Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[bajturner]

turning 4800 on one and 5000 w.o.t. on the other

This is interesting. Before I purchased my boat last fall, the mechanical inspection and survey revealed the starboard engine was running 320RPM higher at WOT. The marina did a compression test with the following results:

Port side engine: 4350RPM WOT
1 180 2 180
3 180 4 180
5 180 6 180

Stbd engine: 4670RPM WOT
1 195 2 195
3 195 4 195
5 195 6 180

~ 44MPH (speedo)

They stated both engines were within spec, and the compression difference may or may not cause the RPM gap. The props are the originals with no signs of impact. They then did a full tune-up to see if it would close the gap. It did, to about 150RPM and they felt there was no problem so I proceeded with the deal. Boat runs perfectly.

Is it typical for the engines to be out a bit? Could it simply be a prop being out of spec accounting for the delta? Anyone have an opinion about the compression difference?

 

[Gunn]

Completely normal. As similiar as engines are, there are a lot of parts that make up one and each one is ever so slightly different; no two are alike. You're never going to get identical numbers out of two engines.

Compression is created by reducing the volume of the cylinder when the piston moves upward to top-dead-center. The compression difference between each cylinder could be due to the rings around the pistons having varying gaps and the cylinder head intake and exhaust valves having worn ever so slightly differently, changing the amount of air that can be "trapped" within the cylinder during the compression stroke.

Use the sync gauge to keep them in sync to maximize efficiency when underway.

 

[Jetmart]

What about an error in the tach's?

 

[Spot]

What about an error in the tach's?

That would be my guess

 

[Gunn]

That would be my guess

Tachs will have their own resolution differences too, and could explain your difference in WOT RPM's.

But they wouldn't explain the difference in compression between the two engines...

 

[cp_71]

delete

 

[Sundance280]

Hello Everyone:

I've searched all of the forums first before posting this.....the admiral & I traded up to a '02 280DA at a local dealer last October....it has no windlass. The dealer wants around $3K to install a new one with cockpit control and foot switches.

Do you use your windlass often and do you find it far superior than manual anchoring?.....:smt043Thanks for feedback!

 

[ch435]

Hello Everyone:

I've searched all of the forums first before posting this.....the admiral & I traded up to a '02 280DA at a local dealer last October....it has no windlass. The dealer wants around $3K to install a new one with cockpit control and foot switches.

Do you use your windlass often and do you find it far superior than manual anchoring?.....:smt043Thanks for feedback!

I usually use it to drop anchor from my seat, but I find myself walking up to the bow to raise it in order to clean off the anchor. So while I find it nice to be able to lower from my seat, I usually raise it with the foot switches. I feel the foot switches are more valuable than the ones in the cockpit. While I find the windlass convenient, I don't know about 3K convenient.

 

[Gunn]

Hello Everyone:

I've searched all of the forums first before posting this.....the admiral & I traded up to a '02 280DA at a local dealer last October....it has no windlass. The dealer wants around $3K to install a

Ouch! Are you a DIY guy? I've read a few posts here on these forums about guys adding a windlass to their boats themselves. Would sure save a ton of money compared to the cost of just the hardware.

Tom

 

[Tonka Boater]

Do you use your windlass often and do you find it far superior than manual anchoring?

That surprises me that it didn't come with a windlass. I use my windlass all the time. I usually free fall the anchor and let out a bunch of extra rode then I will back down and use the helm controls to adjust as needed.

In my opinion, the 280 is a lot of boat to be manually anchoring. Not so much for setting the anchor, more on the retrieval end. My 280 is very reactive to wind and current and I wouldn't want to be on the bow messing with the anchor while the boat is drifting into something. Much better to retrieve the anchor from the helm and be in control.

 

[swaldrop2213@yahoo.com]

Your are running a correct combination, I wouldn't change the props. WOT is a range between 4400-4800. Have a talk with a good prop shop. They will be able to identify and correct the 200 RPM difference no problem.

What kind of cruise speed/and WOT speed is expected in a 2001 280 w/twin 4.3s?? Thanks:smt024

 

[Bucit]

I usually free fall the anchor and let out a bunch of extra rode then I will back down and use the helm controls to adjust as needed.

In my opinion, the 280 is a lot of boat to be manually anchoring.

Tonka, I agree it would be a bear to retrieve the anchor in almost any condition let alone a little wind and current. How do you free fall the anhcor using the windlass?

 

[Tonka Boater]

Tonka, I agree it would be a bear to retrieve the anchor in almost any condition let alone a little wind and current. How do you free fall the anhcor using the windlass?

I manually release the clutch on the windlass. Using the wrench that's stored in the anchor locker I turn the clutch counter-clockwise and the anchor drops immediately. I pay out a bunch of extra rode then tighten clutch. Then from the helm I back down and let out extra rode as needed using the helm controls. I usually keep the clutch wrench at the helm because it only takes a matter of seconds to drop the anchor and get back to the helm.

 

[Inmotion]

What kind of cruise speed/and WOT speed is expected in a 2001 280 w/twin 4.3s?? Thanks:smt024

With four of us on board, 1/2 tank of gas and water, i usually cruise at 28mph/3400 rpm and about 42mph, if I'm holding toes correctly :grin: at 4600 WOT. At WOT I can just hear the gas sucking sounds so I try not to do that to much!!

 

[Subaru06]

I have retrieved the anchor by hand when the winch went down. Crazy about having to do it again, I am not. Using the winch makes things so much easier.

The winch we had came with the boat. I have no idea how much it costs to install one.

 

[swaldrop2213@yahoo.com]

With four of us on board, 1/2 tank of gas and water, i usually cruise at 28mph/3400 rpm and about 42mph, if I'm holding toes correctly :grin: at 4600 WOT. At WOT I can just hear the gas sucking sounds so I try not to do that to much!!

Thanks Inmotion, I'm try it next week and let you know, thanks again!! :thumbsup: Are you running 17 merc vengenance SS props??:huh:

 

[swaldrop2213@yahoo.com]

What size screen is that?? Looks big but great. Where did you purchase it and the swivel mount?? Any more pics of the mount and t.v?? Thanks, great job!!!

 

[Bucit]

Thanks Inmotion, I'm try it next week and let you know, thanks again!! :thumbsup: Are you running 17 merc vengenance SS props??:huh:

I can get 44 to 45 mph WOT under the same conditions but as stated above at 30+ghp you can hear the gas being sucked away. I have the same 17" Vengance props. I think these were the stock props from SR for this boat with the 4.3l's.

 

[Bucit]

I know this has been covered before but the search function is killing me. I'm going to do my oil changes this weekend and with the oil filters being inverted do you need to pop a hole in the top to release the oil or just barely crack the seal to let it drain? I think the 4.3L's take 4 1/2 quarts of oil?

 

[jason78]

I know this has been covered before but the search function is killing me. I'm going to do my oil changes this weekend and with the oil filters being inverted do you need to pop a hole in the top to release the oil or just barely crack the seal to let it drain? I think the 4.3L's take 4 1/2 quarts of oil?

Barely un-seal and let oil drain back in to the engine. Usually takes mine about 10 min. Assuming you have the Merc filters, that is.