New 2008 280 DA

scott m

New Member
Feb 20, 2009
3
Fenton, MI
New member I just placed a reserve on a 280 DA at the Detroit Boat show and have a few questions.

Are T4.3 with Alpha drives enough power?
How does the boat handle?
Any know problems with this?
Any recommendations for marina's on Lake St. Clair or in Port Huron?

The dealer wants 118K and I wonder if the price is high? No generator but it does come with camper canvas and TV.

I'm moving up from a 20' bow rider.

Great forum btw.

:smt038
 
You are going to get a lot of different opinions here but, I just traded in my 2006 280 with T 4.3, gen, ac pretty much everything. The 4.3's are enough power for this boat. It will cruise at 30 MPH burn about 17-18 GPH with range of approx. 130 S Miles. There are plenty of threads discussing this exact issue and you can read for about a month, but IMO, 4.3's are a great setup for the 280.
 
We just traded our 2007 280DA for a 2008 310DA. We loved the 280 except for the space the T4.3's were great. I think the price quoted is high with no gen. Ours was loaded although an 07 the price was quite a bit lower a year ago. Now with the economy the way it is, the dealer should be ready to deal somewhat. On the 310 the dealer went to SR and they doubled the incentive that they were offering plus the boat show discounts. Good luck!
 
Thank you everyone for the advice. I think it's time to talk with the salesman. I'm not going to rush just because the Sea Ray cash offer expires in Feb.
 
New member I just placed a reserve on a 280 DA at the Detroit Boat show and have a few questions.

Are T4.3 with Alpha drives enough power?-YES
How does the boat handle?- GREAT(COMPARED TO A 240)
Any know problems with this?-KEEP HAVING TO PUT GAS IN IT FOR SOME REASON :huh::grin:
Any recommendations for marina's on Lake St. Clair or in Port Huron?- NO

The dealer wants 118K and I wonder if the price is high? No generator but it does come with camper canvas and TV.-I'D SHOP AROUND FOR BEST PRICE

I'm moving up from a 20' bow rider.

Great forum btw.

:smt038

Good Luck.
 
Scott,

We looked at a new 2008 280 leftover that the dealer was selling for $104k. Same power package, tv, etc. Look at the Marine Max Westhampton Beach location for the boat. I was on it and it was beautiful.

Good luck.

Chris
 
Imho..smaller engines are on boat to lower $$ sale price..you are going to run at higher rpm that small block v8's=more fuel..if you ck. online used boats 4 sale..your model with 6cyl.will give you an idea of value/price you shuold pay for new..Price youre talking is way to high,,,Great boat But i wouldnt go with 6 cyls.. for longetivity and resale..Just my 2 cents woth..Good Luck
 
Everyone is going to have a opinion.

First off, there is a reason the 280 Sundancer has been in production for so many years. It keeps selling. It’s the right size and has the right layout, features and quality for a lot of people.

That being said, there is a lot of used 280’s to pick from.

I have the twin 5.0’s with BIII’s. I pull up my wife on one ski. The wake is big but the boat is fine doing it.

Only you can decide if you are in a position to not mind taking a $20,000 hit the moment you turn the key for the first time and your boat goes from new too used. There is a great satisfaction of knowing it’s a new boat. You need to decide how much this is worth to you.

That being said, in my opinion, this size boat is really at the level of boat where the options make the boat go beyond a day boat and become a true cruiser.

We have everything. Generator, Air conditioning + reverse cycle heat, Radar, Windlass anchor, full camper top and more. We have no options that we do not use. The options make the boat more enjoyable.

Take the windlass anchor. Standing at the helm pushing a button as you slowly engage then disengage the drives as you creep forward retrieving the anchor in a headwind is pretty easy. Standing on the bow tugging at the anchor rode as your Admiral is at the helm as you shout at her to move forward, wait, forward, tug, have the rope burn your hands, fall on your bum, not as much fun. The fun becomes even less when she gets frustrated and leaves the helm for the cabin and you are still standing on the bow with the now unsecured rode running thru your burning hands as the boat is blowing toward shore. OK, this illinstration was meant for entertainment but you get my point.

The radar, I recommend you read my post about radar. If you boat at night, in the fog or rain it really adds to your family’s safety.

The generator is the difference between comfort on the hook or heading back to the dock for the night for many people. We spent 35 nights onboard last season. I'm very glad we have a generator. We are on the hook or on the river bank in a rural area type boaters.

Final word before I get off my soapbox, if you are willing to go 5 years used, you will be able to drop your quoted price in half, get all the goodies like an generator, radar, windlass anchor, remote spotlight and more, and be able to sell the boat for close to what you paid for it in a few years less sales tax and about 5% annual depreciation. That initial $20,000 loss has been absorbed by someone else.
 
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The 270 we had a 1998 burned about 16-18 at cruising speed and handled well but you have the maintenence of the outdrives. We purchased a new 2007 last year in Feb. 2008 for 150,000 tax ect. out the door with gen/ac 350 horizon v-drive c-80 radar/gps optional grill the boat was set up,I know you can do better on the price with the economy good luck,Roger
 
Thank you all again for the advice and input. I'm starting to think hard about the used market when I look at prices. It sure lowers the monthly expense when you add the true cost of boat ownership.
 
Thank you all again for the advice and input. I'm starting to think hard about the used market when I look at prices. It sure lowers the monthly expense when you add the true cost of boat ownership.



I hear you.

Id be rich if it was not for the expense of my boat, wife and kids.

However we sure do have a fun time all together as we boat. We are mixed use type of boaters. Some fishing, some swimming, some activities, sleeping onboard, cooking, etc.
 
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