So, what is the seating capacity for a 01 Sumdancer 240, anyway?

Nick70

Nick70

Active Member
Apr 20, 2016
206
New England
Boat Info
2006 Searay 260 DA 496 mag
RAYMARINE stuff.
Engines
496 Magnum
Bravo III
I don't think I even qualify as a newbie, seeing as how I haven't bought a boat yet. But, I have made up my mind to get one in the coming weeks.
most likely a 240, or 260/270 if I can find the right one.
I'm looking at the cockpit layout and I just can't tell for sure how many people can have a legit space to sit. Is the transom bench like a car backseat? Better for two but capable of three? Same with the seat on the port side..
any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!
thank you:)
 
Nick70 said:
I don't think I even qualify as a newbie, seeing as how I haven't bought a boat yet. But, I have made up my mind to get one in the coming weeks.
most likely a 240, or 260/270 if I can find the right one.
I'm looking at the cockpit layout and I just can't tell for sure how many people can have a legit space to sit. Is the transom bench like a car backseat? Better for two but capable of three? Same with the seat on the port side..
any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!
thank you:)
Click to expand...


I have a 2000 270da so I can't speak for the 240da. The rear bench in the 270 can do 3 comfortably across. With this boat and with my previous boats it's always been about what I was doing that day as to what the capacity should be. If I am going to cruise a lot I want 5 people max. If I'm going to anchor and hang out all day then I am fine with 7-9 people since usually people are in the water or on the deck and spread out.

I'll also say this boat and my previous boat were both cabin boats, but before that I had a little 18' open bow runabout. I would take 7 people out on the water for a day of cruising, tubing, whatever. Way more people than I would on either of my cabin boats and they were both much bigger. So it really does matter what type of activity you do as to what boat works best.
 
vector4 said:
So it really does matter what type of activity you do as to what boat works best.
Click to expand...

I agree... before determining which boat you want, determine how you plan to use it. If you're looking to entertain friends and family and enjoy swimming and water sports, then a cabin cruiser is not the best choice. I had a 2008 280DA and that boat didn't have enough space to entertain more than 4-5 people comfortably. The 280 has considerably more room than the 240 and I found that we were constantly stepping over each other when anchored out and just hanging out on the boat.

If you plan to spend quite time with your family or a couple friends along with an occasional overnight, then a cabin cruiser is a good bet.

My current 24' open bow has a ton more room than the cockpit of my previous 280.
 
There is a capacity plate near the helm. You can not exceed the number of persons stated on that capacity plate.
 
On our 260 - 4 was comfortable - 6 would get a bit crowded but worked. 8 Max.
 
On my 240 4 is ok but cramped and above that is just tight unless they are kids and just stay in the cabin. The transom bench is not very comfy but will hold 2 people. Go as big as you can
 
Yep, read up on everything you can to know what's "legal" vs. comfortable. In the States, a vessel 26' or longer may not have a passenger capacity plate like smaller craft, but every boat has a load capacity for which you should consider fuel, water, people, food/bev/other gear, and so on, and which you should adjust for the weather and other conditions.

If your boat will be mostly transportation to and from places where passengers will debark either to land or to water, you'll probably be comfortable with a higher headcount and the gear that goes with it, no matter whether you have a cabin cruiser or an open bow/similar.

If you plan to entertain on the boat itself, I'm with those saying it gets cozy faster than you might think. Even with my wide-beam 300, 6 is our usual preference (the two of us and 4 guests), with 8 being doable, especially if a couple of those are kids, but at that point we're stepping over people for docking/slipping, grilling, etc. if the weather or our location don't lend themselves to folks hanging out in the water rather than on deck.

No matter what you decide, have fun with the adventure!
 
vector4 said:
.............., but before that I had a little 18' open bow runabout. I would take 7 people out on the water for a day of cruising, tubing, whatever. ..............
Click to expand...

Dang! You either had some small friends or that thing must have just plowed through the water. My 195 Sport is great w/ 4 people for water sports. Maybe 6 onboard if we were just motoring around the lake or headed to a waterfront restaurant.
 
Nick70 said:
I don't think I even qualify as a newbie, seeing as how I haven't bought a boat yet. But, I have made up my mind to get one in the coming weeks.
most likely a 240, or 260/270 if I can find the right one.
I'm looking at the cockpit layout and I just can't tell for sure how many people can have a legit space to sit. Is the transom bench like a car backseat? Better for two but capable of three? Same with the seat on the port side..
any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!
thank you:)
Click to expand...

We have a 2000 240DA and the max capacity is 8. We don't really ever want 8 aboard. I think 6 is what we feel would give everyone enough room to move around and still have a nice size group.
 
i have the newer 2006 cockpit layout and here 5 adults will find a comfortable seat in the cockpit , with 6 it starts to be crowded . on longer trips the preferred loading is two couples or even better - just my girlfriend and me.

my record is 14 adults - with people just sitting and standing everywhere including the cabin and the foredeck. i got really nervous about boyancy and stability , but the 240 stayed afloat and did not capsize. ( that was just sitting at the pier , not underway )
 
vector4 said:
I'll also say this boat and my previous boat were both cabin boats, but before that I had a little 18' open bow runabout. I would take 7 people out on the water for a day of cruising, tubing, whatever. Way more people than I would on either of my cabin boats and they were both much bigger.
Click to expand...

wow ! my experience with 18 footers is that if you put 7 normal sized adults onboard you are on the very edge with the weight regardless of the space. did it really worked to pull a tube or ski with 7 adults inside the boat ?
 
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