matrin

Im new to Power Boating and Im finnally buying my first power boat. Its a 2000 280 silencer with the 502 mag mpi. I would like comments or suggestions on this boat. Boat has 18 hrs on it with full factory warranty. How does it compare to 2002 280 silencer? 502 mag versus 496 mag HO? Thanks for any comments, Martin.

Raypanic

Congrads on your new boat. Not sure about the hull but I believe it is the same. The 502 is a great motor, Many mods blowers and accessories are available. The 496 is still too new for the mods but they will come. I have heard the 496's are silghtly faster in other boats but not much in reality. You do get the smartcraft options with the 496 witch make it easier to rig and you get closed cooling too. If you dont have a sea strainer it would be a good option to get on any boat especially on fresh water cooling engines like yours. You dont have to run premimum in the 502 just run the 89 anything more is a waste. Have fun running and post some results on speeds / RPM's and prop information. That is always helpfull. Post some pictures is you can too.

wms

I had the same engine (model and year) in my last boat. You probably have the low water pick up only. My advice is to keep it out of the sand and have a sea strainer installed. Oh, and always carry spare thermostats. I sometimes had to replace mine twice in one day, without a sea strainer. It only takes one small piece of sand and it will stick open which causes the engine to run cool and rich.

BillR had the exact same boat and engine. Maybe he will post a reply. He got a sea strainer and his t'stat problems were greatly diminished.

The 502 is a great engine all in all, but I have the 496HO's in my new boat. No comparison! It's got closed loop cooling, 15 extra ponies, oh so smooth running, dry manifold to riser joint, does not burn oil, and on and on.

Great boat!! Enjoy!

BillR

I had the EXACT same set up. That is one hell of a boat!!!
I am sure you will have the low water pick up. INSTALL A SEA STRAINER NOW!!!!!!! If you don't, you'll find out why soon enough.

In the '02 models, the bolsters are a different style and the seats in the cabin kinda wrap around at the ends. I also heard the "flap" access for the locker is gone or going. As far as motor differences, I am not sure how they apply to that boat.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to ask me.

Also HP500 & Jon 280 Silencer are OSO members that have that boat too.
Welcome to the PQ family!

matrin

Thanks for some of the info. The boat has the sea strainer installed. As for the prop issue Which would be the best prop if I plan on not having it labed? I cant wait until I can put it in the water. What is up with those trim tabs? They appear to be very cheap. If so can they be up graded? Here is the site in which you can see the actual boat that I will be picking up this Saturday. http://www.picturetrails.com/slamb

BillR

That must be a late 2000.
It has the new seats in the cabin and the bolsters appear to be a newer style than what was in my old boat. My 280 was built 2/00.
The dual battery set up appears to be added after the boat left PQ. They put batteries on each side.

The tabs appear to be the stock tabs. When the competition pak is ordered, the tabs are upgraded to dual ram tabs. Don't worry about the tabs, the boat rarly needs the tabs unless your in rough water. Then 20 to 40% tab down makes the ride much better.

The best non labbed prop is the one it comes with; 24p Bravo. But getting a labbed 26p Bravo will increase your cruise speed & top speed.

Heres a copy of my 280's helm. Subtle differences due to the competition pak.

I just noticed that boat has a 3 blade. That boat runs like CRAP with a 3 blade. MAKE the seller include the proper prop!!!! This is REAL important. I tried a 3 blade on mine and it was total crap. It was SO bad that if the boat had a 3 blade during the demo, I wouldn't have bought the boat. The 4 blade is the only way to go with that boat!!!!!!

wms

She's a beauty!

Hope everything goes well for you this weekend and you get some serious seat time in her. What prop is on the boat. I will let Bill tell you which one to use, which he did while I was typing this. I also ran a 24P Bravo1 four blade, which worked best on my Baja 272. The Mirage was faster, but blew out in the turns and did not perform as well in the mid range.

My recommendation to you for your first, and least expensive, performance upgrade......get a Vortec flame arrestor. You will see a definite performance improvement over the stock.

macklin

BillR

Damn,
Mac & I are workin SO hard!!!!

Ditto on the Vortech flame arrestor. The BEST $200 spent on the boat. It is a pretty big difference.

matrin

Hey Bill, where can I buy one of those vortec air filters? The prop on the boat seems to be a stock 3 blade. Where can I find a good used Bravo 1 26p 4-blade prop?

BillR

Unless you want a Labbed 26P, you need a std 24P. Post a "prop wanted" thread in the gerneral board. You''ll get lots of responses. But I would ask the seller for the correct prop. It came with a Bravo 1 24P four blade.

As for the flame arrestor:
http://www.vortechsuperchargers.com/...arrestors.html