Which motor set-up

M

Msk4marshall

New Member
Jan 24, 2014
5
Charleston, WV
Boat Info
Looking at 280 Sundancers
Engines
Trying to decide.
Looking to purchase a 280 sundancer in next few weeks. Can't decide between twin 4.3s with alpha drives or the twin 5.0s with bravo3. Looking for unbiased opinions. Looking at 2003-2006 models.
 
I have the 4.3's and Alpha drives while my neieghbor has the 5.o'l and the BIII set up. More room in the ER to work on things. A little slower to get on plane but a little better on gas mileage. Another thing is the BIII's are more prone to corrosion.
 
Hi I have a 05 with 4.3s, when I was first looking I always told myself there was no substitute for cubic inches. Then a budy at the marina said let's go for a ride. I thought right this is fine. Sure it's not going to win many races but then I'm not in a rush. I've had as many 4 adults and 4 big kids on it and it got up on plane just fine. The alpha 1 gen2 drives seem pretty reliable so far. And are easy to maintain . I would certainly not turn down 5.0s but I would not limit my search to them ether.
 
I'll add that the B3's will give better slow speed maneuverability and the ability to stay on plane at a slower speed. But, with that said and the above, it really comes down to what YOU want the boat to do. The differences are pretty cut and dry and easy to figure out. But the way you use the boat and what you want it do for you is the variable - and only you can answer that one.
 
We had the 5.0s and the B3s and loved it. As mentioned maneuvering was great. I was burning an estimated 24-28 GPH running at about 3200 RPM for 28MPH (GPS). When you needed her to go, that power set up would blow some snot!
 
I'll burn roughly 8.5 gph per motor at 3200-3300 rpm runnign 28mph. Wide open I've hit 49mph with a light load. It does labor a bit to get on plane with a full load and many people on board but I rarely boat like that.
 
Ok, still looking. Many for sale out there. So this poses a new question. Is a salt-water boat that bad? I'll be 100% freshwater, and I am finding many on the coasts available.
 
It's all about the maintenance. Salt water is corrosive. However, I would not shy away from a properly maintained salt water boat. In salt water, proper zincs, working mercathodes and annual maintenance are required on the B3s. Just get a good survey including a full drive inspection.
 
The 280's are probably lift kept or High n Dried and not sitting the water all the time. With that being said I wouldn't (and didn't) hestiate to buy a slatwater boat as long as it's been maintained both mechanically and cleaned/waxed regularly.
 
As long as you do your due diligence, there's nothing wrong with a salt water boat. If it's good, it's good. Now, if only a cursory examination is done - then that could, playing the averages, pose more of a risk when buying a salt water boat than a fresh water boat.
 
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