Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Voldad]

Due to a great Easter weekend, I was able to get the new boat out and continue to learn all there is to learn. So I now have a few questions for my fellow 280 owners.
1) At cruising 3200 RPM, about 25MPH – I’m burning 17 GPH. Does this seem about right? This 3200 RPM seems to be the slowest I can cruise on plane. Does this seem about right?
2) When I turn the fresh water pump on, the pump seems to run all the time. My last boat the pump would run then cut off once the line was under pressure. Should I start looking for a leak or check the pressure switch (where ever that may be)
3) My smartcraft depth finder loses the bottom every now and then and the depth alarm goes off. I can’t seem to find how to turn the depth alarm off. I set the alarm to 0 feet, I’ll see this weekend.
4) Since I typically go out and anchor up, I’d love to know what battery is for what. I’ve looked at the schematic, but it’s not that clear. I assume 2 of the batteries are connected to the dual switch which is for the port engine and all accessories. The other battery uses the single switch and is for the starboard engine. If this is correct, which battery is the generator connected to – I’m assuming the dual battery switch is connected to the generator. When I go out, I turn the dual switch to either 1 or 2. The single switch to off. Then on restarting, I turn the dual switch to the opposite battery and turn the single switch back on.

 

[jason78]

Due to a great Easter weekend, I was able to get the new boat out and continue to learn all there is to learn. So I now have a few questions for my fellow 280 owners.
1) At cruising 3200 RPM, about 25MPH – I’m burning 17 GPH. Does this seem about right? This 3200 RPM seems to be the slowest I can cruise on plane. Does this seem about right?
I can't comment on the RPM because I have the V8s but 25 sounds like about the slowest I can stay on plane, maybe a little less with full tabs.
2) When I turn the fresh water pump on, the pump seems to run all the time. My last boat the pump would run then cut off once the line was under pressure. Should I start looking for a leak or check the pressure switch (where ever that may be)
If the water pump is running constantly you have a leak. Could be a slow one. I would start with the transom shower since it is vurnable to freezing more than other areas with poor winterizing.
3) My smartcraft depth finder loses the bottom every now and then and the depth alarm goes off. I can’t seem to find how to turn the depth alarm off. I set the alarm to 0 feet, I’ll see this weekend.
Check the smartcraft manual to adjust this setting, it is easy. I don't have the link but it has been posted on CSR many times.
4) Since I typically go out and anchor up, I’d love to know what battery is for what. I’ve looked at the schematic, but it’s not that clear. I assume 2 of the batteries are connected to the dual switch which is for the port engine and all accessories. The other battery uses the single switch and is for the starboard engine. If this is correct, which battery is the generator connected to – I’m assuming the dual battery switch is connected to the generator. When I go out, I turn the dual switch to either 1 or 2. The single switch to off. Then on restarting, I turn the dual switch to the opposite battery and turn the single switch back on.
The schematic in my manual shows good detail on this. I don't have it handy but I seem to recall the single switch controls the rearmost battery which is used for the Port engine and genny and the two forward batteries go to the dual switch and control the house 12V power and the Starboard engine (like I said I don't have the manual handy, I may have the engines reversed)

Response in red

 

[Presentation]

At cruising 3200 RPM, about 25MPH – I’m burning 17 GPH. Does this seem about right?

This would be 1.47 MPG. I average 1.35 MPG with twin 5.0’s and I run very heavy. So yes, this seems about right.

This 3200 RPM seems to be the slowest I can cruise on plane. Does this seem about right?

Originally I had this thought as well, that with lowered tabs the slowest I could hold on plane was in the low 20’s. It took a storm then some playing with tabs and drives for me to learn that I can hold plane as slow as 14 MPG per the GPS. At that speed I would call it semi-plane with a big wake and bad fuel economy but it’s for sure not plowing. It’s pretty easy to maintain 18 MPH once you get the feel. Of course my experience may be different than yours with Bravo III drives and higher weight.

When I turn the fresh water pump on, the pump seems to run all the time. My last boat the pump would run then cut off once the line was under pressure. Should I start looking for a leak or check the pressure switch (where ever that may be)

I had this happen. In my case it was due to a dirty pump filter. The pump filter is right by the water pump in a white plastic housing. It’s basically a fine screen.

I’d love to know what battery is for what. I’ve looked at the schematic, but it’s not that clear.

Turn both battery switches to off and see what works and make note. Turn on one more and do it again. Finally turn on the other.
Some things operate with the switches off. An example would be the bilge pumps. My generator is wired to the single isolated battery and does not run thru the switches.

 

[Monkey Business]

Rod Rack in Aft Cabin

Has anyone attempted to install a horizontal rod rack on the aft bulkhead in the aft cabin? Long storage location for single section rods is limited and this area has nearly the full beam should be long enough and beats just letting the gear sit on the bedding/cushion.

 

[stevedore]

Voids in hull of new 280

After uncovering my still new 2008 280 about 6 weeks ago I noticed two small quarter-sized holes in the hull, near center-line. Hull was fine pre-winterization last fall. Both holes breached and you could lightly poke a screwdriver about an inch through each hole into hull. Long story short, found 2 more about 2 weeks later and SeaRay has now confirmed warranty coverage for repair, now done. Question, what the heck happened to the hull of my boat over winter?

 

[Tonka Boater]

Re: Voids in hull of new 280

After uncovering my still new 2008 280 about 6 weeks ago I noticed two small quarter-sized holes in the hull, near center-line. Hull was fine pre-winterization last fall. Both holes breached and you could lightly poke a screwdriver about an inch through each hole into hull. Long story short, found 2 more about 2 weeks later and SeaRay has now confirmed warranty coverage for repair, now done. Question, what the heck happened to the hull of my boat over winter?

What the....? Let us know when you find out. Do you have any pics?
.

 

[stevedore]

Here are a couple pictures of the holes.

 

[Presentation]

Here are a couple pictures of the holes.

Questions:

Do you feel this was done from an external source like someone hit it or an internal source, it just opened up?

Was the boat stored outside in a freezing area?

It’s possible the hull had air holes when first laid and a thin bit of fiberglass over the surface. Moisture collected in the holes and when froze the ice expanded and the area broke open. This is unlikely but possible.

 

[Tonka Boater]

That is very strange. It looks like it was hit by something but if Sea Ray is covering it under warranty then it must be a defect. I've never seen or heard of such a thing.

 

[JimT]

If Sea Ray is covering it under warranty they must have some theory on the cause. What did they tell you?

 

[stevedore]

Re: Voids in hull

If Sea Ray is covering it under warranty they must have some theory on the cause. What did they tell you?

As suggested by someone else above, the SR dealer says the holes are probably from small air pockets near the surface of the hull that took water during season, froze over winter and upon thawing broke the skin. As someone new to boating, it all seems pretty silly that a brand new machine worth this kind of $$ would have something like this happen. He added that it's fairly common, but I find it hard to believe (... which is why I wanted to see if anyone else had heard or experienced anything like this).

Thanks for the replies.

 

[trdehmer]

Water not pumping through engine - impeller issue?

Anyone have issues with the impeller after winter storage? Guy who was going to drop my boat in the water said he had the muffs on the lower unit and running the engine and said no water was pumping through the system... I had a new impeller put in prior to putting it in the water around the 1st of August last year and boat was removed the end of Sept. So, it was only in the water for 2 months. Thought is if enough grease wasn't used on the impeller install that maybe it locked up over the winter? Guess anything is possible, anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Henry Boyd]

The plumbing on the BIII / 496 is terrible. I don't think the pump generates enough head to pull the water from the drive. I went through a new pump, hoses and we still couldn't get water to the engine. A new through hull pickup solved the problem. By the way it was a mercruiser recommended solution!

Henry

 

[wvsundancer]

Re: Voids in hull

I had the same thing this year on the bottom of my bow at the strake.. it happened when they took it off the storage blocks and put it on the trailer. my dealer fixed it at no charge.

 

[Presentation]

Re: Voids in hull

As suggested by someone else above, the SR dealer says the holes are probably from small air pockets near the surface of the hull that took water during season, froze over winter and upon thawing broke the skin. As someone new to boating, it all seems pretty silly that a brand new machine worth this kind of $$ would have something like this happen. He added that it's fairly common, but I find it hard to believe (... which is why I wanted to see if anyone else had heard or experienced anything like this).

Thanks for the replies.

Hmmm, I’d take a small hammer and gently tap every bit of every chine (edge, lip, rail whatever you wish to call the lines in your hull) and see if I find any other air bubbles. This will take hours and your arm will be dead tired.

Um, you may want to get your dealers / Sea Ray’s support that any additional air holes discovered will be covered under warranty first.




Edit: After giving this some thought I am going to scratch the above recommendation and ask you to post your photos, situation, the dealers comment to a new post in the general area here
http://clubsearay.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=41

This issues is really a general Sea Ray or general fiberglass issue. It would be good to get the feedback of some other forum members.
About the only members who continue to read this post thread are the 280 Sundancer owners.

 

[stevedore]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

On '08 280, what's the secret to turning 'off' the switches on the main breaker panel (at rear port side beside battery switches) ? My sump pump switch was 'off' so I flipped it on, thus turning on the sump pump (beneath garbage, sump was dry), then I couldn't flip the switch back to off. Finally I jimmied and pried hard enough that it went back to 'off' position, but seemed pretty random/strange.

Also, I assume there's another separate switch for the sump pump somewhere ???

Thx!

 

[Presentation]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

On '08 280, what's the secret to turning 'off' the switches on the main breaker panel (at rear port side beside battery switches) ? My sump pump switch was 'off' so I flipped it on, thus turning on the sump pump (beneath garbage, sump was dry), then I couldn't flip the switch back to off. Finally I jimmied and pried hard enough that it went back to 'off' position, but seemed pretty random/strange.

Also, I assume there's another separate switch for the sump pump somewhere ???

Thx!

Sounds like your float switch inside the compartment under the step / trash can in the cabin is stuck and full of gunk.

The switch you describe inside the compartment with the battery switches is a breaker and should say on and not be turned on and off. To turn it off you insert a small object in the slot.

A float switch turns the pump on and off.

Open the clear plastic compartment under the step and clean it about 1x/year. If that does not fix it, get a new float switch.

 

[stevedore]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

Sounds like your float switch inside the compartment under the step / trash can in the cabin is stuck and full of gunk.

I guess the guy who winterized the boat flipped the breaker switch off when the pump just kept running. I'll certainly try cleaning it out ... Thanks.

Re turning the breaker switches 'off', do you know if there's a special gadget/tool that you insert in the slot?

 

[Presentation]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

I guess the guy who winterized the boat flipped the breaker switch off when the pump just kept running. I'll certainly try cleaning it out ... Thanks.

Re turning the breaker switches 'off', do you know if there's a special gadget/tool that you insert in the slot?

On my keychain I have a small key for luggage that fits in the slot.

I guess any small yet relatively strong object would work. Possibly a paper clip bent straight but I don’t know if that would be strong enough. If you have a hex wrench onboard try a small size and see if that would work for you.

Again, I leave every switch in the compartment ‘on.’

 

[stevedore]

Re: 'Breaker breaker'

much thx!