1986 268 DA power

[cigarhog]

Hi all:

I am now looking at a 268 DA 1986 with a 260 hp Mercruiser. Is that good power for a boat of that size? It seems kind of small to me but I have not been out on it. I am a believer that bigger is better so you don't have to beat it up to keep a decent speed going. It was supposedly rebuilt last yr. as well as the outdrive.

Thanks

Bruce

 

[Quint4]

The 268 is a lot of boat for a 5.7. I would much prefer a 7.4 in that boat.

 

[JohnGordon]

I agree. The 350 is too small for the 268. The 454 or twin V6's would be the way to go.

 

[cigarhog]

Thank you guys for confirming what I pretty much knew. I have just found on the internet a 1987 268 with a 454. It reportedly has 420 hours on it with an outdrive that was new in 2012. The Helm seat upholstery is pretty much toast. New bottom paint in 2012. Always a fresh water boat. The rest of the boat looks really clean and well maintained from what the pictures show. If I can make a deal on price I will have a surveyor and a Mercruiser mechanic check it out. I am surprised that Sea Ray always seems to use port a potties with pumpout as opposed to a porcelain marine head like alot of other companies use.

Bruce

 

[JohnGordon]

If you do a search on this site you will see a lot of people had problems with the transom rotting out on these boats; make sure your survey includes checking this. Good luck and feel free to ask any more questions about the 268, there a lot of us on here that have them.

 

[Quint4]

Also although the 454 is much preferred be wary of the Alpha1 mated to it. Too much horsepower for the Alpha outdrive. Look for one with a Bravo outdrive.

 

[cigarhog]

Great info and advice!

Thanks

Bruce

 

[JohnGordon]

Mine has the original Alpha drive on it with no problems. My Brother In-Law owned the bought before us for 20 years so I know the history. The drive has always been well maintained and I would say that is the key to longevity. The Bravo would be a better/stronger drive, but the Alpha can live behind the 454 with good maintenance common sense with the throttle.