Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I have a complete Norcold parts manual that I can email to anyone who needs it. I can't post attachments.
 
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Ok simple question but I just don't know the answer. Does the depth finder on the gauges tell you depth from bottom of the boat or water line? It seems simple and obvious but I am looking to confirm.

Thanks!
 
AU1N04 said:
Ok simple question but I just don't know the answer. Does the depth finder on the gauges tell you depth from bottom of the boat or water line? It seems simple and obvious but I am looking to confirm.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The smart craft gauges on my boat are adjustable. You can download a manual from searay.com to help, I can't remember exactly how.
There is a gain adjustment so you can add or subtract depth. My boat was set at -2 ft so that it showed the depth beneath the prop, not just the hull.
 
randmhall said:
The smart craft gauges on my boat are adjustable. You can download a manual from searay.com to help, I can't remember exactly how.
There is a gain adjustment so you can add or subtract depth. My boat was set at -2 ft so that it showed the depth beneath the prop, not just the hull.
Click to expand...

Perfect! Thanks so much!!
 
AU1N04 said:
Ok simple question but I just don't know the answer. Does the depth finder on the gauges tell you depth from bottom of the boat or water line? It seems simple and obvious but I am looking to confirm.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

So I would just add that for my boat, the transducer is in the keel. So for me, that's where the signal is being read, which is the lowest part of the hull and well below the waterline. As was mentioned you can adjust the smartcraft offset to show bottom of the boat, bottom of the outdrive, or wherever you want it to be.
 
JimFromMD said:
So I would just add that for my boat, the transducer is in the keel. So for me, that's where the signal is being read, which is the lowest part of the hull and well below the waterline. As was mentioned you can adjust the smartcraft offset to show bottom of the boat, bottom of the outdrive, or wherever you want it to be.
Click to expand...

I guess I need to figure out where my transducer is.
 
AU1N04 said:
I guess I need to figure out where my transducer is.
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On my 280DA I had a flush mounted Lowrance GPS/fish finder in addition to the built in Smart Craft depth finder. On the Smart Craft I measured the distance from the transducer to the bottom of the outdrive and used that as my offset. That way, when the Smart Craft showed a depth of 1' I knew I had 1' below the drive. For the Lowrance, I measured the distance from the transducer to the water line and used that as my offset so I knew the actual depth for fishing, etc. It was easy to verify the Lowrance accuracy... I measured the depth in my slip with a pole and made sure it matched the Lowrance reading.
 
I anchor my boats in about 8' of water. Then I take my adjustable for length boat hook and dive in. I go under the boat and quickly extend the boat hook between the lake bottom and the boat hull near the transducer, a quick twist locks in the boat hook length so I can measure later. At the time I do that I also tap the hull and by wife reads the displayed depth. Because the boat drifts around you have to take both measurements at the same time.
 
grettberg said:
What condition is it in,used,new(never used) etc? Do you have photos?
I'm looking for a newer cover, mine is a 04'
Thanks
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I messaged you but it is,
Slightly used. Really good condition. Came off of an 02. I took a night time pic but will take some daytime pics. I can text you the pics if you want. It will require the 2 adjustable posts.
 
Chrisvr6 said:
I messaged you but it is,
Slightly used. Really good condition. Came off of an 02. I took a night time pic but will take some daytime pics. I can text you the pics if you want. It will require the 2 adjustable posts.
Click to expand...

2001-2009 are all the same
 
grettberg said:
What condition is it in,used,new(never used) etc? Do you have photos?
I'm looking for a newer cover, mine is a 04'
Thanks
Click to expand...

something to keep in mind is likely the snaps on the cover will not line up with the snaps on your boat.....i bought a used cockpit cover for my 340 and had to install new snaps in the cover...a few snaps aligned well enough but probably 85% of them did not.....I just left the old snaps in the cover and added new snaps where needed.....Sea Ray did not use any type of template to install the snaps in the same spot on all similar boats.......

cliff
 
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CliffA said:
something to keep in mind is likely the snaps on the cover will not line up with the snaps on your boat.....i bought a used cockpit cover for my 340 and had to install new snaps in the cover...a few snaps aligned well enough but probably 85% of them did not.....I just left the old snaps in the cover and added new snaps where needed.....Sea Ray did not use any type of template to install the snaps in the same spot on all similar boats.......

cliff
Click to expand...

Yeah thats correct. I bought a bag of the snaps on ebay before.
 
Chrisvr6 said:
I messaged you but it is,
Slightly used. Really good condition. Came off of an 02. I took a night time pic but will take some daytime pics. I can text you the pics if you want. It will require the 2 adjustable posts.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I'll pass. I am going to get a new cover from Great Lakes
 
All,

What is the person capacity of the early 280 Sundancers? I've got a 2003 and cannot find any specs on capacity plate anywhere. Thought there would be a copy in the manual, but they only give examples, not the one I need.

It says the location is in the helm area or transom area on the hull, can't find it.

Could someone take a pix of one for me?
 
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