Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Tonka,

Are you suggesting that my 2004 might has the snaps that you are showing on your 2008? You may be right and I just never noticed. Can any 2004 owners confirm? Mine is put away and not reachable for the winter.
 
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Jetmart said:
Tonka,

Are you suggesting that my 2005 might has the snaps that you are showing on your 2008? You may be right and I just never noticed. Can any 2005 owners confirm? Mine is put away and not reachable for the winter.
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My setup is identical to Tonka. Your profile says you have a 2004 though.
 
I have them on my 2002 and have only one window shade. Its a sort of pleated curtain type material with the coresponding snaps to the windows.
 
Jetmart said:
Do you have the snaps on your 2004 windows?
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No I don't have the snaps on mine. I'm guessing you would have to install the snaps yourself and order the curtains from SR or maybe you could get the inside piece of the porthole frame from SR also? I'd give your local dealer a call if I were you. Good luck.
 
Ok, Have just spent the last few days reading through this very informative thread. Some of you guys know these boats inside out!!
I was fascinated to discover the 'secret' storage space but no small child was in mine!!
Hopefully I have managed to attach a pic of my boat which I've had for about a year now.
I have just had two new 4.3 and Bravo I legs fitted due to water damage to the others (previous owner!!) and man they look good in the new home. Will take a pic soon.
The performance difference is unbelievable, she pulls like a train out of the hole and behaves like a speed boat in comparison to the old clunkers that were in there.
I pull her out and she lives on a trailer in the boat yard (10 mins from me) so I get to flush the motors after every outing and sit and dream about being out on her when the weather wont allow it, I drive past her every day on the way to and from work so nearly always call in and check she is ok, oh and have a beer :wink:

We use her for days out, nights away and fishing and with a young family think she is the ideal boat for us at the moment.
Always looking to the future.
I wouldn't mind trading up to a 2006 340 (375 for us) one day and wonder whether I could fit it on the trailer I have. I can move the front roller forward 18 inches or so which would mean an overhang at the end of the trailer of about 4-5 feet. The trailer would be man enough to take the extra weight I just don't know if the balance would be a problem. most of the 340's over here come with the diesel engine s fitted so not sure of the weight distribution.
Now I've found you all I'll keep checking in and contribute where I can.
Cheers
Graham
 
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I'm having an issue with my generator. I've only had the boat two weeks and just got it fired up this past Tuesday for the first time. Maybe I don't know how to start it, so I'm posting here, as it may be 280 specific?

I have the Kohler 5E 5kw generator. My symptoms are when I push the start button, whether in the cabin or at the generator, it starts then dies anywhere between 1 and 5 seconds afterward. Couldn't get it to go. So finally, I started playing with it and after starting, I pushed the throttle lever and got it to rev up, then I let it go. I played with it for about 10 seconds to keep it running and then it took off on it's own and ran beautifully.

In the cabin I have two switches for the generator. How should I start it?!:smt001 In the owners manual it mentions holding preheat for a few seconds before starting. But the switches in the cabin don't seem to correlate. The switch to start the generator shows 'Start' at the top and 'off/preheat' at the bottom (If I recall correctly).

I read somewhere on this forum about having to bypass some engine cutoff circuit as it starts up...but I can't recall it exactly or find where I read it (maybe something to do with the oil pressure?). So that's why I'm thinking maybe I'm just not doing something right.

Otherwise, I'm thinking it may be choke related...

Tom
 
Gunn said:
I'm having an issue with my generator. I've only had the boat two weeks and just got it fired up this past Tuesday for the first time. Maybe I don't know how to start it, so I'm posting here, as it may be 280 specific?

I have the Kohler 5E 5kw generator. My symptoms are when I push the start button, whether in the cabin or at the generator, it starts then dies anywhere between 1 and 5 seconds afterward. Couldn't get it to go. So finally, I started playing with it and after starting, I pushed the throttle lever and got it to rev up, then I let it go. I played with it for about 10 seconds to keep it running and then it took off on it's own and ran beautifully.

In the cabin I have two switches for the generator. How should I start it?!:smt001 In the owners manual it mentions holding preheat for a few seconds before starting. But the switches in the cabin don't seem to correlate. The switch to start the generator shows 'Start' at the top and 'off/preheat' at the bottom (If I recall correctly).

I read somewhere on this forum about having to bypass some engine cutoff circuit as it starts up...but I can't recall it exactly or find where I read it (maybe something to do with the oil pressure?). So that's why I'm thinking maybe I'm just not doing something right.

Otherwise, I'm thinking it may be choke related...

Tom
Click to expand...

I have the Same Control Panel you Describe. Some Parts of the SR Manuals are not much help. They did not do a good job of updating it year to year and a large part of the manual is Generic for all Sport Cruisers.

I had the EXACT SAME issue when I first got mine. To solve it I do this-

Turn on Blower
Turn Genny Switch to ON
Press "STOP/PREHEAT" for 8-10 seconds
Press Start

To turn off, Press STOP Once
When Light Goes Out, Move On/Off Switch to OFF

If this does not work you may need to Lube the Choke Linkage or Replace the Spark Plugs

I have noticed once I started running the Genny on a regular basis it no longer became necessary to use the Preheat Function. These Gennys LOVE and NEED to be run on a regular basis Under Load to stay happy. If you can, run it at least monthly. Consult your manual for proper warm-up times before load is applied and cool-down times after load is turned off.


Caution- Do not continually try to start the Genny if it won't start or it can flood with water after a period of time. Read the Owners Manual Under "Starting" for this information.
 
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jason78 said:
I have the Same Control Panel you Describe. Some Parts of the SR Manuals are not much help. They did not do a good job of updating it year to year and a large part of the manual is Generic for all Sport Cruisers.

I had the EXACT SAME issue when I first got mine. To solve it I do this-

Turn on Blower
Turn Genny Switch to ON
Press "STOP/PREHEAT" for 8-10 seconds
Press Start

To turn off, Press STOP Once
When Light Goes Out, Move On/Off Switch to OFF

If this does not work you may need to Lube the Choke Linkage or Replace the Spark Plugs

I have noticed once I started running the Genny on a regular basis it no longer became necessary to use the Preheat Function. These Gennys LOVE and NEED to be run on a regular basis Under Load to stay happy. If you can, run it at least monthly. Consult your manual for proper warm-up times before load is applied and cool-down times after load is turned off.


Caution- Do not continually try to start the Genny if it won't start or it can flood with water after a period of time. Read the Owners Manual Under "Starting" for this information.
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Could also be as simple as a clogged strainer or the impeller might be shot.
.
 
Thanks for the tips. I'll try following what you said about starting and checking the strainer. I'll probably replace the impeller and do a complete service this winter since I don't know it's history, and there is a very (very) small drip from the impeller housing (a drip every few minutes).

Hopefully your suggestions will help, I'm not sure I was following that same procedure so there is a chance!

Tom
 
i have been reading the forum for the past few days and really getting some good information. i sold a smaller runabout in the spring and am looking to step up to my first cruiser. i originally was looking at a 1999 270 sundancer single engine which was really affordable. i have since found a 2002 280da with twin 4.3's which is about twice the price. i feel like this may be worth it due to the added size and also the genset. i am going to look at the boat this weekend. it is out of state, so i have only pictures to go by at this point.

the asking price of the boat is 50k. i am attaching a few pictures and would appreciate some feedbeack from current/past 280da owners!

thanks again in advance!
 
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scootdogg said:
i have been reading the forum for the past few days and really getting some good information. i sold a smaller runabout in the spring and am looking to step up to my first cruiser. i originally was looking at a 1999 270 sundancer single engine which was really affordable. i have since found a 2002 280da with twin 4.3's which is about twice the price. i feel like this may be worth it due to the added size and also the genset. i am going to look at the boat this weekend. it is out of state, so i have only pictures to go by at this point.

the asking price of the boat is 50k. i am attaching a few pictures and would appreciate some feedbeack from current/past 280da owners!

thanks again in advance!
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The boat looks nice. It is right down the river from me. I believe it is at Lake Wateree. Are you planning to trailer it or slip it at LKN?
 
jason78 said:
The boat looks nice. It is right down the river from me. I believe it is at Lake Wateree. Are you planning to trailer it or slip it at LKN?
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i am planning on wet slipping it somewhere. it comes with a trailer at that price, but it wouldnt be used hardly ever. the seller did say that he would sell without trailer, but....
 
scootdogg said:
i am planning on wet slipping it somewhere. it comes with a trailer at that price, but it wouldnt be used hardly ever. the seller did say that he would sell without trailer, but....
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You can always see what he will drop off the price to keep the trailer.

I was/am considering a trailer but it is hard for me to justify that much money just sitting around. For me, getting a trailer to use is no problem at all, but a 4x4 F250/350 2500/3500 to tow the boat is the issue.
 
jason78 said:
You can always see what he will drop off the price to keep the trailer.

I was/am considering a trailer but it is hard for me to justify that much money just sitting around. For me, getting a trailer to use is no problem at all, but a 4x4 F250/350 2500/3500 to tow the boat is the issue.
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he has offered to take 2k off the boat without the trailer. i have a f450 dually that would pull it with no problem... but i just keep wondering... where would i take it to? i live in raleigh, but spend most of my free time in the summer at lake norman. i would think if i needed to move it sometime, i could rent someones trailer from them, but doubt it would be that often.

what do you think about the price for this boat? seem resonable?

i would be spending long weekends on the boat with usually my girlfriend but could occasionally have another couple.

this would be a huge step up for me so i dont want any regrets!
 
scootdogg said:
he has offered to take 2k off the boat without the trailer. i have a f450 dually that would pull it with no problem... but i just keep wondering... where would i take it to? i live in raleigh, but spend most of my free time in the summer at lake norman. i would think if i needed to move it sometime, i could rent someones trailer from them, but doubt it would be that often.

what do you think about the price for this boat? seem resonable?

i would be spending long weekends on the boat with usually my girlfriend but could occasionally have another couple.

this would be a huge step up for me so i dont want any regrets!
Click to expand...

PM Sent
 
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You will really like the 280. It has plenty of room, a lot of accomodations for a boat that size and still reseaonable to operate. In today's market I would offer much less and see what you can get away with. $50k is not unreseanable for a well maintained boat but the market is soft so and deal might be had.
 
I just paid a lot more for a 2006 model. Yours looks good to me as another newbie.
 
I might buy the trailer for the right price if you do not want it but its a long way here.
 
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