Opinions on a 2002 260DA with a 5.0L?

M

mckilct

New Member
Mar 21, 2011
2
Seattle
Boat Info
260 Sundancer
Engines
7.4L w/Bravo III
Hi, I have been in the market for a 2000 through 2003 260 Sundancer for the last 6 months or so, and of course the one perfect one I find was sold a day before I went to look at it. Anyways, I have been looking for a 260 with a 7.4L or the 6.2L, but I found another 260 that has the 5.0L. I am curious what your opinions are about a boat that big powered by that small of an engine? Any thoughts or input is appreciated. Thanks
 
I have a 5.7L EFI in mine and love it. It has enough power for cruising with a load and has a very good fuel burn rate.
The 5.0L in the MPI version is touted to have the same HP as mine, but I feel the 5.7L is ideal. I have not been aboard a 260DA with a 5.0L.
 
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The 5.0L MPI has the same HP as the 5.7L EFI. Supposedly the torque curve is as close enough as doesn't matter. I can't confirm that, though.

Ultimately, it's going to depend on how you want to use the boat most of the time. Another good engine to look for is the 350MAG.
 
I had a 2004 with the 5.0L MPI (260HP) Is this the same engine as the one you are considering?

I had the props re-pitched from 20 to 18, and this made a big difference in my ability to get on plane fully loaded. We used the boat in a large lake, and the performance was acceptable. I think given the opportunity to do it over, with what I know now, I would have held out for the big block (or at least the 6.2L).
 
I have the 24"P props and run around 25 knots @ 3500RPM. I would think with 18" props you had to be running nearly at 4000RPMs and burning quite a bit of fuel?
 
I had a 240DA with the 5.0 liter engine and the alpha drive. It was underpowered. It was difficult to get on plane. I had to ask some people to go into the cabin so I could bring the bow down to get on plane.
I do not recommend that motor in that boat. It is too small
 
mckilct said:
Hi, I have been in the market for a 2000 through 2003 260 Sundancer for the last 6 months or so, and of course the one perfect one I find was sold a day before I went to look at it. Anyways, I have been looking for a 260 with a 7.4L or the 6.2L, but I found another 260 that has the 5.0L. I am curious what your opinions are about a boat that big powered by that small of an engine? Any thoughts or input is appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

I had a 97 250 w/a 5.7 250 h.p. bravo three, ran like a champ!! The 5.7 litre is twice the motor as a 5.0, and the bravo tree on that boat is a must w/either power plant.
 
340DA said:
I had a 240DA with the 5.0 liter engine and the alpha drive. It was underpowered. It was difficult to get on plane. I had to ask some people to go into the cabin so I could bring the bow down to get on plane.
I do not recommend that motor in that boat. It is too small
Click to expand...

You have to have the 350 Mag at least with that boat.
 
I'm very happy with my 5.7EFI, as well. Even without tabs it planes out nicely. I can even slalom ski behind it. Would I turn down a free upgrade to a 350MAG? 'Course not! But I can't say anything bad about the way my boat is equipped - it does very well.
 
I unfortunately do not have a Sea Ray right now, but my current boat is a Wellcraft Martinique 2400...it has the 5.0gi (Volvo Penta) with the dou-prop system. I would much rather have the 5.7 or a Big block because the boat struggles to get on plane (with tabs) when full. My boat weighs 4500 dry, so with 4 adults and 4 kids, and full tanks, it really has to work. If it is just 2 adults and 2 kids, it planes just fine. Hope this helps some....Are you getting the 260 for a good price? That might help.
 
If you don't have the arch plus a genset like I have, then probably you are right. With all the weight added on you need the 350MAG.
 
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