Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Thank you all for the quick and thoughtful replies. I have a feeling I'm going to like this site/community.
 
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.
I always use fenders because I keep my 280 on a mooring. Is there any alternative to keeping them on the bow rails?
 
Hey guys - the 2007 280 sundancer I'm looking at checked out pretty well during pre-purchase survey and the sea trial. The price is fair but not a steal - in other words I'd be happy if it works out but also not feel bad if it doesn't, especially this time of year.

Here's the thing. This boat is clean, low hours and lightly used, but it does lack two options that I'm wondering if I'll miss not having: an electric windlass and cabin heat (we're in Seattle). I'm hoping to hear from owners of boats with those features - how important are they to you? Do they work well? Are they worth the complexity and maintenance cost?

I do value simplicity in systems, and I'll have no problems managing the anchor physically, but on the other hand I also value comfort and convenience.

I also wonder how difficult/costly it might be to add those things later. My boat has no generator (I have a portable Honda) but it does have a water heater.

Appreciate any advice...
 
Didn't think any came without those amenities. I passed on a boat that didn't have ac/heat or a windlass which was more a day boat (cobalt 293). Glad i did. Now i have my 280da. I'd like to think the heat would make the seasons longer being up in Seattle.
 
...but it does lack two options that I'm wondering if I'll miss not having: an electric windlass and cabin heat (we're in Seattle). I'm hoping to hear from owners of boats with those features - how important are they to you? Do they work well? Are they worth the complexity and maintenance cost?

I also wonder how difficult/costly it might be to add those things later. My boat has no generator (I have a portable Honda) but it does have a water heater.

I used to own a 2008 280DA with a single 496 like you are considering. Unless you are getting an absolute steal, I would not consider a boat without an electric windlass, generator and heat (for your sake it's wise not to mention portable Honda here ;)

I used the heat all the time in the spring and fall up here in MN and it allowed me to use the boat comfortably starting in early April through October. The windlass is a must too --the anchor on these size boats are not easy to pull up manually, especially with all of the chain attached. As for the generator, and safety concerns aside, a portable Honda genny isn't the same as having proper built-in genny to power your cabin and all accessories.

In terms of price, installing a gen will be around $10k, the windlass another $1000 or more, heat will be a few grand as well.

Again, unless you are stealing this boat, I would walk away and find one with all everything you need.
 
Kevin,

If you replaced the fuel pump, how did you do it... hidden behind a mount in an awful place.


Seevee,

Invoice from 7/14 and 9/16... Replace fuel pump relay to stb engine... Engine would start and idle, but as soon as I gave the engine any fuel it would cut off. Come to find out, the relay not working starved the fuel pump for fuel and obviously the engine can't run without fuel. Easy and cheap fix... Knocking on wood, boats been good to me.

Had the drives serviced just before shrink wrap, engines and gen, the normal winterization with plumbing, and put some underwater LED lights in on each side of the outdrives, 5 or 6 diff colors and many combinations thereof as well... Spring can't come fast enough... Actually, the only lights that aren't LED are the nav lights on the bow. I figure they're only on when I'm under way, so why bother...

Can't wait for the day I don't have to winterize her...
 
Hey guys - the 2007 280 sundancer I'm looking at checked out pretty well during pre-purchase survey and the sea trial. The price is fair but not a steal - in other words I'd be happy if it works out but also not feel bad if it doesn't, especially this time of year.

Here's the thing. This boat is clean, low hours and lightly used, but it does lack two options that I'm wondering if I'll miss not having: an electric windlass and cabin heat (we're in Seattle). I'm hoping to hear from owners of boats with those features - how important are they to you? Do they work well? Are they worth the complexity and maintenance cost?

I do value simplicity in systems, and I'll have no problems managing the anchor physically, but on the other hand I also value comfort and convenience.

I also wonder how difficult/costly it might be to add those things later. My boat has no generator (I have a portable Honda) but it does have a water heater.

Appreciate any advice...

I'm surprised these aren't on the boat. Keep in mind, if the boat has AIrCon then it has heat. The system is a reverse cycle setup.

The windlass is definitely an issue, especially in your neck of the woods where laying out a hundred, or more feet of rode is necessary because of the water depth.

Tonka, suggests a genset as a minimum. We've had our 280 10 years now and doubt I would put a genset in. It also depends on how you boat. If you plan to be in a marina with shore power and just do day trips, a gen may be redundant. That being said we've gone out for a week or more a couple times without issue. But we used to be sailboat people, so packing food in a good cooler with lots of ice, utilizing a grill, and basic electric conservation goes a long way. We also carry the large Weego engine starter as a safety back up.

Henry


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
We recently purchased a 2015 280 and I am trying or oder decals for name and home port. Does anyone have the dimesnions for the back of the boat?
 
Yeah I saw that thread too. Are the dimensions on a 2005 the same as a 2015? I thought they changed in 2010 or so?
 
Well, i hear the newer ones are smaller but i think the beam is the same. Should say on the brochures.
 
Posting the image for the stern dimensions and name for a 2005 280DA here as it is a better location than General Maintenance


 
I was going to go with a 6" tall by 40" long name where the hailing port is located in the picture and not sure the size of the area to the right of the shorepower cord outlet area though. Any ideas?
 
I am looking at buying a used Sundancer 280, 2003-2007. Probably look at boats in SoCal first. How important is it to find a boat with "heat exchangers"? A broker told me this is critical.
 
I am looking at buying a used Sundancer 280, 2003-2007. Probably look at boats in SoCal first. How important is it to find a boat with "heat exchangers"? A broker told me this is critical.

Ask if the boat has fresh water cooling (as opposed to raw water cooling). I think you'll find all sundancers in this range of years will have this type of system. The main point is that the engine does not come into contact with seawater.

A heat exchanger serves the same purpose as a car's radiator. With the closed-loop cooling system that comes on these boats, the engine is cooled by water (and antifreeze) that flows through the engine, where it takes heat away from the engine, and then through the heat exchanger, where it transfers the heat to the seawater through the metal in the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger comes into contact with the seawater so that the engine doesn't have to.

The alternative, seen for example on some older water ski boats designed for use primarily in fresh water, is a "raw water" cooling system, in which the lake water is drawn up into the boat and circulated around the engine.
 
Most have raw water 4.3's seems like. Pretty sure the 496 is closed cooling, which alot of them have singles with this motor.
 

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