Which Sundancer to Buy?

[Need a Bigger Boat]

I owned a 19' Sea Ray that I sold last season. I am looking to upgrade to a 25' to 27' Sundancer. I have looked at a couple late 80s 268s with 454s and one mid 90s 250. I hear the 268s are a little underpowered. We live in Chicago and boat on Lake Michigan. Looking for something to do weekend trips on and cruise the city. Would like to stay under $20k. Any intel or recommendations are appreciated.

[mwph]

Couple things...
1. Welcome to CSR!
2. I find it hard to believe the 268 with a 454 would be underpowered. A speedboat? Maybe not, but not underpowered.
3. With the models you posted, $20k should not be a problem. Search yachtworld & the like, then board as many as you can. There are some significant differences between the models you mention. Use the internet & actual visits to narrow your search & buy the most mechanically sound one you can find. Thats my story & I'm sticking to it.

[bahamabreisus]

Also, in your search look at late 80s early 90s 280 dancers. Amazing how big those boats are.

[just me]

I owned a 19' Sea Ray that I sold last season. I am looking to upgrade to a 25' to 27' Sundancer. I have looked at a couple late 80s 268s with 454s and one mid 90s 250. I hear the 268s are a little underpowered. We live in Chicago and boat on Lake Michigan. Looking for something to do weekend trips on and cruise the city. Would like to stay under $20k. Any intel or recommendations are appreciated.

........... Check your PM's.

[Her Diamond 2]

I owned a 1989 250 Sundancer with a 350 (260 hp) for 7 years and loved the boat and I had a few friends that had 268 Sundancers. I preferred the 250 since the forward berth was 6 ft long so sleeping was a breeze. It was just me and my wife so converting the forward birth to a table once and awhile was not a big deal. My friends preferred the fixed dinette on the 268 but that dinette came at the cost of a smaller forward berth. Performance wise, I had no problems with the 350 in my 250 sundancer but most people say the 268 needs the 454. Size wise, the dimensions of the 250 and 268 are only 1 1/2 ft difference so the layout may help you decide. The other benefit is the from 1989 up the 250 has an integrated swimplatform/bow pulpit and an updated interior which I preferred a little more. That said, both are great boats and you can't go wrong. Just make sure you get a survey.