Official 280 Sundancer Thread

I cruise at about 30MPH at 3200 and get approximately 1.5 - 1.7 mpg. This means that I am using 19-28 GPH and have a range of 135-150 miles. I don't trust my fuel guage so I never get below 1/4 tank on the guage which means I have about 45 gallons left. I get the better fuel mileage when there are only two of us and the dogs on the boat and not overloaded with junk. When I have the boat loaded it drops down to the 1.5 range.

I hope this helps.

Jerry
 
Are you sure about those numbers?

at 3200 I'm doing about 25-27mph burning about 15GPH. That's pretty much fully loaded. I would say 25mph with a full tank, 27 under half tank, calm conditions. Do you have the EFI or MPI engines?
 
I have EFI. When I checked it I was right on with the performance test results from Boat TEST but I do not have flow meters. I have not make any effort to watch it since our trip up from Key Largo in July. That trip had a lot of time on the Intracoastal but we were outside from Sebastain to Port Orange. Most of my time is on the Intracoastal between Flagler Beach South to Port Orange and North to St. Augustine.

The test results were available from BoatTEST.com

try this link

htt;://www.boattest.com/oem/general-info.aspx?id=174&lp_id=295

Jerry
Beach Runner
 
Magma Grill Storage

For those with a Magma grill on their 280DA's -- where do you store your grill. I had a perfect location on my old 240SD but I'm puzzled about where to store it when we launch the 280.

I have the single 496 so there is a ton of space in the engine room. One thought was to mount a shelf in ER with straps to keep it secure while underway. I would make sure it is completely cool with the tank removed before storing -- does this feel like a safety hazard to anyone? I can't see how the grill could create a spontaneous spark but that's why I'm asking.

FWIW, I have the Magma Catalina with the pedestal base mounted under the swim platform ladder hatch.

Thoughts???

.
 
We have the Newport. It goes under the wet bar. We did have to line the space with one of the giant ziplock bags to keep the carpet clean. I am planning on building a shallow tray to hold it this season. This does displace the cooler. We talked about doing an ER storage like you suggested, but it seemed that the disruption caused by opening the hatch was not worth the effort.

Henry
 
Henry Boyd said:
This does displace the cooler. We talked about doing an ER storage like you suggested, but it seemed that the disruption caused by opening the hatch was not worth the effort.

Henry
Click to expand...

I thought about your solution as well but decided that I use the cooler more often than the grill. Though I use the grill at least once per outing, it only comes out and goes back once per. The cooler is used constantly on the other hand.

Thanks for the suggestion.
 
Hello I have been mulling the boat decision for a couple of years well my dock got finished onthe lake last summer. I decided to go with the 280 I messed around and made an offer sunday and whamo Im in ownership. I paid $60,000.00 for an single screw 04 280 with Genset that is in mint condition with 110 hours, camper enclosure and fresh bottom paint no trailer. I feel like I got a great deal. Boats are a luxury but especially in this economy and I am seeing a lot more for sell and the talk at the marine max concurs with that. I hope this helps somebody that is lookin as I scowered these forums during my search. I love this boat and it was the most practical layout and functionality for what I was wanting. I look forward to learning here in the forums and helping out.
 
Has anyone with a 280DA that doesn't have SmartCraft installed fuel flow meters? With the upgrade to my electronics, I'm considering putting in Garmin fuel flow meters on both engines so I can get a better picture of my fuel economy (or lack thereof)...

Anyone been down this road yet?
 
Tonka,

We got past using the cooler by using a plug on the aft side of the sink and filling with ice. 10 lbs of ice lasts all day and will keep water and drinks cold, once you achieve a 50/50 ice water ratio stuff chills down in a matter of very few minutes.

Strategy9

Our boat came without SC. I converted it to SC two years ago. I did it mainly because it irked me that there was all this functionality that was going to waste and I wanted to add fuel consumption measurement. It also didn't hurt that the trim gauge went south and a replacement was $ 156.00.

Henry
 
Henry, we do the same thing with our aft side of the sink area.

With regard to adding SC, I checked on the Mercruiser website, where they say that the 2001 4.3L engines are not SC compatible - so I don't think I have any choice but to add the meters, wire to a NMEA network, and view the data on a NMEA device like a Garmin chartplotter.

Otherwise, I'd do the same thing you did so I could have all SC gauges...
 
we store our Magma bque in the fender locker. Our mount is an extra table leg that is mounted under the swim ladder cover. It works great and is easy access.
 
I'm trying to figure out what the highlighted switches control? I haven't taken delivery yet so I haven't had a chance to get to know my boat.

IMG_5523.jpg

img_5523.jpg
 
The vent(s) refer to the small electrically actuated vent window at the bottom center of the windshield that is on the 300/320/340DA's but doesn't exist on the 280 since it has a walk-thru windshield. That same switch pod is used on multiple models.
 
jg300da said:
The vent(s) refer to the small electrically actuated vent window at the bottom center of the windshield that is on the 300/320/340DA's but doesn't exist on the 280 since it has a walk-thru windshield. That same switch pod is used on multiple models.
Click to expand...

Excellent -- exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

.
 
JYurgo said:
strategy9 - Are you doing the install of the meters yourself? If so, is it difficult?
Click to expand...

I haven't decided yet - still researching. So far, it seems to be a fairly simple process - but the last thing I want to do is bugger up something to do with a fuel line.

I've got a Mercruiser certified mechanic who is quite reasonable - I'm leaning towards having him do the install of the meters in the fuel line, and I'll handle running the cables back to the Garmin unit.

Sure seems to be a nice option for those of us without Smartcraft...
 
TurtleTone said:
Are you sure about those numbers?

at 3200 I'm doing about 25-27mph burning about 15GPH. That's pretty much fully loaded. I would say 25mph with a full tank, 27 under half tank, calm conditions. Do you have the EFI or MPI engines?
Click to expand...

Well, my wife always says I have the luck of the Irish: Yesterday I took delivery and spent 2 hours cruising at 38 mph (4400 RPM) on flat water in LIS burning 14 gph = 2.7 mpg!

I just hope it stays that way!

Steve
2005 280 Sundancer Twin 4.3 MPIs w/Alpha1 gen2
 
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