Bucit
New Member
- Mar 12, 2010
- 3,144
- Boat Info
- 2005 280 Sundancer
2004 SPD-104 Achilles w/ 8hp Yamaha
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 MPI's with Alpha drives.
Sorry, I didn't come across them when I was looking earlier this year.
Sorry, I didn't come across them when I was looking earlier this year.
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
- Engines
- Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
I would go for a 12k or 12.5k trailer. I have an aluminum trailer rated for 10.5k and while it does the job, I don't really like being on the edge of the envelope; makes me a bit nervous. Go for aluminum as you won't have as much gross weight tied up in the trailer itself.
Brian 59
Member
I had a Nextrail Aluminum 10,500k and while it did the job, I was very uncomfortable with it. I bought a Loadmaster steel trailer last September with a GVWR of 16,002 lbs and a Net Payload of 13,727 lbs. It was made specifically for the 280 and tows great. They are super people to work with and make a great product.
Henry Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2007
- 6,014
- Boat Info
- ‘09 Sabre 38 Hardtop Express “Serenity”
- Engines
- Volvo D6 w/IPS450 Pods
Ditto that on Loadmaster. We had one for one of our previous center consoles and it was a very well made trailer.
Henry
Henry
ch435
New Member
- Sep 23, 2010
- 240
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sundancer 280
Tow with 97 F250 7.3 diesel
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 mercruisers, with Bravo III Drives
I've got a triple axle prestige trailer made for the 280 that seems to fit the boat great. They are out of business now, but maybe you could find a used one.
scoflaw
Well-Known Member
- Aug 10, 2011
- 6,395
- Boat Info
- 1999 Powerquest legend 260 sx 502 mag
2005 Baja 242 islander 496
- Engines
- 502 mpi Bravo 1
496 mag B1
The big question with the trailer is how much your planning on using it.
Like me, if your going a few miles in the spring and back a few miles in the fall, you don't need more than the bare minimum. If your packin it up aqnd headed south for the winter or north for the summer your looking for some overkill.
Like me, if your going a few miles in the spring and back a few miles in the fall, you don't need more than the bare minimum. If your packin it up aqnd headed south for the winter or north for the summer your looking for some overkill.
saopm
Active Member
Does anyone know the gear ratio in the Alpha Drives?
themikehyde
New Member
I know the 2001 with 4.3's have the 165:1 ratios.
saopm
Active Member
Thanks.....I thought I had a water psi problem but it turns out it was the IAC valve. The idle was a little lower then normal, but I was getting the two beeps every minute alarm. It figures it would happen on the one day my wife and I get to go out alone without the kids.
DealerShip1985
New Member
- Jul 26, 2012
- 10
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin (2) Mercruiser 4.3L with Alpha One outdrives
OK, I've been following this thread for over a month now (thx guys, great forum!) and just took delivery on my 2003 280 Sundancer (twin 4.3)...couple comments and questions...
Comments
I. The conditions were awful! 4-6 footers at Lake Erie, but we we were able to get to the islands in 45 minutes. From there we stayed on the docks and enjoyed ourselves. It ran great through the waves, and we cruised at 15-20mph. Great way to break it in and boat rides well.
II. Unbelievable amount of room and space. Love the layout. Slept 4 adults fine, and had plenty of room for more.
III. I was able to get a new canvas with the deal, and got a black camper canvas. Loved it. Also had them remove the pinstripe up top to make it look more like the newer models. Carpet is on order, as the existing carpet is worn and left black marks behind. Boat needs some TLC on the floors and leather, otherwise looks mint!
Questions
I. Port side engine was leaking gear oil pretty bad. Anyone have experienced this problem before? MarineMax is taking care of it, b/c it was an existing problem before the deal went down.
2. Took the TV out, and looking to use the cabinet for storage. Has anyone found where you can get the wood/laminate?
3. What does everyone use to clean the plastic on the canvas? I just used water bc I was scared to use anything else.
4. Stereo system sounds great, has anyone added a subwoofer? My amp is behind the aft cabin headrest.
5. More to come, i'm @ work...
Comments
I. The conditions were awful! 4-6 footers at Lake Erie, but we we were able to get to the islands in 45 minutes. From there we stayed on the docks and enjoyed ourselves. It ran great through the waves, and we cruised at 15-20mph. Great way to break it in and boat rides well.
II. Unbelievable amount of room and space. Love the layout. Slept 4 adults fine, and had plenty of room for more.
III. I was able to get a new canvas with the deal, and got a black camper canvas. Loved it. Also had them remove the pinstripe up top to make it look more like the newer models. Carpet is on order, as the existing carpet is worn and left black marks behind. Boat needs some TLC on the floors and leather, otherwise looks mint!
Questions
I. Port side engine was leaking gear oil pretty bad. Anyone have experienced this problem before? MarineMax is taking care of it, b/c it was an existing problem before the deal went down.
2. Took the TV out, and looking to use the cabinet for storage. Has anyone found where you can get the wood/laminate?
3. What does everyone use to clean the plastic on the canvas? I just used water bc I was scared to use anything else.
4. Stereo system sounds great, has anyone added a subwoofer? My amp is behind the aft cabin headrest.
5. More to come, i'm @ work...
saopm
Active Member
Congrats DealerShip!
1. I had a problem with the out drive leaking too. Turned out to be the seal under the water pump.
2. I also replaced the TV see pic below.
3. I use car soap to clean the plastic on the canvas.
4. Yes I added a Sub. There is a wire run by Sea Ray when the boat was made from where the current amp is to behind the starboard wall of Mid berth. I think there are pictures in this thread somewhere.
1. I had a problem with the out drive leaking too. Turned out to be the seal under the water pump.
2. I also replaced the TV see pic below.
3. I use car soap to clean the plastic on the canvas.
4. Yes I added a Sub. There is a wire run by Sea Ray when the boat was made from where the current amp is to behind the starboard wall of Mid berth. I think there are pictures in this thread somewhere.
Last edited:
DealerShip1985
New Member
- Jul 26, 2012
- 10
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin (2) Mercruiser 4.3L with Alpha One outdrives
That came out awesome! thx
Bucit
New Member
- Mar 12, 2010
- 3,144
- Boat Info
- 2005 280 Sundancer
2004 SPD-104 Achilles w/ 8hp Yamaha
- Engines
- Twin 4.3 MPI's with Alpha drives.
I did the same thing with replacing the TV although I bought a 19" AC/DC tv so I can watch it without the genny or shower power being on.
- Oct 4, 2006
- 2,335
- Boat Info
- 2003 280DA and 1995 Sea Ray 175
- Engines
- Twin 4.3l and 3.0l, all w/ AlphaI GenII drives
Check out Restoration Marine for the cherry laminate that matches our cabinets. It's Nuvacor (formally Vitricore) and they sell a 24"x24" piece of laminate (for $81.25!) that I plan to buy in the off-season to make a door that covers the old TV/VCR opening.
http://shop.restorationmarine.com/main.sc
I really like that drawer behind the TV saopm! I have mounted my 22" TV on an articulating arm on the forward side of the cabinet. It wraps around and rests in the same position as the original. It is easily moved out of the way to get to the space behind the TV.
Tom
saopm
Active Member
It was very simple too. I picked up three 12" x 24" black shelf stock from Home Depot. The actually width is 11-7/8" so there were no ends to veneer. All rough cut were covered by an adjoining panel. However, I did use a black marker to darken the rough cuts.
melida
Member
- Apr 1, 2009
- 897
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 2007 375 DA
Sea Ray 2005 315 DA Sold
- Engines
- 2xYANMAR 6LPA-STP 315 HP V-drives, 4kw Onan gen, radar, gps, autopilot, bow&stern thrusters, sat tv
Mine didn't come with the tv option, and IMO it's nice to have the whole cabinet for storage.
I put the tv inside wall of port lounger back rest and bought a standard swivel leg then fabricated it to twice lenght. Easily can watch from dinette, vberth, head and turn out to the cabin door and even see the tv from swimming platform.
Here are some pics of my 19'' lcd+dvd player.
leg opened
seen from helm
seen from port lounger
from aft seat
I put the tv inside wall of port lounger back rest and bought a standard swivel leg then fabricated it to twice lenght. Easily can watch from dinette, vberth, head and turn out to the cabin door and even see the tv from swimming platform.
Here are some pics of my 19'' lcd+dvd player.
leg opened
seen from helm
seen from port lounger
from aft seat
Danny Troy
Member
Well, my 220DA is up for sale, on eBay now, and hopefully will be sold. I have the new boat narrowed down to a 2001 or newer 280 Sundancer. If anyone knows of a single screw 280 in the Northeast for sale (at a good price) please shoot me a PM. My lake is getting ready to pass a boat size limit, so the move up is now or never. Luckily, existing boats will be grandfathered in.
themikehyde
New Member
Danny, We are possibly looking to move up to a 340. I would love to set you up with an 01 280 repowered (2011) with 4.3's!
Tonka Boater
Well-Known Member
What price range are you looking at? 280's can range from $50k-$90k depending on the year, power and amenities.
Danny Troy
Member
My typical day boating consists of starting the engine and 10 minutes later dropping anchor. We remain there till it's time to go home, and run the engine another 10 minutes. A twin, with it's added maintenance, would not make sense for me.
As far as price range, I'm thinking 45k to about 60k, but if it were up to my wife, it would be closer to 45k.
