Lake Chili

New Member
Aug 16, 2017
5
Boat Info
2016 280 SLX Power Tower with Tri Color Hull
Engines
8.2 Big Block Mag DTS with Bravo III drives
Very happy to have just purchased new 2016 280 SLX with the 8.2 Mag and a power tower electric bimini top. Can't find any official thread for this boat, so I would love if someone could point one out to me for tips from other owners. The engine is solid and boat handles great overall, compared to the 1/2 dozen or so I have had in this range. I have some suggestions to new owners: 1) when towing put bungee cords around the power tower on both sides. I literally had the inside trim, including speaker and lights blow right off going down the highway. Did not realize until we got to lake, some poor car behind me may have gotten smacked by a 4' section of wide trim and such. Getting those replacement parts are a pain also. IMHO this is something Sea Ray should look into, don't know if has happened to any others. Use bungee strapped around tower when towing in 3 spots at least. 2). The drivers side window gasket is not seated properly, I did not notice until on the lake, saw the inner rubbery sealant melting down the sides and noticed outer gasket was twisted. Hard to see from the ground as this is a tall boat on the trailer. Poor install or melted for some unexplained reason ?!. 3). The windlass anchor motor will not even pull up the weight of the anchor itself, let alone if set in sand or muddy bottom. I had to lean over and pull up with my hands to take the weight off all the way until seated. What a pain for a $4k option!! The dealership has now and are trying to adjust the clutch or something, but they have not figured it out yet. Other minor adjustments and electrical issues needed sorted, like the USB in dashboard did not work, some round blue indicator lights do not come on dash, screws on the under-seat storage areas needed tightened, etc. Overall very happy with purchase so far and will update, again wish could find 280 SLX specific forum. Happy Boating from Illinois.
 
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Good luck and welcome to CSR!
 
Lake, had a 300 slx side window blew out while towing. Seems an air gust from a passing truck blew cockpit cover up and window got pulled up. Could have happened to you. Keep holding dealers feet to the fire till they get all things fixed.
 
Okay, I feel compelled to update. So put the boat back in the water this weekend, was in the middle of the lake with family and kids and suddenly overheated and steam is rolling out of the hatch. What??? I shut down, open the engine hatch and see that the belt is halfway off and coolant all over hatch area. I start pulling the rest of the belt off, and the power steering pulley just fell right off. Apparently it was not properly pressed on at the factory, (its pressed on not bolted) it got loose which is the reason the belt came off and boom. I had to be towed in on the 2nd day on the lake and get this beast on the trailer with no power. Took hours, the kids were upset, I was embarrassed in front of extended family, etc. Not the experience I signed up for with a $100k plus brand new boat. Not a happy Sea Ray owner at this moment, want to start over. WHO ELSE has a 280 SLX???
 
So that is a Mercruiser issue, not sea ray (although the same parent company). Hopefully you did not seriously overheat the engine because without the belt there is no cooling either.
Good luck getting this sorted out. I almost pulled the trigger on a 280 this spring but sat tight.
 
Lake Chili-

Welcome to the group. I purchased my 2015 in 2015 new and can't begin to tell you how much of a disappointment I've had with SR. Love the engine but sadly SR has fallen on there QA process. I have the same engine as you but 3 feet smaller. Let me know if you have a tag from Great Lakes that says don't exceed 45MPH. You can PM if you like. I hope you get your problems sorted out, but it's been 1.5 years on mine. I am at the end of my list now, so I can see the light.
 
Lake Chili-

Welcome to the group. I purchased my 2015 in 2015 new and can't begin to tell you how much of a disappointment I've had with SR. Love the engine but sadly SR has fallen on there QA process. I have the same engine as you but 3 feet smaller. Let me know if you have a tag from Great Lakes that says don't exceed 45MPH. You can PM if you like. I hope you get your problems sorted out, but it's been 1.5 years on mine. I am at the end of my list now, so I can see the light.
What is the story with the speed tag????
 
That is the speed the canvas is rated at. Rubbed holes in mine on the 300. Had extra panels added to canvas in rub areas
 
That's good info, should go slow when I tow anyway. The canvas on this SLX is fixed (does not retract) and was mostly nice and taught from factory. But I noticed it is loosening up a bit. Got a call from Sea Ray today for a survey on the purchase. I told them not satisfied at the moment with the boat or engine, but very satisfied with the Dealer.
 
I just purchased a 2017 250 slx yesterday and have found the following as well:
1. Ski locker hatch mounts loose screws
2. Bow flip up seats loose hinge screws
3. Anchor hatch not a closing correctly ... Adjusted hinge bracket
4. Transom shower , pump , switch and water reservoir missing. ( yes was listed as standard equipment not even an option on my window sheet but completely missed )
5. Cockpit cover snaps on windshield missing. Five in total.
6. Windshield gasket not seated correctly in many spots.
7. Ski locker upper lip drain mounted to high in channel. And no drain tube attached leading to bilge
8. Smartcraft transducer not oriented correctly. There is an arrow that says keel and mine is pointed to starboard
9. Under the helm there is panel covering all electrical and amp etc.... Broken catch on that panel.

I will see how all this shakes out. We do however really like this boat. And because it sat for 314 days on the lot we did get a great price. It was also under cover the entire time as well. So at least the sun here in Fl wasn't baking on it for almost a year.

BTW is read this forum everyday and learn something everyday. You guys are wonderful out there.
-MEA
 
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Lake Chili-

Welcome to the group. I purchased my 2015 in 2015 new and can't begin to tell you how much of a disappointment I've had with SR. Love the engine but sadly SR has fallen on there QA process. I have the same engine as you but 3 feet smaller. Let me know if you have a tag from Great Lakes that says don't exceed 45MPH. You can PM if you like. I hope you get your problems sorted out, but it's been 1.5 years on mine. I am at the end of my list now, so I can see the light.
Interested to know what problems you've had, as I'm considering a 250 with the 8.2
 
Interested to know what problems you've had, as I'm considering a 250 with the 8.2
I listed all the problems I have had, looks like MEA had some also. Basic stuff that factory overlooked. Plus the power steering blowout and windshield problem. They are nice enough boats but need way better quality control.
 

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