2002 velocity 280
 

Hey guys, ive been in the market for a new boat, mid to upper 20's in size and on a budget. I found a freshwater 2002 velocity 280 a few hours away with just over 200 hours on it running a 496mag. I am going to go take a look at it soon, is there anything specific on this boat i should be looking for? It has been lift kept and trailered /its whole life, pictures look clean. It has a wrap on it that i am not crazy about, but other then that it seems perfect for what we want..i may have to quiet the exhaust down to keep the wife happy, Teague switchable muffler or similar. Do you think a survey is necessary? Do i have anything to worry about? I dont have any personal experience with velocity boats, but im getting pretty excited about it! Any info and input on this model boat is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

Velocity 280s are great boats. Deep cockpit, good size cabin with headroom and fast. Usually well put together but.....cover your butt and get a survey if after looking at it you want it. It should be a 68-70 mph boat.

Padraig

Agree 100% but not about the 68-70mph. This boat has a Mag, not an HO engine.

If you buy it you will love it!

I agree with others to have a survey done. Any used boats will have some issues, you just don't want to have any major issues to deal with. Sounds like this one has had good care,

Velocities have many great features. First of all they are fast , but there is more. They have a deep cockpit, a nice flat engine platform for sunning, and you can walk around the outside of the boat on the flat area along the sides. They are very well built as well.. The headroom in the cabin is also better than the norm. The high freeboard is nice when the water gets rough to keep the water out.

They are considered a driver's boat, meaning you have to drive it, not just sleep at the wheel. Once you get it down you will love it.

I hope things work out for you.

All positive ,thanks for all the input, and the point you can walk around the outside is actually a very useful thing to know, i was concerned about getting to the bow of the boat for anchoring with there being no hatch in the cabin. Also, the engine is a 496 mag HO, thats what the engine cover reads at least. One thing i noticed is the boat does not have trim tabs, will this be an issue?? Every boat i have ever owned has had adjustable tabs, and i have always used them frequently.. Thanks again!

Oops you are correct, I was thinking that the Mag was the higher hp motor.

Padraig

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I use my tabs all the time , but I think the 280 being longer, shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I even swapped out the Dana 900 tab plates ( 17") for the longer Dana 1000 tabs ( 24") just to try to lengthen the boat

you can always gain a little more hp with PCM upgrade. https://whipplesuperchargers.com/ind...ategory_id=181

I ran a 280 for 15 years without tabs. No problem. However my Velocity VR 1, 29 foot has tabs and they are nice if I am running some real snotty water. Are they needed, no. Are they nice to have, yes. Mine are also Dana 1000. If you buy the 280 run it this summer and if you want tabs make it a winter project.

Where are you located and where you be boating?

Padraig

When I bought my 2002 280 it did not have tabs. I agree you do not need them, but they are nice to have. I installed 280s. If the boat is listing to one side because of uneven weight or wind conditions the tabs are nice to have. Also keeps the the boat on plane at a much lower speed and helps get on plane sooner.

Great Hull. I would try to find one with more power and taps already so you can enjoy it now.

I am very excited about this boat. I think that running it for the season and seeing how it performs is a good recommendation. Even if i decided mid season tabs was a necessity, its a weekend project. I boat on Lake Champlain, from Vermont, generally dont have to deal with super rough water. As for power, i think that i will be pleased with the current set up, but good to know that upgrades are just a reprogram away. The Velocity community seems to be a good one, and hopefully if this deal works out i will be able to join and contribute! Thanks again to everyone

Good luck with the purchase. By the way, my wife was a driving force in buying our 1998 280 Velocity. We had it for 15 years before buying the VR 1.
Sick Stinger, on this forum often has used tabs for sale at good prices should you decide to add some.

Padraig

So I found a 2002 VR 1 about an hour away from where the 280 is, i may try to coordinate seeing them both the same day i drive down. Other then the 1' difference, what are the major differences between the two boats? They are asking $2,500 more for the VR 1. I am a family man that wants a toy, so i will have kids with me often, wife and i may try and sneak a night out here and there also, things to consider. And here is the big question..granted they are both in good shape, lower hours, both 496 engine, what should i pay?? i know thats a tough one, but roughly. Thanks!

Oh yeah, almost forgot, anyone know a surveyor in the lake george NY area??

I would think the boat is stored and WINTERIZED for the complete winter season. Maybe something to work out in a contract clause about when weather warms a bit to finally inspect deeper and lake testing. I can not tell you how important is to lake test used boats underload. . I have been in those same dealings as well, iced over lakes and complete winter stored boats.

For the engine side and drive side and ESPECIALLY for the 496 I would hire a real certified Mercruiser tech to check out that end of it and that has the latest scan tool equipment. The survey people know nothing about these engines nor anything that has 555 controls and up. .

That area is very close to were I grew up. And with that said, if you need a REAL tech who knows the 496 inside and out - I can always perform the service. But NOT for free just to be clear about the offer. I would have the means for transportation in and around the area.

BUP, exactly what would you do to ensure the condition of the motor and drive? I am a master certified technician, and shop Forman of the largest Honda dealer in Vermont, so I know engines, I just don't have access to marine scan tools. I do appreciate the suggestion though, and think it's a good one. I am very aware the boat is winterized, I am starting the buying process, that starts with looking. I have made arrangements with the owner already. I don't know the methods or tools used by surveyors to check the integrity of the boat itself, so that one is super important to me, last thing I want is to be putting a transom on a boat I just purchased. What's your going rate, and what are your credentials? I would never expect a complete stranger to perform these services for free, your response was slightly agressive..lol.

There is a huge miss interpretation of a boat survey and a complete pre purchase inspection -- For one how far and in depth does the buyer want to go and for putting an upfront cost is impossible without short changing the complete job in hand. Let say I find a water leak -- is it engine side - boat side side or transom assembly side ? Then that has to be looked into and so forth just an small example - next fault codes - what is faulted or was and why did the engine throw a fault code(s) ? is this an on going issue or a past or present issue ? again another example

For one surveys especially like SAMS KNOW NOTHING about engines period especially MPI and CATALYST engines -- Lets get that straight right off the bat -- if they own a scan tool inwhich is very RARE they basically use for engine hour checks

Next info -- think of this as in the car industry --- pre purchase inspection - How far does the buyer want to go with inspection - full indepth - a tad of depth or a basic or just visual inspections -- do you want oil analysis - do want the drive pulled and examine the U joints - bellows - gimbel bearing and look at the engine coupler as best one can thru the gimbel bearing cent hole. Also check engine alignment. Propshaft run out - pressure test the outdrive for leaks ? The list can go into depth and more covered

- so my question back to buyers is what is your budget to spend on pre purchase inspections and what do you want to be check out and performed along how much depth ??

engine scan of course - engine running on hose or lake tested or both and check for water leaks in the water ? Interpretation of the scan engine ? Its hard to give out an exact price for a pre purchase inspection until the buyer collaborates with the inspector what they want and check out and how much depth. These marine inspections are way different than auto inspections and depths of them.

The inspection also offer the buyer a list of better haggling lower price options . Buyer beware with used boats NEVER SEEN a used boat that did not need something from mild to full bore out right pig with lipstick on it repairs. The 496 is a very missed engine that many think is 100 percent until I show up and get testing and digging - NO BS

I'm gonna take a look at it in a few weeks, guess I will just go from there! Spring is right around the corner! May check out that VR 1 also

Ok, seeing that I have had a 1998, 280 and presently have a VR 1 I guess I should answer this. I haven't kept up with pricing so I will not address that.

VR 1
Pro
1. Very SEXY looking and a moulded in swim platform
2. Slightly better ride IMO and my wife's
3. Power bolster
​​​4. No wood anywhere including transom.
5. Did I say it is sexly ?
6 Lighter and a few mph faster then equal power 280

Cons
1. Cabin slightly less headroom.
2. Cockpit not as deep but still better then most.

280
Pro
1. Deep cockpit
2. Excellent headroom

Con
1. Add on swim platform, works well but not as nice looking
2. Slightly shorter than VR 1 but really not noticable.
3.3May not have hydraulic steering
4 No power bolster

Exactly the info I was looking for, thank you! As for the 290 sc, that one is just out of budget, but it seems like it would be perfect! Also in Fl, that would be quite that hall back to VT! Thanks again!

Not a bad haul at all. I hauled my 280 down and came back with the VR. I am in Western NY. Hauled them behind a 1\2 ton Suburban with 5.3 and trailer package.

Padraig

Padraig, you definatly have my wheels turning. After doing some research it definatly sounds like it would be a perfect fit for us. My wife gave me a budget around 30k, and between the cost of the boat and the added expense of the travel I dont know if she would go for it..lol I may feel her out a bit though! Also I'm sure its salt water, and I dont know if I would be willing to blow the budget for a salt water boat. I briefly looked around, they basically dont exist on the market, which makes me believe the people that own them dont want to part with them. Spring will be here soon, who knows what will pop up on the market. In the mean time th 280 is my best lead.

FWIW I would give Kenny a call. He is kind of the go to guy for brokering Velocity boats. He brokers boats from many locations. As far as price they may go lower. Kenny is a good guy and straight shooter. He also is the go to guy for Velocity info such as build question, parts suppliers etc.

Padraig



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280 s extremely check for any rot in the transom - this can be somewhat common for the 280 s especially 2000 and back. .

What engine is in this 1998 280 ? the 496 came out for 2001 year model Mercruiser side of things

The 280 i am interested I purchasing is a 2002, not totally sure where 1998 came from....

I thought that was another one that was being looked at. I would go with the 290 and thats coming form a 280 owner me. And I still would check the transom in all 280 s. All wood and IMO Velocity s weak point of their builds for the 280s and the older 260 s.. The 280 s rub rail install is very poor. Also the faria gauge installs - Faria back then were entry level. I know I sent 100 s back to Faria in varies boat brands that used them including Velocity s that used Faria gauges..

I own a 2000 year model 280 Velocity all OEM stock build. so I am knocking my own boat. Can not stand the rub rail and the fit finish for it is a very poor install from the factory. Just saying no offense to anyone -- it is what it is and again I am knocking my own boat.

The rub rail -- has the cheap rubber insert not the SS insert on my 280.. Again just saying,

The hulls are fast and handle good plus fun to drive.One of the reasons I kept mine.

The 280 is not a Wave crusher more like a sports car on the water The 290 handles the rough better and so does the Vr1.

Im 6 3 -- 235 and can not fit in the 280 cabin. for me Its a neg. We have blazing sun here with no shade ever. The boarding ladder is worthless on the 280 as well especially for a tall person. Other than that Im keeping it until whenever.

My wife is concerned about the 280 not having a hatch or windows that open for airflow in the cabin. Can anyone tell me does it get really stuffy down there? We have always had hatches on all boats we have owned and slept on. We have a little ones she is concerned about for napping down there.

I would think any boat will get stuffy in the cabin without ventilation.

They are not that hard to install. Just measure a few times before cutting, seal it up and screw it together.

I don't know why but cabin never seemed stuffy as long as door was open. We never spent much time in it during the day but did quite a bit of overnighting. Darlene still likes to sleep on the boat at our dock on Chautauqua Lake. To aid in ventilation a couple of fans wired it would be an easy add on.
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/cafra...-12v--18264788

Padraig

Formulate,. How is the search going? Have you had a chance to inspect any?

Padraig

I was planning on looking at the 2002 280 next weekend but in the mean time I stumbled across a 2006 290sc in my price range. Trying to figure out the logistics, its 1600 miles away! I'll keep you posted!

Go for the 290SC. You won't regret going with the newer model.

Financing is good to go for the 290 sc, beyond excited. Now planning a major road trip. As soon as she is hooked onto my truck I'll try and post some pics! I am holding off on the trip as long as possible so I dont have to winterize the boat before bringing it north. Thanks to everyone for all the advice, I'll keep you all posted!

Big congrats!! You won't regret going with the 290SC!! Make sure the trailer wheel bearings are greased and tires at correct psi before trailering home. Might want to invest in a spare wheel/tire. No need to spoil a good experience!! We need pics!

You won't regret it..

We LOVE ours.. :)

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Purple and green one down here?

Purple and Yellow 290 in Louisiana?

Lousiana

We looked at that boat (online) in the fall and corresponded with the owner...sounded like it might be a nice one.
I will be interested in hearing how you like the boat, congrats!