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

Fred, thank you!

Any 280DA w/twin owners Question:

I had a owner of a 280DA with a single engine contact me and said he heard you have to constantly futz with the throttles on the 280DA with twins since they do not have electronic synchronization. Any truth to this?
 
No, you don't have to constantly futz, just a little. It's really no biggie. Once you get them set, they stay put. Basically I get up on plane, nudge one or the other until they are even and I don't have to touch them again unless I slow down and get back on plane. You don't even have to look at the tachs, you can judge by the steering wheel. If it's cocked a little to one side, then you nudge the engine.
 
Fred,
That boat is loaded and sweet. Like new for sure.
As for futzing with the throttles, that's a myth. It couldn't be easier. Also I would not even consider a boat with a single when twins were optional. If for no other reason than the stability at rest. The side to side movement on a single engine 280 is much more pronounced than on a twin. A point that few members have noted.
 
The ONLY downsides to twins are;

1) Twice the engine maintenance ($$$$$$). Higher initial cost. Higher fuel cost.

2) Twice the probability a mechanical problem will leave you at the dock.

The plus side of twins are substantial. I actually smile when approaching a dock. :) (unless I have a 20kt crosswind. . )
 
I made an offer to a broker on a loaded ’04 280DA-T w/gen @ $77,500.

No trailer but he has a used one for $2,500 more.

That would bring me up to $80K.

Add sales tax and I’m at $84,000.

He did say they were also talking to someone in Texas so I am waiting. My offer is about $8K below the asking price so I’m not holding my breath.
 
Good luck Presentation. Texas must be a hot bed of boating. Next thing you will hear is you need to raise your offer to beat the texas offer. Right...

Thanks for posting your saga. You are helping me a whole lot.
 
SearayPaul said:
Good luck Presentation. Texas must be a hot bed of boating. Next thing you will hear is you need to raise your offer to beat the texas offer. Right...

Thanks for posting your saga. You are helping me a whole lot.
Click to expand...

Said as you witness me fall from madness to insanity……LOL, Kidding! :lol:
 
Good luck! And don't forget to ad in the amount for a survey!
 
A used boat for $80K? Bah. . .cost of survey is in the noise.

What type of trailer are you putting that boat on? And with what do you think is going to be hauling that thing? A 28 DA ssems a bit big for casual trailering. Sure you wouldn't be better off doing a professional haul on the few times you need it?

Good luck!
 
comsnark said:
A used boat for $80K? Bah. . .cost of survey is in the noise.

What type of trailer are you putting that boat on? And with what do you think is going to be hauling that thing? A 28 DA ssems a bit big for casual trailering. Sure you wouldn't be better off doing a professional haul on the few times you need it?

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Survey AFTER we agree on price. No reason to drop a $1,000 if we don’t get the price in agreement. Price contingent to passing a survey. How else would you do it?

Tow Rig = Friends F350. I only plan to use the trailer 2 x / year.
 
No. . .I was just reacting to a different post -> my thought was that in the overall cost of things, the cost of the survey is not that much. Then again. . .the trailer is not that much either eh?

Just food for thought: I have a 280 SS. (28 feet, probably a few pounds lighter). Cost to have a pro haul the boat is $200 each way including ramp fee. (no milage charge for an in town haul. . . .which fits the bill for me). It is actually CHEAPER for me to have the hauler bring the boat to my house and back than it is for me to do a short haul at the yard!

Darn. Between you and TeamGomez (with his 240SD), I am starting to get boat fever myself. I really should have gotten down to my boat last weekend :smt089
 
$200?

Two possibilities, you are getting a very good deal or I was quoted a very bad one.

I was quoted $500 to haul 1 way, less then 30 miles.

******** towing in Fond du Lac, WI (best leave the name out - its the only towing company around.)

How do they pick up the boat at your end? At the marina I know they would use a lift.
 
That's very high, Doug. I got my 300DA hauled twice a year, for 5 years, 25 miles each way, for about $230 each way. And that's New York prices.
 
I suspect the difference may be "New Jersey" versus "Wisconsin". There are perhaps a dozen haulers in my local yellow pages.

And it wasn't a quote: It was cash. $168 for the haul, and $28 for a boat ramp fee. I have done it twice now. The guy shows up with a fancy dual wheel F-350 (not fifth wheel rigged) and a fancy hydraulic trailer to get a quick custom fit. He can back his rig faster and easier into my driveway than I can back my car into the driveway!

Frankly. . .the experience was a huge unexpected bonus. I bought the boat thinking the 9' 6" beam would make the winter trip home too expensive, and force me to yard storage. It is a huge benefit having layup in the driveway, 10' from my sink the 15' from the 'fridge!

My local marine max quoted a similar price for the transport, except they would have done a "lift" on the boat for a rather higher fee.

_____________________

For your towing, you may need to look into a permit, both for width and the fact that your rig will probably exceed 10,000#. I saw this thread which seemed interesting:

http://boards.trailerboats.com/cgi-bin/trailerboats/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=001306
 
Jg300da, who did you use in the new york area for that price? that's really good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,175
Messages
1,427,949
Members
61,086
Latest member
MrWebster
Back
Top