2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House Boat in Southport, NC 28461 US
Built in 2008
490 Pilot House
2 Engines (2x Cummins)
54 feet
Diesel
Fiberglass/Reinforced
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.
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.
Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5/15/26 | Initial price | $390,000 |
Videos from Integrity Yacht Sales on this 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House
2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House Video Tours
Overview from around the web 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House
The 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House has garnered positive feedback from customers who appreciate its blend of style, comfort, and practicality
Many users admire the spacious layout, which includes a well-designed helm area that provides excellent visibility and a user-friendly experience while navigating. Owners often highlight the luxurious appointments throughout the interior, featuring high-quality finishes and ample natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The two-stateroom configuration allows for comfortable accommodations, making it ideal for both family outings and entertaining guests. Another repeated point of praise is the boat's performance. With its efficient twin diesel engines, customers have noted the balance between power and fuel economy, allowing for long journeys without frequent refueling. The stable ride and maneuverability further enhance the overall experience on the water. Many reviews also emphasize the practicality of the pilot house design, providing protection from the elements while ensuring easy access to the flybridge. This feature is particularly appreciated in varying weather conditions. Overall, the 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House continues to impress boaters with its combination of luxury, functionality, and performance, making it a favored choice among cruising enthusiasts.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
Pros
Spacious Interior: The Meridian 490 boasts a well-designed interior with ample living space, making it perfect for extended cruising or weekend getaways.
Pilot House Design: The enclosed pilot house offers excellent visibility and protection from the elements, enhancing the overall comfort for the captain and guests.
Versatile Layout: With a three-stateroom configuration, including a master suite with an en suite head, this boat provides comfortable accommodations for families or groups.
Quality Construction: Meridian Yachts is known for high-quality builds, and the 490 Pilot House features sturdy construction and reliable performance.
Great Performance: Equipped with powerful twin diesel engines, the 490 delivers commendable speed and fuel efficiency for a boat of its size.
Entertaining Amenities: The upper deck features a comfortable flybridge with seating, making it an ideal space for entertaining guests while enjoying the scenic views.
Storage Capacity: The layout includes plenty of storage options for all your gear, making long trips more manageable.
Cons
Draft Considerations: With a draft of approximately 4 feet, the Meridian 490 may have limitations in shallow water marinas and anchorages.
Maintenance Needs: As with any yacht, regular maintenance is required to keep the vessel in top condition, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Age: Being a 2008 model, potential buyers should consider the boat's age in relation to potential wear and tear, and inspect for any needed upgrades or repairs.
Less Agile Maneuverability: While stable in open waters, the larger size of the 490 Pilot House may be less maneuverable in tight spaces compared to smaller vessels.
Fuel Consumption: Although efficient for its class, twin diesel engines can still result in higher fuel costs compared to more modern alternatives that focus on fuel efficiency.
Made For
The 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House is designed for discerning boaters who value comfort, style, and functionality. This vessel is perfect for those seeking an ideal combination of luxury and performance, making it suitable for both experienced mariners and newcomers alike. Families and couples will appreciate the spacious interior, offering ample living space and accommodations for extended trips. With its well-appointed staterooms and inviting salon, it creates a welcoming environment for entertaining or relaxing after a day on the water. Adventurous cruisers will find the 490 Pilot House to be a reliable choice for long journeys, thanks to its robust construction and well-thought-out design. Its impressive range and fuel efficiency make it ideal for exploring new destinations, whether along coastal waterways or embarking on extended offshore excursions. For those who enjoy entertaining, the expansive sundeck and flybridge offer the perfect setting for gatherings, providing stunning views and easy access to the swim platform. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying quality time with family, this boat caters to all occasions. Overall, the 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House is a versatile boat aimed at individuals and families who value quality craftsmanship, innovative features, and a seamless blend of comfort and performance on the water.
Finance your dream boat!
Finance your dream boat!
Be the first to know when similar boats hit the market
Get notified when new boats become available
Boats For Sale in North Carolina, United States Similar to the 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House
Compare with similar boats and find the perfect one for you.
 2008 Meridian 490 Pilot House | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $390,000 | $390,000 | $325,000 | $280,000 | $254,500 | $529,000 |
| Southport | Southport | Wilmington | Beaufort | Cornelius | Cornelius |
| - | 49' | - | - | 36' | 42' |
| 3' | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cummins | Cummins | Man | VOLVO PENTA | - | - |
| 380 hp | 380 hp | 1300 hp | 200 hp | 600 hp | 740 hp |
| 24 | 23 | 283 | 328 | 274 | 171 |
Other Meridian boats for sale in North Carolina, United States
Meet the Broker
Other Information about Integrity Yacht Sales
Coastal Carolina is one of the jewels of the East Coast Cruising Grounds. From our fantastic sailing grounds to fishing charters to the gulf stream to the simple pleasures of the Intercoastal Waterway - there is nothing like North and South Carolina to enjoy time out on the water.
Our broker in the Wilmington and Coastal Carolina region is Reuel Sample. Reuel has over 45 years experience sailing. His family sailed home from Brisbane, Australia in 1973. They made another transatlantic crossing in 1985. He is a former Navy officer and currently owns an Irwin 46, which he has sailed up and down the east coast of the United States. Reuel has extensive knowledge of bluewater sailboats, inshore sailboats, and power craft. Reuel also comes from a digital marketing background and knows how to get your boat in front of the right buyers. He is based in Wilmington, NC and is ready to assist you in the Carolinas.
Login with Google