jumping ship

[RON MACK]

hi everyone im very close to moving up to a 2005 280 sundancer with the 496 merc..i currently have a 2000 248 fourwinns ...im wondering if the single engine is enough jam for this size of boat...any owners with this setup that can give me some advice on the boat would be great...thanks:smt101

 

[bushway9172]

I'm sure it will be "enough," but I would go with 2 engines. I'm sure most of the time you will feel like you have just enough power, but if you're looking to go really fast and do watersports, I'd go with the 2 engines. We have a 270 SLX with the single 496, and it is just the right amount of power.... but the 280 DA is a lot heavier ... it's definitely preference.

 

[nwboater]

I looked at twins in the 280, but actually found the 496 to be plenty of power. We also went with new in order to get DTS, which is a nice feature. I've had up to 7 people onboard so far and had no issues getting on plane. The boat cruises nicely and economically around 28-32 mph. At 3600 rpm, I'm doing about 32 adn burning 16-17 gal. I usually cruise at 3400 rpm and 29 mph, and top out around 43 mph. As others have said, it's a personal preference, but the 496 works well in this boat.

 

[Dave S]

Use the search feature on this site. This subject about powering the 280DA has discussed many times on CSR.

The short answer is that any of the engine combinations for the 280 are fine including the 496.

 

[magster65]

I looked at twins in the 280, but actually found the 496 to be plenty of power. We also went with new in order to get DTS, which is a nice feature. I've had up to 7 people onboard so far and had no issues getting on plane. The boat cruises nicely and economically around 28-32 mph. At 3600 rpm, I'm doing about 32 adn burning 16-17 gal. I usually cruise at 3400 rpm and 29 mph, and top out around 43 mph. As others have said, it's a personal preference, but the 496 works well in this boat.

Nothing wrong with those numbers.
I love the attatched image for proof :thumbsup:
I posed the question a while back as well. Looks like the 4.3 x 2 are very similar numbers and the 5.0 x 2 is faster but more fuel or course. Twins are more maneuverable and a single is less maintenance. The 'right' choice is personal preference.

 

[JV II]

I looked at twins in the 280, but actually found the 496 to be plenty of power. We also went with new in order to get DTS, which is a nice feature. I've had up to 7 people onboard so far and had no issues getting on plane. The boat cruises nicely and economically around 28-32 mph. At 3600 rpm, I'm doing about 32 adn burning 16-17 gal. I usually cruise at 3400 rpm and 29 mph, and top out around 43 mph. As others have said, it's a personal preference, but the 496 works well in this boat.

Good evidence here. The 496 Magnum is a beast of an engine. You will love the engine room space, accessibility to the engine for service, and getting a 50% discount on all your maintenance bills.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Ending season four with 280/496/BIII and no complaints. If you have good boating skills, you can overcome any of the docking dis/advantages of the single vs twin. This is mainly because the BIII with its counter rotating props provides a straight line back up capability allowing you to spin the wheel and move between reverse and forward to gain sideways movement. And having spent about 2boat$ this spring on gimbal pin repairs that would have been 4Boat$ with twins.......

Henry

 

[agreico]

I currently have a 280 with Twin 5.0 Bravo III's. I would think single engine would be under powered (9000 lb. boat fully equipped). I moved up to 5.0's because my mechanic felt 4.3's would not be enough.

TG
2006 280DA Twin 5.0 Bravo III.

 

[40Sundeck240]

I looked at twins in the 280, but actually found the 496 to be plenty of power. We also went with new in order to get DTS, which is a nice feature. I've had up to 7 people onboard so far and had no issues getting on plane. The boat cruises nicely and economically around 28-32 mph. At 3600 rpm, I'm doing about 32 adn burning 16-17 gal. I usually cruise at 3400 rpm and 29 mph, and top out around 43 mph. As others have said, it's a personal preference, but the 496 works well in this boat.

Wow, thats pretty good!! I never would have expected 43mph from a 280 with a single 496. When we decide to sell our 240SD at some point I plan on a 280 DA also.

 

[No Name Sea Ray]

For those with the 280 with the single 496 and Bravo III- Do you know what props you are running?

Sounds like you have a good combo that is working well and I might try it on my very heavy 270 Sundancer.

 

[Henry Boyd]

For those with the 280 with the single 496 and Bravo III- Do you know what props you are running?

Sounds like you have a good combo that is working well and I might try it on my very heavy 270 Sundancer.

The drive matched to the 496 has a 2.0:1 ratio. The props are 22 pitch cupped.

Henry

 

[comsnark]

There are two issues here;

1) Single vs twins

2) What constitutes "enough power".

Both have been discussed before;

Bottom line for ME; your milage may vary;
a) Twins means I can break one engine and (usually) get home without the "tow of shame".
b) Twins mean 2x the maintenance;
c) I have never heard anyone complain about having too much power. I would not mind having more power in my boat. I have twin 5.7's in a boat that is a nominal 6400lbs. Later 280SS/290SS boats tend towards T-350's.

 

[Tonka Boater]

I looked at twins in the 280, but actually found the 496 to be plenty of power. We also went with new in order to get DTS, which is a nice feature. I've had up to 7 people onboard so far and had no issues getting on plane. The boat cruises nicely and economically around 28-32 mph. At 3600 rpm, I'm doing about 32 adn burning 16-17 gal. I usually cruise at 3400 rpm and 29 mph, and top out around 43 mph. As others have said, it's a personal preference, but the 496 works well in this boat.

All of the above is 100% true for me as well. Those are my numbers to a "T".

Good evidence here. The 496 Magnum is a beast of an engine. You will love the engine room space, accessibility to the engine for service, and getting a 50% discount on all your maintenance bills.

Also true.

If you have good boating skills, you can overcome any of the docking dis/advantages of the single vs twin.

Also true.

I would think single engine would be under powered (9000 lb. boat fully equipped). I moved up to 5.0's because my mechanic felt 4.3's would not be enough.

100% NOT true. Your mechanic has obviously not owned a 280 with a 496. He may "feel" it's underpowered but it's not true.

.

 

[Presentation]

I have the twin 5.0’s and BIII’s.

There are times I wish I had more power, both hole shoot and top end speed. These days are becoming more frequent.

Our last boat had a wide open throttle top end speed of 40 MPH. Around here people put big outboards on pontoon boats. You have not felt shame until you are wide open on a river and a pontoon boat passes you.

We run heavy. I can’t imagine anyone running heavier than us in this boat unless they have trapped water.

I’ve hit 50 MPH a couple of times in perfect conditions but most days it’s about 47-48 MPH. I do not have bottom paint. We can plane in 7 seconds, drives down, no tabs.

With tabs and drives down I can hold plane at just under 15 MPH.

It’s rare for us to have less than 5 people onboard including kids. We have had as many as 16 including kids.

My desire for performance is increasing. Our next boat may not be a Sea Ray due to this.

 

[beerman]

I have the twin 5.0’s and BIII’s.

There are times I wish I had more power, both hole shoot and top end speed. These days are becoming more frequent.

Our last boat had a wide open throttle top end speed of 40 MPH. Around here people put big outboards on pontoon boats. You have not felt shame until you are wide open on a river and a pontoon boat passes you.

We run heavy. I can’t imagine anyone running heavier than us in this boat unless they have trapped water.

I’ve hit 50 MPH a couple of times in perfect conditions but most days it’s about 47-48 MPH. I do not have bottom paint. We can plane in 7 seconds, drives down, no tabs.

With tabs and drives down I can hold plane at just under 15 MPH.

It’s rare for us to have less than 5 people onboard including kids. We have had as many as 16 including kids.

My desire for performance is increasing. Our next boat may not be a Sea Ray due to this.

Doug, don't tell me you are switching to a Formula?

 

[RON MACK]

:smt038thanks everyone for the advice....im going back to the dealer again to see how things will workout

 

[Nacho Boat]

How did you do at the dealership?

What way are you leaning?