268DA and Weekenders

Daddubo

Daddubo

New Member
Oct 13, 2009
1,423
ILLINOIS / Chain O Lakes
Boat Info
Really Nice for a 97
Engines
40 HP Force
Is there a group here that was started just for the 268's?:huh:
If not I would like to get one going so we can share the good ,the bad and the performance of these boats:thumbsup:
 
Sounds good- Looks like there are three of us, new to this site with 268's. I am sure there are lots of other 268 owners out there that don't fit in any of the current threds.
 
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You are correct, so hopefully we can learn from each other. I have mine winterized and under a tarp. I couldn't figure what the two hoses going toward the cabin coming off the engine were for then I got my flash light out and squeezed my big head where I could take a look and found that they go to the water heater never had one of those before. I built an A frame so the snow will slide off, I took the bow Pulpit off and the teak inserts off the swim platform so I can refinish them this winter. I have to try and remember what I did with my Formula, I had a Teak swim platform I believe that I read to mix linseed oil with the teak oil but I’m not sure will have to search for that in some of my old boating mags. You being from Texas probably don't have to worry to much about winterizing.
 
I am just beginning to think about it. We get a few days each year when the temp. gets below freezing. I have a small lake (10 acres) on my place with a lake house overhanging with plastic plumbing. Usually just crack the faucets when cold weather comes and have not had any pipe problems. Trying to decide how much to do. On the teak-I refinished mine by sanding,a little stain, and varnish. I am old school-As a kid we had an old mathews 39ft, all mahogany and teak. had to re-varnish the whole thing every year. lots of sanding. On the sea ray I did most of the wood exposed to sun in a couple of days. couple of hrs@day.
 
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Sounds like a plan , I have a 87 454 alpha just got back in the water Oct 23 with her new leg have to break her in but performance seem great it does about 29 mph at 3200 can't wait to see how she is at wot. We are in Vancouver BC on the west coast so its a little cool for fall crusing. But my love of boating over rides the cold. I think I will get some kind of cabin heater . Right now I have just been using the alcohol stove to take the chill off when on the hook. Future plans include installing a holding tank, an invertor, and a bus heater. Everything on the boat is in good shape both appearance wise and mechanical. Do any of you have any idea what to expect for fuel burn on a boat like this? I know it isn't great. Right now I just going to enjoy the boat and do a few upgrades over the winter.
Garvin 268 sundancer 454 alpha 1
 
I've got the same boat with a small block and a different drive. Last time out, and mind you I did quite a bit of 7-10 mph trolling I burnt about 38 gallons of premium and travelled about 60 miles. If I keep it up on plane, about 3200 rpm and about 26mph I get in the low ones. I don't think you guys with the 454s will be a whole lot different, but will probably be able to prop a little bigger and stay up on plane at a lower rpm.
 
Hey I'm in. I still gota get winterized. I know I know but I'm still tryin to get firewood cut. I know I know but but. I do have her tucked into an awsom little boat shed out back for starters. ...Ron
 
I have an 85 260da. I bought the boat a year ago and finally got it in the water. This is a bit narrower beam but overall the same layout. Power is a 260 alpha 1. Let me know if it fits here. Capt.Matt
 
Got a 1988 with twins here, went on the lake twice this week, now she's done for the winter. love the boat, twins are great power.
 
Matt I think you are in the right place I think they all have some things in common I'm not sure what the right engine is for these boats but I allways say bigger is better.
 
just me said:
Got a 1988 with twins here, went on the lake twice this week, now she's done for the winter. love the boat, twins are great power.
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I would think that you could stretch the season down there but I do remember my Wife and I spent a couple of days down there in 93 in late October and it did snow there before it snowed in the Chicago area..
What kind of speed do you get with the twins?
 
Daddubo said:
I would think that you could stretch the season down there but I do remember my Wife and I spent a couple of days down there in 93 in late October and it did snow there before it snowed in the Chicago area..
What kind of speed do you get with the twins?
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GPS 45 mph
 
Daddubo said:
That is pretty good. The twins I would imagne give more lift. Is your bottom painted?
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No bottom paint. i think you saw this boat in the test section. photo bucket ? Twins give you great throttle response, does not feel heavy
 
Got a handling question for you all about my boat. I havn't had her long, and my prior 230 I had for only one tank of gas. So my experiance as a captain is limited.

When she comes up on plane she will instantly keel over to port. I correct with trim tabs but it seems wierd. Water tank on the port side (empty). Batterys on the port side. I've tryed counter balanceing with tool box and spare props to starboard, still lays over to port as soon as shes up. Sets level in the water. Out drive seems to be in the middle of the V. Salesman told me it could be the torque of the motor. I duno:huh:. What do you guys think? How do your boats handle. thanx ...Ron
 
Mine will go either way depending where the family is sitting at the time. Does it keel over alot? Mine usually isn't bad. I generally just have to deploy the tab slightly on the side that is leaning
 
I would not say its alot. Takes maybe two to three flicks on the tab switch bow down and its all good. I'm just really curious if this might be something like "the nature of the beast" or something to look into. I thinking if I don't have to use my trim tabs it'll free up my hull some. On the other hand, I don't want to try to fix something that has worked for 21 years and have things screwed up.

I've actually ran this boat with nothing but 1/2 tank gas, tools and props counter ballancing the batts, just me @ 195# and she still layed over. Wierd. ...Ron
 
On the fuel consuption. My does about 1.3 to 1.5mpg at best with a Navman flow meter at 25mph. 17 in. pitch prop. Between empty and full fuel tank really makes a difference.
 
Roll to port is normal. You say it's not to bad. then I think fine. The more displacement you have, the more it will want to roll against the engines torque. There is something called a HOG. where to much time on a trailer or on stands out of level can cause the boat to twist and stay that way... But it's rare and I doubt it's your problem. I think your fine.
 
BonBini said:
Got a handling question for you all about my boat. I havn't had her long, and my prior 230 I had for only one tank of gas. So my experiance as a captain is limited.

When she comes up on plane she will instantly keel over to port. I correct with trim tabs but it seems wierd. Water tank on the port side (empty). Batterys on the port side. I've tryed counter balanceing with tool box and spare props to starboard, still lays over to port as soon as shes up. Sets level in the water. Out drive seems to be in the middle of the V. Salesman told me it could be the torque of the motor. I duno:huh:. What do you guys think? How do your boats handle. thanx ...Ron
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Here are a few things I can think of. When you take off do you have the drive tucked the way in and tabs all the way down? Does it do the same tab up or down? Is the steering tight? Lift the hatch and see how you have to turn the wheel before it starts to move. On the trailer check how much movement side to side by hand in the drive befor the wheel moves. Check out of the water if the tabs have the same amount of stroke up and down or maybe one is moving slower than the other or one tab cylinder is weak. I wouldn't think the torque would make it roll to the side as heavy as the boat is. Does it do the same thing taking off slow and WOT?
 
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