Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
does anyone know the height of a 260 sundacer on a trailer. I'm thinking about buying one and was wondering if it will fit through a 12 foot door. Probably a 2010 or newer. Thanks.
260 sundancer height on trailer?
- Thread starter Maggieiscrazy
- Start date
Without an arch, yes, if the bimini tops are lowered. Possibly without doing that, it will be close. If you download the manual for the model you want, all of the boat’s dimensions are listed. The variable will be the trailer - you can guesstimate adding an additional 18”.
Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
I want an arch. For no other reason than I think they look cool. I'm guessing the 260 is very similar in height to the 280.
DTW
Member
- Apr 21, 2010
- 37
- Boat Info
- 2011 260 DA 350
Previous boats: 2002 240 DA, 1999 215 Chap, and 1988 Searay Seaville
- Engines
- 350
You will need 14' doors.
Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
Looks like I'm going to have to give up on the idea of an arch. Or build a taller building.
It's just money... build the bigger building!
FYI, a good fabricator can hinge an arch with a heavy SS hinge. Again... just money!
Can I suggest something? While the 260DA has some definite advantages over the 240DA, it's not like it's THAT much bigger. Have you considered looking at a 2001-2009 280DA? That will feel like a much more worthwhile "step up". They are technically too wide to be "normally" trailered, but can still be done pretty easily. Chances are you can find 280DA's, a couple years older than 2010 at the same price as the 260DA.
FYI, a good fabricator can hinge an arch with a heavy SS hinge. Again... just money!
Can I suggest something? While the 260DA has some definite advantages over the 240DA, it's not like it's THAT much bigger. Have you considered looking at a 2001-2009 280DA? That will feel like a much more worthwhile "step up". They are technically too wide to be "normally" trailered, but can still be done pretty easily. Chances are you can find 280DA's, a couple years older than 2010 at the same price as the 260DA.
Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
I would love to go with 280 or 290da but I always trailer wherever I go and don't really want to pull anything much larger than my current 240da. That hinge on the arch sounds interesting though. Have you seen any that have been done?
Back to the "it's just money thing"... easy answer is just buy a bigger truck! With the right setup, it's not really that big of a deal to trailer a bigger boat.
I saw a hinged arch on a DA in person many years ago - don't remember enough about it to talk intelligently about it though. Most of the newer sport boats have hinged arches, but that's starting from scratch - not a retro-fit. I seem to remember a thread on here somewhere about someone who had a 30'-something DA and had the arch retrofitted to hinge. It was probably a few years ago... maybe you can find it by searching. It's not really rocket science - but you want to have someone do it that is experienced in fiberglass work. There's just a bunch of things that need to be done just right so it works correctly.
Best thing would probably be to just start calling around. You're in a good area - there's gotta be shops around that can do this. Ask fro references.
I saw a hinged arch on a DA in person many years ago - don't remember enough about it to talk intelligently about it though. Most of the newer sport boats have hinged arches, but that's starting from scratch - not a retro-fit. I seem to remember a thread on here somewhere about someone who had a 30'-something DA and had the arch retrofitted to hinge. It was probably a few years ago... maybe you can find it by searching. It's not really rocket science - but you want to have someone do it that is experienced in fiberglass work. There's just a bunch of things that need to be done just right so it works correctly.
Best thing would probably be to just start calling around. You're in a good area - there's gotta be shops around that can do this. Ask fro references.
Something just dawned on me... I spaced on the fact that the 2010 260DA is essentially the same size (although a decent amount heavier, depending on which year 240 you have) as what you currently have. It does have a little more room, but it's not a huge amount. But are you looking for a newer boat because you want something newer and more up to date, or are you looking for a bigger boat? I may have mistakenly thought you were looking for a bigger boat, hence my questions about the 280.
Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
My current boat is 2002 240da. The reason I'm looking at 260da's is because a/c and the 350 engine is available on it and I like the looks of 2010 and newer 260's. Looking at used boats the 260da's And the 240's are about the same price. Also about towing the boat. It's not so much about towing it down the highway as it is launching it at some of the crappy boat ramps we go to. In fact one of the ramps we go to doesn't allow boats any larger than 25'. I know the 240da and the 260da have the same beam but the 260 is about 1400lbs heavier. I'm not sure where all that weight is.
It sometimes gets confusing - the nomenclature that Sea Ray used to use was generally indicative of the "real" size of the boat (in other words, length of the boat NOT including the platform). But other manufacturers started to include the length of the platform in there model name, so Sea Ray had to follow suit.
Keep in mind you'll get similar performance from a bigger boat with a 350 as you do with a smaller boat and a 305. Comparing them side by side, though (from personally running them), I would give the edge to the '10 260 - but it's by no means a night and day difference.
Just in case you didn't know this... The A/C can only be used when at a dock with shore power. It can't be be used when "on the hook".
The '10 260DA, while not much longer than your 240DA, is heavier primarily due to the "robustness" of the hull and structure. It does have a little more going on (more "stuff/seating") both in the cockpit and the cabin, too.
That's a shame they actually put a limit on the ramp. I've launched my 260DA (28') in some places where people said it couldn't be done - even had a guy come up to me and say "Are you sure you want to do that - we've never seen anyone launch anything bigger than a 21' here". Stood there and watched as if he was expecting to see a "funny ramp story to tell friends". As I pulled the empty trailer back out after about 60 seconds worth of launching, he just turned and walked away. Actually... it's my wife that the does the launching and retrieving - I just drive the truck!
Keep in mind you'll get similar performance from a bigger boat with a 350 as you do with a smaller boat and a 305. Comparing them side by side, though (from personally running them), I would give the edge to the '10 260 - but it's by no means a night and day difference.
Just in case you didn't know this... The A/C can only be used when at a dock with shore power. It can't be be used when "on the hook".
The '10 260DA, while not much longer than your 240DA, is heavier primarily due to the "robustness" of the hull and structure. It does have a little more going on (more "stuff/seating") both in the cockpit and the cabin, too.
That's a shame they actually put a limit on the ramp. I've launched my 260DA (28') in some places where people said it couldn't be done - even had a guy come up to me and say "Are you sure you want to do that - we've never seen anyone launch anything bigger than a 21' here". Stood there and watched as if he was expecting to see a "funny ramp story to tell friends". As I pulled the empty trailer back out after about 60 seconds worth of launching, he just turned and walked away. Actually... it's my wife that the does the launching and retrieving - I just drive the truck!
KevinC
Well-Known Member
My previous boat was a 2003 260DA and we loved it. When I was shopping I was specifically looking for a non-arch boat. As much as the arch looks cool it raises the center of gravity on these narrower boats. I felt the 260 with a 8-6 beam was more stable side-to-side without.
So not having an arch may work out - it's just a personal opinion and YMMV.
-Kevin
So not having an arch may work out - it's just a personal opinion and YMMV.
-Kevin
wyrman
Well-Known Member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 1,922
- Boat Info
- 2007 310 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 350's, V drives
2003 Fisher 17 aluminum
90hp Honda 4 stroke
My 06 260 with arch was around 12'2" on a trailer.
bbwhitejr
Well-Known Member
My ‘06 260DA was around 13’2” to the top of the Glomex antenna on top of the arch on a tandem axle trailer.
Bennett
Bennett
I have a 2016 260 dancer. On the factory boat mate trailer, it fits under my 12ft stall. I have to remove the glomex antenna and let it hang down. I made an an adapter plate that makes it very quick and easy to remove. Even then it only clears with about 2” to spare, but it fits. I had the same concern as you, but I took a chance and it worked out. It’s so close that any slight variation in trailers, or advertised vs actual stall height could be a make or break deal. Basically, it’s so close you really won’t know until you try. But mine fits in my 12ft stall
Woody
Well-Known Member
My '05 280DA on a tri-axle trailer goes in a 13' door. Where about in WI are you doing your boating?
Maggieiscrazy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info. I'm pretty set on a boat with a radar arch. We do most of our boating on the Mississippi or Lake Superior usually around the apostle islands. We're planning on a trip to isle royale next summer.
Woody
Well-Known Member
What do you do, trailer up the north shore to get close to the island? A little warning, there's a couple rocks out there that are mine
so don't be banging into them.Woody
Well-Known Member
There are a couple CSR members that had hinged arches. The only one I can think of is 'boltman' and his 320DA. They had posted pics of their hinges but I couldn't find them. Here's something you could show a fabricating shop to generate some ideas.
