I am searching for a late model 280 and trying to compare the standard 300HP vs the optional 380HP. Any thoughts? Not too concerned with the additional fuel burn cost but thinking I will have less range with the bigger engine due to increase fuel burn. Also wondering about resale??
280 Sundancer 300HP vs 380HP
- Thread starter wind954
- Start date
Espos4
Well-Known Member
I would look for the bigger motor.
At the very least sea trial them loaded as you would use it.
I would think that a 300 hp 280 would be underpowered.
The bigger engine could very well be just as efficient, especially if the 300 hp has a difficult time getting on plane when loaded.
More power is good for resale too.
I’m sure others will chime in.
At the very least sea trial them loaded as you would use it.
I would think that a 300 hp 280 would be underpowered.
The bigger engine could very well be just as efficient, especially if the 300 hp has a difficult time getting on plane when loaded.
More power is good for resale too.
I’m sure others will chime in.
Last edited:
Bob L.
New Member
- Jun 6, 2013
- 27
- Boat Info
- 2002 280 Sundancer
- Engines
- Single engine MerCruiser 496 mag with Bravo III
I have a 2002 280 Sundancer with the 380HP. Does very well getting on plane. I run about 3100 rpm about 24-25 mph and I burn about 16 gallons of gas an hour. Top end full throttle 4,100 rpm good conditions top speed 41 mph. I did some custom wood work on it, hard to see from this picture. Great weekend get way boat. I am on Lake Ontario and she can handle big waves fine.
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As others read this, one to keep in mind is that "late model" 280 = a 26' boat.
The hull design on that model does nicely with 300HP - Bravo III and tabs are always there to help, as well. Obviously the big block has more grunt - but if you're not looking for all out towing power or always loading the boat up with a lot of people, the 300HP will do great. Fuel economy will be a little better with the 300HP, but at cruise, not so much that it's a huge deal.
The hull design on that model does nicely with 300HP - Bravo III and tabs are always there to help, as well. Obviously the big block has more grunt - but if you're not looking for all out towing power or always loading the boat up with a lot of people, the 300HP will do great. Fuel economy will be a little better with the 300HP, but at cruise, not so much that it's a huge deal.
Ididntdoit
Well-Known Member
This is right on - this boat debut as the 270 in '09 and was adequately powered with the 350.......but, as the old cliche goes, no one ever complains about having too much power.....I would definitely look for one with a 6.2 or even 8.1 (I agree that any difference in range would be minimal) - I just wouldn't rule out 5.7 boats.....as always, attempt to sea trial one loaded as you intend to use it as YMMV
Nick70
Active Member
- Apr 20, 2016
- 206
- Boat Info
- 2006 Searay 260 DA 496 mag
RAYMARINE stuff.
- Engines
- 496 Magnum
Bravo III
I had a 2006 260 with the 350 mag. 28’ LOA, 8.5’ beam, 7500lb dry weight.
With 4+ people on board, the boat really struggles to get on plane. If there is weather and or chop, it sometimes won’t even be able to do it all.
It happened time after time and other 260 owners have the same experiences.
It’s very frustrating. It sucks, having people on board, getting out of a no wake zone and your poor engine just struggles and struggles..it helps if you direct some bodies to move forward..but I swore I would never be in that position again.
You want to know you’ve got enough power for whatever situation may come.
Don’t hesitate to go as big as you can. The difference in gas (if there really is one) is nominal and well worth it in the grand scheme.
Like has been mentioned, gas consumption may not go up due to lower rpm needed. Resale on the other hand will skyrocket.
First hand experience here.
With 4+ people on board, the boat really struggles to get on plane. If there is weather and or chop, it sometimes won’t even be able to do it all.
It happened time after time and other 260 owners have the same experiences.
It’s very frustrating. It sucks, having people on board, getting out of a no wake zone and your poor engine just struggles and struggles..it helps if you direct some bodies to move forward..but I swore I would never be in that position again.
You want to know you’ve got enough power for whatever situation may come.
Don’t hesitate to go as big as you can. The difference in gas (if there really is one) is nominal and well worth it in the grand scheme.
Like has been mentioned, gas consumption may not go up due to lower rpm needed. Resale on the other hand will skyrocket.
First hand experience here.
Nick, that's strange you had issues with your 260DA. I've run your model many, many times. Often with loads bigger than what you mentioned. Never did I have issues - I may need to use full tabs at times, but the boat planes nice and level every single time.
bbwhitejr
Well-Known Member
We had the same set up. We had 8 people before and using the tabs, it came up a little slower, but she got on plane. OD tucked in and tabs down and away she went.
Bennett
Nick70
Active Member
- Apr 20, 2016
- 206
- Boat Info
- 2006 Searay 260 DA 496 mag
RAYMARINE stuff.
- Engines
- 496 Magnum
Bravo III
Don’t know your conditions. But I’ve spoken to more than a few people with the same set up in my area and heard the same thing.. its actually notorious for struggling under load. In smooth calm conditions, she would get up there eventually. But I’m in Boston and the Atlantic gets pretty snotty and windy. Especially the inner Harbor. When it does..with 6 bodies..forget it. It sucks.
I certainly can't speak for your specific situation and I wouldn't want to. All I can say is that I've driven that boat MANY times - from calm to big chop, from fresh water to salt (FYI, with conditions being the same, boats perform better in salt) - I have never had an issue. When I say "many" times, that means I've driven the same boat a bunch of times, but also other boats (same model/engine). Which, I think, gives me an interesting perspective as it's not just the one specific boat.
Aside from this forum, I also know of plenty of people with that boat/engine setup and none of them have issues. Notorious is a strong word and not really valid here. Actually, that boat planes better than my model year 260DA - and I had zero issues - even skied and tubed behind it no problem. Come to think of it, I've even done watersports behind your model year 260DA and it worked flawlessly.
I suspect there was another issue going on with your boat and those you've spoken to. Either user error... not giving enough throttle or not using full trim (or tabs, when needed)... possibly a dirty bottom... or the engine was down on power to some degree for some reason.
I certainly don't want to get into a disagreement or argument with you, but if you were having planing issues, there HAS to be an explanation for it - the boat performs well - I've run way too many of them for the boat/engine combo to be the explanation.