The boat

Tropical Horizons is a 1987 Sea Ray 410 AC.  This is a great affordable fly bridge cruiser, in the 40 foot range.  We've looked at many different types of boats, when searching for Tropical Horizons.  We were both sailors and new to the motor yacht world, but we had a good idea of what we were looking for.  When we first started looking at express cruisers at boat shows we did get a feel for how the other half lived.  For the most part, express cruisers were on the small side.  I have to confess though, the boats we were looking at were in the 25 to 30 foot range.  After spending some time on Yacht World, reading various magazines, and pouring over reviews, we determined that the boat for us would be a Nordhavn 43 or 46 or a Fleming 55.  There was only one big problem, we seemed to be about $300,000 short on our budget.  Back to the Internet searching used boat ads, finally we found a boat that would fit into our modest budget and meet our cruising needs.  So let's start with some basic specifications:

Manufacturer: Sea Ray Boats

Length:  41 ft. hull only; 46 ft. with pulpit and swim platform
Beam:  13 ft. 11 in.
Displacement: 23,000 lbs.
Draft: 3 ft. 2 in.
Air Draft: 19 ft. antennas down.
Tanks:
     Fuel: 400 US gal.
     Water: 130 US gal.
     Waste: 40 US gal.
Propulsion:
 2 Crusader Marine 454 V8 Gasoline engines rated at 350 HP each.
Electrical:
5 KW Westerbeke Generator
110 VAC panel
12 VDC Panel
Range: approx 180 nautical miles cruising at 8 knots, keeping a 10% fuel reserve.
(I've calculated this using the fuel flow meters on board and the GPS for distance covered.)

What is it that attracted us to the Sea Ray?  For the most part it was the interior layout and the different living spaces that the boat offered.  We actually spend most of our time on the covered aft-deck.  On the deck, you will find a large forward deck where we store our RIB tender while underway.  I've built a removable davit crane to load and off load the tender.  The space for working the windless and anchor is adequate with rails to keep you aboard.  We currently have a ROCNA 45 Anchor with 250 ft of 5/16 high load chain.  Moving aft, the side decks are adequate and lead to the covered aft deck through wing doors.  Once on the aft deck it's up 3 steps to the fly bridge or down 5 steps to the swim platform, or down 4 steps through the companion way into the main salon.



The fly bridge carries two helm seats and a bench seat with a lounger.  From the helm visibility is quite good forward and to the sides, however; seeing through to the swim platform is a challenge.  The aft deck is our favorite spot, there is lots of room here to set up tables and chairs.  The wing doors and large opening windows provide plenty of ventilation and the hardtop gives shelter from the sun or rain.  This is a great place to sit back and relax, read a book watch for birds and just enjoy nature in general.

Below decks into the cabin, starting with the forward guest cabin you will find 2 bunks with storage under the lower bunk, and forward of both bunks.  There is also a larger cedar lined half length hanging locker and a smaller lower locker.  This cabin also has it's own private entrance into the forward heads compartment which also serves as the day heads.  The overhead hatch acts as both an emergency exit and provides great ventilation.  The cabin is flooded with natural light through the side ports and the overhead hatch.

 Directly aft of the forward cabin is the galley which the previous owner had re-configured moving a bank of drawers and installing an induction stove top.  The galley is large enough with ample storage and an apartment sized refrigerator freezer that accepts both 12 VDC and 120 VAC power.  There are also a few bilge storage lockers in this area that can be used for the storage of dry and canned goods.  Across from the Galley is a slightly raised dinette with limited storage under the seats.  One seat actually has an access trap door that leads to the battery compartment and switches in the engine room, while the other has an air conditioner return along with more storage.  The floor of the dinette also has a bilge locker compartment which is good for storing, cleaning supplies and other consumables.

 Moving further aft, and two large steps up is the large salon with the engine room below.  The salon has an entertainment center, a bar area, ice maker and leads up to the companion way door and down to the master cabin.  The salon is surrounded by large windows that bring plenty of natural light into the cabin and open up to provide ventilation.  On the starboard side you will find the entertainment center with TV, DVD/Bluray player and audio system with storage above and below.  Just forward of the entertainment center, outboard is a built in ice maker, the air conditioning vent and a central vacuum unit.  In the small area where the dinette and salon meet is a reclining chair with an ottoman.  The Port side has a couch that converts into a double bed when needed.  The electrical panel is at the forward port end of the salon and there is a bar with an alarming amount of storage space on the aft port wall.

From the salon moving further aft and down 5 steps is the crown jewel of the Sea Ray.  The master cabin on this boat is quite large.  There is a walk in closet immediately to starboard as you enter that is unexpected on a boat of this side.  Moving further aft along the starboard side you will find 3 large drawers, a large shelved locker and another large half height hanging locker.  The full queen sized center-line island bed is flanked with bedside tables on each side.  The port side has 3 smaller drawers and a storage cabinet in the aft corner with a vanity area center along the port side and two more storage cabinets just forward.  Forward of the port side storage you find the entrance to the master heads.  This compartment is quite large and even has a bathtub.  As you can see from the photos, the cabin colors are warm and inviting, with a nice balance that has been struck between the use of wood and fabric.

Anyone who has ever become a boat owner knows that purchasing a boat is very much an emotional process.  When you see the right boat, you will feel it in your soul.  You will know that this is the boat for you.  This emotional attachment is also why boat owners may seem to be a rather eclectic bunch who love to talk about boats  Really, there is nothing in the world they would rather talk about more than their own boat.  There is no place in the world they would rather be than on their boat.  When you think about it, it makes complete sense, your boat is your home on the sea.  It will carry you through storms and offer you shelter in the rain, it will take you to sunny destinations, where you can escape the routine of everyday life; and, if you take care of it, it will take care of you and be your portal to great adventures that lay ahead.