1995 280 ss


S

snowgoat2

New member
Hi guys i am new to this forum and new to formula boats. let me say i have a 200 signature sea ray and am looking to upgrade tto a 1995 formula 280ss with a single 7.4. i am looking to upgrade to this boat because the wife wants something with a cabin frig bathroom ect.. and i wanted a go fast boat so i thought this might be best of both worlds. i am looking for any info good or bad you guys could give me it would be greatly appreciated. O also i do all my boating in the st clair river around port huron mi and down in lake st clair if any of you are familiar (to give you the kind of waters ill be using it in). thanks again guys for any input on my new boat buying decision.
 
Just sold my 1998 280SS. Great boat. Mine had twin 5.7 volvos. Perfect weight to hp ratio. Great out of the hole no matter how many people are in the boat and 50+ top. Don't know about single 7.4.
 
The single 7.4 is only going to get you into the mid/upper 40's. Definitely not a high performance package.
 
I bought a 1995 280 SS with 7.4 single Bravo 3 last summer. It surpassed my expectations. I was nervous since the majority of the 280ss had twins so insisted on sea trial. Boat is awesome.

I can plane now problem with 10 in the boat. Cruises 24-27 mph at 3000rpm and tops out at 43 and 4400 rpm.

Pulls big tubes with ease. Most of all I really like the huge engine compartment. I can climb down in on either side for the single engine since there is a ton of space.

I had tested twin before and of course they are faster but it seems like you have a harder time planning at low speed. The boat always wanted to go 28-32 to be happy. I know the boat weight 900 pounds more all in the aft but I really dont want to cruise that fast on Lake Erie.

The boat handles really well around docks and in reverse since it is Bravo 3. Like the fuel economy and lower maintenance the single offers.

Overall I am very happy. Everyone loves the seating arrangement and the gas seems to reasonable.
 
I live outside of St. Clair and boat in the same areas you do. I have a 260 SS and it handles everything very well. Lake St. Clair can have a unique chop to it as it is so shallow, and the blue water bridges also have some rough water underneath. The 280 will handle all of this very well, I think you will be very happy.
 
I have a 97, 280SS with single 7.4 that is for sales! I hate to sell its my favorite boat I have ever owned but I need to go to something with a Gen with a 14 month old nephew on the boat every weekend. Without gen we can make long runs and have to cut days short to get him back for nap time! Probably looking at a 330 or 370SS but the 280 is great. If interested I can send you info. I also have a trailer!
 
thanks guys for all the input it makes me a little more comfortable about getting this boat know there are happy owners out there with the same boat. chris40knaack when you say its not bad on fuel what do you think you burn in a hour. is there anything that i should be looking out for when i look at this boat is there any consistent problems that the 280 ss had. riverboater39 send me an email about your boat and where abouts you are located. thanks again guys.
 
If you are still interested in a boat. I have a '97 280 ss that I bought in 2007. I repowered with new twin merc 260 hp 5.0, FWC . also refit with all new gps,vhf, electric head , windlass, cockpit refrigerator, custom stainless steel bimini. I love boat but want to move up to a 330ss. Has only 250 hours. Boat is on long island,NY. (undamaged by Sandy!)
 
i just picked up a95 280ss too. Not to hijack the thread, but build quality of the boat seems great. Are there any problems with moisture in the hull, or are these things build to last like other Formulas. I only ask as 95 was the first year of the hull... other than that, i have twin carb 350s and see 50+ on gps... still trying to figure out a ballpark on gas mileage

i am also interested if you guys know of any common problems/ preventative maintenance on these boats. Best cockpit seating setup of any boat out there in its size and like i said so far i am very impressed of the build quality so far... except that my helm/ front seat of couch creak/ rattle a little
 
scrib said:
i just picked up a95 280ss too. Not to hijack the thread, but build quality of the boat seems great. Are there any problems with moisture in the hull, or are these things build to last like other Formulas. I only ask as 95 was the first year of the hull... other than that, i have twin carb 350s and see 50+ on gps... still trying to figure out a ballpark on gas mileage

i am also interested if you guys know of any common problems/ preventative maintenance on these boats. Best cockpit seating setup of any boat out there in its size and like i said so far i am very impressed of the build quality so far... except that my helm/ front seat of couch creak/ rattle a little
Click to expand...
Did you ever get an answer on moisture issues with the 280 SS MODELS. THX
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top