280 Sundancer - My first Cruiser

NautiDog

NautiDog

New Member
Nov 18, 2009
5
Portland, Maine
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray
310 Sundancer
Engines
2
I have traded in a 20' bowrider for a cruiser.

I have a question about "sunpads" for the front deck - Any advise on where to get them?

Thanks in advance.
Sheila
 
NautiDog said:
I have traded in a 20' bowrider for a cruiser.

I have a question about "sunpads" for the front deck - Any advise on where to get them?

Thanks in advance.
Sheila
Click to expand...

Unfortunately they did not offer sunpads as an option for the 280. Your only option is to get one custom made or use something portable such as a foam swimming pool pad.

I sent a template to one of the vendors here (Gioia Sails) but I never heard back from them. Maybe the template was bad or it wasn't what he had in mind...either way, I never heard a thing.
.
 
Strange that he/she did not ask that question during the extensive research done before purchasing the 280DA.
 
Tonka Boater said:
Unfortunately they did not offer sunpads as an option for the 280. Your only option is to get one custom made or use something portable such as a foam swimming pool pad.

.
Click to expand...

Technically, that is not correct. The port side seating unfolds to form a sunpad. The Sea Ray sales brochure from 2002 reads, "Port Aft Facing Cockpit Seat with Fold-Down Sunpad".

I saw something at West Marine back in the summer that might fit the bill as a sunpad for the bow. It looks like one of those foam beach recliner pads with pillow, only covered with fabric. Didn't buy one, so I can't say how well it would work.

Henry
 
Without the grab rails (oh **** handles) on the bow, how would one tie down these pads short of drilling holes in the bow?

I think we'll just stick to our removable and easily stored pads : ) (Towels : ))
 
MExcelsior said:
Without the grab rails (oh **** handles) on the bow, how would one tie down these pads short of drilling holes in the bow?

I think we'll just stick to our removable and easily stored pads : ) (Towels : ))
Click to expand...


Its funny I was thinking the same thing just after my post. I do know from a friend's experience with the sunpads on his 320, if they are not removed on a regular basis, the underside tends to act like a petri dish.

Henry
 
To those with the advise, ideas and thoughts - THANK YOU. You all gave me some ideas on this.

To "KAYKOOK" - I joined this forum to learn more, share and enjoy this part of what will be my new boating experience with my first boat of this size. ...Not to be judged by you and waste time on your negative remarks. It is my first boat like this and while yes I did a lot of research - the truth is I did not know these came as options.
 
NautiDog said:
To those with the advise, ideas and thoughts - THANK YOU. You all gave me some ideas on this.

To "KAYKOOK" - I joined this forum to learn more, share and enjoy this part of what will be my new boating experience with my first boat of this size. ...Not to be judged by you and waste time on your negative remarks. It is my first boat like this and while yes I did a lot of research - the truth is I did not know these came as options.
Click to expand...

Good for you - welcome to the site. There is way too much of this BS going on right now so try to ignore it. You picked out a great boat and there are still a lot of people here who will help out anyway they can without trying to run you off.
 
Sheila,

I have a 280 Sundancer.

Sorry I do not know the answer to your sun pad question. The cockpit port seat does slide out. Under the bottom of this seat is a single leg that you can swing down for support. With the rear seat up it makes an area to lie down and catch some rays.

We also sometimes lay out on the bow using a beach towel. This will obviously be less comfortable then a sun pad.


If there are other questions you have please let us know.

I assume you know about the secret midbirth storage compartment, right?
 
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I had custom made pads made for my boat, its attached to bow via zippers/plastic flat railing to the deck with 5200 caulking, has a canvas cover also
 
Way to go NautiDog. Nice boat.

If I were you I'd think twice about drilling any more holes in your boat for the tiedowns. Sea Rays have cored decks.

Also, deck pads shouldn't be used under way. A removable option for use at the dock and in the marina's pool might be a better choice.
 
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If you wanted to "tie-down" the pad somehow, you could simply install some short screws into the deck. Goop it up a bit with some good silicone and you'll be fine (no need for 5200 as this is simply a sealing consideration, no adhesive is needed).

Have a few small tabs sewn into the cover, around the perimeter, with the female side of the snap installed into the tab.


"Petri dish"? That's a good term for it! :lol:
 
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We had some custom bow-pads made and the snap to the bow. They also fold in the middle for removing. The pads are cut to go around the top deck vent. They also have roll pillows on them. They stay on with 10 snaps. I have had them for 5 yrs with no problem and the wife loves them. I will send pictures.
 
Henry Boyd said:
Surprise390,

Kaykook was out of line, but personally I find that comment down right offensive.
Click to expand...

Henry
I wouldn't feel too bad for KayKook. He's always trying to stir something up when he can. He's lied to all of us for sometime that he had a 215WE, even going so far as to rob an image off of some ad in the midwest for his signature to show us how cool he was. He's a liar so anything he says doesn't hold any water in my opinion, especially sucker punch comments like in this thread. He's a Wingless wannabe.
 
NautiDog said:
To those with the advise, ideas and thoughts - THANK YOU. You all gave me some ideas on this.

To "KAYKOOK" - I joined this forum to learn more, share and enjoy this part of what will be my new boating experience with my first boat of this size. ...Not to be judged by you and waste time on your negative remarks. It is my first boat like this and while yes I did a lot of research - the truth is I did not know these came as options.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Welcome Aboard!!!!!
 
When we had our 280 we also wished for a sunpad. When we bought our 320 it already had a large sunpad with cover. The sunpad is not needed as much as we thought it was. We have removed the sunpad recently and have to clean and wax the area under the sunpad to remove some of the staining that occurred. Not that big of a deal but we are going to leave the pad off and just take towels or whatever to the bow for awhile and see if we like it that way. Our sunpad, take a look at the pic below, is large and covers the round port lights on the top of the 320 reducing the amount of natural light in the cabin. It is also very thick which equals comfortable but kind of a pain when having to walk on the bow for tieing up. Don't know if I am for or against sunpads at this time but just wanted to give you some insight from someone that has had one.
 
Nehalennia said:
Henry
I wouldn't feel too bad for KayKook. He's always trying to stir something up when he can. He's lied to all of us for sometime that he had a 215WE, even going so far as to rob an image off of some ad in the midwest for his signature to show us how cool he was. He's a liar so anything he says doesn't hold any water in my opinion, especially sucker punch comments like in this thread. He's a Wingless wannabe.
Click to expand...


Todd,

I agree with your assessment on Kaykook. However, I don't think the 'people with big boats are better/smarter/ know more' mentality that surprise390 expressed with his alumadinghy comment has a place here either.
 
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