Looking for a Mentor, lol

JaydubyaSR190

JaydubyaSR190

Member
Nov 22, 2014
38
Myrtle Beach, SC
Boat Info
1999 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer
Engines
5.7 MPI
So I’ve been around boats and boating all my life. 90% of my experience is with boats 20’ or smaller, mainly bow riders, sport boats, etc. I’ve always dreamed of having an overnighter aaaaaaaand it finally happened. I found myself a 260DA Sundancer that needs a little TLC but is otherwise in great shape. I spent the weekend cleaning the cockpit and cabin which are now looking quite nice after several months of obvious neglect. For the money, I’m getting a LOT more boat than I’ve ever had. I’m looking for someone to mentor me into this boat. There are more bells and whistles than I’ve ever seen in a boat. There’s a lot of things that I have no experience with, shore power, refrigerator, head, holding tank, ac. I’ve been reading through the 260DA thread but don’t see any of my questions answered already. Anyone willing?
 
Your request is a very wise one. When I upgraded to the 270 DA a member advised me on what to have for the area we boated in such as safety equipment, lines etc. He then met me to help with the maiden launch, learn systems, and how to dock it. Hopefully someone from your area will do likewise.

MM
 
Hi Jaydubya, welcome! We had a 250 for a few years, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it's somewhat comparable and I'm happy to help out. Just PM me. Best, Eric
 
Jay, do you plan to keep the boat in the water, if so the best resource would be the other members in your marina. I've found the help here and the help along my dock to be the best anywhere.

When I have a problem I use just one shop to work on her, they have always allowed me to be there, to ask questions, and to get explanations as to how things work.

Never be afraid to ask questions of the members here, they have been the best.
 
Thanks all for the responses. I don’t plan to leave it in the water, Most of the marinas here are in brown water, leaves nasty rings, can’t stand it. But yes I agree, lots of help to be found here.
 
If your boat came with any owners manuals make sure to read them. If you don't have them you should be able to download them at SeaRays website.
 
JaydubyaSR190 said:
So I’ve been around boats and boating all my life. 90% of my experience is with boats 20’ or smaller, mainly bow riders, sport boats, etc. I’ve always dreamed of having an overnighter aaaaaaaand it finally happened. I found myself a 260DA Sundancer that needs a little TLC but is otherwise in great shape. I spent the weekend cleaning the cockpit and cabin which are now looking quite nice after several months of obvious neglect. For the money, I’m getting a LOT more boat than I’ve ever had. I’m looking for someone to mentor me into this boat. There are more bells and whistles than I’ve ever seen in a boat. There’s a lot of things that I have no experience with, shore power, refrigerator, head, holding tank, ac. I’ve been reading through the 260DA thread but don’t see any of my questions answered already. Anyone willing?
Click to expand...

There is a very helpful thread for this boat. Its quite a popular little cruiser. I had one (a 2003) for several years before moving up to my current boat and I loved it.

Lots of good reading here: http://clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/the-official-99-04-260da-sundancer-thread.23453/

and feel free to ask any question that you may not be able to find the answers to or just need explained better.

-Kevin
 
As one fuel dock attendant once told me "All new boats have training paint" He said that when a boat hit his dock. My wife can drive a car but could not drive a boat. I tried to teach her but no luck. Hired a captain who over a week or so took her out and she got the hang of running the boat. Think he was $50CDN an hour. You may want to do that also.
 
Thanks, I've heard the training paint quip before, so true. Not worried about the actual driving of the boat itself, just all the systems.
 
This place IS a mentor, so ask away. When first buying a boat, one of the challenges is not knowing what questions to ask. You just don't know what you don't know. Start by searching for your particular model. You'll likely find one or more threads dedicated to that specific boat. But don't limit yourself there. MANY issues or questions that will arise will apply to all or many of the the models represented here.

I will challenge you to ask a question here that has not already been asked and answered, so google is your friend. When you can't find an answer, start a new thread and be as specific as you can. More specific questions tend to get better answers.

Finally, your best tool is going to be time on the water, so cast off. We'll be along for the ride.
 
We had a 2005 260 with the radar arch option and heat and air. 350 Mag Bravo III for power. Great starter cruiser and she is still at our dock to this day. I added the camper canvas option which I highly recommend on this size boat. The ER is easy to move around in.
 
When we got each new boat I would go sit in the engine room and drink a beer and look at things. What I did not know I would ask people with boats if they knew what...…… was a picture on cell phone helped. Chandleries were good source of information. I did it at the helm also. Took a long time to figure out all parts. On each purchase I put in "agent or owner had to walk me through the boat and show me the systems". That helped but there was too much to lean at one time. It all takes time.
 
northern said:
When we got each new boat I would go sit in the engine room and drink a beer and look at things. What I did not know I would ask people with boats if they knew what...…… was a picture on cell phone helped. Chandleries were good source of information. I did it at the helm also. Took a long time to figure out all parts. On each purchase I put in "agent or owner had to walk me through the boat and show me the systems". That helped but there was too much to lean at one time. It all takes time.
Click to expand...

But worth the effort.

MM
 
There are all kinds of maintenance items that you will need to look after to keep everything on the up and up such as cleaning you AC filters, looking after your shower sump to keep it cleaned. Keeping water in your batteries. Looking after all the fluids in the ER. Cleaning out your water tank to keep it smelling fresh. The 260 was a very popular boat and many members on this forum have owned one. Ask away. BTW I have a brand new never used aft canvas for a 260 in tost if you need one.
 
You will also need tools. A cheep box set of sockets and ratchets for $100 is a good start along with a set of screw drivers. I once got advice from a retired navy mechanic that if an item fails buy 2 and keep the second as a spare. We boat in remote areas so parts are critical. If you boat in areas where a tow and a marina are near spare parts are not as critical.
 
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