Sea Ray 280 Sundancer
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The Sea Ray 280 Sundancer features twin engines, a radar arch and a generator for power and air conditioning at all times. These amenities made this vessel an ideal one for audio, video and instrumentation upgrades.
MARINE INSTRUMENTATION

Starting with marine instrumentation, we added a Raymarine radar (on the left) and a Garmin chartplotter (on the right). The Garmin also has a hide-away sounder module with an in-hull transducer and a GPS receiver. Not having the cockpit provisions for the display/control units, we fabricated a wrap-around shelf out of matching color-thru polymer stock that is both waterproof and UV stable. This material will not fade or discolor. The pattern allows for viewing and access to all factory gauges and controls.

Also, to the lower right-hand side of the dash, a remote control was added for the motorized spotlight on the bow.

From the captain’s perspective, the new instrumentation carriage does not obstruct the dash plus the display/control units are positioned low enough so that the view over the bow remains clear.

Atop the arch, we installed an 18-inch 2KW scanner on a powder-coated aluminum tower, a stainless steel mast light extension, the Garmin GPS antenna and an XM satellite radio antenna. A drain was added to the Radome. All cable penetrations feature watertight glands and all component mounting were marine silicon sealed. The tower positions the radar above the Glomex UHF/VHF antenna saucer and any future arch additions such as a hailer or back-up lights.

INTERIOR AUDIO/VIDEO
A Sharpvision 15-inch LCD was added to the cabin sleeper. The factory 9-inch TV/VHS combo was removed and the new unit was located in the same location. There were no modifications made to the exterior cabinet so that the procedure is fully reversible. The upholstered cover panel attaches to an interior structural framework. The LCD is mounted via an aluminum articulating and swiveling cantilever. When the LCD is placed against the cabinet it clears the curtain and allows full closure. The LCD can be rotated for viewing from the v-berth or it can be angled and extended toward the galley seating group. Behind the LCD is a shock-resistant DVD player plus a game port complete with an AC outlet. The game port can input video games, camcorders, laptops, portable MP3 or many other A/V sources.
A video distribution system was expanded to include an antenna jack in the aft sleeper. The existing 9-inch TV/VHS combo unit is now converted to a transportable unit. The factory combo TV features front panel inputs and the aft sleeper provides an AC outlet so children or guests have the convenience of their own private electronic options.
A cockpit antenna jack was added so that the transportable TV can also be moved to the cockpit when viewing a game with friends from the aft deck on a nice day.
Before and after. A white polymer replacement top for the cockpit sink provides a temporary but stable mount for the TV.

The factory stereo features an AM/FM/CD player with a 6-disc changer. Front fade favors the cabin while rear fade selects the cockpit system.

Just below the source unit and between the disc storage compartments, we added an equalizer dedicated to the cockpit and an XM satellite radio controller in a custom black laminated panel to match. The satellite radio controller has an auxiliary input allowing the DVD or TV broadcast audio to be channeled into the full stereo system.

The control equalizer features cockpit subwoofer level control, front zone to the four cockpit coaxials and rear zone control to the rear-firing arch enclosure speakers. The five bands of equalization is a great secondary benefit.
A hardwired transom-mounted digital remote control offers volume and source selection from the swim deck or by simply reaching over the transom while seated on the aft deck. A second identical remote is featured on the dash. While sunlight inhibits infrared remotes these wired remotes won’t wash out, are waterproof and can’t get lost.
Hidden in a side compartment of the aft sleeper are two Alpine 5-channel amplifiers. The V-power model operates the five cabin speakers while the larger V-12 model drives the seven cockpit speakers. Both amps are mounted to a birch panel covered in marine vinyl. All wiring raceways are concealed. It’s understated and factory-looking which is our goal in most sport cruisers.
Port and starboard factory coaxials in the v-berth.
We added port and starboard Canton miniature two-way enclosures to the galley.
A JL Audio 8-inch driver is mounted in a polyurethane enclosure under the forward dinette bench. A louvered vent allows the concealed subwoofers’ radiation to envelope the entire cabin.
In another 280 Dancer we took a more permanent approach to the aft berth video system.
 
Within the aft berth of this Sea Ray 280 Sundancer we installed a 9-inch widescreen monitor with a built-in overhead DVD player. This also makes MP3 music playback available in the aft berth. The overhead unit contains a TV tuner so we expanded the splitter and ran a lead to facilitate the extra tap. Local broadcast is received from the Glomex antenna atop the arch. Satellite TV is accessible plus there is an input for an electronic video game. An auxiliary input allows us to eavesdrop on the main audio system’s satellite radio or CD changer selection, as an optional procedure. 
An overhead mounting bezel is made from high quality birch and wrapped in matching Sea Ray vinyl. The video system is shown with the LCD screen both open and closed. The screen is fully protected when closed. Twin lights are included in the overhead unit. The LCD screen is centered between the double berth. 
Audio is handled by wireless infrared headsets when privacy or isolation is desired. We also installed a pair of Alpine 4-inch coaxils to deliver an open-air forward soundstage. These speakers are defeatable by remote control. 
EXTERIOR AUDIO

The portside MB Quart 6 1/2-inch oversized coaxial replaces the factory coaxial on the aft deck.

Overhead is a Boston Acoustics Voyager enclosure mounted to the arch interior which projects over the swim deck, onto the slip or onto a sandy beach when at anchor. The Boston’s will also swivel forward and aim out over the bow deck for sunbathers or stargazers.

The starboard-side MB Quart and Boston Acoustic Voyager.
The port-side MB Quart at the helm.
The starboard-side aft deck MB Quart.
A free-air Clarion marine 10-inch subwoofer uses the sink console as its enclosure.
With the removable cooler under the sink there is still room for the subwoofer and storage for the cockpit table top and stand. Polymer corners keep the cooler stationary.

This Sea Ray 280 Sundancer received a subwoofer, four tower speakers, four cockpit speakers and six channels of amplification. Also, an equalizer serves as an integral part of the system.

Factory Clarion CD receiver and changer.

iPod port next to electronics cabinet.

We added a 7-band equalizer, which provides 3-way zone control: cockpit, arch, and sub. A major benefit of the EQ is the built-in six times 7-volt line driver. With six amplifier channels to drive the high voltage multi-channel discrete preamp delivers increased dynamic range.

Digital display hardwired remote control at transom.

Behind the mirrored doors of the cabinet within the aft bunk we added dual amplifiers and power distribution on a vinyl clad birch panel.

A Clarion marine four-channel amplifier operates high-pass and drives two pair of arch speakers plus two pair of flushmount cockpit speakers. A Clarion marine two-channel amplifier operates low-pass bridged mono to power the cockpit subwoofer.

Port side cockpit MB Quart marine coaxils.

Starboard side cockpit MB Quart marine coaxils.

In the cockpit sink console we added a JL Audio 10-inch free-air marine subwoofer.

MB Quart coaxils in white powdercoated Bullet pods on the radar arch.

Once people saw this boat out on the water with the Bullet radar arch speakers we received a lot of interest. Since doing this boat we have done several of the same package.
   
This Sundancer certainly has all the bells and whistles for the family, the children and their friends, for entertaining or for private outings. It’s hard to image anyone enjoying their boat more than the couple who owns this one.
Earmark Car Audio

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