Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Haddock_]

Load it up as you would use it for the sea trial. Full fuel tank and water tank and the number of people you'd generally have on board. If it doesn't perform as you like then you can back out. I know you'd then lose money on a survey and adding fuel to the tank. But you won't be the first to do that.

Another general tip to consider, adding to the above is that if you primarily boat in fresh water, due to the difference in bouyancy, the boat will behave as if it is like 10-15% heavier, needing more power to plane and top speed. At least, that is my experience and 2c.


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[skimaxum]

SkiMaxum,
I guess that is about what I have seen the single engines go for. Lowest I could do is 40, since its under brokerage. Mine was repaired in 2012, with around 100 hours now. Is 160 the original hours? That seems extremely low.
Mike

It is original hours. Supposedly a divorce a few years back. It looks brand new. I do know it was winterized early year before last and never used since. My buddy here had one with the 7.4 and it scoots along pretty good. Most of the time, I will be cruising around the creeks. I am in Aquia and the furthest I would go is colonial beach. So, I don't need to have too much but I would like to pull the kids on a tube or something. One other thing I have heard is problems with cabin door and several thousands to fix.. Has anyone had this problem? Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

[jason78]

It is original hours. Supposedly a divorce a few years back. It looks brand new. I do know it was winterized early year before last and never used since. My buddy here had one with the 7.4 and it scoots along pretty good. Most of the time, I will be cruising around the creeks. I am in Aquia and the furthest I would go is colonial beach. So, I don't need to have too much but I would like to pull the kids on a tube or something. One other thing I have heard is problems with cabin door and several thousands to fix.. Has anyone had this problem? Thanks for the comments everyone!

If you plan to putt around and rarely try to plane off to cruising speed, the single 6.2 might be fine for you. If you plan to carry passengers, cruise, and especially do watersports, I think you are making a mistake. After owning one of these boats with the Twin 5.0 V8 option for nearly 6 years and having the chance to operate a Twin V6 model to compare on several occasions, I am certain that I would not want anything less that what I have, definitely not a single 6.2. If for nothing else, planing purposes. It should be said though, plenty of people have been satisfied with the Twin V6 and Single 496 option as well. If you are wanting a single engine, I would focus on the 496.

I don't know what price point you are trying to be at but CSR user "themikehyde" has a nice Twin V6 model that I think is still available. Mine is for sale also but several years newer than what you are looking at so may be beyond where you want to be price wise. Good Luck!

 

[Craigalan]

For what its worth, I have a 270 with a single 7.4 350. It has no problems at all with full tank and 4 adults.

 

[Shtmetal]

The cabin door can be a problem. You have to be very careful with it. Do not walk up the steps without the door being fully closed. Dont let the door rock back and forth when anchored out. Mine came off track and it was over$2000 for repairs.

 

[Tonka Boater]

...plenty of people have been satisfied with the Twin V6 and Single 496 option as well. If you are wanting a single engine, I would focus on the 496.

I can second the 496 as a viable option. My 280DA had the singe 496 and it had a ton of power. We never had a problem getting on plane with a full load of fuel, water and crew.

 

[Hai Nhi]

Greetings everyone.

I'm so sad today. We were getting ready to go for a day trip out to Angel island - and Sausalito. When I started engines to double check before leaving, Port side engine cranked but wouldnt start.

I checked the carburetor and it's dry so no fuel pumped there.

Some quick research showed that it might be the fuel pump. There's one right outside of the gas tank. This is the small cylinder shape . But tracing the line leading to the carburetor, I also see one box seemed to be some type of pump too at bottom right (port) of the engine covered by some casing/covers. Which is the correct one?

I checked my included manuals and can't seem to find the diagram of which/where/what things are. . What I'm trying to accomplish is: take this opportunity to get to know more about the boat electrical system and engines. Learn more about troubleshooting basic to immediate problems to service, tune-up Etc.

Oh, when turn switch on, pumps seem to work because of the regular/normal start up noise.

Please advice.

Thank you.

 

[btyman11]

I would think the 496 would be best for a single. For me I went with the twin 4.3s. I really couldnt imagine docking a 280 with a single being easy. Especially with some current or wind.

 

[themikehyde]

The 280 is not bad to dock with a single. Had to a few times when we would loose one for whatever reason. Luckily, there was no current or wind. I would rather dock on one, then get towed home! One concern I would have in buying a 280 with a single would be the resale/resalability?

 

[Tonka Boater]

I would think the 496 would be best for a single. For me I went with the twin 4.3s. I really couldnt imagine docking a 280 with a single being easy. Especially with some current or wind.

The 280 is not bad to dock with a single. Had to a few times when we would loose one for whatever reason. Luckily, there was no current or wind. I would rather dock on one, then get towed home! One concern I would have in buying a 280 with a single would be the resale/resalability?

Docking a 280 with a single is like anything else when it comes to boats...it's tricky the first few times but you get better the more you do it. The one thing I loved about the 280 was that the pivot point was about the same location as the helm and the 280 is an easy boat to "feel"...meaning it's very responsive and the lag between throttle input is minimal. The pivot point might be different with twins but either way, once you find it and once you get a feel for the boat it is really easy to maneuver in tight quarters and in wind/current.

As for resale...they sell quite easily on inland waters. There are very few twins in our neck of the woods because the single is an ideal power option up here and they are much less expensive to maintain.

 

[RV8Driver]

Hello all,

First of all, thank you all for your time spent in this forum. I am looking at buying a 280 and this forum has been a great resource. Specifically, I am looking at the '05 to '07 models, but may have an opportunity on a nice looking '04. Can anyone tell me what changed in 05 from the 04.
I can see that the pleats in the dinette changed to smooth, but that is all I can see. Are there some substantial differences in equipment and or systems?

Looking forward to being a real owner!

 

[jason78]

Hello all,

First of all, thank you all for your time spent in this forum. I am looking at buying a 280 and this forum has been a great resource. Specifically, I am looking at the '05 to '07 models, but may have an opportunity on a nice looking '04. Can anyone tell me what changed in 05 from the 04.
I can see that the pleats in the dinette changed to smooth, but that is all I can see. Are there some substantial differences in equipment and or systems?

Looking forward to being a real owner!

There were quite a few cosmetic changes between 04 and 05. The pleated seating went away for 05, the galley faucet and cabinet knobs went from Chrome/brass to Brushed Nickel, the cockpit sink went from a sprayer nozzle to a regular faucet, the Sea Ray stitching went from Gold to Silver and the terribly designed 3 cup holder above the port lounger went to a 3 ring chrome holder, the TV went from tube/VCR to a flat LCD/DVD. I believe the 05 was the first year for the solid wood dinette tables as well. I think prior years had a corian/wood table. The vinyl changed from an off white to Arctic white. The bilge Gelcoat also went from Gray to White. Also if you are looking at a boat with Bravo 3 drives, the 2005 will have the newer style Bravo 3 drives. All of the 04 Sea Rays I have ever seen have the older Bravo 3 but I am sure some are out there with the newer. For all those reasons, I focused on an 05-08 when I was looking for mine.

Some of these dates may be a little off but- In 06, the Dark Cherry cabinets went to a lighter shade. In 07 the cockpit sink got corian and an assist handle was added to the cabin entry. In 08 more decorative faucets were added and and the head sink got corian. The vinyl was changed to 2-tone (Tan/Arctic white) 09 the forward cabin cabinets were redesigned and a larger TV was added.

 

[themikehyde]

I am glad they changed the cockpit sprayer to a faucet. If ours does not sell, that is a change I will make. I am also glad they changed that stupid plastic drink holder in front of the port lounger. I would love to change that to the newer design. I feel these are two weaknesses of the older 280's. Anyone updated these two items on their older 280? I think the faucet will be pretty easy. I am not sure how to make the port lounger drink holder look right. I am worried about the nuts underneath. I do not want to have to pull the headliner down.
Mike

 

[jason78]

I am glad they changed the cockpit sprayer to a faucet. If ours does not sell, that is a change I will make. I am also glad they changed that stupid plastic drink holder in front of the port lounger. I would love to change that to the newer design. I feel these are two weaknesses of the older 280's. Anyone updated these two items on their older 280? I think the faucet will be pretty easy. I am not sure how to make the port lounger drink holder look right. I am worried about the nuts underneath. I do not want to have to pull the headliner down.
Mike

Mike, of course the cockpit faucet would be a relatively easy change. But as you said, you would have to remove or cut and patch the headliner to install the new cup holder. I think between the 04 to 05 model years had the most significant changes. After 05 it was a minor cosmetic improvement or two every year.

 

[RV8Driver]

Anybody have Ideas how the gelcoat in the bottom center of the engine room could crack and start peeling as in this picture? The dark copper color is the fiberglass of the hull. Anyone heard of this before?

I'm looking at this boat as a potential purchase and wanted to know if this is something serious or not a big deal. Other than the chipped gelcoat, the engine room is very clean. Only 90 hours on the engines.

 

[JimT]

The gel coat on my 280DA chipped in the same place but not to that extent. I repaired it and then painted with bilgecoat. I would not consider exposed fiberglass between the stringers to be cosmetic. Insist that the cost of repair be deducted from the purchase price.

 

[Bucit]

My 2005 did the same thing. I believe a lot of Sea Ray's do this. Why, I don't know but I've talked to many owners (280's, 340's and even bigger) that have had this problem. Maybe these boats were built on a Monday or Friday?

 

[Danny Troy]

the terribly designed 3 cup holder above the port lounger went to a 3 ring chrome holder

Didn't know that. I cracked mine and repaired it and didn't want to replace it, for fear of cracking it again. Now I have an upgrade to do next season. I thought I ran out of things to do :smt038

 

[Brian 59]

The gel coat on my 280DA chipped in the same place but not to that extent. I repaired it and then painted with bilgecoat. I would not consider exposed fiberglass between the stringers to be cosmetic. Insist that the cost of repair be deducted from the purchase price.

Jim, i am starting to see that flake off in the center as well. What "repairs" did you or will i have to make before the bilgekote goes on ?

 

[ajcjr]

Hello,

Newbie here, before i posted i wanted to make sure this is this the correct place to ask about a 14 or 15 280, i am looking into getting into one and had some questions.

thank you