280DA Automatic Engine Hatch Lift??

jason78

Active Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
Sep 3, 2008
3,662
Fort Mill, SC / Lake Wylie
Boat Info
1997 20 Outrage
Engines
200 Merc Offshore
I was looking at an 05 280 yesterday. When it was time to open the engine hatch, it turned out the engine hatch was manual lift even though the helm has the buttons for automatic hatch lift. Do any 280s have automatic lift? Thought it was strange the controls were there but not the option.

Thanks
Jason
 
Sea Ray uses a standard dash panel on all the 280's. You have to order the hatch lift option or have it installed to use the switches.
 
All the sport cruisers use the same switch panels. The electric engine hatch has never been a factory option on the 280DA as there is not enough room in the compartment for the lift ram.
 
How do you explain this then? Fresh off Sea Ray website.

280 Sundancer®

Overall Length 31'1" / 9.47 m
Beam 9'5" / 2.87 m
Draft - Stern Drive Down 39" / 99.1 cm
Draft - Stern Drive Up 22" / 55.9 cm
Draft - Twin Stern Drive Down 39" / 99.1 cm
Draft - Twin Stern Drive Up 23" / 58.4 cm
Dry Weight 8,630 lbs / 3,900 kg
Fuel Capacity 100 gal / 378.5 L
Water Capacity 28 gal / 106 L
Holding Tank 28 gal / 106 L
Dead Rise 21° / 21°

Key Features

* Mercury Installation Quality Certification - standard 2-year limited engine warranty.
* Standard SmartCraft® diagnostics.
* Folding aft seat with hinged legs - lifts with engine hatch.
* Aft-facing cockpit seat easily converts to sun pad by simply sliding the seat aft (no cushions or table to store).
* Removable carry-on cooler with designated onboard storage.
* Electrically actuated engine hatch for easy bilge access.
* Cockpit wet bar
* Lockable fiberglass sliding cabin door with integral steps to foredeck.
* Helm seat with flip-up thigh-rise bolster.
* 12V satellite-ready AM/FM single CD stereo with six-disc changer, amplifier, six speakers and digital cockpit remote control.
* Illuminated weatherproof electronic switch pads with waterproof breaker panels.
* VHF radio.
* Full galley with solid surface countertop, recessed stove with cover, sink, refrigerator, and microwave.
* Two dining tables - one in the opposing dinette and one in the V-berth (with designated storage).
* Standard carbon monoxide monitor.
* Extended swim platform with concealed swim ladder.
* Standard bimini top with full canvas enclosure.
* Freshwater washdown, hot and cold transom shower, & dockside water inlet.
* Sea Ray Owners Club™ membership.
 
All the sport cruisers use the same switch panels. The electric engine hatch has never been a factory option on the 280DA as there is not enough room in the compartment for the lift ram.

Not true -- my 280 has a factory lift arm and the engine room is huge. Plenty of room for me to get my whole body in there and access everything without being cramped.
.
 
Not true -- my 280 has a factory lift arm and the engine room is huge. Plenty of room for me to get my whole body in there and access everything without being cramped.
.

Oh yes, another benefit of a single over twins.......

TB if you have a chance, could you post a couple of pix of the hatch mechanism, so we ca get an idea of what might be needed to retrofit?

Thanks
Henry
 
Oh yes, another benefit of a single over twins.......

TB if you have a chance, could you post a couple of pix of the hatch mechanism, so we ca get an idea of what might be needed to retrofit?

Thanks
Henry

No problem -- I might be at the boat today and will snap some photos. I will be out Wednesday for sure and will get some then.
.
 
Maybe it's an option on the single engine powerplant but not on the twins? :huh::huh:

The cylinder ram and motor have to have room to operate. On many other models with twins that ram is located between the engines. On my 260, the ram is on the starboard side of the engine.

Dave
 
Last edited:
Not true -- my 280 has a factory lift arm and the engine room is huge. Plenty of room for me to get my whole body in there and access everything without being cramped.
.

I was talking about the twin engine option on the boat.The spec sheet quoted was for the standard single engine. I should have made that clear. With the twin option you can barely stand in the bilge much less lay down.
 
Oh yes, another benefit of a single over twins.......

TB if you have a chance, could you post a couple of pix of the hatch mechanism, so we ca get an idea of what might be needed to retrofit?

Thanks
Henry

I finally got down to the boat -- too dang cold up here!

Here are some pics of lift....

DSC_0267.JPG

DSC_0272.JPG


DSC_0274.JPG
 
The only caution I offer is that the lift HAS TO BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY OR YOU WILL PULL THE BRACKET (lowering the hatch) right through the fiberglass. It is a powerful lift!!!!!
 
TB, thanks for the pics. Am I right in assuming you can not stand in front of the engine in your boat and have to stand on either side? I love the lift. Nothing worse than having a slightly pulled back and then pulling up the ridicously heavy hatch on the 280.
 
The only caution I offer is that the lift HAS TO BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY OR YOU WILL PULL THE BRACKET (lowering the hatch) right through the fiberglass. It is a powerful lift!!!!!

You are correct. This happened to me....the bolts connected to the hatch popped right through the fiberglass. Marine Max fixed it by putting a large washer under each bolt head.
.
 
I'm sure everyone has a preferred way to lift the hatch if you don't have the auto option. I loop a short piece of dock line around the T handle and use the two ends of the line to lift it up. This allows you to use your legs instead your back to get the it up.
 
Here's a pic of one I had done to my 2003 280da. Granted, I had to twist the arm of the SR dealer to install it and after it was done, they admittted it was the first one they did, but it works perfectly every time.
I wouldn't be without it as that #&+!@#$ hatch cover weighs a ton.
 
Hmmm....maybe that's one way of looking at it, but we wanted a boat set up so my wife could drive it safely if I wasn't available....for any reason. And there was no way on earth she could lift that sucker.
She doesn't know much at all about the engines, but does know enough to check the fluid levels, the bilge, belts, etc. No way if she couldn't maneuver that engine hatch.
We smile every time we push that button! (except once we left a drink on the table...)
 

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