Used sundancer 280 buying advice

M

MikeyBoy111

New Member
Jul 6, 2015
4
Great Lakes, USA
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
We are new to the boating world and have researched the Sundancer 280 model...We were looking at a used 2003 or newer model. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for in that particular model? Any relevant advice is appreciated.

Mike
 
Your major decisions will be the propulsion you go with. One or two engines. 4.3 or 5.0. Outdrives B3 or Alpha. Also whether a generator is important to you. You will get a lot of opinions here on the best setup.
 
From 2003-2009 the biggest differences were cosmetic. As the years went on, the finishes got nicer and more modern with 05-up being a pretty big improvement in a couple areas over the 03-04 model. Below is a copy of a list I posted in another thread a while back in response to a similar question. As Jim stated, your biggest choice to make is going to be propulsion package. Once you decide on Single vs. Twin then you have to weigh the pros and cons between V8 vs V6.

Here is the post I mentioned-

"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"
 
MikeyBoy111 said:
We are new to the boating world and have researched the Sundancer 280 model...We were looking at a used 2003 or newer model. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for in that particular model? Any relevant advice is appreciated.

Mike
Click to expand...
Definitely want to go with twin engine, never thought about the generator. I guess I don't plan on being anchored out for extended periods of time, mainly day trips up and down the West coast of Lake Michigan.
 
"Great Lakes" is an awful lot of territory....will you be winterizing/shutting down or planning to do some cold weather boating? How hot are your summers? If you want reliable heat and/or air conditioning while offshore, consider one with a marine generator and heat/air unit installed.

Some Great Lakes/northeast/northwest folks on here don't have it and aren't bothered, but I really dislike the heat so definitely would want those amenities even if I lived farther north.
 
MikeyBoy111 said:
Definitely want to go with twin engine, never thought about the generator. I guess I don't plan on being anchored out for extended periods of time, mainly day trips up and down the West coast of Lake Michigan.
Click to expand...
Where you located? I've got a very nice 2005 280DA w/twin 5.0 that I'm going to sell. I've recently become a two boat owner and it has to go.
 
To the OP. Are you new to boating or just to a 280?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Here it is MikeyBoy, twin 5.0, camper canvas and slantback canvas, Eagle trailer
'05 280DA, Eagle Trailer.jpg
 
Woody,
Interested in your 280 Sundancer if it's for sale...do you have more info, pic's, price etc...?

KRS
 
Just my .02 worth having made the journey from smaller to bigger boats.....

Definitely the twins for obvious reasons, and I believe you can't have to much power. I would definitely get a boat with a generator. I'm sure like us in Colorado, you have a limited season. Having heat and ac puts us on the boat earlier, and later - helping to extend our season. Having ac out on the water, turns the hot days into boating days - giving us more days on the water. I don't know your boating preference, but we'll often take friends with kids, who play with out kids - and we'll use a decent amount of boat power while on the hook.....cooking, fridge, bathroom, stereo etc - having a genny allows for all of that, plus ac or heat - without worrying about killing the batteries and getting stuck.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,237
Messages
1,429,058
Members
61,119
Latest member
KenBoat
Back
Top