Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[LiL Nauti]

Thanks to all for the responses... Couldn't find anything wrong, mechanic came over, started the gen, put it under load for 15 min and it ran like a champ! Go figure. He said prolly air in the line and it worked itself through. Going out today, knock on wood! Thanks again all!

Kevin

Lmao, took it out last weekend and tried to run the Gen again, and the darn thing ran for 1 minute and cut off. Guess I ask them to replace the plug and fuel filter... B-O-A-T Sheesh.

Kevin

 

[JimFromMD]

I think you are going to be in a similar situation even with the 300 or maybe even a 320, depending on the size of waves. If it is a major concern, you may want to look at something without an extended swim platform and instead an integrated platform which would not have that issue.

I have an 05 300 and have experienced the blow hole effect but very rarely. It takes a rolling series of good 8-10 inch waves or more to really get us rocking fore and aft before it happens. I don't anchor in those conditions often. Occasionally happens in a wide open anchorage without speed zone or like if we are out waiting in the channel for fireworks or something like that. Far less of a concern than I think is being made of it in my opinion/experience.

I can't imagine the boat without the platform and have had many folks comment that they wish their boat came with one similar by default.

 

[alwhite00]

I have an 05 300 and have experienced the blow hole effect but very rarely. It takes a rolling series of good 8-10 inch waves or more to really get us rocking fore and aft before it happens. I don't anchor in those conditions often. Occasionally happens in a wide open anchorage without speed zone or like if we are out waiting in the channel for fireworks or something like that. Far less of a concern than I think is being made of it in my opinion/experience.

I can't imagine the boat without the platform and have had many folks comment that they wish their boat came with one similar by default.

Obviously I love the platforms but you think they could put it a little higher. 8-10 inch waves is glass on Lake Huron / Saginaw bay.

On a side note what is the headroom under the arch, in the head and in the cabin?

 

[JimFromMD]

Obviously I love the platforms but you think they could put it a little higher. 8-10 inch waves is glass on Lake Huron / Saginaw bay.

On a side note what is the headroom under the arch, in the head and in the cabin?

Same thing happens with my dads 87 270 and sisters 233 wellcraft eclipse with integrated platform. Both are higher. I think platforms for cruisers aren't designed to be anchored in big waves.

Are you asking for those measurements on a 280 or 300?

 

[alwhite00]

Heights on a 280. - I can't believe that all boats are not designed to be anchored in waves. (They should be)

 

[JimT]

As mentioned above, the height of the swim platform on the 280DA varies greatly based on the engine and other installed equipment. I have seen boats with a single 496 with alpha one drives and no genny with 12" plus of clearance between the platform and the water. Add twin 5.0s with B3s, closed water cooling and a genny and the platform will be sitting in the water. I found the blowhole effect to be a minor annoyance.

 

[saopm]

Is there any way to adjust the water pressure when connected to the dock supply spigot? My pressure seems pretty week compared to the pump. I assume there is a pressure regulator. Where is it and is there an adjustment screw?

 

[Tonka Boater]

As mentioned above, the height of the swim platform on the 280DA varies greatly based on the engine and other installed equipment. I have seen boats with a single 496 with alpha one drives and no genny with 12" plus of clearance between the platform and the water. Add twin 5.0s with B3s, closed water cooling and a genny and the platform will be sitting in the water. I found the blowhole effect to be a minor annoyance.

This is true... I had an '08 280DA with a single 496 and a gennie and my bottom of my platform sat about 6" from the water. There were 4 other 280DA's at my marina and the height of the platform varied greatly. Some were at the waterline at the dock while one other had more clearance than mine. It ranges for 0" to 8" in my observations.

 

[Danny Troy]

Lmao, took it out last weekend and tried to run the Gen again, and the darn thing ran for 1 minute and cut off. Guess I ask them to replace the plug and fuel filter... B-O-A-T Sheesh.

Kevin

The Kohler is a 2 cylinder engine. Don't forget the rear plug!

Koler Genset 5E Spark Plugs: (NGK) BPR-4ES gap: .028-.032

 

[alwhite00]

This is true... I had an '08 280DA with a single 496 and a gennie and my bottom of my platform sat about 6" from the water. There were 4 other 280DA's at my marina and the height of the platform varied greatly. Some were at the waterline at the dock while one other had more clearance than mine. It ranges for 0" to 8" in my observations.

On a side note, How did it perform with a load of passengers & fuel? What drive did you have?

 

[joandj1]

With the Heat / Air Conditioning on, is the fan supposed to run continuously even when the compressor isn't running? Little history: My thermostat wouldn't illuminate "cold" on for some reason. It wasn't working at all. No water coming out. "Heat" would come on though. After a couple of days, the "cold" button began to work again. I've been afraid to turn it off as our summer isn't anywhere near being over. That being said, I can adjust the temperature up and down which will initiate / disengage the compressor. But the fan stays on, non-stop. Is this normal?

 

[JimT]

You can set the controller so that fan will only run when the compressor is on. The SMX II manual on pages 9-10 show you how to set it that way. I tried to cut and paste the link but the link won't paste here.

 

[MichaelRaasch]

Anyone with the 2005 body style - not sure what years. Does the swim platform slap the water when anchored in waves? It seems close to the water and my extended platform does that and water sprays out the vents. Just curious if these boats have the same issue.

I have the 05' 280...There is only one thing I like about the swim platform sitting so low...its so low that I can get up on it without using the ladder. Everything else about it I HATE.
1. Its to low when stepping onto it from the dock or slip.
2. Its not as wide as the boat...Regal and FourWinns makes theres the full width of the boat. Sea Ray shorted it buy at least 6" on each side.
3. The stupid miny step that they provide is rediculas but that's what you have to use when side loading from the dock.
4. The blow hole effect is retarded.
5. Did they test this swimplatform before they installed it.
6. Because of 1, 2, 3, and 5 above my wife broke her leg and its taking 10 months to heal.
7. I dislike this swim platform so much that I've considered selling the boat and getting a different boat from a manufacturer that knows how to make one correctly.

 

[scoflaw]

I know the platform sucks, but this guy really hates it, agree, won't buy another 1

 

[alwhite00]

I'm looking at the 98-01 290's for this very reason. I already live with all of the issues you spoke of with my aftermarket platform and don't think I want to do it again. I really like the rest of the boat (280's ) other than that damn platform.

 

[MichaelRaasch]

I'm looking at the 98-01 290's for this very reason. I already live with all of the issues you spoke of with my aftermarket platform and don't think I want to do it again. I really like the rest of the boat (280's ) other than that damn platform.

I had a 04' 260 which has similar platform as 290 and 270. It definnetly sits higher and out of the water. What I don't like about the 260/270/290 platform is that it uses the little sand particles in the gel coat as your traction pad compared to the 280 which actually has cross-cuts in the fiberglass. The cross-cuts do provide more traction as I slipped a couple times on my 260.

I am actually having carpet made right now to snap onto the swim platform and the mini steps on both sides. I will be covering right over the blow hole as well. Because it sits so low in the water it will probably be wet all the time...but will provide more traction to keep my wife and I from slipping and falling.

 

[Woody]

We have to enter over the side at our marina. We dislike that little step too. That side loading is further aggravated by the fluctuating water level, in a couple years we've gone from way too low, to now way to high. We actually like the swim platform being low, we do a lot of swimming and diving off it...it's full of people all summer long. At some marinas it actually matches up well...a normal sized step down to the platform like in this pic at Cinder Pond Marina in Marquette, MI. Ya the blow hole has caught me soaking my feet while dressed in regular clothes but I usually move in time when I see the right waves coming.:smt043
View attachment 37045

 

[TheBigb]

Yea I never really thought too much about it... I had a 240 prior to the 280 and it had a molded platform but obviously not as big. Depending on the tide I use the side of the boat or the platform to get on. The blow hole can be annoying if there are waves and your just sitting. My biggest thing is how low it sits I'm the water. On mine, it's basically always in the water. The water line leaves the scum on it every week. But overall I like it.

 

[Tonka Boater]

On a side note, How did it perform with a load of passengers & fuel? What drive did you have?

I had the 496 with BIII and and gennie it performed exceptionally well. It would take a little longer to get on plane if we had more than 6 heavy adults but otherwise I found the 496 to be more than enough power. With 4-6 people I never once had a problem getting on plane and the BIII handled great around the dock. I found it to be a great package for the 280.

 

[alwhite00]

I had the 496 with BIII and and gennie it performed exceptionally well. It would take a little longer to get on plane if we had more than 6 heavy adults but otherwise I found the 496 to be more than enough power. With 4-6 people I never once had a problem getting on plane and the BIII handled great around the dock. I found it to be a great package for the 280.

Good info, thanks . i have not looked more than.a passing glance.if it had a single. more to chew on..... i just need to get over the swim platform issues and that will be tough.