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

single engine = less costs = more practical...
dual 5.0 engines = more horsepower = more fun...

but..

Is Recreational Boating ever something "Practical"?
 
If anything I said offended you smanier – please know it was not my intent and I apologize.

OK, that being said, here is my #1 reason for twins. Because that’s what I want.

By the way, my friend who is a Rinker brand boat fan, makes a similar case as yours about Rinker giving you a NMMA certified boat, he loves his Rinker yet he pays about 30% LESS then a comparable Sea Ray. I do not put down his boat at all.
Its what he wants.

He asked me why I only wanted a Sea Ray. After arguing and arguing and arguing I finally came to the same answer.
Because that’s what I want.

It is my most honest answer.

My father loves Cadillac’s. It’s what he wants. ITs what he has. They do nothing for me so I don’t have one.
 
I am certain the single will out run any of the twins, very fast. My best speed was 47.3MPH measured by GPS. The twin may get the hole shot but I'll win the race.
 
Presentation said:
OK, that being said, here is my #1 reason for twins. Because that’s what I want.

He asked me why I only wanted a Sea Ray. After arguing and arguing and arguing I finally came to the same answer.
Because that’s what I want.
Click to expand...

This is all in fun and as with anything else in life, it is Personal Choice. Yours and mine

:grin:
 
Marqlblog brings up an intersting point. The single is less money new than a twin. In the used market singes are the same price as the twins. What gives? I would think since twins are more in demand they would demand a premium over a single.
 
SeaRayPaul: I would argue that at least in the Pacific Northwest, the twins are not in greater demand. In fact my dealer sells them about equally as I recall if not more singles. I sold my 280 after two years of use for only a few thousand dollars less than I paid for it. Each region will vary of course, I suggest in Florida you could not find a single 280 if you tried.
 
I am currently comtiplating this issue. The boats I have seen so far the owners have been way upside down. I probably will have to wait until fall to buy a new boat when cooler heads prevail. With two kids in college I have to be careful of finances. As several people have stated buy the boat right because you may not be able sell it right.

I was loooking for a single then changed my mind. Now I thonk I will go back to my orginal plan after reading about your experince with a single.
 
I purchased 3 of my boats in the winter (early November, early January and mid January). In the PNW, dealers are hungry in winter and Sea Ray incentives are good. Feel free to drop me a private message and I'll share my phone number and personal email to talk if you want. The best boat buyer is the informed boat buyer; good things come to those who wait. Don't be rash, take your time and consider all the alternatives. I bet there are some twin owners on this board who would share his or her information with you too. In fact, maybe we could talk Jeremy or some other such person into doing a conference call; that would be very informative I bet. Wishing you all the best, marq
 
Presentation

No offense was taken nor intended. I simply was attempting to add to the topic. I researched the single vs twins and spent 6 figures based on my research. I was very surprised to read that someone would only by twins.

I completely agree that anyone should purchase the boat that they want and hope that you do.
 
Well, I made the plunge earlier this year and I am very satisfied with my decision. During my hunt, I narrowed it down to two; one was an 03' w/single and the other was an 02' w/ twins. After all the negotiating :smt014, nightly research on CSR and figuring the numbers with the wife :smt013 we settled for the 02' w/twins. We made our decision because at the end the price was within hundreds of eachother and driving to Austin, I live in N. Texas to pick up was a big deciding point rather than driving to GA. After all the research in our area, the twin screws seem to be the fan favorite so I figured resale would be better; that is if I ever decide to get rid of her. I absolutely love this boat, we trailer it 5-6 miles one way. Drop her in Friday night and pull out sometime Sunday, can't ask for a better summer vacation; every weekend :cool: !!

Maybe next year we'll lease a slip w/hoist for the summer but our plan is working thus far :thumbsup: .
 
Being bored, with a Rum and Coke in hand and a new album on the speakers. . . .I decided to lookup 280DA's on YachtWorld.com.

For the Mid-Atlantic region (covering NJ and the Cheasapeake), I saw about 27 280DA's listed.

3 were singles.
21 were Twin-4.3's.
3 were Twin-5.0's.

Prices: Well, you could draw a line for the T4.3's showing the depreciation curve of 5-10K per year, but the scatter (price variance within a year) was about 10K.

The singles looked on the low end of the curve. . .while the T5's were on the high end -> but there really wasn't enough non-T4.3 data points.

My conclusion: Hey Presentation! The 280DA with Twin 5.0's is not common. If you buy this boat, you will have a boat that outperforms your dockmate! But the bottom line is that each boat must be judged on its own merits. While the T-5's are worth a premium. . .I suspect the market would suggest that premium is small. Say a few thousand. I think "boat condition" is a much bigger factor regarding value.

In other words, for the same money I would buy a good condition T-4.3 over a skanky T-5.0. I would pay a several thousand more for a good condition T-5.0 over a skanky T-4.3.

(although. . .for this kind of money, I wouldn't buy any skanky boat. . .)

As for the perfomance: As I stated earlier -> who knows! I only know two things:

1) I gotta check out one of these 280DA's!! You guys are giving me boat envy!

2) I really regret not getting down to the shore last weekend. Can't wait for Friday!
 
Well all I can say is take a ride in both, that was the deciding factor for me. On a used 280, single or twin with all else being equal isn't that much of a price difference, maybe a couple of K. If I didn't want to do most of the maint and work, I would probably lean towards a single. But I like getting my hands dirty so the cost factor between the two isn't that big, it's more of a time factor. In that respect, having two of everything makes it easier to troubleshoot. If you're the type that drops the keys off at the service center and says "fix'er", then a single is going to cost less in labor but maybe not in parts. The 4.3's and A1's are simple reliable power plants and easier to work on. The ride is nicer on the twins, no question. The single with the B3 is faster. You just have to decide what is more important to you.

Now that diesel 280 has my interest. If I had known that there were any out there, I definately would have looked at that.
 
I look for 280's all the time. Well I found one I thought would be perfect . 2001 (I know, new model year) twin 4.3s and generator, mid to upper 200s for hours on each. Listed at $61,500! I thought this was perfect since I was on my way down to the lake and I could check it out. Of course by the time I finally reached someone, it was sold. :smt089 Actually sold and delivered according to the sales guy. I just love how they keep boats listed so you'll call and they'll try to sell you on something else. In this case, they tried to sell me on a 2001 2800 Wellcraft Martinique. Decent boat with the options and price, but not my style. I'm really hooked on the 280.
http://www.glencovemarine.com/newpreowned/3678.htm
 
It's easy to see why that one sold right away, very clean and priced right.
 
Presentation said:
Makes me wonder if they ever had it.
Click to expand...

Never thought of that. It is now Friday afternoon and I first called about it on Tuesday morning. The status has not changed and it is still not removed. It is still on Boatrader.com and boats.com too.
 
Nothing abnormal about that. Usually the ad stays posted until it comes around to renewal time. At that time it will be removed or else the poster gets charged for another month.
 
jg300da said:
Nothing abnormal about that. Usually the ad stays posted until it comes around to renewal time. At that time it will be removed or else the poster gets charged for another month.
Click to expand...

Not really. They obviously are keeping on there on purpose. They would have removed it or changed it to a sold status on their own website.
 
Oops, thought it was Yachtworld or Boatsforsale.com. You're right, it is their own website.
 
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