Official 280 Sundancer Thread

scootdogg said:
he has offered to take 2k off the boat without the trailer.
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Get the trailer. $2K isn't enough savings and even though you will wet slip there will be times that you wished you had a trailer to pull it out. Whether it's for maintenance, storage, cleaning, trip to another lake, etc.
 
I can offer one datapoint. In September I purchased a 2004 280DA in Chicago, IL for $45K. Extremely clean freshwater boat in perfect condition with around 200 hours. White hull, twin 4.3s, heat/AC, no generator, no windlass, full beige (I guess it's called "Toast") camper, no trailer, no chartplotter. Survey was excellent. Only had a chance to get out one weekend on it but it ran perfectly and fit my family of 4 very well (4 and 6 year olds). Asking price was $59,900.
 
scootdogg said:
i would be spending long weekends on the boat with usually my girlfriend but could occasionally have another couple.
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I don't think you would ever regret this boat, but I will offer this. If you, your girlfriend, or your guest couple are tall, the sleeping arrangements with 2 couples may be challenging over a long weekend.

At 6'-3" I fit in either the mid-berth or the v-berth myself, but the v-berth is a little awkward with my wife (she is about 5'-7'). We both fit in the mid-berth but it is a little snug as it is 6'-9" tall by only 4' wide. I guess we are past the spooning all night phase of our relationship!! :lol:

We found the best sleeping arrangements were one adult and one kid in each berth. We could also stick one or both of the kids on the dinette if we wanted but it would not be an option for an adult to sleep there.

Keep in mind I have only one weekend of experience...some others with more experience can maybe offer more insight here...
 
bajturner said:
I don't think you would ever regret this boat, but I will offer this. If you, your girlfriend, or your guest couple are tall, the sleeping arrangements with 2 couples may be challenging over a long weekend.

At 6'-3" I fit in either the mid-berth or the v-berth myself, but the v-berth is a little awkward with my wife (she is about 5'-7'). We both fit in the mid-berth but it is a little snug as it is 6'-9" tall by only 4' wide. I guess we are past the spooning all night phase of our relationship!! :lol:

We found the best sleeping arrangements were one adult and one kid in each berth. We could also stick one or both of the kids on the dinette if we wanted but it would not be an option for an adult to sleep there.

Keep in mind I have only one weekend of experience...some others with more experience can maybe offer more insight here...
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Agreed! We have now spent our first weekend on the boat and we are both 5'7". The V berth is awkward for us (when we wanted to sleep) but when you are tired enough, you can sleep anywhere....lol. One thing for sure, this boat and snug Vberth is better than Viagra:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I think 50K for that boat with trailer seems quite reasonable if its in nice shape, and it looks like it is.

I agree to get the trailer. You never know when you might want it, and they are worth a lot more than 2K.

My wife and I sleep in V-berth just fine. I am 5'11", but she is only 5' 2", so that helps.

In the short time we have had our 280, we have thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
I cant believe it!!!!!!!

Firstly, from the pics the boat looks in very good condition.

What I cant believe is how much you guys can buy boats for in America!

I paid $130,000 NZ for mine with trailer and there were a couple around at thet price then and this was the cleanest with the most extras inc a trailer.

$50,000 US is if I'm right about half what I paid!!!!!!!

I'm wanting to trade up to a 2006 340 DA (375 over here) and they are in the $330 price range over here, thats about $258,000 of your green backs, how much are they over there??

It looks like its worth me buying over there and shipping to here if this price difference is for real.
 
Kiwi Graham said:
It looks like its worth me buying over there and shipping to here if this price difference is for real.
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Probably would be as long as NZ does not have some outrageous tax or surcharge to import a boat. If not, you could sell your 280 there and buy a 340 here and be in real good shape! :thumbsup:

Most Mid-2000 340s I see around here are between $130K-$170K.
 
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I paid 75M for a 2006 with 100 hours and loads of options. How bad did I get taken. That was US dollars and not the old Confederate money we once used down here. Secession is looking mighty attractive again:grin:

Also do I need some sheets for my V berth and mid berth or do you just sleep on the cushions?

That will stain if all the big talkers about GFE's are true! I cannot spring for custom Sea ray sheets for 500 bucks.
 
bajturner said:
I can offer one datapoint. In September I purchased a 2004 280DA in Chicago, IL for $45K. Extremely clean freshwater boat in perfect condition with around 200 hours. White hull, twin 4.3s, heat/AC, no generator, no windlass, full beige (I guess it's called "Toast") camper, no trailer, no chartplotter. Survey was excellent. Only had a chance to get out one weekend on it but it ran perfectly and fit my family of 4 very well (4 and 6 year olds). Asking price was $59,900.
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I got my '03 on a trailer (needs quite a bit of work though), no bottom paint, 200hrs., generator, fairly modern radar, camper canvas for under $50k. Survey was excellent and the boat is in excellent shape. This was in the beginning of October.

Good luck!
 
Gunn said:
I got my '03 on a trailer (needs quite a bit of work though), no bottom paint, 200hrs., generator, fairly modern radar, camper canvas for under $50k. Survey was excellent and the boat is in excellent shape. This was in the beginning of October.
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This seems to be about the right price point at present for boats that have had only freshwater use, and are in very good condition. In my 4-month search for the best boat for us, it seemed generators added about $4-5K, 5.0s/BIII $3-4K (if you could find them), and salt water use would take away $5-10K. Electronics and trailers were hit and miss as to whether they added to the selling price or not. Owners of blue-hulled boats seemed more firm on their price. Note that I limited my search primarily to the U.S. North-East and Great Lakes areas. I couldn't find a decent 280DA in the 2002-2004 range for under $65K in Canada!

I hope this helps!
 
ok.. so i am off to look at the boat on sunday. talked with the owner today and he said everything is in working condition and no problems that he is aware of. i would love some advice about what to look for and ask during the inspection of the boat. i will be driving 5 hours one way, so it might be the only time i see it until delivery if we get that far, so i want to make it count.

once again i appreciate everyones input and will keep ya posted.
 
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Looks very clean, but pictures do an amazing job of making a boat look perfect, and you can never tell when they were taken. My suggestion would be to get a survey, a mechanical inspection (compression test, etc.), and sea trial the boat yourself where you will try every single thing on the boat...and don't be afraid to let 'er rip!
 
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On Friday I was searching Boat Trader and came across a 2004 280DA with 5.0's and Bravo III drives. What I found interesting was it said it had a 200 gallon fuel tank. Did SR offer this as an option and where did they put the additional tank? I have never seen a 280 DA with a 200 gallon tank before.
 
I have basically that set up and though 200 gal would be nice, I don't think I could stomach the bill of filling them up! :) I've not heard of it.
 
Bucit said:
On Friday I was searching Boat Trader and came across a 2004 280DA with 5.0's and Bravo III drives. What I found interesting was it said it had a 200 gallon fuel tank. Did SR offer this as an option and where did they put the additional tank? I have never seen a 280 DA with a 200 gallon tank before.
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It had to be a error or typo. The tank is 100 gallon.
 
Bucit said:
Here the link. It states an additional 100 gallon tank in a few places.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2004-Sea-Ray-280-Sundancer-5.0-Liters-THE-RIGHT-POWER!-97444572
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If the engines are still intact and the cabin is still usable I don't know where they would have put it.

I took this from the ad. Not sure what this means-

"The 5.0 Liters have all the power needed to effortlessly jump on plane with out having to use the trim tabs!!Bahamas Anyone? You Have The Range!!Twin Merc Cruisers 5.0L MPI Bravo III drives Additional 100 gal fuel Halon system"

What is a 100gal fuel halon system?
 
jason78 said:
If the engines are still intact and the cabin is still usable I don't know where they would have put it.

I took this from the ad. Not sure what this means-

"The 5.0 Liters have all the power needed to effortlessly jump on plane with out having to use the trim tabs!!Bahamas Anyone? You Have The Range!!Twin Merc Cruisers 5.0L MPI Bravo III drives Additional 100 gal fuel Halon system"

What is a 100gal fuel halon system?
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Not sure where they would put another 100gallons of gas either??

The 'Halon system' is a fire suppression devise, it automatically recognises a fire and reacts by releasing a gas that extinguishes the fire by replacing the air around it there by removing one of the three elements needed to have a fire!
 
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