Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[280 SeaRay]

If I recall the 260DA has the AC/Heat and head on the same side... the challenge on the 280DA is head is starboard.... AC/Heat is port.... the only hidden space that crosses the area (I believe) is in the v-berth storage area. The area where the cabin step drain runs would be perfect (and there is lots of room) but it does not go all the way across....


ohhhh.... wait... the cabin steps.... ah ha.... I forgot about this area.... you can access the back starboard aft side of the head liner via the starboard panel at the foot of the mid-berth.

 

[RiverRat]

Sure does look like this post should have been posted in the "Dink" section of the board instead of here... But since I have the same dinghy and a merc. 4hp I appreciate the info.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programing...

 

[Summer Gail]

:smt101:smt100:smt089

Huh? Is this post about your 280DA or your dingy? :smt001

Post was in reply to Tippy Canoe's question of 7-4-08 posted at 2:14 AM. Do people really post on this board at 2:14 AM? Anyway, as you can see that was my first post as I just joined this very day. Also, I do have an 04 280SD which I enjoy very much on the lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. :smt021

 

[JYurgo]

I just got off the phone with my local SR dealer. They told me the 280 w/4.3 EFI's at WOT (4600-4800) is doing 41-45mph. Anyone test that before? They also told me to cruise around the 3400rpm range I need some trim tab to keep the bow down and just a very little bit of drive trim up. Is this how you're running? I'm asking because I got the boat this summer and I'm still trying to figure it out. I see a lot of posts on here that people are cruising around 3400rpm's and I can't keep mine there without falling off plane. I'm trying to rule out problems with either the boat or user(me) error. Any help would be great. I'm going to make sure the props are correct this week by 1.) checking the prop visually, 2.) running WOT and making sure it falls within the above stated guildlines.

 

[RiverRat]

I just got off the phone with my local SR dealer. They told me the 280 w/4.3 EFI's at WOT (4600-4800) is doing 41-45mph. Anyone test that before? They also told me to cruise around the 3400rpm range I need some trim tab to keep the bow down and just a very little bit of drive trim up. Is this how you're running? I'm asking because I got the boat this summer and I'm still trying to figure it out. I see a lot of posts on here that people are cruising around 3400rpm's and I can't keep mine there without falling off plane. I'm trying to rule out problems with either the boat or user(me) error. Any help would be great. I'm going to make sure the props are correct this week by 1.) checking the prop visually, 2.) running WOT and making sure it falls within the above stated guildlines.

What HP are your EFI engines? I regularly run @ 3400-3500 RPM with the twin 4.3 MPI's (220HP). The bow will ride a tad high at this RPM but the boat doesn't fall off plane. If I want the bow down a bit without the tabs I'll kick her up to about 3600 RPM's. I just like the ride @ 3400-3500 RPM better (personal pref.) plus I boat on a river so RPM and running angle is dictated a bit by the direction I'm going, wind, etc....

 

[gredmer]

Their answer sounds about right. My single will also fall off plane below 3400 if it's not trimmed properly. My previous owner also told me not to trim the motor past 2-3. My 240 ran good at trim position 4. Also the 280 needs trim tabs more than the 240 did.
Conditions also warrant the trim usage. More people in the cockpit equals more nose down trim.

 

[RiverRat]

:smt101:smt100:smt089
Post was in reply to Tippy Canoe's question of 7-4-08 posted at 2:14 AM. Do people really post on this board at 2:14 AM? Anyway, as you can see that was my first post as I just joined this very day. Also, I do have an 04 280SD which I enjoy very much on the lower Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. :smt021

First, Welcome to the board!

If you own a 280 Sundancer the abreviation is 280DA, the SD signifies the sundeck.

Do your instuctions for your outboard say to lay it with the tiller side up? I have the 4HP four stroke on my RU260 and the instructions for the motor say to lay it tiller side down.

 

[Summer Gail]

Thanks Fred. When stowing a Mercury 3.5 its TILLER SIDE UP. Thanks also for correcting my typo on the 280DA instead of the 280SD but thats what happens when you get in a hurry. Sorry if I transgressed onto the wrong board but I'll learn the ropes here before too long.

__________
Rex

1998 Maxum 2300 SC
2000 Rinker 242 Fiesta Vee 5.7 Mercruiser Bravo Three (Bought it on EBAY)
2004 280DA 4.3 MPI's

 

[Turtlesboat]

I can run at 3200 rpms all day without falling off plane. At 3200 i'm doing about 25 mph. At WOPT i'm running about 45 mph. If you are falling off plane below 3800 rpms, something is wrong.

 

[beerman]

Is that going by the tacks themself? Mine are never accurate and jump around.

 

[RiverRat]

I have a question for you guys... On the helm on the right switch pad I have a button for Accy 1 (which turns on the depth sounder) and Accy. 2 just below the Accy 1 button which as far as I can tell turns on nothing on my boat. So, I would like to use this switch for a master switch for the Garmin 430 I am going to install. Does anyone know where the wire for Accy 2 terminates at? Engine room, cabin, helm??? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[gerryb]

Engine room, port side above the batteries, I believe. The accy on the port side panel are under the helm, inthe cabinet directly under the shifters. I connected my garmin to the 12v adapter as I wanted power to be available to it without a switch. The radar connected to the port side accy connection. The manual has the wiring schematic but it will take you a few hours to decipher the tiny print and wiring guide.

 

[Kurt]

I have a friend interested in buying a year end 280. He has a 10 by 28 dock slip. He would like to know if anyone uses this small of slip or even if it is possible without causing damage to dock or boat. Thanks, btw 280 is my next boat as well.

 

[gerryb]

I have a friend interested in buying a year end 280. He has a 10 by 28 dock slip. He would like to know if anyone uses this small of slip or even if it is possible without causing damage to dock or boat. Thanks, btw 280 is my next boat as well.

Can't be done I'm afraid.... He's limited to an 8' beam with that slip.

 

[Turtlesboat]

Is that going by the tacks themself? Mine are never accurate and jump around.

my tachs don't jump around, maybe crawl in back and toggle the switches on the back of the tachs?

my tachs are the only gauges that seem to be accurate. In calm seas, 3200rpms is a smooth plane at 24-25 mph. when my bottom is fouled, I have to knock it up to 3400. my speedo is disconnected, this is gps speed.

 

[hawkerjim]

Re: Teleflex Steering

Sea Ray 280,2004,496.

We experienced 6" of free travel in the factory installed rack and pinion steering with tilt. Driving in a following sea, from the quarter, was a handfull.

The decision was made to replace the factory system with the Teleflex rotary unit.

This change resulted in cutting free travel in half but steering was not nearly as smooth and somewhat more dificult.

We had a 1988 Powerplay Altura previously that had flawless steering, ie., a twenty year old boat for a small fraction of the price.

I'm out of ideas and would appreciate any comments.

Hawkerjim

 

[RiverRat]

Engine room, port side above the batteries, I believe. The accy on the port side panel are under the helm, inthe cabinet directly under the shifters. I connected my garmin to the 12v adapter as I wanted power to be available to it without a switch. The radar connected to the port side accy connection. The manual has the wiring schematic but it will take you a few hours to decipher the tiny print and wiring guide.

Thanks for the input Gerry, the reason for the master switch is the external black box sounder I got for it says that it shouldn't be turned on until the gps is on (from what I've read in the instructions) So I wanted to actually use the Accy switch on the helm to turn the sounder on-off and have the GPS wired to a direct hot. I'll check the locations you suggested and see which will work the best. Thanks again!

 

[Turtlesboat]

Re: Teleflex Steering

Sea Ray 280,2004,496.

We experienced 6" of free travel in the factory installed rack and pinion steering with tilt. Driving in a following sea, from the quarter, was a handfull.

The decision was made to replace the factory system with the Teleflex rotary unit.

This change resulted in cutting free travel in half but steering was not nearly as smooth and somewhat more dificult.

We had a 1988 Powerplay Altura previously that had flawless steering, ie., a twenty year old boat for a small fraction of the price.

I'm out of ideas and would appreciate any comments.

Hawkerjim

Are you saying you have 6" of travel on the wheel before the drive moves? Are you sure? I have about 1/2" play.

 

[Bottom Line]

I have a friend interested in buying a year end 280. He has a 10 by 28 dock slip. He would like to know if anyone uses this small of slip or even if it is possible without causing damage to dock or boat. Thanks, btw 280 is my next boat as well.

Kurt...I looked at the specs...the beam on 280 is 9'5"...that would be tight...if he can find a bigger slip, I know where he can find a very nice 300DA:grin::grin:

 

[Kurt]

He owns a cabin over at Crooked Tree and has several 28 slips so it would be pointless to go to another dock for him. He just wants something with Gen and AC for the day for a new baby.