Official 280 Sundancer Thread

gredmer

New Member
Feb 13, 2007
466
Perry Hall, MD
As Henry Boyd suggested in another thread we should have a dedicated 280DA thread. I agree whole heartedly.:smt038

When I had my 240DA I enjoyed that ongoing thread and learned quite a bit about the boat from it.

We already know that the 280 Sundancer is one of Sea Ray's finest and has few flaws. That said I'm sure I will learn much more from our fellow 280 owners, especially Doug (Presentation):thumbsup: and this thread will be there for the future 280 pilots to ask and learn from.

So let's do our best to share and converse to keep this one going.
 
Ok, I'll start.

Question #1,
My 240 has extremely easy and fluid power steering. You could steer with one finger. The 280 has much stiffer steering and the previous owner told me that was the way since day 1.
I recently saw a boatest video and the talking head said the steering was effortless, or something to that effect.

What are your observations.
Mine is single engine for what it's worth.:huh:
 
Not sure about the steering effort between the two boats, but on the subject, I replaced the fluid in my steering pump after about 50-60 hours and would recommend other to check it. The fluid I had in my pump had become very dark and seemed to lack viscosity. Pumped it out with a turkey baster and refilled with new stuff. For those with 2 engines, the starboard side is the one that is used.
 
My steering is actually easier than in my 240. In the 240 it got a bit stiff when the engine was at idle.

If the starboard side PS pump controls the steering on the twin engine boat what does the port side pump do?
 
Good point, I haven't changed the fluid in mine, I don't think it's ever been changed. One more thing on my todo list.

The wheel is easy for me to turn, at least no harder than my jeep.

I would like to see some pics of shelves put in some of the storage areas. I'm about to start drilling and before I do that, I would like to see some other ideas.

I've kept my junky tv alive this year with my iphone. put movies on the iphone and play it through to the tv. so far so good until I find a better option. I just bought a new laptop and I think i'm going to retire my 12" powerbook to the boat. not sure how i'm going to mount it to the lazy Suzan, still in planning stage.

I would also be interested in anyone that has an autopilot installed on their 280 and how it works. Also real world numbers on cruising at 10mphish and the fuel burn at this speed. I don't have a smartcraft read out but it seems like my boat sips gas at this speed and I wouldn't be against installing an autopilot if it works and the numbers crunch.

I'm sure that i'll think of a hundred more questions.
 
Current 280 Sundancer

Strengths:
Great lines / profile
Great cabin and cockpit layout
Big swim platform for this size boat. The swim platform completely covers the drives even when the drives are up all the way. This makes is safer for kids to jump off the swim platform.
This boat does many things well



Weaknesses:
Gas tank is too small at 100 gallons. I’d like to see 150
No room at the helm for flush mounted screens like a radar or multi function center
Needs more cockpit storage
The boat attracts blonds who sprawl out on the swim platform. See above post for a example. Or wait, is that a strength?
 
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I would like to see some pics of shelves put in some of the storage areas. I'm about to start drilling and before I do that, I would like to see some other ideas.


Mike,

I am planning to make templates for adding shelves to the 'closets' by the V berth this weekend.

Our V berth is pretty much assembled full time and I have given thought to building a false front to block off the area under the table top. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Our boat didn't come with the TV, but have seen them and they consume a heck of a lot valuable storage space.

Henry
 
I have carpet templates the the following on file at snapincarpte.com should anyone be interested. They turned out quite nicely.

Transom pass through
bathroom floor
companionway steps (3)

Keep us posted on shelves, that's on my short list of porjects
 
Mike,

Our boat didn't come with the TV, but have seen them and they consume a heck of a lot valuable storage space.

Henry

I added a 15" flat pannel with an articulating arm that lets it fold back into the area above the microwave. I can swivel it for viewing at the dinette as well as the v-berth. I'll post pics when I'm there tomorrow
 
I added a 15" flat pannel with an articulating arm that lets it fold back into the area above the microwave. I can swivel it for viewing at the dinette as well as the v-berth. I'll post pics when I'm there tomorrow

The LCD upgrade is a no brainer if you have the model years with the crt tv in the cabinet. We went to a DVD/LCD made by Sharp. Much nicer and give us a whole cabinet for storage. I initially purchased a 15" AC/DC but returned it as I wanted to biggest that could fit in front of the starboard cabinet without sticking out over the edge. Swivel mount on the front-port side corner of the cabinet where theres a nice piece of wood to hold the mount. The Sharp is a AC only but we have a converter when needed.
 

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The LCD upgrade is a no brainer if you have the model years with the crt tv in the cabinet. We went to a DVD/LCD made by Sharp. Much nicer and give us a whole cabinet for storage. I initially purchased a 15" AC/DC but returned it as I wanted to biggest that could fit in front of the starboard cabinet without sticking out over the edge. Swivel mount on the front-port side corner of the cabinet where theres a nice piece of wood to hold the mount. The Sharp is a AC only but we have a converter when needed.
Wow, take out the V-berth and add theatre seating and you'll have it made.:thumbsup:
 
Gerry,

Does the TV fold out of the way to get access to the cabinet behind?

On our non tv boat the starboard cabinet has a full height door, and pitiful little coat hook (like the port side). We are planning to add shelves which will make storage space for light stuff like clothes and towels.

Henry
 
Mike,

I am planning to make templates for adding shelves to the 'closets' by the V berth this weekend.

Our V berth is pretty much assembled full time and I have given thought to building a false front to block off the area under the table top. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

Our boat didn't come with the TV, but have seen them and they consume a heck of a lot valuable storage space.

Henry

We also keep the V berth set up in sleep mode at all times. With the 3" memory foam pad, it is too much of a pain to pack everything up each day. Our little dog has picked the open spot under the table top as her "safe place". The area is just big enough for her to get out of the way of foot traffic and have a place to sleep. The shelves are a great idea! Would love to see pictures when you are finished.
 
Current 280 Sundancer

Strengths:
Great lines / profile
Great cabin and cockpit layout
Big swim platform for this size boat. The swim platform completely covers the drives even when the drives are up all the way. This makes is safer for kids to jump off the swim platform.
This boat does many things well



Weaknesses:
Gas tank is too small at 100 gallons. I’d like to see 150
No room at the helm for flush mounted screens like a radar or multi function center
Needs more cockpit storage
The boat attracts blonds who sprawl out on the swim platform. See above post for a example. Or wait, is that a strength?

Two additional strengths:
1. Twin engines option offer outstanding manuverability at the dock. I believe the 280 is the smallest SeaRay cruiser that offers the twin engine option. This was a big selling point for us as we are first time boaters.

2. Largest SeaRay cruiser to still have a tow eye. Yes, we drink some gas pulling the kids on the tube behind this boat, but I love the versatility the boat offers.

1 additional weakness:
1. Most people end up adding a foam pad in the sleeping areas. I'm surprised that SeaRay hasn't picked up on this and doesn't offer a cut to size foam pad topper as an option.
 
Does any one use a chartplotter on their 280? I've been thinking of getting one but I have no clue of where to mount one. The helm doesn't lend itself to any additional electronics so I'm looking for a bit of advice on what kind is recommended by other 280 owners for our helm.

1st. What make model do you recommend? I boat in the upper Mississippi & Illinois rivers above St. Louis. So, I'm not looking to go to fancy.

2nd. Do you have any picts. of your installation? If so, please post them up.
 
Does any one use a chartplotter on their 280? I've been thinking of getting one but I have no clue of where to mount one. The helm doesn't lend itself to any additional electronics so I'm looking for a bit of advice on what kind is recommended by other 280 owners for our helm.

1st. What make model do you recommend? I boat in the upper Mississippi & Illinois rivers above St. Louis. So, I'm not looking to go to fancy.

2nd. Do you have any picts. of your installation? If so, please post them up.

We had the dealer install a Garmin 440 w/ external antenna. This fit perfectly in the center of dash, in the spot normally occupied by the VHF radio. See attached picture.

IMG_3557.jpg

Although I don't have a picture, the VHF radio was re-located on the lower left hand side of the dash. I'll try and send other pictures when I return to the boat. We orginally tried a Garmin 545, but it was too big to be flush mounted on a 280 dash.
 
I did a custom dash so I could add the Smartcraft display, but the reason for the picture is that I used a Ram Mount for the GPS display Raymarine RL 70 CRC. It works well with very little vibration and can be moved to suit the circumstances.

Henry
 

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Hello everyone, just stepped up to a 280 Dancer. I love the boat, you can't beat it. I'm looking forward to conversing with fellow 280 pilots...
 

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