Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[scoflaw]

My clarion has 2 rubber bumpers on either side that pull off and reveil the mounting screws

 

[280 Gator]

when you guys are out and on plane, can you run the generator and A/C or is there a concern about the water cooling pick up when running? Thanks --2008 280 DA

 

[Gunn]

when you guys are out and on plane, can you run the generator and A/C or is there a concern about the water cooling pick up when running? Thanks --2008 280 DA

This was recently asked in another forum post. I run the generator all the time while on plane. And the main reason I run it is to run the A/C while underway. My kids would not enjoy multi-hour cruises if the cabin was not cooled!

The water pickups aren't a problem. The A/C has a scoop. If you have the seacock open, you will see water flowing out the A/c thru-hull on the port side of the boat, whether it is running or not.

 

[Gunn]

I just purchased my boat, and was curious how and where everyone named theirs. Did you use a paint or a vinyl graphic? Also, I would like mine to be a on the larger side. Anyone have some good pictures of the rear of their boat and how they named it!

Hmmmm, not too far back in this thread are various photos of the graphics on a few boats. Someone had asked the very same question. Can't find it though. We need our own 280DA forum!

 

[280 Gator]

This was recently asked in another forum post. I run the generator all the time while on plane. And the main reason I run it is to run the A/C while underway. My kids would not enjoy multi-hour cruises if the cabin was not cooled!

The water pickups aren't a problem. The A/C has a scoop. If you have the seacock open, you will see water flowing out the A/c thru-hull on the port side of the boat, whether it is running or not.

Thanks, that is what I thought but I had a mechanic tell me not too. You may have seen in the cruiser thread that i am getting a high pressure shut down on the a/c but water is flowing. James River in my area is 87-91 * F now, im starting to wonder if that is the problem. Ever hear of high temp water causing a shut down? I may try to find some deeper/cooler water this weekend.

 

[Tonka Boater]

when you guys are out and on plane, can you run the generator and A/C or is there a concern about the water cooling pick up when running? Thanks --2008 280 DA

This was recently asked in another forum post. I run the generator all the time while on plane. And the main reason I run it is to run the A/C while underway. My kids would not enjoy multi-hour cruises if the cabin was not cooled!

The water pickups aren't a problem. The A/C has a scoop. If you have the seacock open, you will see water flowing out the A/c thru-hull on the port side of the boat, whether it is running or not.

Same here. I ran mine on plane all the time with the gen running. Never had an issue....

 

[Bucit]

I run my genny on plane all the time and our waters are in the high 80's all summer.

 

[TheGoodLife]

I have seen a few people mention they have done this, I am just curious what I have to buy. I want to swap out all of my cockpit bulbs with led lights. Also, Recently my exhaust manifold cracked (not rotted) and filled my engine with salt water. My mechanic said that usually these dry joint manifolds and risers will last a lot longer than this and he left the decision up to me as to replace them or ride it out and hope it doesn't happen again. I have a 2003 280da with twin 4.3l mpi's and was hoping to get 5 more years out of them...what do you think? Thanks

-Bill

 

[Gunn]

I just purchased my boat, and was curious how and where everyone named theirs. Did you use a paint or a vinyl graphic? Also, I would like mine to be a on the larger side. Anyone have some good pictures of the rear of their boat and how they named it!

Here's a photo I took this past Saturday on a beautiful day...showing off my new grill (love it!), and the lettering you requested. :smt001 Lettering is decals ordered from Boat U.S. Graphics. And the boat ran great...no vapor lock on this trip this time! I've learned to leave my bilge blowers running the entire time we're having fun...

 

[saopm]

Does anyone know the color/name for this fabric and where I can get a 3'x2' piece?

 

[Danny Troy]

I currently own a 1989 220DA (see signature) and feel the need for a newer, larger boat. The 280 seems to fit the bill perfectly. I also considered the older 290's, but initially didn't realize they don't have a walk-thru windshield, which I really want. A few questions please...

I'm looking for a boat with a single large block engine. Where I boat, I start the engine, run about a mile or two, drop anchor, and remain there till it's time to go home. I don't really need the added expense of a twin. I also never tow skiers, or towables, so that's not a problem. I checked the Sea Ray archives, and they don't show anything newer than a 2002. I see the new 280's have a dinette table that sits between the v-berth, much the same as my 220. I'm look for the port side dinette version. Which years have that setup? I like the idea of having the table always there, yet have access to the V-berth. Also, any particular year boats to watch out for, and the particular problems to watch for? Thanks for any info.....

Danny

 

[jason78]

I see the new 280's have a dinette table that sits between the v-berth, much the same as my 220. I'm look for the port side dinette version. Which years have that setup? I like the idea of having the table always there, yet have access to the V-berth. Also, any particular year boats to watch out for, and the particular problems to watch for? Thanks for any info.....

Danny

As far as the 2001-2009 280DA- They all have the port side dinette table as well as a table you can setup in the V-berth if you choose to do so. They are all essentally the same boat however (mainly interior) finishes/fabrics and other acessories/options improved in quality over the lifecycle of the model as well as engine/outdrive options changed a bit as well. In 2009 the cabin cabinets changed a bit in layout but nothing major from the pictures I have seen. The biggest single year change I can think of was probably 2004 being the first year it the boat was factory smartcraft equipped. Also, 2001 had at least one undesireable engine option, don't recall which. Overall a great boat. Not sure another model remained virtually unchanged for that long which surely points to it's desireability in the market.

 

[Danny Troy]

Thanks for that info Jason. I guess they made the galley larger, and enlarged the v-berth in the new 280's, if I'm reading the floor plan correctly on the Sea Ray site. I love the fact that I can buy a 2001 boat and having it look like the new 280's. I have a 280 two slips over at my dock and I thought it was an '08. Turns out it's an '04. If you remember what engine to watch for in the '01 I'd appreciate that info.

BTW, is the Smartcraft feature all that good, or is it just another thing to go wrong on the boat? Also, is it less needed in a single screw boat?

 

[jason78]

Thanks for that info Jason. I guess they made the galley larger, and enlarged the v-berth in the new 280's, if I'm reading the floor plan correctly on the Sea Ray site. I love the fact that I can buy a 2001 boat and having it look like the new 280's. I have a 280 two slips over at my dock and I thought it was an '08. Turns out it's an '04. If you remember what engine to watch for in the '01 I'd appreciate that info.

BTW, is the Smartcraft feature all that good, or is it just another thing to go wrong on the boat? Also, is it less needed in a single screw boat?

I just did a "sanity check" and the cabin layout in 2001 appears identical to the one shown for 2004. Maybe the pictures are taken from different angles.

If by "New 280s" you mean brand new, then that is not the same boat as the 2001-2009 280DA. The brand new 280DA is the replacement for the last generation 260DA. The replacement for the 2001-2009 280DA is referred to as a 310DA but is a different hull and boat all together.

As far as engines, I believe the Twin 190hp V6 engines offered in 2001 are the ones others have warned about here before.

Also the Smartcraft is nice to have in my opinion. Yes, it does introduce more sensors and potential issues but you do gain quite a bit of functionality out of it.

 

[Bucit]

As far as engines, I believe the Twin 190hp V6 engines offered in 2001 are the ones others have warned about here before.

Also the Smartcraft is nice to have in my opinion. Yes, it does introduce more sensors and potential issues but you do gain quite a bit of functionality out of it.

Jason I belive you are correct on the engines to watch out for. They are the 4.3l carburated motors that put out 190hp. THe boat was/is really sluggish. I have the smartcraft gauges and like them. They give you alot of information right at your finger tips.

 

[Danny Troy]

Thanks guys. I guess that is where my confusion on the floor plan came from. I didn't know the 280 became the 310. Much the same as the 220 becoming the 240, I guess. Glad to know the engines in question on the '01's aren't the big blocks.

 

[Tonka Boater]

Thanks guys. I guess that is where my confusion on the floor plan came from. I didn't know the 280 became the 310. Much the same as the 220 becoming the 240, I guess. Glad to know the engines in question on the '01's aren't the big blocks.

Not to split hairs but to clarify.....the 280 didn't become the 310. The current 280 (model years 2010-present) is a different design than the 2001-2009 280DA. The 2010-present 280DA was known as the 270DA for the 2009 model year. Jason's point was that the current closet thing to the 2001-2009 280DA in terms of length is the 310DA.

Here's a breakdown:

2001-2009 280DA: Discontinued
2009 270DA: Now the 2010-present 280DA

 

[Danny Troy]

Yes, I see that point. It sure can be confusing. Seems like a chart of some sort would be a nice thing to have, so comparisons can be easily done.

In doing some investigating using the Sea Ray archives site, I found that there is no Sea Ray that will give me exactly what I want. I like the built-in platform, with an additional swim platform. I would not mind installing that after purchase, if I had to. I have that on my 220, and loading, storing and launching my electric kayak is very easy. With the 280 this will be a problem. I also like the "bi-level" swim platform for just hanging out, sitting on the upper portion. The 270 1997 and prior has that feature, but the catch here is, only 8.6' beam. I'd like a wider beam. I'll keep on looking, but I really would like to stay with Sea Ray.

 

[russg]

The late 90's/early 2000's 290DA had the type of swim platform you describe, and a 10'2" beam. Earlier you said you were concerned about the lack of a walk-through windshiled on that generation of 290. I owned a 1999 290 and now a 2005 280, so I can give you some perspective between the two boats. Yes, you do lose the walk-through on the 290 but you gain an electric vent opening in the windshield, and more important, you gain side decks that allow access to the bow. Having had both, I miss the side decks more than I appreciate the walk-through. This is especially so when the camper canvas is up. Gaining accesss to the bow when the rear canvas is up can only be accomplished by by partially or fully removing the center panel of eisenglass, or through the forward hatch. You can't even clean the oustide glass on the side windshields from inside the boat with the rear canvas up. In the 290, it was fairly easy to access anything on either side of the boat or the bow by walking the side decks. Also, understand that using the walk-through on the 280 means using the companionway door as a step. That means that the status of the step changes with the position of the door. Having someone open the door while you are on the foredeck and not realizing it on the way back could present a real safety issue. Not likely, but I think about when I go forward. Also, using the companionway door as a step adds significant wear and tear on the roller trucks for the sliding door. The heavier you are, the more this is an issue. Having to repair the door truck is a known and unpleasant issue on this boat.

In addition, the difference in the level of storage between the two boats is enormous. Same thing with elbow room. You wouldn't think 9" of beam would make that much of a difference, but it does. On the 290, galley storage (not a single drawer in the 280!) is far superior, the dinette is far more usable, the mid cabin is much more spacious and the table in the cockpit is a real table versus the little joke of a table in the 280. Surprisingly, my 290 with twin 5.7L TBI Alphas jumped out of the water faster and handled better than my 280 with twin 5.0L MPI Bravo Threes. I never saw that coming, but again, I will attribute it to the same level of machinery being supported by less beam in the hull. While I certainly appreciate some of the refinements that have come to my 280 due to 6 model years of progress, I am also aware of numerous areas of corner cutting such as no A/C vents in the mid cabin or head. I could list others.

The point of this is only to state that the 280 is a fine boat and certainly has its better qualities, but since you are shopping used and are leanig toward the earlier years of the 280, I certainly would not disavow a 1999-2001 290 simply on the basis of the walk-through windshield

Russ

 

[NautiBuoy]

You can also switch the batteries to the "Off" position then back on to clear the generator display. This is easier than opening the engine hatch and switching the "run/auto" switch. I would occasionally get the LOC error for no reason and doing the battery switch would clear things.

Thanks for all of the tips ... once I cleared the error code everything was perfect. NOW another question ....

I have spent countless hours researching how to flush my engines after cruising. I currently boat in saltwater and the boat is equipped with a Coldwater Products Company quick connect flush kit. In the locker I have two sockets labeled port and starboard (clearly for the engines). In the engine compartment, I can see the hoses running from those sockets to the bottom of engines. I have been simply attaching the hose to the male part of the CPC and then putting it in the female socket in the locker and running the water. Am I doing this right? Should the engines be running? I am doing this without the engines running. Advise? Does anyone have the same system?