Official 280 Sundancer Thread

That would make sense. I'll look at it closer and get a pic of it. I'll also look at where the wires go. thank you
 
Symptoms: 1. ran great, started great. 2. turned off both engines to do some swimming for about an hour. 3. stbd started right up, Port wouldn't start. turned and might go to 500 rpm's then died. I tried accelerated neutral with no difference. I gave up and went home on the stbd engine. 4. tried a couple times on the way home, nothing. Turned over fine but wouldn't catch. Seemed like a fuel issue.

Repair: New fuel filter/separator, cleaned air intake and cleaned little foam filter. Filter was very dirty and foam filter was very dirty. I didn't see any water in the fuel filter. I did both engines. Port started right up and ran fine for a test ride. Better than that.........it ran better than ever........got out of the hole quicker and felt quicker. 3700 rpm's gets me 28 knots. I still don't have top speed I'd like but I also don't have trim UP yet. So, trim down at 4500 I'm getting 32 knots. The IAC looks brand new and that's possible as the prior owner did about 10k of work about a year or so ago.

I can't find my invoice, but with these symptoms I had to replace a fuel pump or a servo to the fuel pump. I'll have to get a copy of my receipt from the marina, can't find it...
 
I can't find my invoice, but with these symptoms I had to replace a fuel pump or a servo to the fuel pump. I'll have to get a copy of my receipt from the marina, can't find it...

Kevin,

If you replaced the fuel pump, how did you do it... hidden behind a mount in an awful place.
 
Can anyone recommend underwater lights? Specifically the drain plug kind. Not sure i want to cut a hole and spend a lot more on the better ones since i don't know if I'll even use them that much.
 
Access to tighten cleats? I was going to check them and was wondering if it's even possible to tighten them if needed without pulling interior apart


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi All. Brand new member. Searched the forum a bit but thought I'd post with a question. Moving up from a 1993 230 Sundancer to a 2007 280 Sundancer with a single Merc 496 / Bravo III. She's very clean, about 140 hours on the engine.

Sea trial and professional survey scheduled for Monday. Any general advice for things I should be looking for in the pre-purchase evaluation?
 
Great motor but the stock water pumps are garbage. Not really rebuildable. I replaced mine with a hardline marine stainless pump for 500. Manifolds and risers are about due is used in salt water. Lift cushions in aft cabin to inspect for water or stains on the cushions. Greats boats! I love mine but I have twins v6


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Howard, like your choice. We've had our 280/496 about ten years now.

A couple of comments. First water pump decay is largely a function of the water conditions the boat is used in. The raw water feed is direct, so if you boat in silty water the abrasive action by the particulates in the water will eat away at the pump.

But there is good news, the existing raw water pick up system sucks, or more accurately doesn't suck enough. The pump feed is 1.25" hose, but the plumbing through the drive and transom assembly is 0.75", go figure. In our second season I had a through hull raw water pick up installed with strainer giving a 1.25" line all the way to the pump. Strainer keeps the grit out and since then other than annual impeller swap out we are still on the OEM pump. Cost for us was slightly higher than getting a more robust pump, but to my mind more permanent.

Other big issue, have the transom plate inspected for corrosion damage. If that is bad you are looking at about $5k in parts and labor to replace. Also have them check the transom pivot pin. The 280 is a big boat and 496 puts out a lot of horses, so the steering pins take a beating. I know the newer b3 packages come with a larger pin and u bolt (because when we replaced our transom assembly they were larger than the 02 version. I don't know what the 07 set up was.

I also wouldn't be overly concerned with exhaust. We are still on the OEM. The 496 has a dry joint system and seems more durable. This also has a large location aspect as well. But if you do a web search of companies selling Merc exhaust system, very few will stock, or have replacement packages for the 496. That has always suggested to me that they are more durable than folks give them credit for.

Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Best of luck, we have been very happy with our 280.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Anyone replace their microwave with a toaster oven? I will probably be doing this first thing come spring.
 
Anyone replace their microwave with a toaster oven? I will probably be doing this first thing come spring.

Sounds dangerous, no? Toaster ovens create a lot of heat and need plenty of air space around them. Maybe someone makes a small toaster oven for confined (built-in) spaces, though. Never seen one, myself, but I've never looked for one, either.
 
I agree with Dennis. We have a Cuisinart counter top convection oven we use for things like re heating pizza, bagels, toast etc, and have used it at Thanksgiving time to cook vegetables when oven space is at a premium.

It throws a lot of heat, requires air space, and I'd be concerned that the boats AC wiring may not be up to snuff for an ovens current draw.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Where do you guys store your fenders? I have a dilemma on whether to install fender racks or just keep them in the cabin. Any suggestions would be be helpful.
 
Where do you guys store your fenders? I have a dilemma on whether to install fender racks or just keep them in the cabin. Any suggestions would be be helpful.

When I had my 280DA, I kept a pair of 6.5" fenders in the transom locker for tying up at restaurants, etc. I left the big fenders back at my slip secured to the dock with a bungee cord. A typical day for us would be to cruise for a bit, drop anchor somewhere, swim, grill, etc. After awhile we usually pull up the anchor and head to a restaurant on the lake for a beer and some food and, if needed, we'd use the small fenders when we docked. For us, there wasn't a need to bring the big fenders on every outing.
 
ANCHOR LINE ADVICE?
Current line in our 2006 280DA could use replacing. Can anyone advise the maximum (or optimal) amount of anchor line for a Sundancer 280? While most of my Long Island boating is in the bay, we do go out in the ocean at times.
Thank you!
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,746
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top