Seat availability of possible purchase

PGI conch

New Member
Feb 6, 2020
15
Punta Gorda, FL
Boat Info
1998 Bayliner 2655 Ciera SE
Engines
5.7L w AG2
Hello all,

Looking at a 2001 SR 280 Sundancer to replace our smaller boat. Engines appear to be good as well as all systems. Only 2 issues are: 1. - the genny - turns over well but won't run ( marine center states tune up required) and 2. - the rear cockpit fold down bench seat is missing. Some other cockpit seat cover wear issues, but my question would be: is the missing bench seat available anywhere?

I can deal with the genny, but the Admiral won't be happy without that rear bench seat. Any leads here as to where a replacement bench seat can be purchased?

TIA....
 
The transom seat is a two piece affair. A bolster attached to the transom that functions as the back, and a hinged seat bottom. What is missing? The seat bottom folds up flat against the transom. Are you sure the seat is missing and not just folded up out of the way?

The seat bottom is pretty simple, a piece of plywood, foam and upholstery. Any canvas shop or accomplished DIYer could easily make one.
 
probably wouldn't be that difficult to replicate. Is the hinge still on? The seat was basically a a starboard (or other plastic) base on our 2005 280 plus the cushion and vinyl. There were no sea ray markings on the seat. If you do replace it make the width slightly narrower since it's a challenge to tuck it in.
 
Thanks.... it is the bottom seat that is missing. The upper bolster is still there. Attaching a pic. No hinge seen, just four items in the stern bulkhead. Not sure what those are for. If anyone has pics as to how the legs, hinge etc. all attach then perhaps I could try to make a replacement.
Thanks again...
 

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If you haven't already bought the boat, include replacement of the seat assembly and fixing the generator in the purchase price of the boat.

If the boat's been on the market for awhile that's an indication that others likely have looked at it and don't want to mess with those things. That might work in your favor to get the seller to reduce the price by the cost to fix both items.

Are you having a survey done?
 
If you haven't already bought the boat, include replacement of the seat assembly and fixing the generator in the purchase price of the boat.

If the boat's been on the market for awhile that's an indication that others likely have looked at it and don't want to mess with those things. That might work in your favor to get the seller to reduce the price by the cost to fix both items.

Are you having a survey done?
Only recently on market. Issues were from a survey report. Will definitely bargain the best guesstimate costs into final offer. Thanks...
 
Only recently on market. Issues were from a survey report. Will definitely bargain the best guesstimate costs into final offer. Thanks...

Perhaps a nuance but most folks around these parts would suggest you get the generator fixed as part of the purchase, not negotiate for the best estimate of costs to do so. Generators have a nasty habit of being rather expensive to trouble shoot, repair and/or replace. If the current owner isn't willing to make it run (and make power) then you may want to make your offer assuming full replacement, $15k? Big money.
 
Henry/TJ, you guys owned/own a 280DA, but from what I recall of the that boat (and my 260DA which was pretty much indentical in this sense), I don't recognize those two quick-disconnect type hinges. My guess is the previous owner originally modded that area for something - possibly because the bench seat was broken or the vinyl was shot so it was just removed. But it looks like something else was put there - maybe another bench seat and the owner simply didn't want to mess with, or couldn't figure out, the double SS hinge system?

The port side lounger has been recovered (a little haphazardly), too... so I think that lends credence to the missing rear bench.

But all of that guessing, aside - which really doesn't matter (just interesting) - PGI, you're looking for a small needle in a large haystack trying to find one of those benches somewhere. As mentioned, best bet is going to be to have it made.

Possibly the price of the boat already takes this into account - the missing seat... the damaged vinyl of the other seats... but at the same time, the boat is nearly 20 years old so it's probably not fair to deduct the value of these things at full/100% replacement cost.

Maybe the previous owner at least has the hardware, or even the whole seat, in his basement?
 
One other option to consider is not replacing the bench in the original format. When I had my 260DA I frequently ran with the bench up and had coolers back there. With that same thought it might be better to find one or two coolers that fit back there that you could buy (or have made to match) cushions for. This will give you more storage for food, goods, etc and give you the flexibility of removing them if you need more space.

-Kevin
 
Henry/TJ, you guys owned/own a 280DA, but from what I recall of the that boat (and my 260DA which was pretty much indentical in this sense), I don't recognize those two quick-disconnect type hinges. My guess is the previous owner originally modded that area for something - possibly because the bench seat was broken or the vinyl was shot so it was just removed. But it looks like something else was put there - maybe another bench seat and the owner simply didn't want to mess with, or couldn't figure out, the double SS hinge system?

The port side lounger has been recovered (a little haphazardly), too... so I think that lends credence to the missing rear bench.

But all of that guessing, aside - which really doesn't matter (just interesting) - PGI, you're looking for a small needle in a large haystack trying to find one of those benches somewhere. As mentioned, best bet is going to be to have it made.

Possibly the price of the boat already takes this into account - the missing seat... the damaged vinyl of the other seats... but at the same time, the boat is nearly 20 years old so it's probably not fair to deduct the value of these things at full/100% replacement cost.

Maybe the previous owner at least has the hardware, or even the whole seat, in his basement?
Boat is being sold by a marine center they took in. PO not in the picture and MC just said it was missing when they took it in. Concur with the pricing aspect. All understood. Used boats are what they are....still a hole in the water that sucks money into the vortex!
 
Perhaps a nuance but most folks around these parts would suggest you get the generator fixed as part of the purchase, not negotiate for the best estimate of costs to do so. Generators have a nasty habit of being rather expensive to trouble shoot, repair and/or replace. If the current owner isn't willing to make it run (and make power) then you may want to make your offer assuming full replacement, $15k? Big money.
I'll ask them if they (the Marine Center it is at) can/will repair. Understand the repair cost potentials. That will be a major negotiation issue, more so than the missing seat.
 
Boat is being sold by a marine center they took in. PO not in the picture and MC just said it was missing when they took it in.
Maybe they can call the owner and ask if he still has it? It's only a 2-minute phone call on their behalf that could help you out.
 
Henry/TJ, you guys owned/own a 280DA, but from what I recall of the that boat (and my 260DA which was pretty much indentical in this sense), I don't recognize those two quick-disconnect type hinges. My guess is the previous owner originally modded that area for something - possibly because the bench seat was broken or the vinyl was shot so it was just removed. But it looks like something else was put there - maybe another bench seat and the owner simply didn't want to mess with, or couldn't figure out, the double SS hinge system?

The port side lounger has been recovered (a little haphazardly), too... so I think that lends credence to the missing rear bench.

That would be my concern - would need to know just how the original worked with the double hinge, etc. I've seen pics of other 280's with it out and folded, but they don't show the bottom and how a double hinge worked. I wouldn't want to build something that then interferes with the hatch opening, or prevent the lounger from opening properly.

If I do decide on the purchase, perhaps someone with a like/similar model will be able to send me some detailed pics and measurements. But in the interim, I appreciate everyone's feedback.
 
Henry/TJ, you guys owned/own a 280DA, but from what I recall of the that boat (and my 260DA which was pretty much indentical in this sense), I don't recognize those two quick-disconnect type hinges. My guess is the previous owner originally modded that area for something - possibly because the bench seat was broken or the vinyl was shot so it was just removed. But it looks like something else was put there - maybe another bench seat and the owner simply didn't want to mess with, or couldn't figure out, the double SS hinge system?

The port side lounger has been recovered (a little haphazardly), too... so I think that lends credence to the missing rear bench.

But all of that guessing, aside - which really doesn't matter (just interesting) - PGI, you're looking for a small needle in a large haystack trying to find one of those benches somewhere. As mentioned, best bet is going to be to have it made.

Possibly the price of the boat already takes this into account - the missing seat... the damaged vinyl of the other seats... but at the same time, the boat is nearly 20 years old so it's probably not fair to deduct the value of these things at full/100% replacement cost.

Maybe the previous owner at least has the hardware, or even the whole seat, in his basement?

Good call on those hinges. My inlaw's '98 270 DA has a rear bench that is removable but does not fold / tuck away and has similar hinges. This is how some models of the 290 AJ worked as well. But looking closer it has a mounting plate on the bulkhead and 2 recessed pockets that look like they might be for feet - indicating possibly that the original bench was designed to fold away. I had this folding design on my 270 AJ and it's much more flexible than the design that's simply removable.

Here are some photos of how it looked on my AJ.

IMG_2088A.jpg Aj 13.jpg Aj 12.jpg

CaptTJ is right; the original frame was made from Starboard. [See Edit below] In my case it cracked in the center and caused the seat to sag. The upholstery was in great shape so I stripped it off and used the frame as a template to make a new one from marine plywood. Granted, you don't have the frame but the photos of my project below can give you an idea of how to construct the frame, if you wanted to. You could then have it upholstered.

Original, pre-work. Note that the legs on the bottom have tips that fold. These tips fit into the little pockets on the bulkhead.
IMG_0607.JPG IMG_0612.JPG IMG_0609.JPG

Original frame. All the hardware is removed.
IMG_0662.JPG IMG_0663.JPG IMG_0664.JPG

I'm going to hit the photo limit in the post, so I'll make another with the new frame.

EDIT: Looking over my photos, the OEM frame was Not Starboard. It was cellular PVC. Plastic, but a very different material from Starboard that's lighter and typically less expensive.
 
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Here is the replacement frame. This frame was thicker than the original. I had to cut some pockets in the underside for the frame legs to sit into, so it would match the original dimensions. I reused the T-nuts as well. They were used to mount the piano hinge on the bottom. I drilled holes for air flow, and coated the whole thing in epoxy. The things sticking up in the bottom 2 pictures are straws the keep epoxy out of the T-nuts. I screwed the plywood layers with SS screws.

IMG_0661.JPG
IMG_0660.JPG
IMG_0639.JPG
IMG_0638.JPG

After this I slipped the upholstery skin back on and fastened it with Monel staples. The sucker was considerably heavier than the original but much more solid.
 
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Good call on those hinges. My inlaw's '98 270 DA has a rear bench that is removable but does not fold / tuck away and has similar hinges. This is how some models of the 290 AJ worked as well. But looking closer it has a mounting plate on the bulkhead and 2 recessed pockets that look like they might be for feet - indicating possibly that the original bench was designed to fold away. I had this folding design on my 270 AJ and it's much more flexible than the design that's simply removable.

Looked at the OP's picture again. The black circle on the engine hatch is 100% for the legs of the bench, to hold it in place. I think that indicates the original bench folded. All the other non-folding benches I've seen had locking legs that didn't need those deck receivers. One thing I don't see in the photo is the rubber catches on the bulkhead. A "button" on the underside of the bench would fit snap into the 2 rubber receiver and it hold the bench in the folded position.

Also, the back edge of my bench had a "step". That tucked under the backrest when folded to keep it in position - good to duplicate if you have it.
 
That would be my concern - would need to know just how the original worked with the double hinge, etc. I've seen pics of other 280's with it out and folded, but they don't show the bottom and how a double hinge worked. I wouldn't want to build something that then interferes with the hatch opening, or prevent the lounger from opening properly.

If I do decide on the purchase, perhaps someone with a like/similar model will be able to send me some detailed pics and measurements. But in the interim, I appreciate everyone's feedback.

I had to remove the cover from mine so it could be repaired and I have some photos of that process that may help in re creating a seat bottom. The two pieces of star board and chrome brackets are add ons. The original seat is held on with a full length double piano hinge. There are two hinges attached to a board. The seat folds forward and the hinged board allows the stern of the seat to rise up. The legs are hinged at the seat and par way up the leg. The leg is too long, so it has to fold. These are sea ray parts and might be available if they are still in use.

You can see the horizontal line of screw holes on the transom in the photo for where the piano hinges attach.

It might be simpler and neater to incorporate the idea Brad showed in his post. A well made plywood seat with cushions that snap to it would be easy to fabricate and there are existing brackets.
 
That would be my concern - would need to know just how the original worked with the double hinge, etc. I've seen pics of other 280's with it out and folded, but they don't show the bottom and how a double hinge worked. I wouldn't want to build something that then interferes with the hatch opening, or prevent the lounger from opening properly.

If I do decide on the purchase, perhaps someone with a like/similar model will be able to send me some detailed pics and measurements. But in the interim, I appreciate everyone's feedback.
This is the parts manual for the model in question. https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...ic/parts-manuals/2001__2001-280-SUNDANCER.pdf

The parts / diagrams for the bench are on page 11, but the details are pretty skimpy.

On the other hand, the parts manual for my 270 AJ has some pretty good diagrams.

upload_2020-2-11_14-14-49.png


Item 18 is the double hinge. It is constructed of a piece of cellular PVC with a piano hinge on either side. One hinge side attaches to the bench and the other to the bulkhead. This allows the bench to articulate and swing upward to stow it. I don't see anything similar on the 2001 280 DA parts listing.

This is the parts list for the 270 AJ seat, which might be helpful. There's no listing for the PVC piece because it was fabricated by Sea Ray, not purchased.

upload_2020-2-11_14-20-7.png
 
I had to remove the cover from mine so it could be repaired and I have some photos of that process that may help in re creating a seat bottom. The two pieces of star board and chrome brackets are add ons. The original seat is held on with a full length double piano hinge. There are two hinges attached to a board. The seat folds forward and the hinged board allows the stern of the seat to rise up. The legs are hinged at the seat and par way up the leg. The leg is too long, so it has to fold. These are sea ray parts and might be available if they are still in use.

You can see the horizontal line of screw holes on the transom in the photo for where the piano hinges attach.

It might be simpler and neater to incorporate the idea Brad showed in his post. A well made plywood seat with cushions that snap to it would be easy to fabricate and there are existing brackets.
Thank you. I'll let ALCON know if I buy it so I can decide just how to go with the seat. I called Sea Ray, and unfortunately none of the parts as per the listing above are available, so it would probably be a simple fold down seat. Really appreciate everyone's help and responses here. Great info and ideas.
 

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