2017 Sea Ray 260

Anyone have trouble with the boat listing? Out a few times on lake boat likes to list either way with slight change of course. I can calm it down playing with tabs and trim, but i do not want to keep chasing it. It acts this way with my wife and I, when I add 2 more people it tracks much better. I have owned boats 40+ years and never had my boats act so finicky. Mine is 2018 brand new 5 hours on it. It has a factory bow thruster and could that change flow under boat?
Anyone else find their boat acting this way?

dancerwinni said:

Anyone have trouble with the boat listing? Out a few times on lake boat likes to list either way with slight change of course. I can calm it down playing with tabs and trim, but i do not want to keep chasing it. It acts this way with my wife and I, when I add 2 more people it tracks much better. I have owned boats 40+ years and never had my boats act so finicky. Mine is 2018 brand new 5 hours on it. It has a factory bow thruster and could that change flow under boat?
Anyone else find their boat acting this way?

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I also have a 260 but a 2005 --- same issues. Very tippy except when it is super smooth and no wind. Usually just my wife and I on the boat, but at the first sign of the slightest chop or wind, over she goes. The constant adjustments you mention are a pain. With the 8' 6" beam I think it's top heavy. I've seen similar comments in the 260 form. I don't think there is much we can do.

Do yourselves a favor and read the 260DA thread here.

We had our ‘06 26 0DA for 3 full summers and put 100 hours on her. Most of the time it was my wife and I loaded for a weekend. Idle out of the no wake zone and ease down on the throttle. When she started to plane around 31-3200rpms, trim the OD up about 60-70% of the trim gauge, and put the throttle on 3750rpms for cruise speed. Never had the tippy problem that many talk about. The only time I ever used the tabs was when I had 4 or more on board. I have had her on plane and done a tight 180* turn with no issues. The boat has a narrow beam for its height and I think this is what lends people to the “tippy” feeling.

The 260DA thread addresses this issue along with more. The thread was started and heavily posted by Dave S when he bought his boat new in 2006. He addresses virtually everything on the boat over the period of time he owned it.

Bennett

To the OP:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

JimG said:

To the OP:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

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Thanks!!! I did own a Bayliner 245 cierra last 4 seasons, much roomier in cabin. More head room in head, more storage in cabin and in aft sleeping

JimG said:

To the OP:
http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

Click to expand...

Thanks!!! I had a Bayliner cierra 245 for last 4 seasons boat handled excellent and in rough water, drop tabs a little boat was extremely stable, so i am spoiled. I had assumed Sea Ray would be as good or better. Thanks for info.

once on plane just give it a little trim, only use tabs to balance when people move around or more people sitting on one side than the other. After a while it becomes second nature.
Enjoy!!!

Had two seasons on my 2006 260. I clearly remember the first time out in Boston Harbor, she was listing hard to port.
I did not like it. Being my first boat, I didn't know what to expect. Like has been stated, it's got a relatively narrow beam, and is affected by wind, currents etc.
but as also stated, I quickly learned that trimming the drive down levelled her right off. I also rarely used my trim tabs.
Enjoy it, it's a great boat.

I had an 05 260 DA and it was very wobbly. I got used to it and learned to trim and control it. IMO The design is not good as unfortunately, its too narrow a beam for the length of boat.

dancerwinni said:

Thanks!!! I did own a Bayliner 245 cierra last 4 seasons, much roomier in cabin. More head room in head, more storage in cabin and in aft sleeping


Thanks!!! I had a Bayliner cierra 245 for last 4 seasons boat handled excellent and in rough water, drop tabs a little boat was extremely stable, so i am spoiled. I had assumed Sea Ray would be as good or better. Thanks for info.

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well , yes . a buddy has a maxum 2400se and it also has much more room in cabin and head than my 240 dancer . it is also easier to drive and not do tippy . but a searay will cut in ocean waves smoother than a maxum or bayliner . in smooth water or lake chops searay builds maybe too much deadrise in their hulls .