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In-House Testimonial
Working in the marine industry I have been out on and serviced thousands and thousands of boats.
When the new Seaborne 280 Offshore showed up at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show I was impressed.
From a technicians point of view it was well constructed for durability and easy serviceability.
From a "boaters" point of view it had a great layout with excellent standard and optional features.
Ehh.... I thought. Another center-console hits the market.
Just like all the other 27'-28' models at the show it showed good promise.
Looking a little deeper I started noticing the details. Quality pop-up cleats, extra
brushed aluminum hand rails, GPS, VHF, CD/Stereo, Live well system, Dual Bilge Pumps, etc, etc.
Extras that can be had on just about any boat but wait!
There must be a mis-print on the price sheet. This must be the price without motors.
Picking up the Boat Show Special price sheet I started scanning down though all the standard features,
then the Deluxe Version features, and finally the Options list.
WHAT? The price INCLUDES twin Mercury Optimax 200's!
With price sheet in-hand I decided to walk back through all the boats at the show.
One-by-one the Seaborne 280 Offshore shot down every center console that I inspected.
Ok, Now I'm impressed. A great looking boat for less money than any other orange in the show.
I'm not even in the market to buy a boat but for the next few days I couldn't stop thinking about what a great deal this boat was.
The next week the Outboard Shop arranged a seatrial with Iggy, the factory Seaborne rep.
Our demo was the basic model with twin 200 Optimax's.
Jumping onto the boat from the dock I immediatly noticed the boats stability.
Pulling away from the dock the boat was quiet and had very little, if any, vibration.
"So far so good" I thought. I bet we could sell a few of these. Nice layout, nice boat.
As we past the slow speed zone Iggy told me to hold on because we were going to take off.
"Take off" I thought? He sounds like a Space Shuttle Pilot or something.
Iggy turned back around and said, "Both hands... hold on tight" and he had a serious look on his face!
OK, just so I don't make an ass out of myself I'll hold on... just in case.
Iggy hit the Mercury DTS throttles to wide open and I honestly thought my arms were going to rip off!
Thank goodness I was holding on with both hands! One hand would not have done the job. I would have been left
floating in the intracoastal waterway as they pulled off into the distance.
NEVER in all my days have I experienced such acceleration in such a boat.
I was really impressed! Within just a few seconds I managed to gain my composure
as so I could struggle around and see the SmartCraft tachs and SmartSpeedo.
Already at 5600 RPM and already doing 56 MPH? NO WAY! I wiped my watering eyes and looked again.
Yep... I was right. In just several seconds we had gone from a calm idle to a screaming 56 MPH.
I didn't even remember the bow coming up on plane! It was THAT fast.
Iggy turns around and with a wicked grin on his face he says, "Still holding on?".
He slows down to 30 MPH and goes into a hard tight 360 degree turn.
First you have to realize that we are in a narrow part of the Intracoastal.
I though we were going to be killed.
Then I realized that it was happening! The boat was staying into the turn like it had it's own gravity.
Pulling out straight the props had NO ventilation and we shot off like a rocket.
This boat turns like a high performance jet ski!
For his next trick Iggy pulled back on the throttles and shut off one motor.
He then proceeded to throttle up on only one engine.
In about 5 or 6 seconds we were back on plane and in just a few more seconds we were
doing 40 MPH! Let me repeat that. We were doing 40 MPH ON ONE ENGINE.
Here is the deal. You HAVE to test run this boat.
Yes, it looks nice, has a smart design, is tough as hell and has an unbelievably low price but until
you test run this boat you really don't "get" it.
Standard Features
Hull and Deck
10 year structural limited warranty
1 year non-structural parts and components
Hand-laid fiberglass construction using composite core
Maximum strength construction
100% wood-free
Unique deck-to-stringer bonding for less noise/flexing
Full-height transom with transom door
Integrated dive platform
All hi-grade stainless hardware
Diamond non-skid cockpit and deck surface
(4) Stainless steel flush mounted rod holders
(6) Stainless steel cleats
Wad anchor compartment w/anchor holder & overboard drain
(2) Brushed aluminum recessed bow & transom grab rails
Heavy Duty rub rails
Console & Helm Areas
Fwd console seating for two w/backreast & grab rails
Console with side entrance door and light
Plexiglass Windshield
Mechanical
Navigation Lights
(1) Manual w/auto bilge pump (1500 GPH)
Compass, horn and safety switch
Waterproof & illuminated switch panel
Two dual-battery selector switches (inside console)
Hydraulic steering w/stainless steel wheel w/knob
Full instrumentation & 12V outlet
Hydraulic S/S Trim Tabs
Dual battery compartment inside console
Cockpit
Self bailing cockpit
Fiberglass leaning post w/integrated underseat storage
Leaning post has aluminum hand rails and SS cup holders
(1) 25 gallon aft oval bait well w/overboard drain
(1) 68 gallon fwd fish box underdeck with drain
Underdeck fish box is fully lined
(2) 38 gallon fwd fish box/storage above deck with drains
(1) 18 gallon fwd center lined storage compartment
Deluxe Package
T-Top with grab rail, outrigger plates, (4) rod holders and
fwd and aft spreaderlight and nav lights
Fiberglass electronics box w/red LED light
CD Stereo package w/(4) marine speakers
Northstar VHF Radio w/ antenna
Northstar 650 Color GPS system with Depth Recorder
Mercury SmartCraft instruments
Twin 200hp Optimax DTS (Digital Throttle System)
SmartCraft DTS Controls
24 gallon fresh water tank w/ transom shower
Salt water wash down
Removable transom dive ladder
(6) SS pop up cleats (replaces std cleates)
Second manual/auto bilge pump (1500 GPH)
Dual Gel Batteries
Trim Tabs Auto Retractor
LED courtesy and live well lights
DELUX Fiberglass leaning post w/integrated underseat storage
Leaning post has aluminum hand rails and SS cup holders & 94qt cooler
Cockpit coaming bolsters
Removable fiberglass rear bench seat w/storage and cushions
SS remote oil tank fills (2 stroke only)
Ready for a SeaTrial? Call the Outboard Shop at 954-781-5611
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Uses about 9.3 GPH at 35 MPH (both engines)
