2001 280DA vs. 2005 260 DA (Long, sorry)

[SeaRay215]

Hello! I am in need of some advice in regard to the possible purchase of a 2001 280DA vs. a 2005 260DA. I have done a search and read as much as I could, but would like some opinions about my specific "mission". Any advice is greatly appreciated.

My wife and I (no kids) currently own a 2004 215 Weekender that we purchased new. It has come down to selling the 215 and getting out of boating (at least until we can afford the "right" boat down the road) or upgrading to a larger boat with a maximum purchase price of $60,000. My wife would like the amenities that a cruiser affords -- shore power, a full bathroom and heat/AC. We do not have children and mostly boat alone. At the most, we have one other couple with us maybe 2-3 times a year. We would use the boat one night a weekend, an average of every other weekend from May thru October. We will not spend overnights "on the hook"... it will be at our marina or at a hotel's marina w/ shore power. We boat on the St. Lawrence River (fresh water) and will wet slip the boat. No trailering. We use the boat as more of a "floating cottage" than actual cruising. We would take a short trip (1-2 hrs.) the night we arrive to get dinner, and same thing next day before we leave for home. The boat will be 2.5 hours from home. We love the styling and cockpit seating configuration of the '05 and newer 260 DAs but, are aware that for a similar price we may be in the '01 280DA range, which like everyone mentions, bigger is usually better. Is it realistic to think we could get either year/model for our price range, or should we wait? We do not use the 215 at all... it is dry-stacked and has around 50 hours. We should have bought bigger from the get go... but wonder if the 280 is overkill for our mission. Thanks for any replies!

 

[StressAweigh]

My advise to you is buy the biggest boat you can afford. You already have a boat you don't use because it is to small and does not meet your needs. You say now what your plains are and how you use your boat but that could change. The 280 would be the better boat or even a 300 or 310 a little older Good luck with your choice

 

[Turtlesboat]

You need to get in both of them on the water to really feel the difference between the two. Climbing around them while up on blocks won't tell you much.

 

[Henry Boyd]

SeaRay215,

Our boating profile is pretty much the same as yours. We bought our 280 last year at this time and used it through last season much as you describe. After a season we have decided the 280 is ok size wise for us, but too small for overnight company. This is primarily from a space perspective, although lack of privacy is an issue.

If we could have a do over, I think I would look longer for an older and larger boat in the same price range. That being said, we are not yet ready to move on to something else. Given you are 2.5 hours from where the boat will be kept you need to consider that on a sunny weekend a smaller boat is ok to overnight on, on a rainy weekend a larger boat provides a little more space for everyone.

Henry

 

[Dave S]

Since you don't cruise much, then go for the "comfort" factor first in trying to decide which one you want. The cockpit of the 260DA is a bit more accommodating and comfortable than on the 280 especially in the rear seat section. The 260 cockpit also has a lot more storage space than the 280 because it has under seat storage whereas the 280 does not. That's important to keep bigger stuff out of the cabin like cockpit covers. On the other hand the 280 has a roomier cabin since you have a separate table and dining area. I can also stand up in the head on the 280 whereas I can't in the 260. I do believe the v-berth is smaller though in the 280 compared to the one in the 260 but overall comfort is better in the 280's cabin. Then there is engine choices. The 280s are available with both single engines and twin engines. The earlier ones with the singles need to be looked at carefully because they could be underpowered. But the ones with the 496 mag perform just fine from my experience on test drives. If you go with twins, both the V6 as well as the V8s are fine. Keep in mind though that you have extra annual maintenance costs with twins but you also have an extra safety factor because if one engine quits you can always get home on the other engine. The 260 performs adequately with the 350 mag but if I was buying again, I'd opt for the 496 mag. Lastly, there is the "on the water experience". The 280 will be a bit more stable and ride better than the 260. But you need to test both to see how you feel about the way they both handle.

Both are great boats. My decision would be predicated on finding a boat in great shape and powered properly where I looked at all the differences between the two and decided which one I would rather own.

 

[TimC]

I would go with the 280da. The 260 has a similar cabin set up as the 240 and if it's going to be you and your wife it will be difficult for the 2 of you to move around the cabin at the same time. There's also considerably less seating without the dinette and the galley is smaller. If you have another couple on board you will value the 280 vs 260. I stay on my boat almost every weekend with my girlfriend and that is part of the reason I am looking to upgrade. we couldn't have anybody else stay below, There's room for us below but it's cramped.

Sounds like you won't need a generator but you may want to consider it for resale and to have as an option if you ever do camp out(highly suggested). The price won't go up considerably but it will help with re-sale. Anybody looking for a used cruiser down here (southeast) must have a generator to camp b/c it's too damn hot in June July and Aug.

Another thing to consider is you can get twins on a 280 and it is WAY easier around the dock with twins.

Besides, I think if you go with the 260 you may soon be disappointed with the size and will want to upgrade again. I want to go from a '25ft boat to a 31ft for that exact reason.

 

[fwebster]

Have you limited the choices to only an 01 280DA or an '05 260DA?

I would encourage you to think outside that pretty small box for your use. An even larger inboard boat will save you on maintenance and provide almost the same performance and economy, plus, you will have tons more room. For example, I just saw a '93 330DA with 145 hours, v-drives and always stored in a closed building sell for $38,500. The boat needed only to have the tape stripes replaced ($150) and, other than colors inside, you couldn't tell it from a new one. There was also an inboard 300WE sold for $39000 that was not quite as nice but was a very low time and highly desireable boat. In both cases, the owners were just ready to sell, and the lucky buyers got screaming deals. The search for, finding and negotiation for a new/old boat can be a fun and rewarding experience.......give it a try.

 

[SeaRay215]

Thank you for all the great replies! Point taken about expanding our search... it's really only limited to the two boats mentioned due to the wife's familiarity with them. There are several of each in our marina that she has viewed and likes. We really like the seating on the '05 and newer 260's but like the wider beam of the 280. We'll have to expand our search and look at a few mid to late 90s models in a larger size. We are just somewhat intimidated by the larger size of the 300/310/330s.

 

[SeaRay215]

I should say too, that I am unsure about the twins on a 280 or larger craft... I like the idea of the safety factor in regard to if one goes down, you can still get home. I'm just not sure that for our mission twins are needed. I like the idea of going with inboards though if we did go with twins, so that would be a nod in the direction of going with a larger, yet older craft in order to fit our budget. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Tallahassee240Sundeck]

FWIW, and although I have no intention of getting into a new boat until at earliest the end of next season, I originally thought along the same lines of your 260/280 scenario, thinking a newer boat was the way to go. But in expanding my criteria, I have come across many 330's in what I consider to be a doable price-range. Keep looking, its fun... plus it gives you something to do when its cold out...