Looking to purchase a clean low hour 280 Silencer. Would prefer a 496 HO but would also be ok with a 502. I like that the 496 is smartcraft compatible. The newer the better. Would also consider a 300 with twin 496. Just seeing whats out there that not listed. The closer to Northern Illinois the better but willing to travel.

CBardell,

Best of luck. They are hen's teeth. When I first started looking, there were a couple around. By the time I actually got serious, they had all but vanished, at least within a driving radius the wife was willing commit to. My nephew found the one we scooped up on FB Marketplace, and it was five hours away, which almost killed it for the wife. But, with only 143hrs on the meter at the time, I convinced her to make an adventure out of it (boy, was it... Another story altogether....) Fortunately, the seller and I were able to work out price and details, pending a sea trial, before we made the drive, so, when we did, we had cash/check in hand, the sea trial went off without a hitch, no undesirables popped up, and we took it home with us. At the time, there were still a few of them out there on Craigslist, but all of them too far for us to drive. I just scanned, and they are all gone. I don't do FB at all, so I have no idea what's actually out there at the moment, but it's worth a glance. They are really nice, well built boats, if you can find one.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

Thanks for the reply. I missed out on a really nice 280 and wont let that happen again. Found a pretty nice 300 but has the twin 6.2s and have ready multiple forums about them taking a while to plane. If any has any leads on a 280, 290, or 300. Also would consider a Formula 312 or sunny 288. Really want the cockpit room of the powerquests.

CBardell,

Yup. We did, too. I had found one that was in our backyard, very near our house on Cumberland. By the time we got down to look at it, another one had popped up just up the street, at another dealership. We looked at both. The "second" one, while having a brand new 502 Mercury crate engine in it, was just too rough for what we wanted. The "first", however, was absolutely pristine, despite it's almost 500 hours on the meter. We really liked the boat, but it was too early yet for a sea trial, so we let it simmer. I called the dealer back a month later, and it had sold. I was pizzed. A bit of serendipity, though. We ran into the new owners at the ramp one day, and they'd been having overheating problems with it, and hadn't had a full day on the water to date. I understand they've gotten it sorted out, but I don't think the wife would have handled the hassle too well. Fast forward a year later, and I stumbled across the one we ended up with. It didn't have the checkerboard graphics that the wife doesn't like, had considerably more engine (496HO/ProCharger vs 454MPI), and only 143 hrs on the meter. Sometimes these things happen for a reason.


This is the one we ended up with. No. It's NOT for sale.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

HAHA how did you know that I was going to ask if you wanted sell it?? lol. Agree with everything you said! If anything has any leads let me know, I am ever open to cold calling people. haha

CBardell,

280 Silencer

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

I think I have inquired about everyone on Facebook. That had way more power than what I want. Prefer stock merc power.

CBardell,

No such thing as too much power. 😈😎

To be fair, I would worry about the B1 outdrive with that much power. We are pushing ours a bit too hard, as it is, but at least it’s not pouring that HP to it at takeoff, as the ProCharger doesn’t come on until about 3500RPM.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991

I just like reliability. We typically do a lot of boat vacations, so the lesser the breakdowns the better. And the time frame it takes to get parts these days makes a breakdown even worse. I’m good with close to 70mph.

CBardell,

Thats about where we are. The tattle tale says 71, but I’ve never seen it. I saw a nice solid 67 on the GPS speedo, but the boat was sluggish on takeoff with more than just the wife and I, so I dropped from a 28P to 26P. It takes off significantly quicker, is less temperamental about encumbrance, and still runs 65+. I’m pretty happy.

Thanks. Brad.
(937)545-8991