A Friend Bought a 280ZT
 

Guys,

A friend bought a 1997 280ZT with a 502MPI/Bravo1/24P. Just kinda wondering what WOT speed he can expect….?

Couple observation… It doesn’t seem to have a limit switch for the drive trim, nor a “trailer” button. Was this the norm? We spent the afternoon on it today. Couldn’t get it over 4500RPM and ~55MPH. I’ve read this is a 65MPH hull/engine rig. My guess is that he didn’t get it trimmed up enough, and it was plowing the bow a bit. Kinda hard to tell for sure. The trim indicator didn’t seem to be responding much if any, and he didn’t want to risk running it up too far until we get that upper limit figured out. It ran pretty well, even if it fell pretty short of expectations.

Other than that, anything he should keep any eye out for with the engine or hull? Known issues?

One thing I noticed: It’s got single ram hydraulic steering. Seemed kinda overkill for a stock 502 in a 28’ boat, but what do I know? While wiping the boat down on the trailer, I noticed I could push the drive side to side pretty easily. Is this normal? I was fully expecting it to not move at all.

Thanks. Brad.

Sounds like he has hydraulic assist meaning it's got a hydraulic cylinder in the back , but a steering cable from the steering wheel to the back, engine needs to be running for the hydraulic system to be under pressure

BoatNT,

I’ll get a look at it and see. I’ve heard that setup referred to as “half hydraulic”. Cable to the steering rack, which is used as a manifold for the hydraulics, but isn’t connected to the tiller. Is this what I should expect to find?

Thanks. Brad.

Just a FYI

I have had a few boats with no trailer switch or limit on them. When I replaced my drive trim rams on the fountain I forgot we had installed hard stops so not I do have to be careful. The showers will hit the swim platform.