PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

Hi everybody
I'm looking to buy a 280 and I would appreciate any comments on this boat regarding the price I should pay, top speed and anything that can come up on your mind and would you buy again the same boat. It's a 2002 demo never was registered at PQ or Merc so I have a full waranty.
The motor is 496HO close cooling bravo1 drive with the Weekend package, thru hull with mufflers, colored Gaffrig shifter, colored gauge bezels / colored cockpit cup holders,lay in cockpit carpet, head portable with pumpout, Table, cabin, Trim tabs with no indicator and deck graphic.
Your comments will be apprecialted and should I compare this with a Baja 275 ?
Thank you

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

High 60's to real low 70's would be a great price.
There is no comparison the the baja. The PQ rides MUCH better, it is a dry boat (meaning spray will not blo into your face) and it handles quite well. The cockpit (where you'll spend 98% of your time) is huge, bigger than most 31' boats. With that motor package, you should see speeds consistently 67-69 and 70-71 on good days.
Plus the factory support is the best I've ever seen. Baja's CS is piss poor.
Buy the PQ you'll be happy that you did.

BTW: This is BillR on Macklins computer.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

I can second that the ride is better than the Baja. I owned a 272 the same time that Bill owned his 280.

BTW, this is Mackin :D

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

Had a 280, loved it. You won't be disappointed (except maybe by the hatch ram ;) )

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

just in case your shopping other boats i have a 1997 27 powerquest for sale not on the net yet this boat is super clean with
mint interior 502 mag efi silent choice dual ram tabs
370 hours with brand new aluminum trailer
always hoist kept can send pictures upon request
located in algonac michigan 36,500

586-909-6852

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

Thank you all for your comments, really appreciate, the more that I will get the better it will be.
This for Lennyk, haven't mention it yet, I'm living in Quebec Canada would be kind of a long run to buy a boat.
In my first post I mention BAJA 272, maybe I should also include Checkmate, Donzi, Formula and anyone in this category that might be a better choice.
PS No twin engines

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

well just in case you can go to www.themoot.net
and check the clasifieds for pictures good luck in your search

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

I have a good friend who has a 2000 280 silencer 502 mag- Full hyd. steering- kiekahfer tabs and drive and tab indicators 60hrs on boat. With trailer. Could get for under $55k I think. He is a detsil nut so the boat is super clean.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

I have a friend with an 01 with a 500 HP and about 100 hours that is mint for sale. I believe he is asking 60k.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

mars,
I have a 1999 Formula 271 with a 502 MPI for sale. I live in central New York on Lake Ontario. Email me at [email protected] or call me at 315-342-1175 or cell 315-591-2285. I will be in Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence river Aug 5-14 with the boat.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

mars,

We looked at pretty near every "mainstream" boat in the 27-29 range before we bought our 280. I had a post on here back in the dark ages about that search and our thoughts, but I think it's been lost in the depths of the forum.

Anyway, here's what I remember:

• Powerquest 280 - great combination of cabin and cockpit size. Pretty nice styling, good fit and finish. Excellent factory support. A lot of useful space in the cockpit. Came with a decent windshield that actually blocked the wind (a definite consideration here in Michigan). IMHO, best combination of size and price.
• Formula 271 - slightly better looking than the PQ (look at the way the windshield integrates with the rear quarters of the boat). Slightly smaller in the cockpit. Believe it weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the PQ, probably 1-3 mph slower on the top end with the same power - IMO, that is within the margin of error for driver/water differences. Was much more money than the PQ and I couldn't justify the extra cash. Is it a nicer boat than the PQ? Overall, I'd say yes, just not many thousands of dollars nicer.
• Baja 272 - I thought the overall build quality was a little lower than the PQ and Formula. We didn't care for the rounded styling of the boat, and around here they are a dime-a-dozen. I wanted something a bit more unique.
• Fountain 27 - way, way smaller than the others for the same or more money. Nice hardware (K-planes instead of tabs, that sort of thing). Generally dislike the styling of Fountain boats and hate the left-hand throttles and dune buggy steering wheel. In order to be comparable in size to the other "27" boats, you have to go to the Fountain 29, and then you are in a whole 'nother price category. But it is fast as greased eel...
• Checkmate 27 - we only looked at these briefly as the Admiral did not like the styling. Lots of satisfied owners out there, however.
• Sunsation 288 - In my opinion, it is the looker of the group. Very slick and Mitcher T paint is light-years ahead of any of the others. Fast with similar power, I'd say only the Fountain could run with one. But... narrower than the Formula and PQ (8' beam vs. 8'6"). Outstanding finish and factory support that is better than most custom boats. We would have bought this boat but for two reasons - no windshield (at the time, you can get one now) and I got a bad vibe from the dealer (and Sunsation stopped doing business with them shortly thereafter).

If I were in the market for a new 28' today, I'd be looking long and hard at the Sunsation, with the Formula and PQ in second place. I haven't really followed it, but it looks like PQ bumped their prices a fair bit over the past few years. When we bought our 99, it was a bargain compared to the Formula. I bought a new '99 PQ for the price of a used '97 271 Formula, similarly equipped - not sure you could do that today.

Keep in mind that most of these boat will run in the mid-60's with a 502 Mag, maybe a mph or two faster with a strong 496 Mag HO. An HP500 or 525 would put the Sunsation and Fountain into the 70 mph range, probably close with the others, though I think you won't find too many of these boats with blue motors.

In any case, I'd suggest you do what we did - make an honest assessment of how you'll use the boat, the shop accordingly. Good luck! Keep the board in the loop, it's a great resource!!

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

I have a 280 that i ordered in 02 and paid $66,500. I have been real happy with the boat. It is a 496 HO the best I have ever seen is 66 mph. No weekend package but I have the same options plus pull up cleats,trim indicaters,engine compartment splatter paint,stainless steel rub rail,level 2 paint,dual ram tabs,cd 6 speaker with 2 remotes,colored dash upgrade. Although I didn't get the weekend package I do have the cabinets that I use for storage..

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

mars,
I have a 99 Formula 271 and my buddy has a 00 Powerquest 280. We run side by side on the topend. One might be slightly faster depending on weight. The Formula Fastech's come with McCloud electric bolsters and a pressurized water system plus the fit and finish is top of the line. Buying these two boats today they will sell for about the same price.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

Go with the 280,..There is NO comparison...NONE to the Baja.

Re: PowerQuest 280 Silencer
 

I'm thinking about selling my '01 Silencer. I'll try to post some pics in the classified section before too long. Will be asking around 50K.