Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Its a square plug and pretty beat up so i had to resort to a pipe wrench as a 12 point socket wouldnt break it. Its just too soft. Next is to just drill it out.
 
Its a square plug and pretty beat up so i had to resort to a pipe wrench as a 12 point socket wouldnt break it. Its just too soft. Next is to just drill it out.
Yes, square plug (end) is standard. Never use a socket - not enough gripping surface -- brass/bronze is too soft of a metal and will round over the edges easily. A crescent wrench works well, or even a standard open end. Pipe wrench could work, but will likely chew it up... although in this case it doesn't really matter. Sounds like someone may have over-tightened it. Use a bigger wrench or an extension on the handle to give more leverage.
 
Has anyone added bluetooth to the stock XMD-1 head unit?

Yes, I recently added to mine. I used the JL audio bluetooth adapter that ties into the switched power and ground in the stereo wiring harness, then plugs into the unused AUX ports behind the clarion deck. This allows me to stream music from my iphone/ipad right to the stereo. Nice, easy upgrade.

This is the adapter I used https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13691...a&awnw=g&awcr=65372638345&awdv=c&awug=9021300
 
Well not on mine or several others as well. Question is why ? What would be the purpose of this small filter before a much larger and more efficient one. Doubt its even on the Merc parts lookup site. What's your engine number ?


If you look on the mercruiser parts site it definitely shows it as a standard part.
 
Its a square plug and pretty beat up so i had to resort to a pipe wrench as a 12 point socket wouldnt break it. Its just too soft. Next is to just drill it out.

Get a 8 point socket even if the ends are rounded over you can still tap the socket on
 
Changing out steering rack and pinion “steering cable” this is the easiest way to tackle this monster!!

Take out the side panel in the aft bedroom 4 Phillips head screws pull panel and it will expose all wires and cables running into engine room!!! Took about an hour total with just me.....

2005 Sundancer 280
 

Attachments

  • F2C5FC12-2435-4A4B-AFC7-CCECA3729A71.jpeg
    F2C5FC12-2435-4A4B-AFC7-CCECA3729A71.jpeg
    146.8 KB · Views: 208
Yes, I recently added to mine. I used the JL audio bluetooth adapter that ties into the switched power and ground in the stereo wiring harness, then plugs into the unused AUX ports behind the clarion deck. This allows me to stream music from my iphone/ipad right to the stereo. Nice, easy upgrade.

This is the adapter I used https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13691...a&awnw=g&awcr=65372638345&awdv=c&awug=9021300
I tried it with a Fusion BT100 but I cant seem to make it work correctly. I cant get enough volume and the radio still plays through the speakers while the Bluetooth is playing. Wonder if I am doing something wrong. I hooked up the red hot wires and the ground wire and plugged into the 2 RCA cables that were extra on the back of the radio. Any help would be appreciated.
 
I tried it with a Fusion BT100 but I cant seem to make it work correctly. I cant get enough volume and the radio still plays through the speakers while the Bluetooth is playing. Wonder if I am doing something wrong. I hooked up the red hot wires and the ground wire and plugged into the 2 RCA cables that were extra on the back of the radio. Any help would be appreciated.
Does the XMD 1 have an AUX setting. I can't seem to find it if it does.
 
Hi all, i'm new to the forum. I sold my Monterey last summer to get ready and buy a boat this spring. After a lot of research, I'm looking at the SR 280 SD and really like the post 2009 layout but find pre 2009 more spacious. I'm looking for feedback from current owners, or owners that upgraded and get their thoughts on the 280 in general (twins or single). I'll be cruising in the Boston harbor area and will be looking to do overnight trip and longer trip to cape and Gloucester.
 
I tried it with a Fusion BT100 but I cant seem to make it work correctly. I cant get enough volume and the radio still plays through the speakers while the Bluetooth is playing. Wonder if I am doing something wrong. I hooked up the red hot wires and the ground wire and plugged into the 2 RCA cables that were extra on the back of the radio. Any help would be appreciated.

I just checked and the unit I have is a Clarion XMD3 which has an AUX input. The red/white rca's that I plugged into were labeled "AUX IN". After that all I had to do was select the aux as the source and I was off to the races. If you have no aux option, you could maybe go the FM transmitter route?
 
Wow, that infinity looks really really nice!!!

Are there snaps sandwiched in the material to hold it down, or did they use another type of fastener to hold it in place?
 
Extremely helpful forum and because of it i'm looking at buying SR 280 SD (06 to 09 models) and looking at twins (Boston Harbor cruising). Few questions,
- What is the difference in performance/maintenance between Alpha's and Bravo's? Should i be looking for one vs the other? and what is the added price for the Bravo's?
- Excuse my ignorance as i tried to find more info, what what is Digital throttle? benefits?
- we dock in the mystic river and go out to the Boston harbor, should I invest in closed water cooling?
- Can anyone point me to a specific check list for buying a used 280 SD?

I will be going through locks a lot, every time we go out.

Really appreciate all the feedback.
 
Wow, that infinity looks really really nice!!!

Are there snaps sandwiched in the material to hold it down, or did they use another type of fastener to hold it in place?
They used color matched snaps (existing snap screws). If you look closely at the extreme lower left side of the bottom photo you'll see a gray dot - that's the color matched snap. And it looks 10X better than the photo!
 
Last edited:
SR 280 07, 4.3 twins with B3's asking 70k - FWC? about 230 hours. What is reasonable for it? requires a detailed job
 
SR 280 07, 4.3 twins with B3's asking 70k - FWC? about 230 hours. What is reasonable for it? requires a detailed job

Tough for us to make any assumptions on price without seeing the boat first hand, as condition will play more into the value equation than year or options will. Off the cuff, that sounds high to me based on what I saw when I was looking in the fall.
I could very much be wrong here, but I thought the single engine option was the only 280 that offered factory "closed Cooling" with antifreeze and a heat exchanger. I'm curious if this is what you're referring to when you say fwc. My twin 4.3 set up is raw water cooled, so if it were in salt water it would require regular manifold changes.
 
The pictures showed twin 4.3's with FWC. They were not Seacores though. I'm just trying to get a ball park more than accurate assessment - i just thought it was too high. Boat looks to be in good condition and many options added, however the the vinyl requires some elbow grease as it has a lot of black/mold spots.
 
Sold my2006 280 with 5'0's closed cooled with genny and triple axle trailer , in excellent condition, last summer. Radar ,hardwood floor in the galley
After being on the market for a year, I was happy to unload it for 49k.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,943
Messages
1,422,705
Members
60,927
Latest member
Jaguar65
Back
Top