Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[joandj1]

Re: Water in center of bilge and starboard

As far aft as the bilge goes on starboard side. Point well taken on the color of the lake water. I don't have any scientific evidence, but took it as evidence from other local boaters, including the previous owner. He is evenly surprised on the water inside bilge and equally confused by it. And oh good gosh, please don't tell me I have more than one leak. LOL. Regardless, I'm very OCD and the water isn't supposed to be there so I'm determined to find the source. LOL. Just would be nicer in warmer weather versus the current 25 degrees!!!

Where (specifically) are you seeing the water on the Starboard "shelf"? Also, how have you determined the bilge water is not lake water? Our lake does not have clear water at all. When I got lake water in my bilge, it appeared clear with no odor and there was really no way to tell the difference short of testing it for the presence of chlorine.

I troubleshot and fixed leaks from about 5 different sources for the first year I had my boat. These were leaks that might drip one drop every 20 minutes but I was determined to have a dry bilge. It takes a lot of patience, work and big time process of elimination, but it can be done.

 

[joandj1]

I have the normal entertainment center faucet that goes out the drain on starboard side. I also have the transom shower sprayer. It has the usual hot and cold controls, plus an indent to turn water on and off at actual sprayer.

Did you have the sprayer, or a faucet? My sprayer has to be held to be on.

 

[jason78]

Re: Water in center of bilge and starboard

As far aft as the bilge goes on starboard side.

So if I am understanding you, the water is up on the Starboard side near or under the trim pump and NOT on the floor of the bilge?

And oh good gosh, please don't tell me I have more than one leak. LOL.

Yes, you very well could. There are a ton of hose clamps that can leak when they come just a little loose. Also the Smartcraft depth finders are known to leak as well (that was a job!). The biggest leak repair I did by far was to completely reseal the rub rail. I was forced to do it after a RR leak in the cabin. I didnt want to mess with it again so resealed the whole thing. That also stopped water leaking in when I come off plane. Unless you come off plane at a snail's pace, you will get water in that way until you reseal.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Even though it's in a covered slip, can it still get rained on? Say a blowing wind? Since it wasn't pink this time, you've eliminated the source as anything onboard. It must be coming from outside. Highly doubt it's lake water simply because you went that first 3 or 4 weeks and nothing. Brings us back to possible rain. As mentioned, blower vents can be a culprit -- where is the blower mounted? One or two blowers?

Tape some paper towels along the shelf, abeamship - from where the shelf turns vertical towards the "trough" and then towards the hull side. Go up the hull side best you can, too. As far as forward/aft placement, put it about even with the front of the engine, give or take. This will at least tell you, when it leaks again, whether the water is coming from further forward -- if the towels show evidence of being wet, or further aft if they stay new looking. Sprinkling baby powder is another method.

You can simulate rain with a hose. I would start, though, by taking a good look at the blower vents/hoses/blower area.

 

[joandj1]

Re: Water in center of bilge and starboard

Correct, except it is on the floor of the bilge.....I guess what I'm calling the "trough". Between the two engines.

So if I am understanding you, the water is up on the Starboard side near or under the trim pump and NOT on the floor of the bilge?

 

[joandj1]

We've had some really strong storms during the summer with no water blowing in the slip to get in so I'm thinking it's not from any blowing winds / rain. In fact, I've had her out on the water during some of these storms and no water was coming in the vents. Maybe, just maybe, could I have a loose hose and just didn't notice the water coming in while draining? I wonder if I reinitiated my water pump, if I might see some pink at that point in the bilge??

Even though it's in a covered slip, can it still get rained on? Say a blowing wind? Since it wasn't pink this time, you've eliminated the source as anything onboard. It must be coming from outside. Highly doubt it's lake water simply because you went that first 3 or 4 weeks and nothing. Brings us back to possible rain. As mentioned, blower vents can be a culprit -- where is the blower mounted? One or two blowers?

Tape some paper towels along the shelf, abeamship - from where the shelf turns vertical towards the "trough" and then towards the hull side. Go up the hull side best you can, too. As far as forward/aft placement, put it about even with the front of the engine, give or take. This will at least tell you, when it leaks again, whether the water is coming from further forward -- if the towels show evidence of being wet, or further aft if they stay new looking. Sprinkling baby powder is another method.

You can simulate rain with a hose. I would start, though, by taking a good look at the blower vents/hoses/blower area.

 

[themikehyde]

Pictures really help!

 

[joandj1]

Pictures really help!

 

[Lazy Daze]

We've had some really strong storms during the summer with no water blowing in the slip to get in so I'm thinking it's not from any blowing winds / rain. In fact, I've had her out on the water during some of these storms and no water was coming in the vents. Maybe, just maybe, could I have a loose hose and just didn't notice the water coming in while draining? I wonder if I reinitiated my water pump, if I might see some pink at that point in the bilge??

If you're 100% certain that it's not outside water, then sure, maybe you just missed something. Since you've got pink in there right now, it would certainly help to track down a leak. For the sacrifice of a few more gallons of pink, it would probably be worth while to go ahead and test/activate/use and of the systems on the starboard side or any systems that have tubing run on the starboard side.

 

[jason78]

We've had some really strong storms during the summer with no water blowing in the slip to get in so I'm thinking it's not from any blowing winds / rain. In fact, I've had her out on the water during some of these storms and no water was coming in the vents. Maybe, just maybe, could I have a loose hose and just didn't notice the water coming in while draining? I wonder if I reinitiated my water pump, if I might see some pink at that point in the bilge??

This could very well be a Rub Rail screw or deck/hull joint leaking somewhere in the aft portion Starboard side. When it rains, water can get on the front of the boat, get behind the rub rail and run all the way down until it comes out a weep hole or through a void in the deck/hull caulk or through an unsealed screw hole. This would be more prevalent if the weep holes were clogged as they often are and if your boat was caulked under the RR as mine was, trapping the water behind the RR. You can clear the weep holes by hand with a small drill bit. They are located on the underside of the White plastic Rub Rail near the aft of the boat right where the RR turns to go across the transom and at the bow under the anchor.

If this is indeed your problem you will probably want to consider resealing, at a minimum the screw holes in that area. I decided to do my entire RR and every single screw hole. Glad I did because I found about a dozen screw holes that were not factory sealed. Luckily there was no damage but had the boat not always been in a covered slip the result could have been different.

I posted some pictures starting in Post #14 here- http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/65678-Rebedding-rails-and-cleats/page2

Here is what I did-

 

[Strecker25]

Hey all, hope its ok to post some pre-purchase questions here.

We're in upstate NY so the boating season is some ways off but I'm in the market for a small cruiser (25-28) and have come across a 2001 280DA listed at a good enough price to get me interested. It has ~500 hours, appears well equipped and in good shape (pictures only so far, no viewing just yet) but only has the MX6.2L MPI mated to a BIII

This boat will be almost exclusively used for a slow cruise to a nearby cove, anchoring, day lounging, and the very occasional cruise on lake Ontario to some nearby bays and rivers. I have read this this engine is underpowered for this hull but given it's usage and the pretty attractive price it may be worth a consideration. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this engine/hull combo, or even just the 6.2 in general.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[themikehyde]

Ryan,
The single vs twin debate will go on forever. Having had a 280 since 2009, I just cannot imagine this boat with a single, but we do a lot of cruising and I like the power, security and maneuverability of twins. I guess it is all in what you are looking to do. I know you are in the buyer mode, but you must think about the resale also?

Mike

 

[Strecker25]

Mike, thanks for the reply. Agreed on the resale, it will be our first cruiser and although the price is attractive now it is undoubtedly set where it is based on the powerplant package in the boat. Something to keep in mind for sure.

I'm thinking it can't hurt to give it a look and see if we can't get it on the water to see how a single feels. Luckily it's east of us and not west where there is 100+ inches of snow on the ground. Although a sea trial is never fun in sub 30* weather.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I would definitely go for a sea trial to make sure you are comfortable with the single. I am very happy with mine; however, it is an 8.1L. Power is no problem with mine, however, there are days I wish I had the maneuverability of twins but it does not outweigh the cost benefits for my boating style. Good luck with it.

Hey all, hope its ok to post some pre-purchase questions here.

We're in upstate NY so the boating season is some ways off but I'm in the market for a small cruiser (25-28) and have come across a 2001 280DA listed at a good enough price to get me interested. It has ~500 hours, appears well equipped and in good shape (pictures only so far, no viewing just yet) but only has the MX6.2L MPI mated to a BIII

This boat will be almost exclusively used for a slow cruise to a nearby cove, anchoring, day lounging, and the very occasional cruise on lake Ontario to some nearby bays and rivers. I have read this this engine is underpowered for this hull but given it's usage and the pretty attractive price it may be worth a consideration. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this engine/hull combo, or even just the 6.2 in general.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Clearview]

Gentlemen I'm looking for some help on my 2004 280 with twins 4.3's and 100 Hrs.

Nov 15 I was running along smooth as silk heading to have her pulled for indoor storage when one of the engines went dead, no alarms or anything just dead.
the other engine went to 2k rpm im guessing as a safety measure. The dead engine cranks fine so its not locked up but it just wont start. we put a fresh 20 of gas in changed the fuel filters which didn't look bad and still no go. The only sign I can see is that when you turn the switch to start theres no chirp like normal. As I said the other engine runs, chirps perfect. The indoor storage mechanic says it electrical. At $90 per hour he's hunting for gremlins this is going to hurt.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Tonka Boater]

Gentlemen I'm looking for some help on my 2004 280 with twins 4.3's and 100 Hrs.

Nov 15 I was running along smooth as silk heading to have her pulled for indoor storage when one of the engines went dead, no alarms or anything just dead.
the other engine went to 2k rpm im guessing as a safety measure. The dead engine cranks fine so its not locked up but it just wont start. we put a fresh 20 of gas in changed the fuel filters which didn't look bad and still no go. The only sign I can see is that when you turn the switch to start theres no chirp like normal. As I said the other engine runs, chirps perfect. The indoor storage mechanic says it electrical. At $90 per hour he's hunting for gremlins this is going to hurt.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

You might have better luck posting this in the general forums because it's not an issue that is specific to 280's necessarily. Non-280 owners don't tend to wander in here.

 

[Haddock_]

Hi

I'm new to this forum. Just have to say thanks for the enormity of this board and the seemingly endless knowledge...!

Anyway, long story short, considering moving up from my FW 258 Vista to a SR 280 DA. Have read about half this thread, so now feeling fairly competent and knowledgeable

I went to look at a potential boat today, twin 4.3's, 2004, no generator, rest fairly standard. Two items stand out I just have to ask about. There are VERY few 280's to look at where I live so dont have a lot to compare to at this point (actually this is the only one for sale for thousands of miles...).

The fresh water tank was sitting right where a generator would be. This confused me...(as an aside I happen to have a spare marine generator I was thinking I could install)...where is the fresh water tank normally placed and anyone have a good photos to show where and how it is installed?

Secondly, the seller talked about an "extended" camper canvas that was "new for 2004 models" that was slightly higher in the back than the normal camper canvas. I can't recall seeing any photos of this before, is it something anyone can confirm exists?

This actual boat needs some serious TLC to match my standards however I thought if I don't ask, I'll never learn

Thanks in advance,
Mike


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[Bama]

I don't know about the canvas question, but my fresh water tank is mounted starboard to the gen. Waste water is aft of that and also on starboard side hull. The real problem with the gen I think would be the panel rewire but maybe it's already there. In our usage conditions and climate here the only real issue to use the generator for is heat and cool. In other words absent a need for heat pump, I could do without it as we rarely use the appliances.

 

[Haddock_]

Many thanks!! Either ahead of the waste tank is a big space or...a second fresh water tank has been added. The install did not look "factory" either.

I need the generator because we always carry a lot of electronics...imagine iPads, phones, etc and we're usually out for a few days laying up on some random cove away from civilization and would need to charge up in order to keep refrigerator and lights going. Current boat we use solar panels...but sometimes it is cloudy...

Cheers


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[Loose Cannon]

Regarding the canvas question, there are different configurations available. One option is an aft curtain that angles down and does not allow as much usable space and another is a full camper top that uses an additional bimini and side curtains, creating a square/box look and providing more usable space and ability to fully use aft bench seat.