Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Woody said:
I agree with you that 25hrs is too much for one drive and I read it as though it was his savings for the work he did on both drives....you can read it anyway you want though.
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I find it amazing how some shops are really slow and others are really fast. I like to work with a specific mechanic, and on "known" jobs get a quote. Once I just told them to fix it and $7K later......

While I would really let someone else do the work, I'll do it myself if I am worried about his skills or he is just too slow. If one factors in the travel time (trailer or driving to), and the hassle just talking with the marina, there's a lot of jobs that are much faster doing them yourself.

Another thought (which I do a lot) is have a boat "handy man" for the common items... plugs, manifolds, filters, belts etc.
 
Just bought a 2003, 280 Dancer, but posted it in the "cruisers" section as I thought it more appropriate. If you have a chance, read it and comment... thanks!
 
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Hi,

Has anyone found a better shower solution for the bathroom, I find the shower head is a bit too long the water falls near the front of the sink instead of the back which leads to water getting splashed outside the basin when washing hands etc. I am thinking of either swapping out for a shorter shower head (maybe also new taps), or putting in a separate shower but I am not sure I want the shower hose hanging around loose rather than tucked away under the tap.

Anthony
 
aquaaddiction said:
Hi,

Has anyone found a better shower solution for the bathroom, I find the shower head is a bit too long the water falls near the front of the sink instead of the back which leads to water getting splashed outside the basin when washing hands etc. I am thinking of either swapping out for a shorter shower head (maybe also new taps), or putting in a separate shower but I am not sure I want the shower hose hanging around loose rather than tucked away under the tap.

Anthony
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I put a single handle / single faucet in mine and couldn't be happier. I had the same issues as you. I would never shower in there anyways. It looks like this but chrome. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Straight-St...310966?hash=item48897cecb6:g:rnYAAOSwsB9WDMR9
 
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alwhite00 said:
I put a single handle / single faucet in mine and couldn't be happier. I had the same issues as you. I would never shower in there anyways.
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Thanks but I want to keep a shower too as we do use it. I am starting to think that regular faucet over the basin and then a seperate mixer control (maybe near the pumpout key) linked to a recessed pull out shower head like this

k2-_0420e597-fdba-4112-ac27-438f7b040a9f.v2.jpg

might be a better solution than a faucet that pulls out into a shower.

Anthony
 
Greetings from Georgia!
First post - - New 280 DA owner.
Have read through about 150 pages of this thread so far! What a wealth of knowledge!
Purchased last month...low hours (172 on both engines & 210 on Gen).
Results of survey helped me negotiate what I had ahead of me.
Currently in the shop...bottom paint, compounding, wax/buff, gelcoat repair, Engine & Gen Service and replacing both Out Drives (unexpected, even after survey). And new SeaGrass ordered for cockpit and swim platform!
Hopefully she will be like a new boat when I get her back later this week!
I look forward to using this great resource.
May post some stupid questions (I will indeed search prior to posting however!), so bare with me!
(If I can figure out how to post some photos, I will show why I needed the new outer drives. :grin:)
 
RWAGS said:
Greetings from Georgia!
First post - - New 280 DA owner.
Have read through about 150 pages of this thread so far! What a wealth of knowledge!
Purchased last month...low hours (172 on both engines & 210 on Gen).
Results of survey helped me negotiate what I had ahead of me.
Currently in the shop...bottom paint, compounding, wax/buff, gelcoat repair, Engine & Gen Service and replacing both Out Drives (unexpected, even after survey). And new SeaGrass ordered for cockpit and swim platform!
Hopefully she will be like a new boat when I get her back later this week!
I look forward to using this great resource.
May post some stupid questions (I will indeed search prior to posting however!), so bare with me!
(If I can figure out how to post some photos, I will show why I needed the new outer drives. :grin:)
Click to expand...

I'm in the same situation, got an 03 280 Dancer a few weeks ago, and yes, asking stupid questions. Still have a bunch of unanswered ones.... still learning.

I've budgeted for new drives and will do the Sterndrive Engineering ones, if you get same, would appreciate a report. And, yes would like to see your pix why your changed.

I've been reluctant to rely on surveyors for much good info as they don't have the speciality knowledge to dig into systems. I got a few specialist to do that and hope I came out ok. So far, so good... got gen pretty much OH'd, new radio and a few other things done. Will add new seat upholstery and top canvas and should look like new.

Pulled one drive that wasn't serviced last summer and replaced the water pump (which looked pretty good), but got a feel for the drive condition which wasn't too bad.
 
Seevee, yes I am going with the SEI's. Replacing both drives, which will be less than half of one Merc drive. 3 Year Warranty and my mechanic has installed a ton over the years and spoke highly of them.

Two days after I closed, on my maiden voyage, leaving the slip I lost my starboard reverse. Got her back in the slip, she sat there until she was pulled last week for service. First photo I received from shop was below. Apparently previous owner had not pulled boat out in over 3 years. I knew from survey I had heavy corrosion, and needed to budget for replacements in year or so, but didn't anticipate the drive blowing out. My intention was to have both drives just refurbished until this happened. Actually glad it happened when it did, as I will have peace of mind when heading out now. Decided to replace both upper and lowers.

Also had bottom paint done, second photo is before and after.



 
RWAGS said:
Seevee, yes I am going with the SEI's. Replacing both drives, which will be less than half of one Merc drive. 3 Year Warranty and my mechanic has installed a ton over the years and spoke highly of them.

Two days after I closed, on my maiden voyage, leaving the slip I lost my starboard reverse. Got her back in the slip, she sat there until she was pulled last week for service. First photo I received from shop was below. Apparently previous owner had not pulled boat out in over 3 years. I knew from survey I had heavy corrosion, and needed to budget for replacements in year or so, but didn't anticipate the drive blowing out. My intention was to have both drives just refurbished until this happened. Actually glad it happened when it did, as I will have peace of mind when heading out now. Decided to replace both upper and lowers.

Also had bottom paint done, second photo is before and after.
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You probably did better just getting the new ones rather than OH the old ones. The cost of OH could easily exceed the new cost. The corrosion looks bad, was this a saltwater boat?

Are you also changing bellows and other stuff? Are you getting new props, too? Keep us posted.
 
Seevee said:
You probably did better just getting the new ones rather than OH the old ones. The cost of OH could easily exceed the new cost. The corrosion looks bad, was this a saltwater boat?

Are you also changing bellows and other stuff? Are you getting new props, too? Keep us posted.
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Fresh Water Boat. Amazing how the the electrolysis at the marina does a number on these! Bellows looked good, props were actually in perfect shape. New drives were installed today. I had a ton of stuff done on the boat while in for service:
1) Drives Replaced
2) Yearly Engines and Gen Service
3) Compound, Buff, Wax and Eisenglass Buff
4) Bottom Paint
5) Various Gel Coat repairs
6) Under Swim Platform LED's Installed
7) New Engine Compartment Gas Shocks Replaced

Scheduled to splash back in the water tomorrow!

Here are a few photos... Before and Afters on bottom paint. Also removed old weathered pinstripe above the Gunwale and removed the white waterline stripe.





 
RWAGS said:
Fresh Water Boat. Amazing how the the electrolysis at the marina does a number on these! Bellows looked good, props were actually in perfect shape. New drives were installed today. I had a ton of stuff done on the boat while in for service:
1) Drives Replaced
2) Yearly Engines and Gen Service
3) Compound, Buff, Wax and Eisenglass Buff
4) Bottom Paint
5) Various Gel Coat repairs
6) Under Swim Platform LED's Installed
7) New Engine Compartment Gas Shocks Replaced

Scheduled to splash back in the water tomorrow!

Here are a few photos... Before and Afters on bottom paint. Also removed old weathered pinstripe above the Gunwale and removed the white waterline stripe.





Click to expand...

Congrats RWAGS! I have an 07 280 Dancer and love it!
Do you have pics of the Under Swim Platform LED's Installed?

Enjoy!
 
Can anyone tell me what are the correct plugs these days for the 4.3l motors? I know originally they were AC 41-932 and then were switched to AC 41-933 but now NAPA is telling me the plugs were switched again. I wanted to make sure I was getting the right ones.
 
Bucit said:
It won't let me log in?
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Don't you just love web sites that make it a ***** to log in to buy their products!

Hard to trust a mechanic, unless they really know.

I called the NGT tech rep and got this info for the 4.3 MPI engine:

From NGT tech support: NGK TR55ix, stock 7164
Iridium (takes less voltage because, and more resistant to erosion,
Nickel: TR55 cheaper but not fine wire, but also good.
He suggested changing annually.

Give me a pm, you're in my area and have some questions for you.
 
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