1989 Searay 280 DA 4.3L 220 hp twins

[Jack W. Williamson]

I'm asking about any pros and cons regarding adequate power, fuel consumption, dependability. I'm looking at this boat to purchase and am just checking. Thank you in advance!

 

[hillsideshortleg]

We have the 5.7s in ours and would like more. Other than that we love ours

 

[dtfeld]

It depends on what your intended mission is. Define what your going to do and buy the boat that meets most of your criteria

While I have no personal experience with that boat/power, a friend did. With his crew and his cruising load of fuel,water, kids, crap, it could be hard to get on plane. He was in the Great Lakes and they can get some big waves and chop.

If it’s just 2 of you or 2 couples on a day trip, might be a great economical boat.

There is a saying around boats, “there’s no replacement for displacement”. That boat also came with twin 5.7s that year, and the 5.7 is about as bulletproof as you can get.

If you have the 4.3s you’ll end up running the engines harder, and I don’t think the fuel burn between the 2 would be a big difference in practice.

 

[fletcho5]

I have the 270 amberjack with the 4.3's and I've had no problems with power.With 200 gal. of fuel and 4 guys ice and fishing gear. The fuel economy is about 1.7 to 1.8 miles per gal.
on the Garmin fuel flow meters. These were the 190's with 18 pitch 3 blade stainless. Twice a year I put the whole family on board 12 adults and 6 grandkids and we go and do a boat ride and lunch full tabs people in the cabin to get on plane. Boat does 41 on gps. This is a 10' beam. I do find it better to just drive it up on plane than use full throttle . Never had anything else in twins only 5.7's in single 24 and 20.

good luck fletch