too small all of the time. I am sure some of the variance depends on wind and current.

Took a friend I used to fly with diving at the Underwater Museum of Art which is about a mile off the coast of Grayton Beach. 60', 15 kt winds, sandy bottom, 3 foot rollers. I dropped the hook, and we were rock solid on that spot for 6 hours. That was probably the roughest conditions I have anchored in and had no problems, so who knows.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Is yours the Mantis M2?

Our boat came with a galvanized Lewmar Delta 33 lbs. It is okay, but it is finicky. Some days it sets and holds well, others it drags or pops with even a small wave (yes, at least a 7:1 scope). I can't figure out why I am getting different results (same bottom type). After a bunch of research, I am hoping that I get more consistent results and less pulling and resetting. If not, it sure will look nice!

Yes, Mantis M2 is my anchor but I don't know the weight. It's very heavy, over 50#'s i'ld say. Maybe the 85# model.

 

[Forrestkk]

Yes, Mantis M2 is my anchor but I don't know the weight. It's very heavy, over 50#'s i'ld say. Maybe the 85# model.View attachment 134798

That is heavy, the Rocna chart recommends the 55# for our boats, so fingers crossed. Can't be worse than my Delta.

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Brian, how did your canvas hold up to Ian? With your standard bimini frame and shade for the slider, if you need canvas immediately, check with Kevin (aka Forrestkk), he might still have his old set available for you.
View attachment 134744

We were actually in Burnt Store a few days before Ian was named as a TS. Once things started to look questionable, we decided to strip everything off and zip tie the supports together and head back to Texas. Our dinghy cover seems to be the only fabric damage we have at this time. We're headed back down as soon as we get a hint that electricity will be restored.
Our liveaboard boat neighbor was able to look at the boat after the storm and said everything inside, including my bilge, is bone dry. We're lucky.

 

[Jack O'Brien]

Burnt Store marina on Charlotte Bay, looks like one dock pancaked. Friends of ours has the red hull tug smooshed.

 

[LMBoat]

I have a #45 Delta and it works great. Also too big for the "pocket". If fully retracted it does get stuck. We stop just short of that, attached the safety cable, and we are ready for the next drop. We also have a snubber, and as also noted usually don't use it unless anchoring overnight, or storms.

 

[Shoyrtt]

We never use our anchor, so I went with the "bling" 35 lbs stainless Lewmar Delta that was rated on the small side for powerboats from 42-50'. I have two galvanized plow anchors that the prior owners used in the muddy rivers in Northern California that are a little more beefy should I need them. The 35 fits perfect in the pocket.