Air Draft

[PeteL]

What is the best way to determine air draft.
I have 2003 280 Sundancer, and need to know air draft for an upcoming lighted boat parade in Tampa. Need to be under 12 feet

 

[sbw1]

Email Sea Ray. They are responsive to these types of questions.

 

[Lazy Daze]

You can also check your manual (dowloadable, too). It doesn't always give waterline to top of spoiler, but it usually gives waterline to top of windshield. It'd be easy to measure from there - don't forget anything you have on top of the spoiler!

 

[Ididntdoit]

you'll be fine - even with radar

 

[susanandlance]

You'll be fine, my 36DB is only 13.5 ish, I had a 280 like yours and your WAY under 12 ft, enjoy!!!

 

[DWABoat]

My 2001 280DA is exactly 12ft 3in from the ground to the top of the arch while sitting on the trailer. I took physical measurements for trailering by holding a stick with a level out to the side. I lowered a plumb bob off the stick. I measured the string. So this is not an estimate or engineer’s calculations.

If I am 12-3 sitting on a trailer, you will be a couple of feet lower sitting in the water.

I do not have a radome on my arch.

 

[NotHerDecision]

So here’s what I did. I have a laser level. I climbed a ladder on a piling on the dock and shined the laser level across the top. Marked that spot on the piling then measured from the piling mark to the water. Ta-da.

 

[DWABoat]

So here’s what I did. I have a laser level. I climbed a ladder on a piling on the dock and shined the laser level across the top. Marked that spot on the piling then measured from the piling mark to the water. Ta-da.

Very high tech!

 

[Woody]

My 2001 280DA is exactly 12ft 3in from the ground to the top of the arch while sitting on the trailer. I took physical measurements for trailering by holding a stick with a level out to the side. I lowered a plumb bob off the stick. I measured the string. So this is not an estimate or engineer’s calculations.

If I am 12-3 sitting on a trailer, you will be a couple of feet lower sitting in the water.

I do not have a radome on my arch.

You measure the same as my boat on the trailer, I'm 12'3 also, to top of arch. I don't remember exactly but my boat was a bit under 9' waterline to top of arch. That doesn't include anything sitting on top the arch.

 

[Henry Boyd]

You measure the same as my boat on the trailer, I'm 12'3 also, to top of arch. I don't remember exactly but my boat was a bit under 9' waterline to top of arch. That doesn't include anything sitting on top the arch.

Our 280 was slightly higher (9’-4”) measured using the leveled fishing pole to water surface method. The fixed anchor nav light on the radar mount made another 32” to the fixed top. Our 280 was one of the ones where the swim platform rode high above the water.
H

 

[DWABoat]

Our 280 was slightly higher (9’-4”) measured using the leveled fishing pole to water surface method. The fixed anchor nav light on the radar mount made another 32” to the fixed top. Our 280 was one of the ones where the swim platform rode high above the water.
H

Curious.
Did you have a twin engine or single engine?

 

[PeteL]

Thanks for the replies. I feel better about this now. Hoping to go up the river tomorrow.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Curious.
Did you have a twin engine or single engine?

Single, There were also twins with the high riding platform. No one has ever had the chance to compare two hulls so the cause isn’t known.