2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House

Executive summary

Dancyn is a rare late-production 2008 Meridian 490 Pilothouse Motoryacht, one of the most sought‑after pilothouse cruisers thanks to her generous interior volume, efficient Cummins QSB 5.9 common‑rail diesels, and true long‑range cruising layout. She has been heavily upgraded with 380 hp electronic engines, a 3000 W inverter, modern Garmin navigation suite, Starlink Mini, expanded battery bank, solar, and a powerful connectivity and entertainment package for serious cruising or liveaboard use. Meticulously maintained and continuously improved with recent mechanical, electrical, and cosmetic upgrades through 2026, Dancyn is turnkey and ready for extended coastal passages or the Great Loop.

Dimensions & capacities

• LOA: 54 ft 0 in (with pulpit)
• Beam: 15 ft 1 in
• Draft: 3 ft 4 in (approx.)
• Displacement: approx. 30,000 lb (light ship)
• Fuel: 444 gallons in twin tanks
• Fresh water: 200 gallons
• Holding tank: 48 gallons

Mechanical & propulsion

• Engines: Twin Cummins QSB 5.9 common‑rail diesel engines, upgraded 380 hp each (330 hp standard on this model)
• Hours: Port 2170, Starboard 2172
• Drive: Inboard direct drive with stainless shafts and Nibral props, props reconditioned and balanced April 2026
• Generator: Cummins/Onan 13.5 kW diesel genset, 120/240 V AC, approx. 1435 hours
• Engine controls: Digital electronic throttle/shift at pilothouse and flybridge helms
• Bow thruster: Electric SidePower‑type bow thruster with two dedicated batteries and dedicated charger
• Steering: Hydraulic steering with Bennett electro‑hydraulic trim tabs
• Fuel filtration: Racor fuel filters for mains and generator
• Oil change: Reverso oil change system plumbed to both mains, transmissions, and generator
• Climate control: Upgraded three‑zone reverse‑cycle air conditioning, approx. 44,000 BTU total (2 × 16,000 BTU, 1 × 12,000 BTU)
• Heads: Vacu‑Flush heads throughout; all heads have separate showers, master with tub/shower
• Macerator: Jabsco macerator pump new March 2026
• Windlass: Muir 12 V electric windlass with dedicated battery and DC‑DC charger; 200 ft all‑chain rode

Electrical system

• House bank: Four L16 house batteries in storage box, new April 2026
• Engine/generator start: Four 12 V Group 31 starting batteries, new April 2026
• Bow thruster & windlass: Dedicated batteries for thruster and windlass, each with dedicated charger and DC‑DC charging for windlass
• Inverter/charger: 3000 W inverter/charger system capable of running icemaker and all outlets, and supporting AC loads at anchor (including master stateroom AC plus lights/TV/galley appliances per prior configuration)
• Shore power: 50 A shore power inlet with Glendinning Cablemaster and wireless remote
• Solar: Bouge RV 400 W solar array with solar charge controller
• Battery monitoring: Victron battery charger / status meter and amp-usage gauge
• Distribution: 110 V AC / 12 V DC panel with magnetic breakers, voltmeter, and engine hour meters
• Lighting: 12 V interior and exterior lighting, navigation lights, courtesy lights in cockpit and flybridge

Accommodations & interior

• Layout: 2‑stateroom, 2‑head pilothouse motoryacht with full‑beam salon, raised pilothouse, large flybridge, and cockpit.
• Master stateroom: Forward master with island berth, twin hanging lockers, drawer storage, settee/dressing area that converts to upper/lower berths, and ensuite head with Vacu‑Flush toilet and tub/shower.
• Guest stateroom: Mid‑ship double berth stateroom to port with hanging locker and drawers.
• Heads: Two Vacu‑Flush heads, each with separate shower stall; master includes bathtub/shower, both with vanities, storage, and mirrored medicine cabinets.
• Companionway: Built‑in washer/dryer combination unit under companionway, convenient for extended cruising.
• Salon: Open, full‑beam salon with large windows, two lounge chairs to port, starboard sofa with hi‑lo dining/cocktail table, flat‑screen TV, and rich cherry interior joinery (no barrel chair).
• Flooring: Carpeted salon with teak/holly galley sole.
• Storage: Extensive custom shelving added in various cabinets, including behind the salon TV and throughout the galley for improved provisioning capacity.

Galley & domestic systems

• Configuration: U‑shaped galley up, open to salon with large countertops and abundant storage.
• Range/oven: Electric 3‑burner stove with oven (Princess‑type) plus convection microwave upgrade.
• Refrigeration: Stand‑up Norcold 7.0 cu ft refrigerator/freezer.
• Other appliances: Trash compactor, icemaker, stainless double sink with faucet.
• Countertops: Solid‑surface Karadon countertops.
• Washer/dryer: Combination unit in companionway, as above.
• Hot water: 20‑gallon 120 V water heater.

Electronics & navigation

(“All Garmin navigation” with major refit 2021–2022, plus ongoing updates.)

• Primary chartplotters:
• Two Garmin GPSMAP 8612 12" multifunction displays at pilothouse helm.
• One Garmin GPSMAP 8612 12" display at flybridge helm.
• Autopilot: Garmin autopilot with GHC 20 control heads at both helms.
• Instrumentation: Garmin GMI 20 multifunction instrument displays at both helms (wind/speed/depth etc.).
• Radar: Garmin radar integrated with the MFDs (model per Garmin refit).
• Engine data: Digital SmartCraft engine monitors and alarm system, including dual SmartCraft instrumentation.
• VHF: Garmin 315 VHF with GHS 11 wired handset and remote station.
• AIS: AIS transceiver with transmit and receive, integrated with the Garmin chartplotters.
• Compass: Rule 4.5" compasses at both helms.

Communications & connectivity

• Satellite internet: Starlink Mini (new December 2025; subscription required) providing high‑speed connectivity for streaming and remote work.
• Private Wi‑Fi hotspot: Calyx onboard private Wi‑Fi hotspot with an affordable annual subscription (approx. 500 USD/year, with an estimated 200 USD tax‑deductible), offering robust connectivity at marinas and at anchor.
• Onboard monitoring: System capable of remote monitoring of security cameras and temperature sensors throughout the yacht via internet connection (subscriptions required).
• Entertainment:
• Fusion Apollo marine entertainment system with Bluetooth, AM/FM, SiriusXM and dual‑station control.
• New 2025 Samsung flatscreen Smart TV with soundbar and DVD player; TV is mounted on locking hinges to reveal custom storage behind.

Electrical & entertainment (interior)

• Salon: Flatscreen Smart TV with soundbar, hi‑lo table, two lounge chairs and sofa seating, integrated Fusion audio, 110 V GFCI outlets (no barrel chair).
• Pilothouse: 12 V stereo with speakers in pilothouse and salon.
• Master & guest cabins: Reading lights, 110 V GFCI outlets, hanging lockers, drawers, and opening ports with screens.

Deck, cockpit & flybridge

• Hull/deck construction: Hand‑laid fiberglass with vinylester skin coat, cored construction, and glassed‑in structural bulkheads.
• Foredeck:
• Integrated bow pulpit with anchor roller and Muir 12 V windlass.
• Foredeck bench seat with removable cushions.
• Anchor locker with 200 ft all‑chain rode.
• Rails & hardware: Stainless bow rails thru‑bolted to deck, cleats, hawse pipes, and swim platform with folding swim ladder and handrail.
• Cockpit:
• Molded steps to side decks; ladder to flybridge currently blocked due to larger dinghy on swim platform.
• Custom fold‑up cockpit dining table with four teak folding chairs.
• Storage lockers port and starboard.
• Shore water connection.
• Transom door to swim platform.
• Magma propane BBQ grill.
• Flybridge:
• Large flybridge with helm chair, L‑shaped lounge to port, bench seat to starboard, storage under all seating.
• Large flybridge storage box.
• Rear‑view camera for improved visibility while docking.
• Venturi windscreen, radar arch with lighting, cupholders, and polycarbonate door access to pilothouse.
• Pilothouse:
• Centerline helm with deluxe helm chair.
• L‑shaped settee with table plus jump seat, sliding side doors to both side decks, and internal stairs to flybridge.

Tender & davit

• 2019 12 ft Highfield RIB
• 15 hp outboard engine
• Well‑maintained electric davit for ease of launch

Safety & security

• Bilge pumps: Six Rule electric bilge pumps throughout the vessel.
• EPIRB: New EPIRB purchased 2024.
• Navigation lights: 12 V navigation and anchor lights per COLREGS.
• Monitoring: Remote camera and temperature monitoring via onboard connectivity, as noted above (subscriptions required).
• Additional equipment: Life jackets, throwable devices, and other safety gear per current inventory (to be detailed by seller/broker).

Maintenance & recent upgrades

• Electronics refit: Approx. 2021–2022 full Garmin navigation suite including three 12" MFDs, autopilot, instrumentation, VHF, AIS, and Fusion audio.
• Bottom & running gear:
• Bottom paint renewed November 2022.
• Propellers reconditioned and balanced April 2026.
• Engines:
• Full aftercooler service in 2023.
• Engines described as carefully maintained with continuous service; QSB 5.9 380 hp configuration noted for excellent fuel economy (3–4 nmpg at trawler speeds with 18‑knot+ cruise capability).
• Electrical & batteries (major 2025–2026 cycle):
• 3000 W inverter/charger install/upgrade.
• Four L16 house batteries with storage box – new April 2026.
• Four 12 V Group 31 engine/generator start batteries – new April 2026.
• Dedicated bow thruster and windlass batteries with chargers and DC‑DC windlass charger – new/updated April 2026.
• Bouge RV 400 W solar array with controller – installed 2026.
• Victron charging/monitoring – installed/updated 2026.
• Plumbing: Jabsco macerator pump new March 2026.
• Connectivity: Starlink Mini hardware installed December 2025.
• General: Gelcoat, interior woodwork, soft goods, and canvas reported in excellent condition, reflecting high‑standard care.

Broker's remarks

Dancyn represents a highly‑optioned, late‑model Meridian 490 Pilothouse with the preferred 380 hp Cummins QSB power, comprehensive Garmin electronics, robust inverter/solar/battery system, and modern connectivity for serious cruising. The proven two‑stateroom, two‑head layout with full‑beam salon and raised pilothouse has earned this model a reputation as one of the best liveaboard and Great Loop platforms in her class, and Dancyn's extensive 2023–2026 upgrades set her apart from typical sisterships on the market. She is clean, dialed‑in, and ready for inspection.