280DA cockpit seating

[Steve.Lynette]

We looked at a 2008 280DA as the likely next step for the Admiral and me, and while we love the cabin layout, we are concerned bout the cockpit seating. The aft benches seem hard and uncomfortable and the port seat (?) is very oddly shaped.

I'd appreciate reading an owner's opinion...

 

[dpvandy01]

The aft facing bench is very comfy (the pass through allows it to "recline" a bit and it is very comfy like that, but the aft seat, the one that faces forward sucks... it's too short and you need to sit bolt upright. my wife and I always keep it folded and tucked away and put chairs there when needed. the port side lounger rocks.... my 230 didn't have it, our 250 did and it was a must have for my wife which is why we chose the 280 over the 290. It will most likely drive us into a 320 for our next boat as well, I don't think I'll ever be able to talk her out of that seating configuration. How big is your crew?? We cruise with the two of us plus our dog. we've had as many as 8 comfortably though along wth the dog. We love this boat.

 

[Steve.Lynette]

Thanks.
We agree on the forward-facing aft seat. Horrible.
My wife would rather be able to have the choice of sitting upright rather than lounge in the port seat, but we'll take another look at it.

Glad you are enjoying your 280!

 

[beerman]

We choose the 280 because it was a larger version of our 240 and the wife loves the lounger. The forward facing aft seat isn't that bad but we usually only use it for eating or after being in the water for a few hours and want to get a little sun without laying down. Not much of a step up from the 260 is it? We also cruise with only the 2 of us and our lab. Good luck.

 

[Steve.Lynette]

80% of the time it'll be just the two of us. We figure 6 adults will be the max.
I dunno...maybe we should skip a step and jump to the 310. I've been told more than once that the 310 will be a good place to land. For now, we're hoping the 260 will serve us well for a season or two. But shopping is half the fun

 

[smanier]

lounging - the L shaped lounge is the best, underway the main drawback is very little visibility forward, my wife has to sit on her knees to look forward. However, I believe the conf while docked is great. We have 4 kids and they take over the aft table area.


Good luck