Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Hey Guys,

I have a weird question regarding a tv in the cabin. I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong place or if there is already an answer to this question somewhere else as I am new to these forums. Right now, I am able to play the tv and watch DVD's without the use of a generator. Unfortunately, because the boat does not have power from a generator, I am unable to use a digital converter for the TV to be able to watch cable television. Do they make a battery powered digital converter that you can use with the TV to be able to show cable without direct power from a genny or hookup? Or is there any other methods?

Thanks in advance
 
PeteL said:
I sent the findings of the survey to my local mechanic to check his opinion and to see if the 5k is close to getting the significant repairs completed. If he is good, or close, then I will close the deal this afternoon.
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Signed the paperwork.. All over but the closing
 
Deverleth said:
Hey Guys,

I have a weird question regarding a tv in the cabin. I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong place or if there is already an answer to this question somewhere else as I am new to these forums. Right now, I am able to play the tv and watch DVD's without the use of a generator. Unfortunately, because the boat does not have power from a generator, I am unable to use a digital converter for the TV to be able to watch cable television. Do they make a battery powered digital converter that you can use with the TV to be able to show cable without direct power from a genny or hookup? Or is there any other methods?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
So if you're not on shore power and no generator the only other way you can convert 110ac to 12v dc is through an inverter. There are two types a permanent one that is directly connected to your house battery. The other is a portable one that generally connects into the 12v cigarette lighter. However, keep in mind that these will draw a significant amount of power off of your Portside batteries.
 
Captn TJ said:
Got them from my Marinemax dealer (not a stock item they had to order them) about .65/piece
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Did they identify a part number on your invoice? It’s usually easier when I have part numbers for our local dealer. Thanks.[/QUOTE]
 
Deverleth said:
Hey Guys,

I have a weird question regarding a tv in the cabin. I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong place or if there is already an answer to this question somewhere else as I am new to these forums. Right now, I am able to play the tv and watch DVD's without the use of a generator. Unfortunately, because the boat does not have power from a generator, I am unable to use a digital converter for the TV to be able to watch cable television. Do they make a battery powered digital converter that you can use with the TV to be able to show cable without direct power from a genny or hookup? Or is there any other methods?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Find out how many amps or watts the converter pulls. Likely a very small amount. If so, buy a cigarette lighter type inverter and go for it. I had all 12 volt TV/DVD and used a 300 watt plug in type for $25 to power an Apple TV. All worked to perfection with very little draw on the batteries.

Your other choice is to replace the TV with a 12v digital one and then no need for the converter.

Bennett
 
eweise said:
Did they identify a part number on your invoice? It’s usually easier when I have part numbers for our local dealer. Thanks.
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[/QUOTE]

I'll have to check to see if I still have my invoice.

Update: Sorry didn't keep the invoice
 
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PeteL said:
Signed the paperwork.. All over but the closing
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Closed yesterday.
Boat going over to a local (Fort Myers) mechanic to address some survey issues before it is transported to Tampa.
 
Well after a royal PIA leveling the floor with Bondo I just finished the Allure flooring. I was able to pull up the carpet on the vertical surfaces and tuck the Allure under it so I didn't need a trim piece. Note I did glue down the Allure to both create a bridge for minor irregularities as well as keep the floor down. Top photo is the allure the bottom photo is the floor leveled with Bondo. FYI when we were looking at various 280's all of them had extensive staining adjacent to the head door. When I pulled up the carpet I found the fiberglass floor has a major dip in it right there - kinda acts like a gutter. This looks 100% better and I don't need the stupid sunbrella mat.


IMG_5200.JPG
IMG_5194.JPG
 
Looks great! Did you make a template first then cut the flooring to fit? Or start in the middle and work outwards? Looks so much better than carpet.

Also, did you glue the flooring down or is it floating/friction fit?
 
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stg099 said:
Looks great! Did you make a template first then cut the flooring to fit? Or start in the middle and work outwards? Looks so much better than carpet.

Also, did you glue the flooring down or is it floating/friction fit?
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I did make a cardboard template first. Started the install from the 'port' side since that is the straightest edge. It is designed as a floating floor however I chose to glue it down with a latex adhesive to bridge any minor gaps. For $50. (Allure at HD) it's an inexpensive way to update the boat (Note I did use almost 2 gal cans of Bond $15./gal at Walmart).
 
I know this topic has been covered in other threads, but I'm curious to hear from other 280 owners on how many keep a truly dry bilge on this boat, and for others, how much bilge water you deem "acceptable".

After leaving the boat sit, engines off, in the slip, I'll pick up maybe a gallon of water over the course of a few days that doesn't reach the bilge pump and I'll need to remove manually. My next step obviously is to attempt to isolate where the water is coming from and solve whatever issue is causing it. I removed the drives for service over the winter and did not see any signs of water intrusion in the u-joint bellows and the others visually looked good, however I can't rule them out entirely. The next potential culprit is a leaking garboard drain plug. Has anyone put a rubber stopper type plug on the inside or the garboard plug in order to see if that was in fact leaking? Not sure if this is a good method to check or not. Just looking for your experience/wisdom as I go down the path as to potential sources of water and whether or not this is a futile exercise or not.

Thanks,
John
 
stg099 said:
I know this topic has been covered in other threads, but I'm curious to hear from other 280 owners on how many keep a truly dry bilge on this boat, and for others, how much bilge water you deem "acceptable".

After leaving the boat sit, engines off, in the slip, I'll pick up maybe a gallon of water over the course of a few days that doesn't reach the bilge pump and I'll need to remove manually. My next step obviously is to attempt to isolate where the water is coming from and solve whatever issue is causing it. I removed the drives for service over the winter and did not see any signs of water intrusion in the u-joint bellows and the others visually looked good, however I can't rule them out entirely. The next potential culprit is a leaking garboard drain plug. Has anyone put a rubber stopper type plug on the inside or the garboard plug in order to see if that was in fact leaking? Not sure if this is a good method to check or not. Just looking for your experience/wisdom as I go down the path as to potential sources of water and whether or not this is a futile exercise or not.

Thanks,
John
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The first step is to find out if it's rain water or whatever water the boat is sitting in (assuming "lake", based on your signature). Post back with that info as it will help narrow things down.
 
stg099 said:
I know this topic has been covered in other threads, but I'm curious to hear from other 280 owners on how many keep a truly dry bilge on this boat, and for others, how much bilge water you deem "acceptable".

After leaving the boat sit, engines off, in the slip, I'll pick up maybe a gallon of water over the course of a few days that doesn't reach the bilge pump and I'll need to remove manually. My next step obviously is to attempt to isolate where the water is coming from and solve whatever issue is causing it. I removed the drives for service over the winter and did not see any signs of water intrusion in the u-joint bellows and the others visually looked good, however I can't rule them out entirely. The next potential culprit is a leaking garboard drain plug. Has anyone put a rubber stopper type plug on the inside or the garboard plug in order to see if that was in fact leaking? Not sure if this is a good method to check or not. Just looking for your experience/wisdom as I go down the path as to potential sources of water and whether or not this is a futile exercise or not.

Thanks,
John
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So do you check the bilge after you've taken the boat out? Also after a wash down and a rain fall (separately)
 
stg099 said:
I know this topic has been covered in other threads, but I'm curious to hear from other 280 owners on how many keep a truly dry bilge on this boat, and for others, how much bilge water you deem "acceptable".

After leaving the boat sit, engines off, in the slip, I'll pick up maybe a gallon of water over the course of a few days that doesn't reach the bilge pump and I'll need to remove manually. My next step obviously is to attempt to isolate where the water is coming from and solve whatever issue is causing it. I removed the drives for service over the winter and did not see any signs of water intrusion in the u-joint bellows and the others visually looked good, however I can't rule them out entirely. The next potential culprit is a leaking garboard drain plug. Has anyone put a rubber stopper type plug on the inside or the garboard plug in order to see if that was in fact leaking? Not sure if this is a good method to check or not. Just looking for your experience/wisdom as I go down the path as to potential sources of water and whether or not this is a futile exercise or not.

Thanks,
John
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My bilge has a little water in it, since it was put in the water. my mechanic says that it is not a problem and should not worry about it. I like the suggestions of trying to isolate the cause, but is there a way to see if it is rain water vs river water other than tasting it? mine always seems to be a steady amount, and I have not tried to wetvac it out.
 
My observations are based on the past couple days, which have been no rain, with no washing of the boat happening to potentially add any water, so I'm fairly confident that it is not water from the topside running down, but rather some type of seepage from sitting in the water.

My next step is to get a mirror back there (also ordered a cheap wifi endoscope) to see if I see anything actively dripping. Another thought was to get a rubber bilge plug from west marine that fits into the inner hole for the garboard plug and see if that stops it, to narrow down the source.
 
stg099 said:
My observations are based on the past couple days, which have been no rain, with no washing of the boat happening to potentially add any water, so I'm fairly confident that it is not water from the topside running down, but rather some type of seepage from sitting in the water.

My next step is to get a mirror back there (also ordered a cheap wifi endoscope) to see if I see anything actively dripping. Another thought was to get a rubber bilge plug from west marine that fits into the inner hole for the garboard plug and see if that stops it, to narrow down the source.
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If you are 100% positive that it's lake water, then the sources could be... drain plug, transom assemblies, bellows, thru-hull fittings such as transducer or seacocks. Of course, this is barring any type of hole in the hull, which would likely be obvious.

The way to figure it out is no different for this boat than any other boat... start with a completely dry bilge and observe closely. Paper towels in key areas, for example, can help.

Paul, it is not normal to have water in your bilge. In some cases it's a "no big deal" thing, but in other cases it could be a bigger problem that's just starting. There's LOT'S of threads about determining whether the source is raw water, rain water or even a boat system that's leaking. Do a search for those - lot's and lot's of info already out there. Heck, there might even be info somewhere in this thread.
 
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