Unfortunately I am probably getting out of boating once I sell the 260DA. I really like my 260DA and it will be hard to see it go but such is life.
Dave
2006 260 sundancer questions
- Thread starter Financiers
- Start date
Unfortunately I am probably getting out of boating once I sell the 260DA. I really like my 260DA and it will be hard to see it go but such is life.
Dave
correct . especially with low fuel and several people on deck while being on plane . thats why i recommended to testdrive it when coming from a small bowrider or similar which will generally run straight whatever you do with it. i must say i had situations where i believed this thing will capsize before i worked the tabs.
True, but it's still a skill easily learned once one gets used to the boat, and following Dave's advice. It's a LOT of cruiser fit into a beam that is trailerable without a permit... IMO a tradeoff worth the effort to learn to operate trim tabs well. For me it has become instinctive as I captain my 240 and no big deal at all.
IslandTime
Member
Correct
You'll figure out the tabs quickly
Mine is a little different than the 2006 models but love it
Economical enough to remind me that 2 foot-itis will cost me significantly more ...
It's inevitable I'll eventually move to 33-35 feet, up but the 260 has nearly all the amenities of a larger dancer in a nice manageable frame if you want to trailer or dry stack - which better suits my lifestyle for now .
yes - i,m not saying the 240 or 260 is bad because it is not ! i only said its "not easy to handle" so recommended to testdrive it before purchase .
i came from a 20foot daycruiser and simply fell in love with the design and layout so bought it ( 2 cabins, microwave, DVD ,hot water, shower,roomy and nice styled cockpit in a trailerable package ! ) .
CliffA
Well-Known Member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 4,712
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sea Ray 340DA
Name: 'Happy Place'
4.5kW West. Generator
Purchased Nov. 2014
Fresh Water Use
- Engines
- Twin Merc. 6.2L (MPI)
640 hp (Total)
Raw Water Cooled
V-Drive Transmissions
Very sorry to hear that but I am sure you have your reasons and will make the best decision for yourself.....
good luck in whatever you decide....
cliff
I have a Sea Ray 2005 260 DA on Lake Michigan. It does well when Lake Michigan does well. Lake Michigan is very much like a small ocean............. What size boat is big enough for the ocean? The lake can be just as nasty to a 20 foot boat as could to a 42 foot boat. I have been on the lake for over 10 years now with a 20 foot cuddy cabin and now with a 28 foot pocket cruiser we have enjoyed it and would not want to go anywhere else.
I have a Sea Ray 2005 260 DA on Lake Michigan. It does well when Lake Michigan does well. Lake Michigan is very much like a small ocean............. What size boat is big enough for the ocean? The lake can be just as nasty to a 20 foot boat as could to a 42 foot boat. I have been on the lake for over 10 years now with a 20 foot cuddy cabin and now with a 28 foot pocket cruiser we have enjoyed it and would not want to go anywhere else.
themikehyde
New Member
A friend of mine has a 260, and I know he prefers to know it with his 3500, rather than his Tahoe. That being said, I have towed my 280 with an F250 and an F350, both seem to do fine. I do have a triple axle trailer, with disc brakes in all three axles. It seems to stop pretty good. Since I only live about 10 miles from the marina, I can't say anything about highway driving.
As for a 260 vs 280, single vs twins? In rough water, (Lower Potomac and Chesapeake Bay) we get beat up ALOT less than my friend in his 260. Although the twins may seem like a lot more maintenance, its' just double. But when you are changing one oil, or outdrive fluid, it;s just as easy to do two. Let's face it, the most time consuming thing is getting all the tools out, and putting them away, (usually) right?
I personally like the insurance factor, of having that second engine to come home on when something happens. On a boat, it;s not an IF, it is a WHEN, because I don't care who you are, or what boat you are on, something will happen. It could be a belt, hose clamp, crab pot or who knows what, but it will happen.
That being said, my 280 is still available, with trailer! I just told broker to drop price to $41K about a half hour ago, because I want start boat shopping!
Mike
As for a 260 vs 280, single vs twins? In rough water, (Lower Potomac and Chesapeake Bay) we get beat up ALOT less than my friend in his 260. Although the twins may seem like a lot more maintenance, its' just double. But when you are changing one oil, or outdrive fluid, it;s just as easy to do two. Let's face it, the most time consuming thing is getting all the tools out, and putting them away, (usually) right?
I personally like the insurance factor, of having that second engine to come home on when something happens. On a boat, it;s not an IF, it is a WHEN, because I don't care who you are, or what boat you are on, something will happen. It could be a belt, hose clamp, crab pot or who knows what, but it will happen.
That being said, my 280 is still available, with trailer! I just told broker to drop price to $41K about a half hour ago, because I want start boat shopping!
Mike
Shtmetal
Member
- Nov 24, 2011
- 42
- Boat Info
- 2008 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 350 horizons with v-drives
I've had both a 260 and a 280. You definitely want to go with a 280. I only kept my 260 for a few months before moving up to a 280. The 260 is very tippy and used to scare the hell out of my wife and got to the point where she didn't want to go out in it. The 280 is very a very stable boat and twins make docking so much easier. Just my experience
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hell - why is this the case on our 240/260 ???? you do not hear such complaints with same class four winns, chaparalls etc pocketcruisers. and they have the same beam limit for trailer.
the 240/260 is not even exeptionally high build - a buddy next to me in the marina has a maxum2400 se and its a little "higher"
Shtmetal
Member
- Nov 24, 2011
- 42
- Boat Info
- 2008 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer
- Engines
- Twin 350 horizons with v-drives
The single engine 280 with the 496 mag burns just as much fuel as twins, so there is no savings there just a little less maintenance. Also that big block holds like 8-9 guarts of oil, more than a set of twins My 08 310 has twin 350's with V-drives and I look forward to close quarter maneuvering and docking now. Its just that much easier with twins.
