Carter3
New Member
- May 19, 2012
- 6
- Boat Info
- 2000 Sea Ray 245 Weekender
- Engines
- 5.0 Mercruiaer, Bravo III out drive
Well I've been lurking around for a little while now and can't seem to find what I'm looking for. Currently, we have a 01 245 weekender and want something larger with twins. I bought this as bait to introduce the idea to my wife and she bit. After discussing the upgrade, we decided on a 280 due to the ease of trailering and seemed manageable for one person at the docks. As we started to try to find the right one, the more I started questioning the end goal. So I need some help to push in one direction or the other.
Goal - Weekend stays at the lake, long weekend trips and general day cruising with friends and family.
It will stay in the water most of the year but needs to be trailerable. We will pull it out for maintenance, storage during the off season and a couple of trips a year. The tow vehicle is not a concern. We already have a crew cab dually in the fleet for another hobby:grin:
I'm looking for the Pros and cons of the following:
Year - Mid 2000s
Models - 280/290/300 Sundancer
Thoughts
1. I really like the 280 but seems to have a relatively small fuel tank for twins,100 gallons. The 300 has a good bit larger fuel tank at 170 gallons but weighs a lot more. Is there really much difference in the total range of the boat?
2. The 300 is a foot wider, and a couple of feet longer. How does this play into the overall accessibility to working in the engine compartment? Seems like the 280s I've looked at would be a maintenance nightmare with v8s.
3. Storage? Is there enough?
4. HP? What combo is the best? I'm one to think the more power, the better, but how does this effect the range of the boat.
5. If you have a 280,Do you wish you would have bought a larger boat? Why?
Thanks
Goal - Weekend stays at the lake, long weekend trips and general day cruising with friends and family.
It will stay in the water most of the year but needs to be trailerable. We will pull it out for maintenance, storage during the off season and a couple of trips a year. The tow vehicle is not a concern. We already have a crew cab dually in the fleet for another hobby:grin:
I'm looking for the Pros and cons of the following:
Year - Mid 2000s
Models - 280/290/300 Sundancer
Thoughts
1. I really like the 280 but seems to have a relatively small fuel tank for twins,100 gallons. The 300 has a good bit larger fuel tank at 170 gallons but weighs a lot more. Is there really much difference in the total range of the boat?
2. The 300 is a foot wider, and a couple of feet longer. How does this play into the overall accessibility to working in the engine compartment? Seems like the 280s I've looked at would be a maintenance nightmare with v8s.
3. Storage? Is there enough?
4. HP? What combo is the best? I'm one to think the more power, the better, but how does this effect the range of the boat.
5. If you have a 280,Do you wish you would have bought a larger boat? Why?
Thanks