05 and up 260 Sundancer listing problems

[medic3538]

Getting ready to buy an 05 or 06 260 Sundancer. On Sea Trial last week, the boat seemed to perform well. The second time the Captain brought the boat up onto plane it banked sharply to the right. The Captain resolved the problem with a couple of quick taps to the trim tab. Is this normal for this boat? Any 05 and up 260 owners please weigh in and tell me anything you can.

I have found little tidbits of info concerning this and read that the 04 and earlier do not have the problem.

Thanks for any help anyone out there can give me.

-Steevo.

 

[MC1600]

Getting ready to buy an 05 or 06 260 Sundancer. On Sea Trial last week, the boat seemed to perform well. The second time the Captain brought the boat up onto plane it banked sharply to the right. The Captain resolved the problem with a couple of quick taps to the trim tab. Is this normal for this boat? Any 05 and up 260 owners please weigh in and tell me anything you can.

I have found little tidbits of info concerning this and read that the 04 and earlier do not have the problem.

Thanks for any help anyone out there can give me.

-Steevo.

The boats always gonna go over a little bit until you bring the outdrive up. Was the drive up or down when he adjusted the tabs??

Out of the hole, I am fine, once it gets about 3/4 of the way up, the lean begins (especially if my fuel is 1/2 tank or less, and I have not pumped out in a bit, but bringing up the outdrive usually cures 90% of it. The tabs take care of the rest. :thumbsup:

 

[medic3538]

Thanks Dec. Wedding. I saw him (capt) trimming out a bit off the throttle, but can't be sure how far out we were in the trim range. Just got done reading the entire 260 threads. Looks like you had a bit of a nightmare there in the beginning. It's 08 and it looks like you still have your boat. Is all well?

 

[MC1600]

Thanks Dec. Wedding. I saw him (capt) trimming out a bit off the throttle, but can't be sure how far out we were in the trim range. Just got done reading the entire 260 threads. Looks like you had a bit of a nightmare there in the beginning. It's 08 and it looks like you still have your boat. Is all well?

Oh yeah. I'm off the ledge too, thanks for asking. Just got her back yesterday, and for some reason no matter what's happened or how long she's been in the shop, all my concerns and issues float away by the time I leave that first "no wake" zone and head back to the marina.

I've just gotta keep this ole' girl running for a while longer until I can pick-up a used 350. :grin:

Good luck w/ yours! Matt

 

[Nehalennia]

Hey Medic,
Congrats first. Second, yes you will find many posts/threads about the '05 and newer models. The Deadrise of the hull is different(sharper angle) and has been known to list unless you get used to trimming the drive and tabs.

I took an '05 out that my Wife and I were looking at, and it's one thing that I didn't like, but knew I could get used to adjusting the tabs.

I bought an '00 and love it's ride. I still have to make adjustments, but they're minor.

My Uncle bought an '08 260DA and I haven't gone out with him yet, but he has complained about the same thing. He want's me to go out with him and see if we can figure that out.

Nice boat for sure, however.

 

[fwebster]

Both the 240's and 260's seem to want o fall off one side or the other as they are trimmed out. I think it is because of the relatively narrow hull and steep hull angle. As Todd says, the need to trim the boat is something most owners get a handle on.

I will caution you, however, that the sea trial has a purpose. It isn't just to enjoy the ride. You should run the boat ---not watch the captain run the boat--- enough during the sea trial so that you either can get comfortable with the handling and trim inputs yourself or can not. If you can not, then look at different models. It would be a serious and costly mistake to buy a boat you eventually grew to hate due to its handling characteristics. Find it out now rather than after you take the first years depreciation hit.

 

[tphinney]

Way to avoid the whole nose dive to one side is to pull the tabs in/up all the way and not use them to get up on plain unless you absolutely need too or if you have serveral years under you're belt and know how to react to it.

I'll give you an example.

I was in some heavey slop and had the drive and trim tabs all the way down to slow the boat down as much as possible but still stay on plain. She handled the heavey weather fine; but once I was through I forgot that I had the tabs all the way downa and when I gave her gas to get up on plane and get home. She dove hard to one side, a simple retraction of the tabs and she was fine. It fearked me out a little as i had on coming traffic in a tight canal when she pulled this stunt on me, but I instantly knew what it was and was about to correct.

the 240DA and 260DA have a lot of free board on a rather narrow hull which makes both models very sensitive to drive and tab trim. But don't get me wrong I love my Sea Ray.

 

[medic3538]

Ahhh yes. Thanks for the advice. That makes sense. I kind of was trying to get the captain to let me on the helm, but was getting the "your not driving cause I don't want the liability" vibe off him. In his defense, we were in a very tight area of the ICW in the crazy North Myrtle Beach zone. People were running nuts. We'll need to request to ride out to open water so I can get on the helm. Thanks again!!

 

[medic3538]

Way to avoid the whole nose dive to one side is to pull the tabs in/up all the way and not use them to get up on plain unless you absolutely need too or if you have serveral years under you're belt and know how to react to it.

I'll give you an example.

I was in some heavey slop and had the drive and trim tabs all the way down to slow the boat down as much as possible but still stay on plain. She handled the heavey weather fine; but once I was through I forgot that I had the tabs all the way downa and when I gave her gas to get up on plane and get home. She dove hard to one side, a simple retraction of the tabs and she was fine. It fearked me out a little as i had on coming traffic in a tight canal when she pulled this stunt on me, but I instantly knew what it was and was about to correct.

the 240DA and 260DA have a lot of free board on a rather narrow hull which makes both models very sensitive to drive and tab trim. But don't get me wrong I love my Sea Ray.

The people on this site are great!! The wife and I have been dreaming of this boat for awhile and it's good to hear from experienced 260 (and other) sea ray owners. We have been running around for the last 2 years in a 18 ft. bowrider so there will be a learning curve I expect. Our area is boatable almost all 12 months of the year, we are excited about being able to anchor out for the night after a day on the water. Everyone has been giving us solid information and has calmed our anxieties. We LOVE this boat and are happy to hear it will be manageable. Thanks to all. I'll keep reading anything anyone else has to say however.

 

[islandhopper00]

The best thing to do is not buy a 2005-2008 260da!!!!!!!!!!! Yes you can adjust the trim, but unless you like poking the trim buttons all the time...wind change, poke the trim buttons. People move around, poke the trim buttons. Wakes from other boats, poke the trim buttons. Use fuel off, poke trim buttons. Current direction change, poke the trim buttons. Are you getting me. I can manage my boat so you would never know of trim issues, unless you watch me drive. And the question has been asked of me 1000 times. Why are you pushing thoes buttons all the time for? I just tell people it is a dead man option offered by Sea Ray, safety, you know, if I don't push thoes buttons the boat will come to a stop. Like the trains have. Ha, very funny. Some people don't know the difference and believe me.

 

[At Ease]

I have no problem with my 260. Coming up on plane I just trim the outdrive and once on plane add a little trim tab if needed. It is a great boat in its class. The best cockpit layout of an 26 ft cruiser. Thanks for your opinion Islandhopper!

 

[tphinney]

Islandhopper has the worst case secnario, and I did not realize this until I tried to help out some folks with an 08 240DA and jumped in the engine compartment. I realized that in '06 the 240DA actually became a 22' hull. the actuall running surface is at least 2 forward of the rear fo the boat. I can't even begin to image how touchy that must make the boat. I new that just in a side to side comparision my 240Da was bigger height wise and room wise in the cockpit but I had no Idea they had shortend the running surface so much under the waterline.

As I stated earlier, I only have problems when I try to come on plane with tabs fully extened. I boat in a very large bay and in the Gulf of Mexico (ie Wind and Waves) and my 240DA really does not behave baddly, then agian most of the time it is just me, the admiral, and the 2 swabs (5 & 5 ). With the re-design of the 260 it should ride a bit like the pre-04 240DA's as it has the Same water line and beam.

any way my 2 cents.

 

[islandhopper00]

Thank you Tom, it's nice to hear some form of acknowledgement from another owner. There is a big difference in the boats. The reality is the "22" foot hull became a 19 foot "wetted surface" hull. I discovered this when I was buying a custom trailer from EZ Loader and couldn't get the trailer I wanted. The weight of the boat on plane is trying to be balanced on a small foot print, and balance becomes an issue.

 

[Dave S]

Steve

I've already sent my suggestions to you in response to the PM you sent me so I won't elaborate any futher because you have heard many of the same suggestions here from other 260DA owners.

While I would prefer that my 260DA didn't have these peculiar traits, I also feel they are very manageable in my opinion and don't detract from my enjoyment of the boat. The problem is if you are looking for a late model pocket cruiser in the Sea Ray line up that has better handling traits, you have to jump to a 280DA or larger. If your budget can handle it then by all means do that but if not I know you will enjoy a 260DA.

Dave

 

[tphinney]

this theard kind of highlights everything I hate about the re-designs that have happened to the 240DA in '06 and the 260DA in '05. When Searay integrated the Swimplatform you lost 2+ feet of wetted surface and usable cockpit space while at the same time raising the price of the boats. Make Absolutely no sense to me.

As a recommendation to Steve. If you want a good performer and more usable space My (take it or leave it doesn't matter) recommendation would be to look for a well maintained '04 240Da or 260DA. you'll save some money and you'll get much more boat for you're money.

enjoy

 

[medic3538]

Good to see Islandhopper's situation explained. The wife and I are pretty much commmitted to this boat as to layout, space, price and overall look. We are definately going to go ahead with the 260 Dancer as per all the information we have recieved from everyone on this thread. Thanks to Dave for taking the time out to explain how he learned to handle his boat. I would be happy with an 04, but the wife is all about the layout of the redesign. I do wish that Sea Ray would have noticed the difference in performance in the redesign and not REDESIGNED the performance out of the boat. I am not worried however, I will take everyones advice and put it all together on the next Sea Trial and make sure that I operate the boat as well. We are planning to bring the Surveyor along on the next Sea Trial.

Thanks to all and I'll let you know how it goes.

-Steevo.

 

[Dave S]

That's a good approach Steve. I feel all boats have trade offs and that's what you have here. The newer 260DA has a cockpit with underseat storage while the old one did not. That means a lot to me because what you can't store in the cockpit has to go in the cabin or the bilge. I also prefer the seating layout in the cockpit of the newer 260DA as well compared to the older one. The cabins however are near identical. If I had to choose between the two designs, the 2005 and up would be my choice for those reasons alone.

If you have a chance take a look at the 260DAs replacement for 2009.......that would be the new 270DA. There are several threads on the new 270DA here on our site along with a lot of pictures. I think it is an imporvement on the current 260DA. Moreover, they went back to a 19 degree deadrise they had on the older 260DAs and they also have more lifting strakes on the hull. Plus there is a deliberate "hook" near the transom that greatly aids comming on plane. According to my dealer all the quirky traits of the 260DA are gone. The boat pops up on plane quickly plus with the base motor the boat has a higher top speed as well. The only problem is going to be the price. As I recall the one they had in the showroom was about $120K (asking price). It was loaded though with everything including a generator.

 

[rodwood5]

i too just purchase a 2007 sea ray sundancer. I am experiencing the same problem. Have you figured out the best way to rectify this yet?

Thanks !

Rod Wood

 

[Dave S]

i too just purchase a 2007 sea ray sundancer. I am experiencing the same problem. Have you figured out the best way to rectify this yet?

Thanks !

Rod Wood

Rod........check out my response in your other post.

Dave

 

[Scotto97]

I agree with several other members, the 260 is a great boat. The key has been stated - do not use the trim tabs to get on plane. The boat will plane very easily without them.

I try to keep weight forward though - 2 large box anchors in the forward transom locker, ect.

Once on plane, the boat tends to leen portside, so I use the trim tab slightly at that point only. In heavy waves (3-5 feet on Lake Mead) the port list is more pronounced so I use more trim.