newb looking for advice on power package for 280 Dancer

MiniChunks

MiniChunks

New Member
Jul 18, 2012
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Hi all

I have narrowed my search down to a 2002-whatever the newest that is still in my budget 280 Sundancer. My question is there seems to be a lot for sale with the twin 4.3 V6 power. I like the idea of the twins, but should i look for the 5.0 package. I am sort of a speed junky(I realize the 280 sundancer is no fastech, but i need something for the family) so i was wondering if there was enough of a performance gain to spend the extra time and money finding one with the bigger motors. Secondly, is there a big gain from the bravo I to the bravo III. seems like more to maintain/fix. You can get the 6's with either the I or III. I've read that the 8's only come with III's. Thanks

Dave
 
MiniChunks said:
Hi all

I have narrowed my search down to a 2002-whatever the newest that is still in my budget 280 Sundancer. My question is there seems to be a lot for sale with the twin 4.3 V6 power. I like the idea of the twins, but should i look for the 5.0 package. I am sort of a speed junky(I realize the 280 sundancer is no fastech, but i need something for the family) so i was wondering if there was enough of a performance gain to spend the extra time and money finding one with the bigger motors. Secondly, is there a big gain from the bravo I to the bravo III. seems like more to maintain/fix. You can get the 6's with either the I or III. I've read that the 8's only come with III's. Thanks

Dave
Click to expand...

If it were me, the biggest engines with the III's
 
I had a 2004 280 with twin 4.3L and the alpha drives. I found it a great set up. Never had trouble getting on plane with a full load. I forget the top speed but would happily cruise at 30 mph plus with moderate power setting all day long getting about 1.4 - 1.5 mpg.
 
most you will find up here have the 4.3 Alpha 1 combo - the 4.3 with bravo III is a rare bird - replacement/maintenence cost on the bravos is higher than the alphas - I previously had a 4.3/alpha 2004 280 and it went good even fully loaded - that said no one ever complains about too much power..... I would concentrate on finding the cleanest, best maintained (as evidenced by full service records) model you can find in your price range regardless of the power package
 
Ididntdoit said:
most you will find up here have the 4.3 Alpha 1 combo - the 4.3 with bravo III is a rare bird - replacement/maintenence cost on the bravos is higher than the alphas - I previously had a 4.3/alpha 2004 280 and it went good even fully loaded - that said no one ever complains about too much power..... I would concentrate on finding the cleanest, best maintained (as evidenced by full service records) model you can find in your price range regardless of the power package
Click to expand...

Good advice. Do you know if there is a big performance gain in the 8's? I meant to write alpha I (I hate sounding ignorant). Thanks for your replies!
 
I have the 4.3l and Aplha 1 Gen II set up at it tops out at 47mph although I'm burning around 30gph so my boat only sees that speed once or twice a year. Fully loaded the boat is a little sluggish getting on plane (atleast to me) but other than that it purrs. 27-29mph and 16gph is my best cruising spped.
 
The only power package I would avoid would be the 2002 model's with the single 6.2 (377 ciu.) or the 2002 with the 7.4 single. While I have not driven the 7.4 I have driven to 6.2 and she is just a little bit too slow for my taste. My single 496 Mag is only about 1 to 2 mph slower than the twin V-6. The twin 5.0's are a 50+ boat.
 
If you are looking for a 280DA, I think you should start from Page 1 reading this thread: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/10064-Official-280-Sundancer-Thread . You'll find this topic, and many others discussed there!

No matter the engine combination, it's a great boat. I wanted the 5.0's, but was more concerning about other issues when shopping for the *perfect* boat, and let the engine combo be what it was. I'm not disappointed. Obviously though, if I was looking at two otherwise identical boats, I'd have chosen the one with 5.0's. But then again, Alpha drives are a lot cheaper in maintenance and repair than Bravo III's...
 
FWIW - I have the 270 with the wider beam and the 7.4l in the boat mated with a Bravo II does very well. Twins just scared me because of double the maintenance costs.
 
I wouldn't rule out either. They both have their differences but I think either would be fine for most people. A few here have complaned about planing performance with the 4.3/A1 package. Some say the V6 gives you more room to work in the bilge. I have not measured but I have seen a V6 280 and did not notice a remarkable amount of extra room over what I have. Also, at least from the numbers people have posted here, there does not seem to be a whole lot of difference in fuel ecomomy either. I set out looking for either combination, I ended up with the T-5.0 combination and glad I did as I can now say I would not want any less power. Personally, I think the biggest difference will be in the long term maintenance of the B3 vs. A1. There is definitely a benefit to having the Bravo though. Both are great engines, from a mechanical standpoint.

As someone previously suggested, best to readt through the "Official 280 Thread" this issue has been hashed over more than once.
 
Gunn said:
If you are looking for a 280DA, I think you should start from Page 1 reading this thread: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/10064-Official-280-Sundancer-Thread . You'll find this topic, and many others discussed there!

No matter the engine combination, it's a great boat. I wanted the 5.0's, but was more concerning about other issues when shopping for the *perfect* boat, and let the engine combo be what it was. I'm not disappointed. Obviously though, if I was looking at two otherwise identical boats, I'd have chosen the one with 5.0's. But then again, Alpha drives are a lot cheaper in maintenance and repair than Bravo III's...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, and I did poke around in there a bit, but sifting through 101 pages of posts can get a bit tedious. Not that I won't read through it all someday, but when looking for specifics I try the search or just ask when I cant come up with what I want.
 
Bucit said:
I have the 4.3l and Aplha 1 Gen II set up at it tops out at 47mph although I'm burning around 30gph so my boat only sees that speed once or twice a year. Fully loaded the boat is a little sluggish getting on plane (atleast to me) but other than that it purrs. 27-29mph and 16gph is my best cruising spped.
Click to expand...


What props are you running Bucit? I'm topping out at 41MPH. Cruise is about 30-31mph at 3,600 RPM. I have the stock 17" pitch Vengeance props but I added a heavy cup to them. Planing is much better now.
 
saopm said:
What props are you running Bucit? I'm topping out at 41MPH. Cruise is about 30-31mph at 3,600 RPM. I have the stock 17" pitch Vengeance props but I added a heavy cup to them. Planing is much better now.
Click to expand...

I have the stock Vengance props (17's i believe). I usually run 3200rpm's with speeds around 27-29mph depending on wind, current and waves. Because of our tides and where we boat my props have been through the sand and are probably in need of some TLC. They're not tore up or anything but not like brand new. I may have the additional cup added over the winter to help with planing. Like I said, I only run WOT twice a year or so to blow out the cobwebs and make sure the engines and drives are doing what they're suppose to do.
 
Bucit and saopm,

If Bucit's boat does not have bottom paint, that would account for some of the speed difference...............
 
With mine, I run about 3600rpm and 30mph. That is full fuel, full water, and usually 4 adults and a few kids.

As for twins vs. single, I required twins for safety reasons...and it saved me for the 1st time this year when my starboard fuel pump failed.

Tom
 
Gunn said:
With mine, I run about 3600rpm and 30mph. That is full fuel, full water, and usually 4 adults and a few kids.

As for twins vs. single, I required twins for safety reasons...and it saved me for the 1st time this year when my starboard fuel pump failed.

Tom
Click to expand...

I do not have bottom paint since it's lift kept. We normally run full fuel, water and gear with either 2 adults and 1 child or 4 adults and 1 child. I agree with the twins for piece of mind. THe first few months I had the boat the IAC went out and being new to the boat I didn;t know what was wrong or how to fix it (I do now) so we had to limp in on one motor. I personally wouldn't get a 280 or bigger without twins.
 
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