26' purchase advice

[Utahlarry]

I'm planning on moving up from a 21' cuddy to a 26' Sundancer. Any advice from those who own a similar sized boat? I run in fresh water of Utah like Lake Powell. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel.
Thanks

 

[sappington]

Hey last season I went from a 200 overnighter to a 250 weekender,sounds like a pretty simular situation.Its a big change in handleing and towing.After launching two times in a somewhat cramped launch,I opted to moore it for the summer months,WoW it was well worth it.I bought a 2500 suburban with a 6.0 v-8 tow package whole deal and its not comforable to tow like the 200 was.your diesel should be better but its a lot more wieght make sure your trailer has good brakes.Mine is about 8000 with fuel and water and all the extras.But its well worth the move up.I was a little disappointed with the top end speed after being in the 200 with a v-8 but your cruising now not skiing and wake boarding.Im looking at a 34 footer now.I can say this get the biggest boat you can afford now because you will just want to up grade after a short time.

 

[just me]

I'm planning on moving up from a 21' cuddy to a 26' Sundancer. Any advice from those who own a similar sized boat? I run in fresh water of Utah like Lake Powell. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel.
Thanks

The perfect Powell boat, 1988 268 sundancer, twin 4.3 , red with a new trailer, well like mine maybe?

 

[garryowen]

hi larry; we slip at bull frog. where will you be operating out of?

that dodge should be be a good match to pull a 268.

we pulled our 230 weekender till this spring with a 1500 yukon xl. we got by but gerry bought a 2500 silverado and it pulls much nicer. it also handled her 310, from mead to powell, this spring.
if your not going to dry store or slip at powell, and going to pull out of salt lake(just a guess) make sure you get a good trailer.
our weekender came with 5 hole 14" wheels and 2 axles. it and the trailer weigh 7500#. with the tires available in this size, we are at 8200# max capacity. it would be nice to have a little more cushion.
if it comes with a 2 axle trailer make sure it has the heavier 8 hole wheels.

a far as the boat if possible get one with a gen set and air conditioner. if you can get the 5.7 or if you can find a 7.4 or better yet twins like just me^^. not sure what age boats you have in mind.
sundancer's in this size tend to have a small rear birth and have often times been called the coffin birth. if you plan on using the rear birth much, they get pretty hot back there when your traveling the lake-engine heat. they dont cool off very fast. if you know powell all ready, you know this isnt a great big deal as a lot of peeps like to sleep on the deck any way.
happy boat hunting and maybe see you at the lake

 

[Sundancer]

You'll be happy with the switch. Just don't let it get all loaded up with useless stuff!! Don't ask me how I know! the bigger boat will handle big water better and you'll probably spend more nights aboard. We moved from a 19 to a 25 foot and the biggest challenge was getting an appropriate tow vehicle. We towed our 250 DA with our 2500 Burb for 8 years before we started prepping for a larger boat. You've already got that part handled. There will be new systems to learn and a few more things to watch, but you'll be happy with the change and what it offers!

Make sure you get the potential boat surveyed!

 

[Nehalennia]

I'm planning on moving up from a 21' cuddy to a 26' Sundancer. Any advice from those who own a similar sized boat? I run in fresh water of Utah like Lake Powell. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel.
Thanks

What year are you targeting? There are two 260DA threads. There is the general one for all 260DAs and
the one for the '99-04 260DA models