240 Sundeck or 260 Sundeck

R

riversidelimo

New Member
Feb 8, 2007
8
I need your advice. I purchased a 2007 200 Sundeck this past September and have only used it 3 times. After I took the boat out I realized I might have bought a boat that is too small. We are a family of 4 and there is not much more room for anyone else. We would like to ask friends and family but the boat seems cramped especially in the cockpit area. Here is my question is the new 260 Sundeck worth 10-15k more than the 240 Sundeck. I like the fact that the 260 Sundeck has a deeper foredeck in the front. I have small children and the Sundeck's foredeck seems kinda shallow. I like both of these boats especially the fact that I have a 5 year old daughter and she is bashful about going to potty. I like the large head compartment with a vacc-flush head. Do you guys think the 260 is worth that much more than the 240??? Any input will be greatly appreciated. By the way I love the fit and finish of the Sea Ray. I had a Chaparral previously and there is no comparison. I was always secretly envious of Sea Ray owners.
 
Welcome aboard, again. I figured I would post here too. Personal I like the 240, the 260 is deeper up front, but has a square look to me. :huh: My teenage girl likes the armrest up front on the 260 :thumbsup: The specs on the 2 are basicaly the same.
 
I just looked again at the 260 at the boat show. LIke Chuck its a bit too square for me and I really don't like that it only has the one port window and the gunmetal dash. I'm all in all very happy with our 240. We have 2 kids with significant others and two grankids ( 6 and 2 ) and we have plenty of room. I like the deeper front, the armrest up front and the fact that the bow ladder opens to the side on the 260 but other than that I can't see the extra $$ for us. We have plenty of power for any water sport or towable.

The larger head is still not that much larger for me at 6'2" and the girls and lil ones get in and out just fine. As far as the vacuflush, we closed off the lines and simply empty and wash out the potty after each day ( a simple 10 minute deal) and get to one day sell the boat as head never been used. :grin: (replacement pottys are not much money)

The 260 is a nice boat, but I'd rather have the 240 or an older 270.

Good luck!
 
The 240 is one of the more popular boats along the Panama City coast. Everyone I know down there who has one likes it a lot. The word is still out on the new 260, it's only a 260 in name, look closely at the beam and lenght of both boats. Mear inches difference. Same boat, just new look with higher price. :smt018
 
The 240 is a great boat. .....and I have always liked it. However, I like the 260 even more. I poked around one at the boat show. It's essentially an updated 240 with a deeper cockpit and bow area. If the price difference is acceptable to you, go for it. Keep in mind that a 260 may require a bit more HP to provide the same performance as it is a heavier boat.
 
I still own a 2002 240SD (it's for sale BTW :wink: ) that I purchased new and just recently bought my 260DA. I also have had the chance to compare the 240SD and the 260SD several times now as well.......as a matter of fact I just did it again yesterday at our local boat show.

I may be a bit biased but if I had to make the choice again it would still be the 240SD. I think the only reasons to pick the 260SD would be if you wanted a big block engine (since it's not offered in the 240SD) or if the extra depth of the bow was really that important to you. I can give you three reasons why I would not want a 260SD (and they are all deal breakers for me.) The biggest one is the Bimini Top. The one on 260SD is way too small and will not cover the entire rear cockpit area. A large portion of the cockpit is left exposed to the sun when the top is up. :smt021 Most people don't realize this if the top is folded but look closely and you will see what I mean (or ask your dealer to open it out for you). The other two reasons are cosmetic but they are extremely important to me. The door for the head is flimsy and looks cheap. It doesn't fit tightly either particularly around the bottom. It's an acrylic door as opposed to the sturdy fiberglass door on the 240SD. I think it is going to rattle while underway (although I can't prove that). The last thing that really bothers me is the dash board itself. I really think the whole grey dashboard panel looks cheap.

The size of the two boats is identical so there is no other advantage to the 260SD over the 240SD unless your personal preference leans toward the 260SD. Then of course there is the higher cost of the 260SD. And I really can't speak for future resale value of the 260SD but the resale value of the 240SD has held up really well. And the last little tidbit of information is also reassurring in favor of the 240SD as well and that is the 240SD has traditionally been Sea Ray's largest selling boat in their entire line up.
 
I just saw the 260 last night and I don't think it is worth 10-15k more. Even if the prices were even, I would go with the 240. The 260, along with some of the other new models are too Eruo for me. I don't like the design or the lines in the 260. I believe the LOA and beam are the same for the 260 and 240. The one at the boat show that we went on kept the table tops under the helm storage instead of under the cockpit sink. The way the 240 is layed out, the helm storage is open with a ton of space for towels, food and we make it in to a place for the dog to lay out of the sun when we dock for food.
 
We looked at the 260 last week at the boat show. Very nice boat but I'd still take the 240. The lines of the 260 aren't near as rounded as the 240 and as Dave said the dash looks cheap. Bang for the buck still goes to the 240.
Also had a chance to get aboard a 310. WOW! Man I looked good on that boat....Scott
 
Guys thank you for your prompt attention. I am going to my dealer next week and picking out a new 240. I will let you know what options and color I get.
 
Good luck on your 240 deal :thumbsup: I'm sure you should be able to get a good deal. If you look hard enough you may still be able to a deal on a new 06 if you are interested. Personally I like the seats on the 06 better than the 07s :huh:
 
The new "Star Trek" Seats SUCK big time. That goes to the category of "What were the idiots thinking" :smt021

But, that's just my opinion. :smt043
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
The new "Star Trek" Seats SUCK big time. That goes to the category of "What were the idiots thinking" :smt021

But, that's just my opinion. :smt043
Click to expand...

Ok Richard tell us how you really feel :lol:

Could not agree more. They look good, but the minute you sit down you know something is wrong. No arm rest or sides, hits wrong in the back, etc. It really stick out if you have both kinds to compare. We had one of the new 260s on our MM trip on the TN river that had the new seats and at the raftup had many comments about the seats. I think it was even mentioned directly to SeaRay when we at lunch at the head quarter in Knoxville.
 
STIHLBOLTS said:
The new "Star Trek" Seats SUCK big time. That goes to the category of "What were the idiots thinking" :smt021

But, that's just my opinion. :smt043
Click to expand...

Yep............even Pontoon Boats have better seats! But you already knew that didn't you Richard? :smt043 :smt043 :smt043
 
Dave....watch the little light....keep watching.....now remember....Richard was never on a Canboat..... :smt043


Chuck....Mentioning it SR is like talking to a wall. They have a "It's not invented here" syndorome. Why else would they make something like the 290DA and 310DA? Both look like they were designed by high tech computer geeks and not boat engineers. Don't get me wrong, for the most part SR has a great product, I am just not at all impressed with some of their recent projects. But you know what, there will be plenty of people out there that prove me wrong and buy one of those two and love the heck out of it. Hey that's why there are plenty of other boats out there. :thumbsup: :lol:
 
I am with you guys on the 260 not be worth the 75,000 list price, but I still like the boat. I recently took my 240 to the dealer and asked what the difference would be to trade for the 260. Talk about jaw dropping :smt017! Has anyone driven in one and compared it to the 240? It looks a little heavier and possibly could have a smoother ride for the rough stuff.

Other than that, I agree with everyone elses comments. It wouldn't be to hard to get a custom bimini made but what a flawed design that thing is. The swim platforn is a nicer design as long as you aren't looking at it(ugly but functional). I like the front ladder and arm rest. Definitely deeper up there.

Good luck with your 240 you won't regret it.
 
Hi Folks,

It's been awhile for me, glad to see everyone's still around. I was at a local boat show in Roanoke, VA recently and agree with you-I'd still pick my 240. I also mentioned the new "star trek" seats and was told that the "classic" seats would still be available.

BTW, I'm planning to get the boat out and running again in 3 weeks--can't wait!
 
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