The Official 450 Express Bridge Owners Club

Probably correct. They let some light into a dark space but the view is the walk-around well, unseen from a side view of the boat. My stbd side has three in the hull, guest head, mid-sr, aft-sr, not counting the master. Btw, I do love the bow walk-around well feature, so much safer standing lower to the rails.
 
I'm still waiting on my new aftercoolers that were ordered in November. We are hoping they should be here any day now. :)

In the interim, I am finally going to have an item fixed that has been bugging me since we bought the boat. The lazarette hatch that has the name of our boat on it was exposed to the sun for years when she was in Northern California. The prior owner had the boat in a covered slip, but left the aft section exposed to the 100+ degree summer sun. The result was the graphics basically burned themselves into the gel coat. As a band aid fix, I had the new name printed in a matte finish on a large piece of vinyl that covers 75% of the hatch. I am going to remove the entire hatch along with the fish/ice cooler lid and have the the gel coat repaired. Once that is complete, I'll use the same font and design for the replacement lettering, but in the faux gold leaf that I used for the hailing port. It should be a fun project.

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Doesn't look too bad to me, your temp fix with vinyl. But, I sure do get the bugging factor! In SWFL, waxing is critical. I have her waxed every six months. Some have it done more often but it's expensive! $1200, but I also know much higher contractors, like $1800.
 
Shoyrtt said:
I'm still waiting on my new aftercoolers that were ordered in November. We are hoping they should be here any day now. :)

In the interim, I am finally going to have an item fixed that has been bugging me since we bought the boat. The lazarette hatch that has the name of our boat on it was exposed to the sun for years when she was in Northern California. The prior owner had the boat in a covered slip, but left the aft section exposed to the 100+ degree summer sun. The result was the graphics basically burned themselves into the gel coat. As a band aid fix, I had the new name printed in a matte finish on a large piece of vinyl that covers 75% of the hatch. I am going to remove the entire hatch along with the fish/ice cooler lid and have the the gel coat repaired. Once that is complete, I'll use the same font and design for the replacement lettering, but in the faux gold leaf that I used for the hailing port. It should be a fun project.

View attachment 140205 View attachment 140206
Click to expand...

Bummer on the aftercoolers.

Same problem here. I have vinyl on mine covering a painted on name that someone just gel coated over and my fish locker hatch leaks at the hinge.

Probably going to go another season on the vinyl name, but going to get the fish locker hatch redone with Coosa board.
 
Jack O'Brien said:
Doesn't look too bad to me, your temp fix with vinyl. But, I sure do get the bugging factor! In SWFL, waxing is critical. I have her waxed every six months. Some have it done more often but it's expensive! $1200, but I also know much higher contractors, like $1800.
Click to expand...

Had mine compounded last year, probably going to have the lower hull sealed again professionally, but above the rub rail is pretty easy for me and my 10 year old to knock out to keep it shiny.
 
Pulled the lazarette and fish box hatches yesterday and took them to the gelcoat guy. Turns out they were both in need of some love. On the lazarette, whoever installed the snaps probably didn't drill a pilot hole or use caulking which caused a few cracks. The fish box hatch was really bad. I knew the top had a few areas where the gelcoat was worn through, but the underside was in poor shape. The fiberglass was not very thick and the wood frame had moisture damage and it was in turn warped a bit. I also noticed that one of the latches was missing. I had a tough time finding a replacement, so I reached out here on CSR and was told it was a "Sea-Dog Roller Catch." I ordered two. Here is a link if you need it:
https://www.go2marine.com/sea-dog-r...JXOX8utAzMtxeMVn6oerL-76zgPA8DZxoCJDEQAvD_BwE

Timing wasn't the best for this project with the "storm of the year" about to hit the west coast this week. Hopefully the plastic sheeting holds up.:eek:
Look carefully and you might see "LONE STAR"
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Nice work. Sure you'll be happy with the outcome. I have gold with black trim lettering and stands out nicely. My fish box latches I had to replace are Southco latches. I also placed a weather-strip type rubber seal around it's flat perimeter ledge to keep a lot of rainwater out. Still get some at the hinge tho.
Screenshot_20230221-213846.png
 
Weather stripping laid where hatch meets the flat of the fiberglass opening, beneath the hatch cover. Keeps a lot of water out. Adheres well.
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Thank you Jack for that information. I just got a text from my slip neighbor that the wind was pretty intense at the marina. Apparently this storm is predicted to produce snow at the 1000' level for the first time since 1989 here in SoCal. He added some lines to help hold down the plastic. It sure is nice to have a great neighbor!

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Yes indeed! Slip neighbors are great to have. I have watchers next to me and across my dock. We also have a couple dock webcams. As I reside in Atlanta, 10 hrs drive away from Ft. Meyers, it's essential for me to have eyes on her. Btw, our drives don't deter us from being aboard monthly. Well into 30's for # of trips since June 2020 acquisition. Had photos very quickly after hurricane Ian from slip neighbor. Shredded bridge surround & cockpit cover work has commenced finally.
 
Jack O'Brien said:
Nice work. Sure you'll be happy with the outcome. I have gold with black trim lettering and stands out nicely. My fish box latches I had to replace are Southco latches. I also placed a weather-strip type rubber seal around it's flat perimeter ledge to keep a lot of rainwater out. Still get some at the hinge tho.View attachment 140495
Click to expand...

I had to replace these and the switched ones in both hang-up closets. Pain to re-aline for latching. Ordered directly from SR Dealer.! Definitely paid more!!
 
New Stamoid cockpit cover and lace-on bridge top installed. Patterns for bridge Stratoglass surround done and in manufacture. Will have a "zipper flap" at the top P-tracks for storm removal, and U-zip, rollup openings on each panel. Twistlock snaps on bottom perimeter. All not too bad at 5 months post hurricane which destroyed ALL of existing, aged and weak. I'll spare everyone the shredded photos.
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Jack O'Brien said:
New Stamoid cockpit cover and lace-on bridge top installed. Patterns for bridge Stratoglass surround done and in manufacture. Will have a "zipper flap" at the top P-tracks for storm removal, and U-zip, rollup openings on each panel. Twistlock snaps on bottom perimeter. All not too bad at 5 months post hurricane which destroyed ALL of existing, aged and weak. I'll spare everyone the shredded photos.View attachment 140600
Click to expand...

I love the cockpit cover!! AMAZING!!
 
Jack O'Brien said:
New Stamoid cockpit cover and lace-on bridge top installed. Patterns for bridge Stratoglass surround done and in manufacture. Will have a "zipper flap" at the top P-tracks for storm removal, and U-zip, rollup openings on each panel. Twistlock snaps on bottom perimeter. All not too bad at 5 months post hurricane which destroyed ALL of existing, aged and weak. I'll spare everyone the shredded photos.View attachment 140600
Click to expand...
Looking good Jack!
 
Had her out all last week to Boca Grande, then Isles YC in Punta Gorda. Returning Friday, found out Charlotte Harbor can really kick up in a 25mph wind. USCG on vhf warning of offshore gail. Ran 9knots but still took water spray over the top carried by the wind, soaking me at the helm. Handled really well, just love this boat.
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I learned something new today. Most of the group here have Cummins engines, but for Keithmo and any other Caterpillar owners, ordering parts from Cat has some limitations. I have been waiting for well over three months now for my replacement aftercoolers that were on back order. I went on to the Cat website to check to see if a distributor say in Florida had what I was looking for in stock. Apparently Cat will not ship parts out of state and checks your IP address when you search. All of my attempts to check stock were left with the message "Contact Dealer." I posted here on CSR in the diesel engine/3126 thread and two members checked their local dealers online and found they had the parts. Luckily I have a close friend who lives nearby the Cat dealer in Milford MA and they had 16 in stock. He is going to pick it up and ship it to me. Glad my friend can help me out and thrilled that my fellow CSR members came through once again!
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Won't ship out of state seems dumb, wonder why.
 
I did a quick search to see if we have any new 450 listings and found "Everyday Funday" in Florida. HIN# SERP4585H900
https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2000-sea-ray-450-express-bridge-8698671/
A 2000 model built in 1999. It is described as a 2 stateroom model but it is clearly a 3. Low price and the boat looks a little rough in some areas. I will add it to the list on page 1.

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