260 Sundancer

D

devilrays

New Member
Jan 28, 2007
144
Clearwater Beach
Boat Info
260 Sundancer
Engines
5.0L Mercruiser
I'm currently in the market for a 260 Sundancer and I'm looking to buy used like between 1999 - 2004. I would like to find out how much I should expect to pay for these years? I'm also looking at other brands like Regal, Chaparral and Monterey. I would like to see what others think of those models as well. I'm looking to spend between 30 -40K, should I have a problem finding something in this price range.
 
Welcome to CSR.............I take it your a Devil Rays fan, I feel you pain Bro, I'm an Orioles fan
 
Clearwater MarineMax has an '02 on brokerage listed at 44k.

You shouldn't have too much trouble.

Around these parts, though, you gotta have a generator a cabin ac. A macerator for the head isn't a bad idea either, but you have to be 10 miles out to empty it.

Go Rays!
 
devilrays~welcome to CSR :thumbsup:

Of the brands you are considering, I'd guess you will
find the Monterey to be lower in cost compared to the
others you are considering because they have a lower
initial cost when new, atleast that is what I see in my market
area. Regardless of brand, hire your own survyor to conduct
a thorough inspection on what you want to plunk your cash
into.
 
Thanks for all your advice. I'd rather go with the Searay since I bought a 180 a few years ago from Clearwater Marine Max and really liked the sales guy I dealt with.
Yes I am a D'ray fan and look forward to the up coming baseball season.
I currently have a 172 Sea Hunt and really like it, but would really love to spend the weekends out on the water.
My wants on the boat is a generator, macerator and single engine. Obviously a windlass and canvas camper would also be a plus. I'm hoping my sales rep from Marine Max finds me a good deal. Keep your comments coming because I have a lot to learn about this size boat. I also meant to ask on the 260DA what kind of price can you usually use as a rule of thumb below the asking price? Thanks
 
there's too many beautiful places around here to not have a cabin/camper.

also, of course, if you get one from MM, you can go on the getaways with them, which is a great way to get to know your way around.

good luck with it.
 
I am trading in my 260 Da to Marine Max. I love the camper canvas and windlass. I am told the 260 is already sold. It is a nice to have have both of them - windlass and camper canvas. I have had my 260 for 4-1/2 years. I know the boat very well. It is a great boat with really no major flaws. We just decided it was time for more space. But we have spent vitually every weekend in the spring, fall & summer on it.
 
What year 260DA do you have and if you can tell me approximately what you got for her on a trade in? What size are you going up too and how did you like the 260?
 
My 260 is/was a 2000. I got 41k on trade. The boat is immaculate and has an inverter that runs the air with 4 dedicated golf cart batteries. I was asking $44,900 for it. I had the lowest priced fresh water - 00' - 260 on boattrader when I listed it. I saw a few in the 38k range for sale - salt water. I always assumed the lower priced ones were due for new exhaust manifolds/risers.

If I was buying a 260 - I would lean to the bigger motors. The 7.4 MPI with a Bravo III is a perfect setup with the boat. I had to replace the coupler in the boat. That was the one issue I had.

I am 6'2" and I felt like the aft cabin was a bit short. But I slept good in it after I added additional foam and I learned how to sleep in it.
 
I really like the 260 but the wife likes the extra room of the 270, now when did searay stop making the 270? I also like the setup of the Regal's, does anyone have any thoughts about these boats?
 
D'Ray -

Welcome on board!

I don't think that you are going to have any problem finding a 260 in your price range. I do think that you are going to need some patience, though.

In my humble opinion, the must haves are:

The camper package (canvas). This will give you the extended top over the cockpit which is a must have in the summer.

At least the 350 Mag engine. I am not sure what year they quit offering the 7.4, but I don't think that you will want the 5.0 engine. The 260 is not wide enough for twins and was not offered that way in the years you mentioned.

A/C - you are in Florida, this should be obvious.

Generator - I love mine. It is well worth holding out for. Being able to run the A/C and microwave any time you want is great.

Mine has a macerator, but I do not use it. It is pretty easy to pump out down here and that is what I do. Once in a while I will put fresh water in the holding tank and go offshore to pump it out, but that is only to exercise the macerator and the thru-hull. I don't dump waste overboard.

If you are keeping it in the water, you will want to have a working mercathode system since most 260's in this vintage will have a BIII outdrive.

Overall, I think it is a great boat for down here. I burn about 12 GPH @ 25 MPH cruise, getting about 2.00 MPG at that speed. Many times, though, I am not in a hurry and when I slow down to around 6 knots the MPG will go up around 4-5, and I can have a normal conversation.

Good luck with your search.
 
Thanks Ken for the info. My wants are a generator, macerator, camper covers and a single engine. Yes I just started to look and have a contact at the marine max in clearwater and I'm really not in a hurry. I currently have a Seahunt 172 and love it, but it would be nice to spend some weekends on the water. I have a few friends with bigger boats and I'm starting to learn more about them. The boat will be in high and dry, so I'm hoping to find a boat without the bottom paint. How do you like your 260 and how many people do you usually have on it?
 
Well I'm pulling the plug today. I found an '03 260DA with only 110 hours on it and it looks brand new. I had the survey done and the only thing he found was I should look at replacing the batteries soon. It currently has 27 batteries in it, will I be able to go with the 31 or should I stay with the 27? Even the survey guy said I'm getting a great deal on this boat. Were closing on our loan today and will be picking up the boat Saturday morning.
 
Not sure about standard 31's, but Optima 31's will drop right in. If you don't want to spend that kind of money or prefer wet cells then Interstate SRM29s are a good fit.

Congrats on your new boat!
 
On a 2003, you should go ahead and replace the raw water impeller while you are at it. Some replace these at 3 years, I replace them at 2, but either way, you don't want to have a problem with 4 year old vanes.

As for the batteries, just make sure they fit in your battery boxes. You may want to get a starting battery for battery 1 and a dual purpose battery for battery 2. Then, use battery 2 for your 12V needs and leave battery 1 for starting.

Another tip is to rinse out the holding tank and then use Odorlos in it between pump outs. I have been using that down here for the last few years and have never had a problem with the tank. It works a lot better than the perfumes.

Congrats on the new boat!
 
I haven't priced them recently, but I think that they are about 75-100 each for wet cells, a little more for the AGM's. On the 260, I haven't seen the need for the maintenance free one's as the access to the batteries is pretty good.

Boater's World used to have a better price on batteries than West.
 
Think I paid about $75 for my SRM29s. SRM27 was about $10 less. Optima Blue 31 was about double - $150, maybe a little more.
 
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