268 da

Jabfd32

New Member
Jun 10, 2018
12
Boat Info
1987 sea ray 268 da 2003 Suburban 2500
Engines
2007 5.7L mercruiser 250 hp alpha 1 gen 1
hello new to the site and new owner of a 87 268 da with a 5.7 250hp just wondering what to expect on speed and fuel economy does have trim tabs
 
There are some threads on fuel burn relative to speed on this site if you search around long enough you'll find them . I have the same hull as you with a 454 and bravo drive . I haven't worked out my numbers yet but as near as I can figure it costs a lot. And if I want to go fast it costs a lot more . I try to run at 1500 And enjoy more time in the water. When my wife calls Andi have to get back from fishing I can turn some gas unto noise and speed in a hurry but I can blame her for making me lol
 
Thanks for the reply still I haven’t put the boat in the water yet working bellows trying to see if anybody has the same combination and see if this thing is going to be a dog or not thanks again
 
I don't own that boat but I used to use a friend's 268 Weekender. It had the same 5.7/Alpha package that you have and the Sundancer is a bit heavier than the Weekender. I'm afraid it's going to be a bit of a dog. Dry weight for your boat is over 5500 lbs. Add fuel, water and gear and you will be pushing close to, or over, 6000 lbs. That's a lot of weight for 260 ponies to push. You will struggle to get on plane and to stay there.

Did you sea trial this boat before you bought it?
 
No I did not the boat needed bellows and had a cracked in the lower unit that Iam working replacing now I did listen to the engine and it sounds really good and is only has 308 hr on it. Not sure why someone would put in a brand new engine and not up the motor size
 
No I did not the boat needed bellows and had a cracked in the lower unit that Iam working replacing now I did listen to the engine and it sounds really good and is only has 308 hr on it. Not sure why someone would put in a brand new engine and not up the motor size

Probably did not upgrade the power as the Alpha I drive is really only good to about 300 HP Going to a big block would have meant a change to a Bravo drive. Now a simple engine rebuild or swap goes from a few grand to $6-10,000....in a 30 year old boat. Not worth it.

Hopefully you got the boat for a really good price and hopefully there are no problems with the structure meaning stringer or transom rot. This is why it is always recommended that before buying any boat that an inspection or survey is performed by a professional yacht surveyor. I'm sorry, I am not mentioning this to beat you up but rather as advice for anyone else buying a boat that may be new to boating.

Not sure where you are in your repair progress but a bellows swap is fairly easy for a do-it-yourselfer. There are lots of videos on YouTube showing the process. As for the cracked lower unit, that creates more issues than just the crack. If it were me I would look at purchasing a complete lower unit from Sterndrive Engineering-SEI https://www.sterndrive.cc/Mercruiser-Alpha-One-Gen-I-Lower-Only.html
You can get a new lower unit ready to bolt on for about $800. Or start checking craigslist. Buying a used unit can be a gamble but it would be cheaper.

The 268 is a great boat with a usable layout. Best of luck to you....I hope it all works out.
Shawn
 
Thank Shawn for your reponse I am almost done with the bellows just have to do the last clamp on the exhaust bellow. The boat seems to be in really good condition they replace the engine with a brand new engine not rebuilt with the 2 barrel carb and intake. So 250 hp
I had a spare lower leg for my other boat that fits so I don’t
 
Does anybody have the same combo 268 with 250hp ? Please let me know what to expect for speed and fuel
 

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