260 Sundancer Thread.........Comments questions and answers

I love my new 260. Coming from a 2004 240da I didnt think there would be much difference but boy was wrong. With this boat almost never need trim tabs except to correct for people placement. Much smoother ride, my guess due to the extra 1500 pounds. Just alll around a nice solid boat that feels much bigger than it is. With the 350 magnum and b3 drive it pops up on plane and cruises nice.
 
Recently picked up a '07 260DA, after reading about all the handling weirdness here and on a couple other sites I almost didnt buy it. I always liked the looks of the '05-'08 260 and wanted one, local dealer made me a trade offer I was happy with so I bought it. I have put about 15 hours on it and honestly it handles better than my old '06 248 Four Winns. That was a constant battle with the trim tabs, getting up on plane with any wakes was an adventure as well, felt like it was just going to fall over.

I dont have any kind of lean getting up on plane, boat has a 350 mag/B3, generator, A/C and the water and fuel tank were full, it doesnt exactly 'snap' up on plane so its pretty controllable. Have to use the tabs for people moving around and wind/current but nothing like the 248 FW. Maybe I'm just used to the 248 but I think this 260 handles just fine for a narrow, top heavy small cruiser.

Lot of good info here, I was also concerned about water leaks and of course after I got it home it monsooned for three days and the cabin carpet stayed dry, it will spend most of its life in a covered slip so leaks werent a huge concern but I was still relieved it stayed dry in my driveway.
 
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Hey. I have the same problem. What did you end up doin to fix those slides?
sorry. I was talking about replacing the guides in the slider door. I was thinking Velcro or glue just to place them and stand on the door to set. ?
 
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KP49:

I have the same hull and year. I've found that running with 1/3 water tank and 1/2 gas tank will get you on plane quicker. Also, the 1/3 water tank helps with the port list once on plane. 98% of the time I operate without any trim tab.

I have spoken with a few 260 owners who went with auto tabs and like the results. I have not run into the situation where I feel that I need them, yet...

Your mileage may vary...

Doc
 
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Doc Garrett said:
KP49:

I have the same hull and year. I've found that running with 1/3 water tank and 1/2 gas tank will get you on plane quicker. Also, the 1/3 water tank helps with the port list once on plane. 98% of the time I operate without any trim tab.

I have spoken with a few 260 owners who went with auto tabs and like the results. I have not run into the situation where I feel that I need them, yet...

Your mileage may vary...

Doc
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Actually I'm pretty happy with it as-is, I see no need for auto tabs, I agree that the freshwater tank 1/2 or less helps with the port list some but even full its not THAT bad even with my wife and kids all on the port side. Just a tap of the tab takes care of it, ot just let the kids use the head more often :)

It gets up on plane OK for what it is, can only expect so much from a 5.7 and 8000lbs. I also agree that 1/2 tank of fuel helps getting it on plane (my 8800lb lift likes 1/2 tank better as well), but even with everything full and four people it gets up on plane OK with no tabs - just takes a little longer.

I have put 25 hours on it so far and I have no complaints, well except the Kohler generator leaks a few drops of oil an hour (looks like a crank seal), but sea ray didnt make that. Nothing one of those oil absorbent bilge mats under the generator cant handle..
 
Looking for direction on how to get at nav lights to replace port light. I see there appears to be access 'circles' in forward cabin liner. I tried (without wantIng to tear) removing them and had no luck. Much appreciated if someone can share the trick.
 
Beach71bum said:
Looking for direction on how to get at nav lights to replace port light. I see there appears to be access 'circles' in forward cabin liner. I tried (without wantIng to tear) removing them and had no luck. Much appreciated if someone can share the trick.
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The circles in the cabin liner cover the bow rail attachment hardware.

If you are asking how to replace the port side nav light bulb just take the single phliips screw off the top of the light. remove the stainless trim piece, then remove the lens. The lens can get stuck sometimes, it lifts straight off, be careful it doesnt fall in the water.
 
Doc Garrett said:
KP49:

I have the same hull and year. I've found that running with 1/3 water tank and 1/2 gas tank will get you on plane quicker. Also, the 1/3 water tank helps with the port list once on plane. 98% of the time I operate without any trim tab.

I have spoken with a few 260 owners who went with auto tabs and like the results. I have not run into the situation where I feel that I need them, yet...

Your mileage may vary...

Doc
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It's been awhile since we talked about this, but on the Bravo 3 the mounting slot for the hydraulic rams can be changed to bring you up on plane more quickly especially if you have a lot of people on board. As shown in the picture below, the area where the ram mounting bolt passes thru the drive that is circled is elongated and has a spacer in it more commonly called a "celery stick" because that is what it looks like. When you remove the mounting bolt for the rear rams you can see that slot and the celery stick. If you make sure the celery stick is placed towards the rear of the slot (closest to the prop end of the drive) it then allows the drive to tuck under a bit further when the rams are fully retracted. This helps immensely in getting up on plane quickly. The drive as delivered on the 260DA typically has the celery stick at the other end. You can do a Search on the term "celery stick" if you want to learn more about this. Bow steer may become a bit more noticeable as well when you do this change although I think that is discussed in those threads as well and I never found it to be a problem for me.

Dave

DSC02908-1.jpg
 
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indeep said:
I love my new 260. Coming from a 2004 240da I didnt think there would be much difference but boy was wrong. With this boat almost never need trim tabs except to correct for people placement. Much smoother ride, my guess due to the extra 1500 pounds. Just alll around a nice solid boat that feels much bigger than it is. With the 350 magnum and b3 drive it pops up on plane and cruises nice.
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I am looking at a 2011 260 also. Would be moving up from a 240 as well. The 260 is loaded or will be loaded with everything except gen. Any words of advice before I close the deal?
 
DTW said:
I am looking at a 2011 260 also. Would be moving up from a 240 as well. The 260 is loaded or will be loaded with everything except gen. Any words of advice before I close the deal?
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The 2011 260DA is not as large as the 2005-08 260DA was. (The current 280DA was really the replacement for the 2005-08 260DA and is the same length. It was introduced in 2009 as the 270DA and then subsequently changed to the 280DA nomenclature).

The current 260DA when introduced in 2009 was called a 250DA. It really didn't feel much larger than the 240DA when I looked at one a few years ago. Any reason you are not going to move up to something larger than that?
 
Still want to trailer without special permits. Will spend a few weeks at Lake Norman and a few at cumberland.
 
I love the boat. The swim platform is shorter which is why there is more room in the cockpit and cabin. The cabin has more head room and the access to the aft berth is night and day from the 240da that I had. You wont be sorry.
 
Lots of great information here - currently on page 45 of 90. Recently bought a 2004 260 Sundancer, and would like to know if anyone has changed their nav lights (green, red, & white) to LED's?? I know they're a little pricey, but would prefer the brighter lighting.
 
75068 said:
Lots of great information here - currently on page 45 of 90. Recently bought a 2004 260 Sundancer, and would like to know if anyone has changed their nav lights (green, red, & white) to LED's?? I know they're a little pricey, but would prefer the brighter lighting.
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Congrats. Also have a look at the The official '99-'04 260DA Sundancer thread. There is tons of info specific to our '99-'04 year models.

I have not changed my NAV lights. I figured I'd wait until I need to.
 
A related question - I am finding a good bit of water around the sump in that area. I do not have asecond pump and the water sits there. Can anyone tell me where this area drains to - is it the engine bilge.
Ed
 
Has anyone put an extended platform on a 2011 260?
 
I have one on a 2008 260DA. Go to swimplatforms.com They will custom make one for your boat and the kit comes with everything you need to install.
 
I have contacted them, since they have not done a 2011 latform yet, they need to get a boat inn house in order to create a mold.
 
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