Comparing 240 to 260 Sundancer

[SeaHarley]

If I have it to do over agian and was comparing the 240DA and 260DA. I would have gone with the 280DA. hind-sight being 20/20 the 280DA is the right starter crusier. their are things on the 240Da and the 260DA which will become annoying over time at least if not a down right pain in the A$$.

I agree again.....
But don't forget or rule out the 270.............

 

[Fishnut]

If I have it to do over agian and was comparing the 240DA and 260DA. I would have gone with the 280DA. hind-sight being 20/20 the 280DA is the right starter crusier. their are things on the 240Da and the 260DA which will become annoying over time at least if not a down right pain in the A$$.

We are assuming you like to cruise at least part of the time. I haul the kids on the tube and wakeboards but the admiral wanted something heavy enough to take the abuse of the gulf with the requisite restroom facilities. Thus the compromise between a smaller cruiser and a more open layout.

It's all about how you use the boat. BTW, the layout on the 24 is not ideal. They tried to stuff way too much junk at the expense of a good seating arrangement. The port seat is too low for the passenger to see the sea too.

If you are towing, I would get the 24, look at the weight! Plus I only burn about 11.5 gph wot. You aren't doing that in a bigger cruiser.

As an observation, we do have the entire gulf to ourselves this summer. :smt038 Average weekly fillup, $200; life without all the nut cases, priceless. :grin:

 

[SeaHarley]

...........

As an observation, we do have the entire gulf to ourselves this summer. :smt038 Average weekly fillup, $200; life without all the nut cases, priceless. :grin:

LOL

And we are seeing this a lot ourselves even here on the Chesapeake Bay.

We were at Waterman's Crab House in Rock Hall (A local crab, boat, bar, band place) over the weekend and the whole place was empty of boats. Usually it is packed.

 

[Groucho]

Same here in Lake George...3 or 4 years ago you would be waiting for an open dock near the village on the weekends....I noticed last Saturday morning there was only 1 boat..(approx 30 spots) that stayed overnight...I guess 5.09 per gallon makes a person think twice about starting the engine.

 

[Matt R]

Thanks for the perspectives, all very helpful! We'd like really like to jump into a 280 or larger, but the budget isn't quite so. Since trailering would be nice, but not necessary (on a lift/covered slip pretty much year round), we're going to take closer look at the 260s and go from there. Thanks again, all!

 

[Moose]

You won't be able to get a 260 in 2010. The new 270 will replace it.

 

[firecadet613]

Where in Indiana are you at?

 

[Alex F]

Thanks for the perspectives, all very helpful! We'd like really like to jump into a 280 or larger, but the budget isn't quite so. Since trailering would be nice, but not necessary (on a lift/covered slip pretty much year round), we're going to take closer look at the 260s and go from there. Thanks again, all!

If trailering is not a primary item on the wish list, get the biggest boat you can. Don't buy new, buy 3-4 years old and you'll pay 50% of the cost. this is the only way to get most for your money.

 

[islandhopper00]

Thanks for the perspectives, all very helpful! We'd like really like to jump into a 280 or larger, but the budget isn't quite so. Since trailering would be nice, but not necessary (on a lift/covered slip pretty much year round), we're going to take closer look at the 260s and go from there. Thanks again, all!

Matt, I'm begging you, don't do it! On a slip, not necessary to trailer! Don't do it! Buy an older 270 or 280. I'd bet there are 240 and 260 owners here just cringing, and wanting to tell you the same thing, but don't want to be out spoken like I am. I'm risking popularity votes here for you. I'll be a red dot for sure, but if I make you think just that little bit harder, It'll be worth it to me.

Alex F is a double green dot, and he jumped from a 240 all the way to 320! Don't do it.

 

[Jim240]

I love my 240... looked quite hard at the 260 when I bought it and decided that what I would get for the extra dollars wasn't worth it. For me, the 240 has been a great learning boat... because if you can do it in a 240, you can probably do it in any cruiser! The thing is light weight, high windage, low maneuverability, especially in reverse. I got in a new 330 with V-drives the other day and in less than 5 minuets was able to precision dock it in high cross wind... it was a piece of cake.

I ran into the guy that bought the 260 that I looked at last year... his main complaint was the trim tabs were giving him fits.

So decide what you need from the boat... my recommendation is go find the money and buy a used 340!

 

[Arizona240DA]

For what it is worth, we’ve arguably outgrown our 240 in 13 short months and are planning on starting our “search” over the winter. As others have stated, go as big as you possibly can, I wish that we would have. That is twice now; 2006 175 and now a 2001 240, go figure!

Best of luck,
Chris

 

[keokie]

Matt, let me also put a vote in for the older (late 90's) 270. It is a great boat. In addition to good handling, it has a great layout. The separate dinette is great feature.

 

[keets]

I think you also need to take in consideration the water condition in which you run your boat. In water that has little chop the 260 is a perfect boat. For 2 people over night I love it. I have spent up to a 5 days on my boat with my wife. I just towed my 2006 260 da 1600 miles round trip with a ford 250. I had nine adults on board and got my boat up on plane. Now if I was running in the great lakes or large bay I think my 260 would be a nightmare. If you want to tow and run in good conditions the 260 is a perfect boat. Just make sure it isn't under powered.

 

[sb in gp]

Don't do either or you'll be trading up again later. Go straight to a 280 and be done with it. The 240 and 260 are very "tender" to operate and will give you heart burn every time you operate it. Read about it on this web site. The money you lose trading, will pay for a towing truck. My 2 cents. Sorry to anger any 240 or 260 owners.

No anger from me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I find the 260 takes a little getting used to with the narrow beam and relatively deep hull, but after a few hours of practice it is very easy and becomes second nature. I have never had any issue getting on plane as others have mentioned. So I disagree with the heart burn comment.

BTW: I may be upgrading soon, so if you're in the market for a 1999, mine is in great condition all the way around.

 

[skolbe]

To the day I sold it - I never had an issue with my 260. On windy days - I needed to use the tabs for side to side. but it was never a major issue. I thought the 260 was a great boat. Was not too bad on fuel. Mine had a big block and was fun to drive. I don't see any issues with driving a 260. Can't speak to a 240. But, can't imagine the previous style 240 is much of a challenge. Both these boats are great boats.

 

[RiverRat]

Just to throw in my 2 cents... I think that either the 240 or 260 will do you well. Unless you are getting into the great lakes. If your on any average size lake you will find either one will serve you well. I have upgraded boats every 2 years since 99 until I got my 240 and would probably still have it if it was equiped with a couple of options it didn't have. As far as room, the 240 was fine for the wife and I and had plenty of power with the 5.0 MPI w/bravo III. Your needs may be different. We upgraded last fall and are very glad we did but we also learned over the last 10 years what type of boating we enjoyed the most. The 280 fit the bill for us and probably will for years to come. It is a learning process. You will find in the vintage your looking at that the 260's will have some features that the 240 didn't have available. I suggest going to the Sea Ray website and downloading the brochures for each in the years your looking at, just so you can see what was available (as far as options), then decide on the things you'd like to have on your boat, then shop accordingly. You must realise though, that you may not get all the options you want, but it will be a good starting point.

The only reason I would suggest a 260 over the 240 equiped the same is more room for stuff...You never have enough room no matter how big your boat gets...

 

[wastinaweigh]

Second what Skolbe said. The handling issues seem to affect the 2005 and newer models. I have a 2004 and have never had any handling issues. With its narrow beam, it does lean into the wind and needs the tabs to straighten it out, but that is pretty much it.

When running into a chop, I will use the tabs and tuck in the drive to push the bow down and smooth out the ride, but I don't have any handling issues when I do that.

The worst seas that I have had the boat in were 4-6 foot chop (as measured by the peak of the waves being at eye level and a little above from a thunderstorm. You do have to slow down under those conditions, and I did bury the bow twice, but the boat itself handles fine.

 

[Matt R]

Where in Indiana are you at?

We live in Plainfield, play on Monroe. You?

I would never have looked bigger than the 260, but I've heard so much talk on here about bigger, I'm at least looking! Here's the question: How old is a boat where I start to have major problems popping up on a regular basis?

 

[RiverRat]

doesn't matter how old it is it depends on how the previous owner maintained it. All boats have issues from time to time. Doesn't matter which size you choose a marine survey will tell you the things you need to know before a purchase. In Indiana that might be a chore. I only found 3 surveyers in the state when I purchased mine last fall, and they were all up in northern Indiana. I had to pay mileage for them to come to the boat for the survey. It was the best money I've spent on my boat. It's the best insurance you can buy for piece of mind knowing your buying a boat in good condition.

 

[islandhopper00]

We live in Plainfield, play on Monroe. You?

I would never have looked bigger than the 260, but I've heard so much talk on here about bigger, I'm at least looking! Here's the question: How old is a boat where I start to have major problems popping up on a regular basis?

Ok Matt, I'll give you my "OPINION". It's not all inclusive, nor is it absolute. It's my observation after owning a 240 now for 1 1/2 years and "living with" the quirks of it.

I say minimum requirements on a 28' boat would be:

1) Generator- If only for batt. charging and general use at anchor. Resale!

2) AC/Heat- Summers are hot, and spring/fall is cold. It extends your season.

3) Windlass- You'll fight less with the admiral when the time comes, press a button!

4) Dinette- Extra sleeping arrangment, also place to play games when it's bad out.

5) Storage- The admiral will over pack, and you will stuff the boat full of extras.

6) Beam/width- Remain under 9'5", permits are easier, as is towing.

The rest is personal preferance. I know, what is left? You'd be surprised.

I see you boat in a lake. You "could" go for the single big block engine. It gives you so much more room in the engine compartment, and less maintenance. You're on a lift, bravo III outdrive is great. Just make sure you buy a unlimited towing policy, and then you'll never need it.

"I" like the twin 4.3 alpha outdrive set up. Boat handling, and a back up engine. Possibly better resale value.

As far as model year, I think newer than 1995. F. Webster will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I remember him saying, and I'm paraphrasing, 1995 and newer hulls are layed up with vinyalster resins. Makes hull blisters a non issue. Anyways make sure it is a vinyalster resin boat.

Engines, fuel injection is key, mpi, tbi, I don't know which is best but plays a role in smooth operation and power delivery.

Stay away from the trapazoidal windows, some will chime in here but they leak.

Walk thru windshield, 280's have them, 270's don't. The side walks are narrow. Unless your young and have good balance...enough said.

Vaccu Flush or manual pump with holding tank. Portable toilets don't hold enough for a family, over a weekend.

Camper Canvas, everytime it rains I kick myself for not getting the camper canvas. Plus in your region, it extends your season.

I'll stop here, Don't want to act like I know it all, I don't even come close. Learned most of this by reading this web site and doing my home work. Needless to say when the time is right, and I'm not so upside down, and can write a big check for the loss of value in my boat, I'm getting a 280!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!