280 ES - looking for advice on handling
07-08-2016 | 08:00 AM
#1
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From: South Jersey
280 ES - looking for advice on handling
Hello all,
I've had my 1990 280 for about 3 years now but not gotten much use in the first 2 (maybe 10 hours total). We stepped up to it from a 80's era 26' wellcraft nova with twin small blocks and alphas. This year has allowed us to use the boat more often and my family and I love the space on the boat and the more modern looks compared to the nova. What I'm having trouble with is the ride/handling. We boat mainly in the Delaware river, C&D canal and upper Chesapeake bay area. Overall I would say the water seems pretty mild with flat or small chop at times. The boat constantly bounces us, whether on flat water, small wake, or rolling past other boats. The only way I can get it to stop bouncing around is to back out of the throttles, usually letting it come off plane and than start back up again. I run pretty much entirely trimmed in (down) all the time which isn't ideal for the drives/motors either. The boat has non-functioning Bennett trim tabs on it which I am trying to decide if I want to fix them, or swap them out for some K-planes.
In reading through the great content on here about the 280s, I know there are some options to help with the bouncing, mainly prop selections and possibly shorter/lower drives.
In the back of my mind, I've wondered if its a lack of experience driving a boat this size, or the boat isn't able to handle some of the water conditions we are in, but like I said it does it on calm flat water too, so I don't think that is as much the case.
Below are some specs on the boat, and I guess what I am hoping to get from this post is some ideas on what I can improve or do differently. Like I said, we like the boat and I've seen some great things posted here about them. Ideally, I'd like to get into something bigger at some point, but the troubles we've been having with ride/handling with this one has me worried on running something larger.
1990 Baja 280
Twin Merc 454 Mags w/ B1s (approx. 300 hours)
Stock stainless props (I believe 23P 3 blades)
I've had my 1990 280 for about 3 years now but not gotten much use in the first 2 (maybe 10 hours total). We stepped up to it from a 80's era 26' wellcraft nova with twin small blocks and alphas. This year has allowed us to use the boat more often and my family and I love the space on the boat and the more modern looks compared to the nova. What I'm having trouble with is the ride/handling. We boat mainly in the Delaware river, C&D canal and upper Chesapeake bay area. Overall I would say the water seems pretty mild with flat or small chop at times. The boat constantly bounces us, whether on flat water, small wake, or rolling past other boats. The only way I can get it to stop bouncing around is to back out of the throttles, usually letting it come off plane and than start back up again. I run pretty much entirely trimmed in (down) all the time which isn't ideal for the drives/motors either. The boat has non-functioning Bennett trim tabs on it which I am trying to decide if I want to fix them, or swap them out for some K-planes.
In reading through the great content on here about the 280s, I know there are some options to help with the bouncing, mainly prop selections and possibly shorter/lower drives.
In the back of my mind, I've wondered if its a lack of experience driving a boat this size, or the boat isn't able to handle some of the water conditions we are in, but like I said it does it on calm flat water too, so I don't think that is as much the case.
Below are some specs on the boat, and I guess what I am hoping to get from this post is some ideas on what I can improve or do differently. Like I said, we like the boat and I've seen some great things posted here about them. Ideally, I'd like to get into something bigger at some point, but the troubles we've been having with ride/handling with this one has me worried on running something larger.
1990 Baja 280
Twin Merc 454 Mags w/ B1s (approx. 300 hours)
Stock stainless props (I believe 23P 3 blades)
07-09-2016 | 06:53 AM
#2
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From: Naples, Maine
My Wife and I bought one of those brand new, had it for 12 seasons. Was a great boat. The 280 will porpoise on flat water unless the tabs are level with the hull bottom. Ours came from the factory with Bennet tabs and they were too small for the boat. The optional tabs at the time were Keikhaefer (Mercury Racing) 280 K-Planes. they made a world of difference in handling. We used the boat up on Sebago lake and would typically run it with the tabs set level with the hull bottom, this cured the bouncing. Enjoy!
07-11-2016 | 09:05 PM
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From: Decatur, Mi
I have an 88 280. With three blades it would bounce (porpoise) more. I got some 4 blades that hold the nose up better and it does it much less. I don't get to run in flat water very often, but I know that the four blades hold the nose much better.
With that said the three blades would not porpoise as bad as you describe. Have you had the props worked on at all? What RPM's are you getting at WFO as I would get right at 5100 with my 23p. Also check the bottom of the boat and see if you have a bad hook in it.
With that said the three blades would not porpoise as bad as you describe. Have you had the props worked on at all? What RPM's are you getting at WFO as I would get right at 5100 with my 23p. Also check the bottom of the boat and see if you have a bad hook in it.
07-13-2016 | 07:41 PM
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From: South Jersey
Biggus - thanks for the info. I'm going to start searching for a set of tabs to install over the winter.
Nightlife - thanks for the insight. I'll check rpm this weekend while out and report back. Haven't had much time at WFO due to bouncing us around and being afraid of it getting out of control. Keeping the drives trimmed down all the time limits rpm, as soon as I trim up it either bounces worse or blows the props out of the water. Props are stock as far as I know.
Nightlife - thanks for the insight. I'll check rpm this weekend while out and report back. Haven't had much time at WFO due to bouncing us around and being afraid of it getting out of control. Keeping the drives trimmed down all the time limits rpm, as soon as I trim up it either bounces worse or blows the props out of the water. Props are stock as far as I know.
Last edited by myfirsttwins; 07-13-2016 at 07:44 PM.
07-22-2016 | 09:44 AM
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From: South Jersey
So had a little trouble last weekend, but got it fixed and out on Weds. Was relatively calm on the ride out so got the RPMs up. Handles full forward I was right about 5K (tachs jump a little) and GPS said 60-62 trimmed all the way down. trimming up the boat started bouncing a ton and rocking side to side. Might be inexperience or an issue, either way jumped out of it. Usually we cruise at 35-40 with the family on board. Weds was just me and my dad so we ran 45-50 most places. I'd love to get it stable enough to cruise that speed all the time, but one thing at a time I think. Need to make sure its safe, and I am driving it safe before I worry about speed.
