260 Sundancer Thread.........Comments questions and answers

[Dave S]

Since the Sport boat folks have threads started on the 220 and 240 Sundecks, I thought I would start one on the 260 Dancers. Mine is only three weeks old and I just love it. It would be nice to hear from other 260DA owners too. How do you like yours?

 

[skolbe]

Dave - Mine is a 2000. What I love about your 260 vs. mine is that they refined it they didn't reinvent the boat - unlike some of Sea Rays new models. My wife and I spend alot of weekends on the boat. We are toying with a bigger boat. But, the 260 is ideal for space and economy. With a 7.4 MPI Bravo III we have gotten as good as 2.4 MPG on a long leisurely cruise that was 130 miles. The boat runs really strong. In strong side winds I do use the tabs a bit.

The boat is really well thought out. I wish the aft cabin did not have the step taking up space.

But I know this boat very well. On, my 2000 people always think my boat is brand new. It's rewarding to have others notice my hard work in maintaining my boat.

The boat cruises nicely at 3200 to 3300 RPM's. That is at around 29 to 30 MPH.

 

[Dave S]

Skolbe............I think you hit the nail on the head with the term "refinement." Everything has been thought out well in this boat and it really isn't that much different than yours especially in the cabin. It's amazing how much stuff they were able to get into a (relatively) small cruiser. We have yet to overnight on ours but I know that it will work out nicely. Everything in the engine compartment is real easy to get to also. I like that a lot after trying to work in the confined quarters of my 240 Sundeck.

Since I only have the 350mag, your boat undoubtedly performs better than mine. Plus somewhere along the line the new version of the 260DA picked up an extra 1200-1500 pounds as well. It does perform adequately buts it's pretty tough to live with the fuel consumption rates compared to my SunDeck. :lol:

 

[Bridog]

It does perform adequately buts it's pretty tough to live with the fuel consumption rates compared to my SunDeck. :lol:

Dave, you don't have to worry about fuel consumption rates...you are in the CRUISING club now. By the way ..your boat looks great. Add that to your "do you ever get compliments" thread. Umm.. wrong forum.

 

[skolbe]

Dave - Add a full size matress pad to the aft cabin. We added a Sealy matress pad to ours. It is more comfortable than my bed at home. We close the hatch cover and snap in the curtains and cover the hatch in the aft cabin. I can sleep till 8:30 on the boat. At home I am always up at 6.

 

[Dave S]

Dave - Add a full size matress pad to the aft cabin. We added a Sealy matress pad to ours. It is more comfortable than my bed at home. We close the hatch cover and snap in the curtains and cover the hatch in the aft cabin. I can sleep till 8:30 on the boat. At home I am always up at 6.

Sounds like a good idea but my budget is all tapped out until I sell my Sundeck. :lol:

Brian...........thanks for the compliments. I envy you stepping up to a 300. I have one docked right next to me and on the other side is a 320. My 260 looks small compared to those boats but hey...........that's the way it goes. :lol: I certainly hope you like your new boat when you finally get her out in the spring.

 

[wastinaweigh]

Love the 260. I burn about 11.5 gal/hr, or a little over 2 mpg, which isn't too bad. In 2004, the cockpit had plenty of room for some comfortable deck chairs. I am not sure if the new model still has the room or not.

I have the genset option, which works out great down here. Sometimes I wish I had a windlass, but at least I get some exercise with the anchor.

My only real complaint is that they did not put a seal on the cabinet door in the head - so the shower will soak your toilet paper if you forget about it. Dumb design - I hope they fixed it for the '06's.

 

[skolbe]

Yes, I cover the cabinet door with plastic when showering. I have a 3000 watt inverter with 4 golf cart batteries to run the AC.

I also have a windlass. Nice convenience.

 

[SeaRide]

Dave,

How do the kids and grandkids like the DA as compared to the SD?

Thanks

 

[Dave S]

My only real complaint is that they did not put a seal on the cabinet door in the head - so the shower will soak your toilet paper if you forget about it. Dumb design - I hope they fixed it for the '06's.

I don't think mine has a seal either but I will double check it the next time I go to the boat.

 

[Dave S]

Dave,

How do the kids and grandkids like the DA as compared to the SD?

Thanks

Charley............so far we haven't tried tubing yet so the jury is out. That's what the grandkids like. The adults love the boat. But in all reality if you are big into water sports, a Dancer won't ever work as good as a sport boat. :lol:

 

[skolbe]

I tried sealing the door on mine and it just kept the door from closing.

 

[Dave S]

In looking at the parts manual for my 260DA, I noticed there is a combination sunpad and teak table that you can buy for the rear cockpit. It was never shown as an option anywhere on the Sea Ray web site but it is a real option. I had my dealer call Sea Ray on it and they verified this and I got the prices on all the components. Altogether it would be about $1000 which is a lot of money. Does anyone who owns a 2005 or 2006 have this option? If so I was wondering if you could post some pictures of it and let me know if you like it.

 

[thunderbird1]

DaveS: I purchased a cockpit table from the factory (the white one) for my boat, but had no idea there was a teak option. Is the sunpad something separate from the table, or does the table fit against the aft seat to form a sunpad? I'm having difficulty picturing how the thing works.

 

[Dave S]

Thunderbird,

I have the white table as well.............BTW.......have you found Sea Ray's "designated storage area" for that thing? :smt017

As far as answering your question, I can't. Like I said I found all the parts listed in the parts manual (downloaded from Sea Rays web site). There are notches just under the two rear seat cushions on our boats and I believe the pad somehow fits in there. The parts guy at our dealer called Sea Ray and was told the option consists of a Teak Table, a base, two posts, and a Sunpad. It's kind of pricey but if it looks nice and is functional, I think it would be nice to have. Maybe I will call Sea Ray myself to see if they can at least provide a picture of one.

 

[Bridog]

Thunderbird,

I have the white table as well.............BTW.......have you found Sea Ray's "designated storage area" for that thing? :smt017

Dave I don't know if it was changed in 05, but in 04 the table stored in the large compartment door in the cabin. It had sliders to keep the table in place and straps for the table base.

 

[Dave S]

Thunderbird,

I have the white table as well.............BTW.......have you found Sea Ray's "designated storage area" for that thing? :smt017

Dave I don't know if it was changed in 05, but in 04 the table stored in the large compartment door in the cabin. It had sliders to keep the table in place and straps for the table base.

It must have changed Brian. There is no large compartment door anymore. The only place I can store mine is in the bow under the cabin table. It's really a hassle to get to it when you need it. Of course you could throw it in the mid cabin but that already has too much stuff in it. I bet you don't have that problem with your 300 do you?

 

[skolbe]

We leave our cockpit table up all of the time. We don't use the cabin table at all. In some of the other S-R's they can store them in the hatch to the bilge.

 

[sb in gp]

Hello fellow 260 owners. I Just joined. Was a member at SRO for about 3 days before the lights went out. I've owned this boat for a total of 2 weeks and am looking forward to learning.

Scott

 

[Bridog]

Dave I was refering to the door in this picture behind the flip down TV. This is the same set up as yours I think.