Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I love this!! Any chance you can share the plastic shop's name that did this? I'd like to see if they can copy it for me.
I will drive by in the next day or so and get you their contact info. I doubt they kept a pattern though. If you are seriously interested, I will draw out a pattern next time I go to the boat and take it to them for you. I love it. No more spills!
 
I love this!! Any chance you can share the plastic shop's name that did this? I'd like to see if they can copy it for me.
I wrapped mine initeak vinyl.
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Good morning, looking for some advice... We are thinking about buying a 2002 280 Sundancer with single Merc 496 w Bravo 111. Any advice on what to look for?? It has approx 235 hrs. Fresh water boat. Our previous boat was a Rinker 280 ec.
Thank you
 
There’s a lot of discussion on this thread regarding single vs twin engine options but to summarize it sounds like the 496 has plenty of power for the 280 if you’re comfortable operating a boat of this size with a single screw. The biggest variable seems to be where you plan to use it. On an inland lake the single 496 would likely work out great, if you’re in open water regularly the safety of twins in a bonus, but more maintenance
 
Good morning, looking for some advice... We are thinking about buying a 2002 280 Sundancer with single Merc 496 w Bravo 111. Any advice on what to look for?? It has approx 235 hrs. Fresh water boat. Our previous boat was a Rinker 280 ec.
Thank you
I'll second what stg099 said - inland lake should be no issue. But then that depends on what you call inland lake. Our saltwater friends friends might consider one of the great lakes an inland lake. FYI I bought an 05 280 just a few months ago and we had a comprehensive survey done. If you haven't thought of it I'd highly recommend it. Our surveyor spent the better part of two - half days between the survey and the seas trial. $750. Money well spent since we got all of that plus more for some minor repairs. PM me and I'll give you details.
 
We will use this on Table Rock Lake MO. Thanks for the replys is there anything to look for??
 
Hello all new to the forum....

Question..... I have a 2005 Sun Dancer 280 DA twin 5.0MPI Bravo III's and my STB side power steering pump fluid is a milky pinkish color and my steering is very hard I have to steer the boat with two hands. I sucked out the milky fluid and put fresh fluid in the pump, steering is still very hard, I notice after a run for the day when I do post checks the fluid is very very low to the point I have to refill it.

Also when I'm plugged into shore power the green light on my inverter comes on but the needle doesn't move after about two hours of radio play the battery dies I'm assuming the inverter is not charging my batteries because I have to use the emergency switch at the helm to start my port main engine.... any help would be appreciated!!

I bought July 2017 and after changing both IAC's and all bellows I was able to get her underway and found this issue.

I'm assuming, you mean your converter. An inverter converts battery to 120VAC. A converter (charger) converts from AC to DC to charge your batteries. And yes, assuming everything is connected properly, it sounds like your charger is fubar'ed.
I just had a similar issue and had to replace mine.
 
Finally installed new VHF this weekend. Made a backing template out of 1/4 inch starboard ($10. 1'x1' on ebay). Put a small bevel on it and have it secured with rear mount so there are no screw holes in the front of the template
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I posted this on the regular site as well. Do you 280 owners have what I assume is an inline fuel filter like the one in the picture? I have one for each engine. Was this oem? How often do you change it?


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I'm assuming, you mean your converter. An inverter converts battery to 120VAC. A converter (charger) converts from AC to DC to charge your batteries. And yes, assuming everything is connected properly, it sounds like your charger is fubar'ed.
I just had a similar issue and had to replace mine.



It was a 30amp fuse inside converter..... I changed the fuse out and boom she’s working like new
 
While I have the 4.3s and not the 5.0s I can confirm that I do not have those filters on my 2004 280 either.
 
Finally installed new VHF this weekend. Made a backing template out of 1/4 inch starboard ($10. 1'x1' on ebay). Put a small bevel on it and have it secured with rear mount so there are no screw holes in the front of the template View attachment 53544 View attachment 53545
Looks great! Pardon my ignorance, but are the rear mounts just the mounts that you buy for the radio? So the template is basically just being held between radio and the dash by them?

I soooo want to get rid of the original VHF....
 
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Looks great! Pardon my ignorance, but are the rear mounts just the mounts that you buy for the radio? So the template is basically just being held between radio and the dash by them?

I soooo want to get rid of the original VHF....
Correct the radio and the backing plate behind it are being held in place by a bracket behind the dash. Note do not buy the Standard Horizon rear mount (which I did) - the dash is too thick and the rear mount won't work. Instead I made up a simple bracket with a tension screw - total cost under $6. It consists of a simple angle bracket and a screw with nuts and a small pad. The photo below shows how it was constructed (the backing plate doesn't appear in this photo. I cut the angle bracket down to it fit against the front of the radio and is screwed into the radio. The larger screw on the bracket holds the radio against the dash.
 
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I posted this on the regular site as well. Do you 280 owners have what I assume is an inline fuel filter like the one in the picture? I have one for each engine. Was this oem? How often do you change it?


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I have that inline fuel filter on my single 496. I change it every year. See the smaller photo for PN
 

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I posted this on the regular site as well. Do you 280 owners have what I assume is an inline fuel filter like the one in the picture? I have one for each engine. Was this oem? How often do you change it?


View attachment 53631
I have them on mine. I change them annually. Just like the oil filters.
 
Good morning, looking for some advice... We are thinking about buying a 2002 280 Sundancer with single Merc 496 w Bravo 111. Any advice on what to look for?? It has approx 235 hrs. Fresh water boat. Our previous boat was a Rinker 280 ec.
Thank you

We have had the exact boat for the past ten seasons. The hours seem very low. Have you been given an explanation? Ours has 550 and we know the PO had it in storage for two years (out of state job posting) before we got it and we had a two year hiatus from boating while I was sick. Too low hours can be an issue as significant as too high.

We boat in the ocean, so I won't make any comments about the foolishness of owning a sterndrive. As for the reliability of a single engine, it all comes down to what makes you comfortable. I will point out that our local lobstermen and tuna fisherman mostly run single engines, and up until a couple years ago containerships only came with one engine.

We've taken Bella to Portland (6 hours open ocean) several times, as well as equally long runs to Boston and points south. Other than really seeing the need for auto pilot, no hiccups.

Accommodation-wise the 280 is really short on storage space, so you have to be creative. OK for a weekend, but even for just a couple it can seem like you are living out of a suitcase. In short resist the urge to add beanbags, folding chairs etc. unless you can leave them behind on the dock.

Henry
 
View attachment 53648

I have that inline fuel filter on my single 496. I change it every year. See the smaller photo for PN

Sorry to break it to you but that rig is about as unsafe as it can get. No, it is not OEM, and the rubber hose with single clamps and the plastic doo hicky looks like a fuel leak and explosion waiting to happen. I'd recommend losing the rubber hose and installing proper metal tubing and brass ferrule threaded connectors.

Henry
 

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