formulavt

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!

Padraig

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

underpsi68

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

Revd Up

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.

formulavt

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!

Padraig

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

Padraig

Revd Up

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

sp123

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

Padraig

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

underpsi68

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.