280SS/290SS Thread

comsnark

New Member
Apr 10, 2007
4,106
NJ Shore
Boat Info
SeaRay SunSport
Engines
5.7LX
OK. . this board is dominated by the Sundancer crowd. . plus a few 48DB owners.

I looked around for a 280SS or 290SS thread, and didn't find one. So here we go. . .

I know two other 280SS owners on the board. . .anyone else out there?

- - - - - - -

BTW: I historically have quoted a 46mph (GPS) WOT speed for my 280SS with 5.7's and Alphas at 4600RPM. I saw that speed at Seatrial, and in my first couple of seasons.

Last year. . I never saw 46/4600 but it was a full month between splash and when I did a performance run.

This year, I splashed and once the engines warmed up I ran pedal to the metal. I saw 4600RPM, and 49.4 MPH. Both directions up and down the bay. I was so happy I just had to call my Mechanic and let him know how good the boat ran!
 
FINALLY!! I felt like a red-headed stepchild. Everything is DA, DB, and SD.

I have yet to give her a good test run. I have had her up to 42 mph with plenty of throttle left.

It's new to me and so far I've been working on updating all of the circuit breakers, replacing the horn and the 12v cig lighter on the dash (just got the parts today). I replaced the sunshade top on the arch. And, as I posted, the fuel gauge is not working. Next year I'll get new carpets and get this boat in the codition that my SD was.

I love the cockpit layout, but I'm amazed at how low it sits next to a DA.
 
Yeah. . .it sits low. But that is what makes it so fast. Also, I suspect it helps seakeeping as well.

I hear you on the circuit breakers. I already had one fail due to corrossion. Very annoying.
 
I envy you both... my plans on a 290SS for this season were cooled by the arrival of a little boy... next year. Next year.
 
Don't worry. These boats have really dropped in value. . I guess like the rest of the market.

The 290SS and 280SS are very similar except the 290's are longer (the extra length is in transom lockers which the 280 lacks) and the more common "extended swim platform" and "Arch". Don't care about the swim platform. . .but I kind of wish I had an Arch. (In my pond where the average depth is 4' and the widest point is about a mile. . . I *need* radar!)
 
I was fueling up next to a 280SS on my way to the lake a few weeks ago. Guy was moving it from the now closed MM to the lake.

We chatted a bit, and he mentioned the owners were looking to sell. I couldn't stop thinking about the 260 DA I've been lusting over long enough to get any specifics, but now I'm kinda wishing I had.

How is the cabin on these boats? Anyone have any pics the would like to share?
 
There are cabin pics on the website.

You have a nice V berth up front. In the center, you can set up a dinnette table. There is a decent sized head you can cram your whole body into, with a sink and a vacu-flush toilet.

An adult couple can sleep comfortably in the cabin. There is no mid cabin. No space for any kids of the couple. You can stand at the hatch entrance (if you are not 6' tall), but not in the V-berth area.

Bottom line: These are NOT cabin cruisers. We don't really spend much time in the cabin. . .the 280/290's are really day boats.
 
I'm logging a lot of hours on the new boat....dock hours that is. Actually, I like to do these little repairs/mods.

Here are a couple of the latest upgrades. I think the speakers were shot! And, I replaced the original Ray 210 with a SH GX5000.
 
Keep them pictures coming. By the time I can start seriously thinking about a 280/290SS again you'll have given me a bunch of cool mods to do. (Grin)
 
Keep them pictures coming. By the time I can start seriously thinking about a 280/290SS again you'll have given me a bunch of cool mods to do. (Grin)

Will do. I'll admit though that most of the work I've done has come from ideas from this site. The new speaker in the picture had to be shimmed and has the cutting board idea behind it. And, I used Todd's grill mount under the ladder hatch.

Next will be new carpets, a nice wood table, and inverter, and a LCD. It's only money!
 
Where are you mounting the TV? In the cabin?

My thought was to put it outside of the current tv compartment. A 15" should cover the opening, and I'll get a swing mount so I can use the inside space for more storage.
 
No, the primary differences (that I understand are)

1) Arch
2) Extended swim platform
3) Generally. . bigger engines (probably needed due to the arch and platform)
4) Transom lockers (which adds the 1' of length
5) Helm control layout differences

I am really content with our 1997 - except I would really have liked to have an Arch. Don't want to add an aftermarket arch
 
What speed do you hit to get up on plane? I recently took a long trip and in order for me to stay up on plane, I had to maintain 27+ mph. In 4' seas, it seemed a little too fast, but if I went any slower, it fell off plane.
 
What speed do you hit to get up on plane? I recently took a long trip and in order for me to stay up on plane, I had to maintain 27+ mph. In 4' seas, it seemed a little too fast, but if I went any slower, it fell off plane.


Mine falls off plane easily too, not sure what actual MPH it needs to get there as I am still learning how to get it up on plane fast (I'd say around 30 to stay), but if I cut the throttles too much it will eventually fall off. We boat on inland lakes that are usually quite calm, so it's not much of an issue.

Wish I had an arch too.
 
OK. . .got the boat in the water for the season.

Hit 50.5 on GPS yesterday. Seems like the boat is getting faster over time :)


. . . .and the mechanic still owes me tune ups on the engines! (although, I suspect the light fuel load had more influence on performance).
 

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