1989 Sea Ray 280DA

N

Nancy

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4224
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I'd like to learn about 1989 280DA Sundancers. Is this year and model considered to be a good build? I know about transom/stringers and gas tanks being possible trouble spots. What else?

This particular boat has twin Mercruiser 5.7 Alpha One engines.

I've read the David Pascoe reviews of two 1990's 290's, and as always, they're enough to scare the bejabbers out of you.

How would you rate this boat for seaworthiness on inland waters?

Thanks--

Nancy
 
Nancy...... I had a 1991 280 Sundancer with T/ 5.7 FWC w/Alpha One drives. The boat was a good build....solid little boat. We took it everywhere....without much problems. We did blow a outdrive on the way to W/H Marina one year....only took a week or so to R & R it. Never had any stringer/transom/fuel tank problems.....but that all depends on how the boat was taken care of by the previous owners. A friend of mine bought my 280DA from me about 9/10 years ago.....he still has it.....and has zero problems with it asside from normal wear and tear. I suggest you get it surveyed before you purchase it....or any boat.

I believe the 290 DA's where inboards ( I may be wrong ) and is a total different floorplan then the 280 DA.

Good Luck......
 
Don, sundancers didnt come with inboards unless it was an older model, or a 34 footer. the 300DA was I-Os.

The 280 is a VERY desirable boat. Well built, and VERY spacious. Since you will have twin 5.7s you will have plenty of power. Just make sure you have counter rotation drives. Why? Because it will help you spin the boat in a tighter area and will help to make docking much easier. I have a 1990 310 dancer with twin 5.7 I-Os. That boat has plenty of power. The 280 must haul rb2@gr5tss..

As with any boat, get it surveyed and ull be golden.

the 87-91 models were very desirable, and well made. Just make sure you have enough room to work on the motors.
 
I know someone who had the 280 DA. Had leaking side windows. He also had the twin 470 so had problems there, too. Had a flimsy bow platform and windlass, too. Never did get into checking the transom and stringers but they looked good from casual look as I helped
 
Don, Yes the 95's had inboards. I dont know what year, but whenever they changed the "looks" of the boat is when they added that as an option. Just a different set of years. I was talking about 87-91. The Amberjack in the older days 80's came with I-Os, the one you posted was an 05, totally out of the year range I thought we were referencing. From 87-91 Im pretty sure you could only get inboards in a 30 footer if it was the weekend..
 
Yeah.....I think thats correct....the early weekender's also came with inboards. IMHO the early year Sea Rays where built like tanks.....and had alot of room for the footage. They didn't play the #'s game like they do today. When I moved " up " from my 90 310DA to the 95 330DA.....it felt like a smaller boat.
 
I always thought the Dancers had I/O's and a mid-cabin, the Weekenders had inboards and no mid-cabin.
 
Some Dancers had mid cabins and inboards.....with V drives. I believe...the Express was like the Weekender.....no mid cabin and straight inboards.
 
the dancers had a midcabin and inboards in the 34ft range till the early 90s. I believe in the late 70's early 80's you could find a 30footer dancer with inboards..

The express and weekender are the same. They just changed the name.
 
Right.......the weekender and express where " straight " drives ....and the dancers where " V " drives.

Regardless .....either way.... IMHO they where great boats !
 
absolutely great boats. Its the smaller seville models that I have heard horror stories about..
 
Hi Nancy,
Are you considering the one in Colchester? I have been on that boat, the owner keeps it at the same dock we are on. They have not used it a lot over the last couple years. I have seen the owner doing some work on it here and there. It is pretty roomy inside for a 28 footer due to its beam. Seems like a pretty good boat overall to me. It is in decent condition, would need some cosmetics if you wanted it to look really good.
 
I love the Amberjack. Just a tough boat for a Searay.

There is a Sundancer around here that has inboards and also a bow and stern thruster, anchor windless with all chain.
It also has a built in grill in the cockpit, underwater lights, it is a very nice boat for it's size.
 
Thanks to all. Lots of great information as always, and I like having the info about the various models. The older Amberjacks caught my eye a while back.

VTBoater, not sure if the one I'm asking about is the same boat or not - will e-mail you. We were asked if we'd consider a trade. Hey, you never know.

Of course my dream boat is a 2002+ 28' Albin flush deck. At the moment, that's all it is--a dream.

Nancy
 
quote:
Originally posted by Nancy

Thanks to all. Lots of great information as always, and I like having the info about the various models. The older Amberjacks caught my eye a while back.

VTBoater, not sure if the one I'm asking about is the same boat or not - will e-mail you. We were asked if we'd consider a trade. Hey, you never know.

Of course my dream boat is a 2002+ 28' Albin flush deck. At the moment, that's all it is--a dream.

Nancy

Click to expand...
 
I don't think you will find counter rotating outdrives on any Alpha I gen I from 1989, they were all standard rotation. My 89 300 with 5.7s and Alpha I's are both standard rotation. The boat handles fine around the docks and has plenty of power. Since you are looking at a slightly smaller boat with the same power, performance should be very good.
For not too much money, you can get a counter rotating lower unit from Stern Drive Engineering that will bolt up to the Merc upper. I will do this if/when I need to replace a lower.
 
Chris, I made that change to my Alpha port side unit. Makes a TON of difference..
 
I owned a 89 280 for a couple of seasons. Bought it with 32 hours on it when it was 4 years old.
Boat is a large 28 footer, measures 31'11" from pulpit to stern. In 92 the same boat was renamed a 30'.
There is no comparing it with the 290's with the narrower beam. The one I had was powered with twin
4.3's/alpha. Enough power but not a speed demon. Sold the boat to my brother in 1995 and he is still enjoying it.
The boat still is often mistaken for a new one.

thehickey0262.jpg
 
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