Official 280 Sundancer Thread

ive never replaced manifolds on my 2008 280 with twin 4.3 bravo III. so its like 8-9 years now. Dont have many hours but i have heard its not about hours. Am I on borrowed time and need to break down and get it done before major damage?
thanks
PS i got a quote for 7500? Sound reasonable for parts and install?

Yes, replace manifolds if used in saltwater. No, 7500 is not reasonable. 2500 is.
 
Another tip to build on Chris' comment, go look at and if possible, sea trial all 3 boats. I was focused on the 280 when I bought mine, as I knew it had the size, economy, and features we really wanted, but when I saw a 300 come by my slip the other day I was a bit shocked to see just how much bigger it really is than my 280

I could definitely see that. Although other than the tandem helm seat, I feel that the 300 layout is much worse than the 280. I have not been inside of a 300 and have only seen pictures but is it that much bigger/wider? I understand that the cabin below is much larger.
 
I heard you have to sand the finish off the fiberglass before that stuff will adhere. Any idea on the prep involved prior to installation?

Nowhere have I read or seen that this is necessary on the SeaDek products. There are a number of installation videos from SeaDek on Youtube and while you need to clean and prep the non skid with some acetone or grease remover, I have not seen anywhere that the non-skid needs sanded or modified in any way.
 
I could definitely see that. Although other than the tandem helm seat, I feel that the 300 layout is much worse than the 280. I have not been inside of a 300 and have only seen pictures but is it that much bigger/wider? I understand that the cabin below is much larger.

I didn't spend any time on the 300, just saw it slowly come by my slip and was stunned to see that it had the 300 badge on the transom, as I would have guessed it was a 320 based on size. The biggest standout to me is the height, the step up to the helm and significantly higher bow area likely create a whole lot of head room in the cabin and as it passed I figured it had to be at least a foot wider beam than the 280.
 
I didn't spend any time on the 300, just saw it slowly come by my slip and was stunned to see that it had the 300 badge on the transom, as I would have guessed it was a 320 based on size. The biggest standout to me is the height, the step up to the helm and significantly higher bow area likely create a whole lot of head room in the cabin and as it passed I figured it had to be at least a foot wider beam than the 280.

Yeah i see what you mean. height and the extra foot on the beam will make a big difference down below. Ill definitely have to look into them.
 
New 280 owner and trying my best to keep a dry bilge. Looking for all the "problem areas" to check while the boat is out of the water this winter to help ensure I have a dry bilge next year.

I've made what seems like good progress in re-caulking and sealing the side vents, and seam that runs above the swim platform below the "trunk" around the transom. Looking for other potential problem areas to re-seal while the boat is out for the winter. When away from the boat for 2 weeks and some decent rain I only got about a half gallon of water that re-appeared so I'm getting there. Current Plan is to pull and re-seal rub rail screws along the transom as a preventive measure. Looking for any experiences that folks have had in your conquest for a dry engine room
 
I'm having issues with a cabin leak that I thought I fixed some time ago by tightening the forward starboard port hole latches. I heard it's a common problem with the boat. Mine is a 2003 280DA.
Has anyone removed a port hole and resealed it? Did that correct the problem. The water is soaking the starboard side of the bulkhead in the vbearth. The padded part above the mattress.
 
Season winding down and I have an 04 with smart craft. SC says I have 3 gallons of fuel left. I was wondering how accurate these are and if it’s like a car with reserve and I actually have around 10 gallons in which I think I do actually. I was gonna test it and bring a 5 gallon container but I’m sure someone has pushed the limits.
 
Season winding down and I have an 04 with smart craft. SC says I have 3 gallons of fuel left. I was wondering how accurate these are and if it’s like a car with reserve and I actually have around 10 gallons in which I think I do actually. I was gonna test it and bring a 5 gallon container but I’m sure someone has pushed the limits.

Based off one time in REALLY pushing the limits (calculated burn was off, bottom was dirty, tide and current uncooperative), I would be willing to bet you may end up with more than the 5 gallon container will hold....

Based upon the smartcraft display, I went down to running on one engine in trawler mode going in on fumes. The subsequent fill up did not require 100 gals, but quite a bit less. Will be curious to see how much you get out. I think there is a guard-band built in for folks that push the bounds.
 
I'm having issues with a cabin leak that I thought I fixed some time ago by tightening the forward starboard port hole latches. I heard it's a common problem with the boat. Mine is a 2003 280DA.
Has anyone removed a port hole and resealed it? Did that correct the problem. The water is soaking the starboard side of the bulkhead in the vbearth. The padded part above the mattress.
I doubt that's from the starboard porthole. When mine leaks it trickles straight back across top of microwave and collects around the sump box under the step. You have something leaking forward of the vberth. I hear the bowrails are common leakers also.
 
Some recent chatter about SeaDeck flooring in the cockpit made me go a little further. I have a 2001 280DA and have thought about replacing the carpeting in the cabin. We love the boat and it's in great mechanical condition, would just like to dress up the interior. Has anybody attempted a similar project?
 
Some recent chatter about SeaDeck flooring in the cockpit made me go a little further. I have a 2001 280DA and have thought about replacing the carpeting in the cabin. We love the boat and it's in great mechanical condition, would just like to dress up the interior. Has anybody attempted a similar project?


I will be ordering over the winter and installing in the spring. I contacted Seadek and they had an existing template for the cockpit of the 280. They sent me a pdf of the template and I checked all measurements to ensure they were accurate for my boat and they were. Will be removing the snaps in the floor and filling holes with 4200 while the boat is laid up so it's ready to install in the spring. It's not a cheap upgrade but it looks so nice that it's at the top of the list for the admiral and I
 
Is your boat still for sale - the listing on craigslist has expired.
Yes. I have been very busy with storm repair at my shop and everything else life throws my way! I haven't had time to deal with the boat! Our river is flooded and all boat ramps closed so can't even sea trial unless I take to coast boat ramps and I just haven't had time.
 
I realize that this can be a widely varied response going in, but could those of you with Twin 4.3's and alpha drives comment on your frequency of impeller replacement and drive lube changes? I recently purchased a very lightly used 2004 280 and have a receipt from June of 2016 for drive lube and impeller kits on both drives. The boat sat in a slip all season for 2017 and was rarely used, so I'm wondering if replacing them is overkill or worth it for good piece of mind. I can do the work myself, just want to sanity check if I'm crazy for pulling a part that likely hasn't seen but a few hours use.

Edit, after some research today, I think pulling the drives and having a thorough inspection is in order, as well as replacing the impellers for piece of mind.
 
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I realize that this can be a widely varied response going in, but could those of you with Twin 4.3's and alpha drives comment on your frequency of impeller replacement and drive lube changes? I recently purchased a very lightly used 2004 280 and have a receipt from June of 2016 for drive lube and impeller kits on both drives. The boat sat in a slip all season for 2017 and was rarely used, so I'm wondering if replacing them is overkill or worth it for good piece of mind. I can do the work myself, just want to sanity check if I'm crazy for pulling a part that likely hasn't seen but a few hours use.

Edit, after some research today, I think pulling the drives and having a thorough inspection is in order, as well as replacing the impellers for piece of mind.


So I'm going to hijack this thread - because I'm new to the forum.
STG 099 thanks for your response - I did find this subforum. The question; is the 280 subforum separate or do the new threads/postings automatically get shown here. Sorry for the basic question - other forums I'm involved in have a separate section.
 
IF I'm understanding your question correctly, threads in the 280 sub-forum only show up here. So if your question is 280 specific, this is the place to post it, however if your question is more general (i.e. bravo drives, or electronics related) you may be better off in general discussions or a specific forum (drives/electronics/etc.) hope that helps
 

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