Review of 2015 Sea Ray Sundancer 280 gets attention but no help

[ajcjr]

So i was sent a one year ownership to review my boat which is a 15 280 Dancer with a single 350.

So before i bought the boat i asked questions on the thread below:

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...wer-for-the-new-sundancer-280?highlight=ajcjr

IN the survey i explained up to the minute before signing the papers i wanted the bigger motor but was assured it would be fine with what i wanted to do by the salesman at Marine Max. But i felt it was not, (may be its fine with 2 people on it) add 4 more people, gas, cooler etc the boat is a dog and needs high revs to keep it going and forget about it in rough water.

I checked off i wouldnt recommend the boat to anyone and that i was extremely unhappy with its performance. I sent in the negative survey over a weekend and monday morning i get a call from marine max saying they want to help me out (new manager was very nice). I love Sea Rays but it seems they are not worried about there customers because i have yet to hear from anyone at Sea Ray, just the dealer.

So as an update the dealer is trying to do the right thing and help me out

 

[Debt-icated]

Interesting review. My wife and I have a '12 280 with the 350 and find its performance very acceptable.

 

[Seevee]

AC,

Sorry for your problem. Did you get the chance to demo it prior to purchase? When I demo one, I load it up.

That's the 6.2L 350? If so, should be a reasonable choice for a ~8200lb boat. Reasonable would be planing in no more than 15 sec, full fuel and 4 people with gear. Should be able to comfortably cruise on plane in the ~3200 rpms or so.

I demo'd a 310 Chaparral Signature, with a pair of similar engines and didn't get out of it's own way, just like I thought. Would have bought, if it performed.

Marinemax should make you happy without costing you much, perhaps the engine price difference would be fair, but installed at their expense.

 

[Ididntdoit]

What about trying new props - there are 4 blade front and rear props as well as "cupped" and/or shallower pitched props available.....they could make a big difference - how about consulting tabman on the tabs. Also, has a tech been on the boat to make sure its running up to spec? reaching the proper RPMs? Just because the boat was "new" doesn't mean something wasn't "right" out of the factory. Could the drive be the wrong ratio? Was the bottom clean? are the trim "celery sticks" in the correct position? - Just shooting from the hip here, but I bet by verifying proper operation and tweeking the above, you can greatly improve your boats performance......should you have to? - no - but it beats the alternative....

 

[Bay B's]

+1 on propping. 4 or 5-blade (at proper pitch for WOT range under your normal load) for whole shot and mid-cruise.

 

[Vince_nj1]

My first boat was a 1979 26 foot sundancer with single 350 (260hp). I feel your pain. That boat was so under powered. If I had 5 or 6 adults on it, I would need to have 2 people go down stairs and sit in the v-berth so I could get on plane. I always tried to keep the gas and water tanks less than 1/2 full to manage the weight. I also had a never ending overheating issue, even after a complete re-power (engine, transom and drive). That engine was working hard and couldn't get enough water to cool. Sorry you are having similar issues. Searay makes great boats, but I am surprised when they configure a 28ft boat with a single 350hp. I remember a few years ago at a boat show they had a 45 footer with twin gas. I just don't get it. :huh:

 

[ajcjr]

Tech checked it out and different props were not recommended, its just alot of boat for the small motor. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Bay B's]

I have to throw the BS flag on your tech. Moving from a 3-blade to a 4 or 5-blade will make a huge difference out of the whole and planing will be more "controllable". I ran a Mercury HighFive on two single engine boats I owned and highly recommend you give one a try. It also has the PVS system for even more tweaking. You will not be disappointed. I currently run 4-blade on twins and I'm telling you moving from 3-blade, it is a night and day performance difference (in a very good way).

 

[Ididntdoit]

+1 - get a new tech - talk to a prop shop (that is familiar with everything available for bravo IIIs) yourself - you CAN improve the performance of your boat. I get that your really turned off by the situation but you didn't take the advice offered on the original thread (and subsequently ended up regretting it) don't make the same mistake again....we are trying to help you.

 

[Bay B's]

Just realized you are running a BIII, ajcjr, sorry for pushing props that don't apply to you! Changing pitch will help you for your heavier load scenario.

 

[ajcjr]

No problem, i tried the pitch and it does help a little but when you are in conditions that are changing or rough it doesnt seem to