I’m shopping for a 280DA with twin 4.3L / Alpha’s + gen

4.3's in a 280DA?

Won't that be a tad underpowered?
Or are you looking at these engines to contain cost???
 
Glencove tends to discount used Sea Ray's quite a bit. I may be down there shortly - I would be happy to take a look if my trip work's out.
 
comsnark said:
4.3's in a 280DA?

Won't that be a tad underpowered?
Or are you looking at these engines to contain cost???
Click to expand...

4.3's with alpha 1's in the 280 are good. I don't ever feel want for more power. :thumbsup:
 
I have the 5.0s and bravo 3s on my 2004 280. I can tell you that the 4.3s would be enough power for that boat unless you are really loaded down. The extra 80 hp is nice, but definately not required 95% of time.
 
comsnark said:
4.3's in a 280DA?

Won't that be a tad underpowered?
Or are you looking at these engines to contain cost???
Click to expand...

I don’t think so.

Originally this boat came with a single 6.2L V8 and I think that was underpowered.

The next step up in power was the 7.4L big block single engine

The next step up was the 496 Magnum single

The next step up is the twin 4.3L V6 with Aplha I gen II drives that I am seeking.

Biggest gas engine offered was the twin 5.0L and its not offered all years and is not offered on new models. This did increase hole shoot and top end speed but we are not talking about a speed boat here, this is a cruiser and a combined 540 HP in this size boat in the cruiser category is a lot.

Plus I don’t want a pre-2004 Bravo III in a boat that I intend to keep in a wet slip due to the corrosion history. If you go with the 5.0L I think they all came with the Bravo III drives on this model.

Plus the loss of weight in the stern of a boat that is a bit of a ars-dragger is helpful. The Aplha drive vs the Bravo III and 4.3L V6 engine vs 5.0LV8 are lighter.

Plus the easier maintenance / more room in the engine compartment.

Plus better fuel economy via the Alpha drives.

Plus the drives are more tucked-in uneder the swim platform. We trim up all the way and walk the boat into shallow areas then the kids jump off the platform. This is safer since the Aplha's dont stick out so far.

Plus to contain cost as you mentioned.
 
Presentation said:
comsnark said:
4.3's in a 280DA?

Won't that be a tad underpowered?
Or are you looking at these engines to contain cost???
Click to expand...

I don’t think so.

Originally this boat came with a single 6.2L V8 and I think that was underpowered.

The next step up in power was the 7.4L big block single engine

The next step up was the 496 Magnum single

The next step up is the twin 4.3L V6 with Aplha I gen II drives that I am seeking.

Biggest gas engine offered was the twin 5.0L and its not offered all years and is not offered on new models. This did increase hole shoot and top end speed but we are not talking about a speed boat here, this is a cruiser and a combined 540 HP in this size boat in the cruiser category is a lot.

Plus I don’t want a pre-2004 Bravo III in a boat that I intend to keep in a wet slip due to the corrosion history. If you go with the 5.0L I think they all came with the Bravo III drives on this model.

Plus the loss of weight in the stern of a boat that is a bit of a ars-dragger is helpful. The Aplha drive vs the Bravo III and 4.3L V6 engine vs 5.0LV8 are lighter.

Plus the easier maintenance / more room in the engine compartment.

Plus better fuel economy via the Alpha drives.

Plus the drives are more tucked-in uneder the swim platform. We trim up all the way and walk the boat into shallow areas then the kids jump off the platform. This is safer since the Aplha's dont stick out so far.

Plus to contain cost as you mentioned.
Click to expand...
Yeah I think since the 280 has the room the 4.3L Twin package is ideal
Small-Block V-8 - 5.0L EFI
5.0L EFI Specifications
Propshaft Horsepower: 240 (180 kW)
Displacement (Liter/CID): 5.0/305
Cylinders: V-8
Bore & Stroke (in/mm): 3.74 x 3.48/95 x 88
Compression Ratio: 9.4:1 Fuel System: TBI
Full Throttle RPM Range: 4400-4800
Ignition Type: Digital
Alternator (amps/watts): 70/988
Length (in/cm): 37/94
Width (in/cm): 29/74
Height (in/cm): 22/56
Weight (lbs/kg) - Alpha: 938/426
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo One: 973/442
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo Two: 985/447
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo Three: 994/451
That's 1876 hanging off the transom.

Small-Block V-6 - 4.3L EFI 4.3L EFI Specifications
Propshaft Horsepower: 210 (157 kW)
Displacement (Liter/CID): 4.3/262
Cylinders: V-6
Bore & Stroke (in/mm): 4.00 x 3.48/101 x 88
Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
Fuel System: TBI
Full Throttle RPM Range: 4400-4800
Ignition Type: Digital
Alternator (amps/watts): 70/988
Length (in/cm): 33/84
Width (in/cm): 32/82
Height (in/cm): 21/54
Weight (lbs/kg) - Alpha: 857/389
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo One: N/A
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo Two: 904/410
Weight (lbs/kg) - Bravo Three: 913/415
That's 1714 hanging off the transom
The difference is another person onboard with only 60 net HP lost
 
Doug & Lisa,

I boat at Lake Rathbun in south Iowa. I hear there's a late model 280 for sale at my marina. I'll check it out this weekend and get back to you with the details.

LOTO boats for sale this year may (may) be the victims of ice storm damage (including sinking at the dock) from a few months ago. I'd look at them very closely.
 
I recently purcahsed our 02' 280DA with 4.3 Alpha I, this power set up, IMO, is perfect for this boat. Hole shot is great for a small cruiser and top end is 42-43mph. Mine came equipped with gen set and everything, including trailer. Like you I had my mind set what I wanted and I began looking, narrowed it down to three; an 01, 02 and an 03. We closed on the 02 because of the year and proximity to home. All of the boats we were looking at were equipped the same. Marine Max in Allotona?, NW of Atlanta had the 01 for a good price, you may want to check there and the 03' was in St. Charles, MO. Marine Max.
 
I live in St. Charles - I can check out this boat for you.
 
Just got off the phone with my salesman @ MM in St. Charles. Both of the 280's that have been talked about here are no longer available...(Unless financing should happen to fall through)
 
Luckydogs said:
Marine Max in Allotona?, NW of Atlanta had the 01 for a good price.
Click to expand...

Yes, I found this listed on the MM website for 69K. I also found the private party selling the same boat direct for 62K, LOL. I am considering this one also, ummm, but at the 62K price.

I have found several I like. I wish I could find one in a closer radius to Wisconsin where we live.
 
RiverRat said:
Just got off the phone with my salesman @ MM in St. Charles. Both of the 280's that have been talked about here are no longer available...(Unless financing should happen to fall through)
Click to expand...

Thank you for checking. :thumbsup:
 
Doug,
Remember that like any fine romance, the pursuit is half the fun. I put a lot of miles on my truck lucking at boats, and had the offer on the 420 I bought fallen through (it was 2 hours away) then I was prepared to go to New Jersey the next day (5 hours) to look at a blue hulled 03 420 DA with Cummins power. I made that point clear to the seller.

Folks trying to sell boats right now in my opinion are looking at fuel prices go up, summer starting, and if they have had no nibbles on their boats then they may be getting a bit antsy depending on their situation.

The ball is in your court. Don't compromise on your must haves, and if you find a good 280DA 750 or more miles away, then plan the time, line up a real aggressive surveyor and Mercruiser Mechanic, and enjoy every minute of the hunt.

regards
Skip
 
I will let you know when I plan to got to the lake as the plans get closer. A word of warning on many LOTO boats - many of them are owned by non-boaters and therefore many are poorly maintained and or have gouges from docks... But the ice storm didn't wipe out every marina. Many were fine.
 
Doug & Lisa,

The boat in our marina at Lake Rathbun is a 2002, twin 5L, A/C, no jenny, w/trailer, and by all reports the boat is VERY clean. I did not get on the boat as the owner was out of town. The dockmates give the boat top marks for condition and maintenance. It looks good from the outside, and is docked at covered dock all season.

The bad news is the owner wants $85K, and I don't know how negotiable that price is. His name is Toby and his phone number is 515.669.6725. He's not around this morning, but you could try him this afternoon or tonight.

If you end up making the trip down to see the boat, we can be your hosts. If you come during the week, you can stay at our place about an hour away, or if you come on a weekend we'll see you at the lake. You probably won't want to overnight on our 250, but there's a hotel right at the marina -- Lakeside Inn. http://www.lakerathbunia.com/lakesideinn.html has info on the hotel and maps of the area

Good luck.
 
Pres, it's the last on the list! Sorry forgot to mention it in the last post...
 
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