Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I think your right. I'm going to reseal the outside of the arch and TV dish


Most likely the joint where arch mounts. Mine leaked last year but a siliconed everything on the inside and out and it's bone dry now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Woody,
Here are photos of the access hole and sending unit
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    13.1 KB · Views: 382
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    5.8 KB · Views: 396
I hate the way my rear seat gets pinched when folded down when raising the engine hatch. Is there a way to prevent this and what are the white plastic inserts in the rear transom behind the seat for?
Thanks for our help and I hope everyone is enjoying the summe.
 
Re: Official 280 Sundancer Thread - Odor of gas under cabin step

Has anyone had a problem with gasoline odors under the cabin step
I think my issue is possibly a leaking gasket for the fuel sender under the aft bunk

Yes, just tightened the screw up a little and was good after that. I left masking tape all around the edge of the sender so that if any liquid leaked it would stain and I could see where it was coming from, but I think it was just not quite tight enough and some vapour escaped raterht than actualy having fuel running out of it.
 
Cuins,
I have a 2001 280 which I believe has the same design. First, make sure you fold the legs and snap them into the retaining clips under the seat before you try to fold it down. You'll note the bottom inch or so of the legs are hinged and when folded, that last inch will set into those plastic inserts allowing the seat to fold tight against the transom. Personally, I think it could have been engineered much better, but if you want it to fit tight, that's what you need to do. If your carpet goes right up to the transom wall, that makes it even tighter.
Like I said, not the best design...
PS. We're in Gilford NH. If you are close by let me know and I can demonstrate if needed.
 
Cuins,
I have a 2001 280 which I believe has the same design. First, make sure you fold the legs and snap them into the retaining clips under the seat before you try to fold it down. You'll note the bottom inch or so of the legs are hinged and when folded, that last inch will set into those plastic inserts allowing the seat to fold tight against the transom. Personally, I think it could have been engineered much better, but if you want it to fit tight, that's what you need to do. If your carpet goes right up to the transom wall, that makes it even tighter.
Like I said, not the best design...
PS. We're in Gilford NH. If you are close by let me know and I can demonstrate if needed.

Hi Rick
Yes we are pretty close. I live in Gilford and boat is at
Fay's. That is pretty much what I have been doing minus putting the feet in the plastic holders. Main dock stop by and say hello. Almost Heaven II.
Marty
 
Hi Rick
Yes we are pretty close. I live in Gilford and boat is at
Fay's. That is pretty much what I have been doing minus putting the feet in the plastic holders. Main dock stop by and say hello. Almost Heaven II.
Marty

Marty,
Wow, real close! We're right around the corner at Mountain View, dock G-07. I think you'll find if you tuck those feet into the inserts the seat will fold tighter and won't put as much strain on it and the hatch when you open up the engine.
Good luck and hopefully we'll see you!
Rick
 
I presently own a 260 DA , took me quite a lot to learn how to handle it!
Thinking of buying a 2005 sundancer 280 with twin 4.3.
Is it easier and a smoother ride or should i stay with my 260?
thanks
 
Long time Reader, First time Poster.. I just finished reading this 280 thread from start to finish. Part of me feels this is the perfect boat and another part thinks its a terribly designed hole in the water that's prone to leaking, expensive switchgear failing and has 0 storage! I'm Joking... I appreciate all the collective knowledge that's accumulated here! After some pretty serious "soul searching" I've dialed back my wants and focused on my needs and the 280 seems to fit just right. 30ihsh feet, Nice swim platform, full useable head and over 6' of headroom,,Heat and AC,, enough space for a few days,, And I can still pull it out over winter and put it in my shop,, And I can still trailer up to the San Juans if the desire strikes.

I'm on the hunt.. Coming from my current boat this will feel like the titanic,,,for at least 2 weeks! HAHAHA

Thanks! JJ
 
Long time Reader, First time Poster.. I just finished reading this 280 thread from start to finish. Part of me feels this is the perfect boat and another part thinks its a terribly designed hole in the water that's prone to leaking, expensive switchgear failing and has 0 storage! I'm Joking... I appreciate all the collective knowledge that's accumulated here! After some pretty serious "soul searching" I've dialed back my wants and focused on my needs and the 280 seems to fit just right. 30ihsh feet, Nice swim platform, full useable head and over 6' of headroom,,Heat and AC,, enough space for a few days,, And I can still pull it out over winter and put it in my shop,, And I can still trailer up to the San Juans if the desire strikes.

I'm on the hunt.. Coming from my current boat this will feel like the titanic,,,for at least 2 weeks! HAHAHA

Thanks! JJ

JJ54,

From a guy who has had a few boats, both smaller and bigger.

First, the boat depends on your mission. For a lot of us (especially with the 280), it's day cruising, occasional overnight or short trip.

For that, the 280 is hard to beat and has the following advantages:
Relatively small and easy to handle for a cruiser
Shallow draft
Easy to beach or hang out by a sand bar
Can trailer
Has most of the amenities of much larger boats, twin option, ten and AC, head, aft shower, etc.
Handy walk thru windshield
A great design for the canvas top for summer sun and covers the entire cockpit with the added camper top.
Dirt cheap for a cruiser. Bullet proof 4.3 6 cylinder engines with the time proven Alpha one... both easy to work on and cheap to fix. (the single 5.7 isn't bad either with the BIII)
======
Disadvantages:
Poor storage in the cockpit (and below)
Horrible electrical design with the "pads" for the electrical items, and a PITA to maintain and add electronics.
Annual impeller change requires removing the lower drive unit. PITA, but if accessible can be done in a few hours with two people. (The BIII is on the engine... much easier)
Small and cumbersome instrument panel, very difficult to add modern electronics.
The engine compartment can be a bit tight for thing like changing the impeller on the gen (have to move it slightly), or cleaning the water strainer Changing starboard tilt motor (port is doable but tight). However, surprisingly not as bad as it looks.
======
Most of us have the earlier ones, before they lowered the weight and made a smaller boat in 2010.

Overall, a great, simple, easy to own and fun boat. Wonderful of overnights with the Admiral, or a lunch run with 4 to 6 friends. Not for big parties, and not for a months cruise.

It's also a "quick getaway" boat... I can pull the cockpit cover, preflight, and be in the water heading out in less than 10 min. Same with coming back in... put cockpit cover on, freshwater clean the engines, hook up external and put up on lift in about 15 min. So, it's fun for my short trips to two restaurants that are 1/2 and 1 mi. from home.

It's also VERY popular, so easy to buy or sell.
 
I presently own a 260 DA , took me quite a lot to learn how to handle it!
Thinking of buying a 2005 sundancer 280 with twin 4.3.
Is it easier and a smoother ride or should i stay with my 260?
thanks

Roye44,

Absolutely get the 280. Just as easy to handle. I had a 270 (and other boats) prior to the 280, and the 280 is easier to handle. I also had a 310 Formula PC with a bow thruster, and the 280 was as easy to handle. With the twins, it's much easier to turn and dock. And the 280 is not a huge price difference in operating costs.
 
Thanks, I ma also wondering how it handles at slow and cruising speed? Don't want to spend all my time correcting trim tabs with the kids moving around!
 
Thanks, I ma also wondering how it handles at slow and cruising speed? Don't want to spend all my time correcting trim tabs with the kids moving around!
You'll find it'll be like nite and day from your 260DA. About the only time I used my trim tabs was in rough seas.
 
Thanks, exactly what i wanted to ear!
 
You'll find it'll be like nite and day from your 260DA. About the only time I used my trim tabs was in rough seas.

Agreed, rarely use the trim tabs. Just tilt the drives up a bit for cruise and works very well. If it starts proposing, bring them back a bit. Very stable.
 
Has anyone had to replace their Engine Coupler? On my 2003 280 I have this issue that I thought was a spun prop hub. After taking the prop off and taking it apart, we realized the prop isn't the issue. After googling I find some people having issues with their mercruiser Alpha 1 Engine couplers. This year has been a huge pain and a ton of money. Hoping I am missing something. When I go to plane off, the port side engine starts running away as if it is cavitating and I have to back down on it and go harder on the starboard. Sometimes while on plane and cruising the same thing happens. I seriously don't want to have to haul the engines again, as we had to replace the starboard engine twice this season already.
 
Has anyone had to replace their Engine Coupler? On my 2003 280 I have this issue that I thought was a spun prop hub. After taking the prop off and taking it apart, we realized the prop isn't the issue. After googling I find some people having issues with their mercruiser Alpha 1 Engine couplers. This year has been a huge pain and a ton of money. Hoping I am missing something. When I go to plane off, the port side engine starts running away as if it is cavitating and I have to back down on it and go harder on the starboard. Sometimes while on plane and cruising the same thing happens. I seriously don't want to have to haul the engines again, as we had to replace the starboard engine twice this season already.

TheGood,

When you say engine coupler what do you mean? As for the prop coupler, I replace them annually with prop grease, when I replace the impeller, they are cheap and easy to replace. They are called a Delrin Sleeve, not much money. You could get by keeping them for a few seasons.

The drive is not that bad to remove, but takes two people and a bit hard to do on a lift, but I do it with a ramp.
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
112,946
Messages
1,422,763
Members
60,929
Latest member
Henchman
Back
Top