260 Sundancer Discontinued

Dave, I spent some time on a new 270DA last weekend as our MM invited all to view/critique the new 270/300 models. You mentioned the helm seat swiveling, but the boat I was on did not have a swiveling seat. Instead, the backrest was moveable, forward and aft, essentially allowing the driver to face forward or back. This was done by lifting and repositioning the backrest which I personally thought was kind of cheap looking/feeling ala Rinker etc...
Two service items I did like a lot were the understep access to the cabin sump pump, and the awesome service access to the AC unit in the mid cabin as well as the cabinets/storage in the mid cabin. Huge improvements.
 
Dave, I spent some time on a new 270DA last weekend as our MM invited all to view/critique the new 270/300 models. You mentioned the helm seat swiveling, but the boat I was on did not have a swiveling seat. Instead, the backrest was moveable, forward and aft, essentially allowing the driver to face forward or back. This was done by lifting and repositioning the backrest which I personally thought was kind of cheap looking/feeling ala Rinker etc...
Two service items I did like a lot were the understep access to the cabin sump pump, and the awesome service access to the AC unit in the mid cabin as well as the cabinets/storage in the mid cabin. Huge improvements.


Joe

You may be right about the swivel seat. I just assumed it would. I just went thru the pictures I took though and it would appear that maybe it slides back and forth in looking at this picture.

DSC05492.jpg


I didn't get the same feeling of "cheap" though as you did. All the hardware on that seat is very substantial.

Dave
 
It may be an option, I looked at a new 270DA on Monday and the helm seat swiveled. I really liked the cabin layout and folded transom rear seat is a nice feature.
 
After looking at the pictures I would have to say I love what they have done in the cabin, the access to the mid-berth is a Huge improvement along with all the locker space that is visable.

I to think the helm seat looks cheesy and may not be very comforatble for the captain, I would rather see something in the way of a high back bolster for the one whos going to be spending all day doing the driving. Athing resembling a thrown is fine by me.

Also I wish some one would get a clue and put the Chart plorter with integrated smart carft dead in the middle of the insturment panel and not on the side where you have to take your eye's off the horizon. put the Speedo, tach, Gas Gauge, Temp, etc on the Perimeter. kind of like they did on the 270 Amberjack...Dah..:thumbsup: now thats a functional Dash.

Also agree on the battery switch. from a Safety conviance factor I would place it within reach of the captain while seated at the helm. I don't know about everyone else but the minute the enginer turns off I always switch to a single battery to run the radio, Misc stuff while at anchore. It only toke 1 close call of almost not being able to start the boat to make this a standard procedure.
 
tphinney has an interesting observation about letting the customer participate in boat design.

In fact, Sea Ray did this in very misguided way a few years ago. They approached a group of recent new boat purchasers in the 260/280DA class of boats and asked them what they liked and disliked about their boats. The only thing was, that out of 10 or so owners, they all happened to have virtually no prior experience in boats this size, and many had only owned one previous boat. The result of this exercise was the first 290DA destined to replace the almost perfect 280DA. based on the "focus group" feedback, the new 290DA had those sideways facing seats with no possible way to sit comfortably in any sea conditions at all and no side deck access since everyone had just moved up from a ski boat or bowrider.

Sea Rays best laid plans laid an egg in this case.
 
What Year And How Much Would You Ask For Your Collectable?

Well, My tongue was firmly implanted in my cheek when I stated that.
To be honest I don't think I'd sell this boat at this time. I just bought it in Dec. I have done a ton of work on it, getting it closer to how we'd like it to be set up. My Wife and I have discussed "the next boat" but we really use our boat quite a bit and going to the next one will take some time to discover what we want in the next one.

For a long time I have always wanted a 340DA, but my love for boating outweighs the size of boat I'm on and this one allows us to get out there affordably.

We were fortunate to get this boat for what I consider a great deal and have spent the $$$ and time getting her set up the way we want.
She just needs a more detailed polishing and I'll be more content.
 
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Looks like sea ray removed the new 270DA announcement from their news and reviews section of the webpage. It was there last week.
 
Also I wish some one would get a clue and put the Chart plorter with integrated smart carft dead in the middle of the insturment panel and not on the side where you have to take your eye's off the horizon. put the Speedo, tach, Gas Gauge, Temp, etc on the Perimeter. kind of like they did on the 270 Amberjack...Dah..:thumbsup: now thats a functional Dash.

I can't figure out what some designers are thinking about their dash layout. Don't they think people want to add some type of chart plotter? There's one DA (don't recall the model) that puts a single gauge on a wide trim panel right above the steering wheel - makes it completely useless for flush-mounting a chartplotter.

The dash layout of the 270AJ was a big reason I bought it. Everything is right where it should be - I couldn't ask for much better on a small cruiser!

ry%3D320
 
I can't figure out what some designers are thinking about their dash layout. Don't they think people want to add some type of chart plotter? There's one DA (don't recall the model) that puts a single gauge on a wide trim panel right above the steering wheel - makes it completely useless for flush-mounting a chartplotter.

The dash layout of the 270AJ was a big reason I bought it. Everything is right where it should be - I couldn't ask for much better on a small cruiser!

ry%3D320

I agree with you completely that Sea Ray got that one right. I even thought about replacing the dash on my 260DA with that AJ dash for the same reason since that whole dash would bolt right in.
 
Anybody? Is this boat a go?

Yes..........the 270DA is already at dealerships.

Maybe Sea Ray will get their web site updated soon but don't count on it. I still can't figure out what takes them so long to get the new (2009) models up on their site. We seem to go thru this every year and it takes them about a month or two after new models are shipped to make the changes to their site. I can't figure it out.:huh:

Oh well......I guess I have had my annual rant about Sea Ray's untimely updates to their web site.

:smt021:smt021:smt021
 
Thanks.....i guess im used to instant everything on the net now-a-days



Yes..........the 270DA is already at dealerships.

Maybe Sea Ray will get their web site updated soon but don't count on it. I still can't figure out what takes them so long to get the new (2009) models up on their site. We seem to go thru this every year and it takes them about a month or two after new models are shipped to make the changes to their site. I can't figure it out.:huh:

Oh well......I guess I have had my annual rant about Sea Ray's untimely updates to their web site.

:smt021:smt021:smt021
 
Speaking from experience as a product manager, it often takes much long than you would expect to post updated information on a corporate website.
 
Speaking from experience as a product manager, it often takes much long than you would expect to post updated information on a corporate website.


Bayliner, another Brunswick company, doesn't have any problems like this. Their 2009 models are already on their site. And as far as lead times go how much time do you need? Imagine if GM or Mercedes waited two months after their new models were out to put them up on their web site. :smt101
 
Bayliner, another Brunswick company, doesn't have any problems like this. Their 2009 models are already on their site. And as far as lead times go how much time do you need? Imagine if GM or Mercedes waited two months after their new models were out to put them up on their web site. :smt101


I agree. Most people will go to great lengths to do all their homework b4 they have to go meet with mr sales guy.......this doesn't help the average guy looking for info and not a sales pitch. I want the company to keep its website up to date, per release, and i want the sales guy to know whats up b4 the public sees it.
 
Bayliner, another Brunswick company, doesn't have any problems like this. Their 2009 models are already on their site. And as far as lead times go how much time do you need? Imagine if GM or Mercedes waited two months after their new models were out to put them up on their web site. :smt101

I have no idea what systems either Sea Ray or Bayliner use for their web hosting, DB, or content management. However, I'd venture to guess that as separate companies they are different, as each uses separate systems. (I could go look at the "tech announcement" posted a couple days ago, but reading it made my head hurt.)

As such their policies, procedures, and ability to post new information is are likely quite different - along with the timeline to post information. They likely also have independent product introduction schedules.

From my own experience, my company's website is tied to our backend ordering / product database. That BE database was built some time ago and was not exactly designed for today's more flexible web-based information model. We have to live within that narrow structure to post new types of information and nothing can be posted to the web without first updating the BE system. There are also resource constraints from within IT for making changes. We're changing the underlying technology, but it's a multi-year project that will take millions of dollars while also having to maintain existing functions. Our subsidiaries have different technologies so they have their own issues and schedules.

The nut of it is that I've had to deal with updating product information on websites and it is often not as straightforward as we'd like it to be. Does this mean that information hounds like us are frustrated because the latest info isn't on Sea Ray's site? Absolutely. But understanding that there is something more than meets the eye about updating web sites may serve to temper the frustration. It does for me, but YMMV.
 
Bayliner, another Brunswick company, doesn't have any problems like this. Their 2009 models are already on their site. And as far as lead times go how much time do you need? Imagine if GM or Mercedes waited two months after their new models were out to put them up on their web site. :smt101

Seems like we go through this every year. It's ridiculous. You'd think they want them out right as they release them. This doesn't screw up summer sales and then allows the new line to be researched at home as soon as someone begins shopping the new line, or wants to compare and make a deal on the closeouts. Goof balls.........
 
Seems like we go through this every year. It's ridiculous. You'd think they want them out right as they release them. This doesn't screw up summer sales and then allows the new line to be researched at home as soon as someone begins shopping the new line, or wants to compare and make a deal on the closeouts. Goof balls.........

Right on Todd. :thumbsup:

Boat sales are bad enough as they stand so why not go out of your way to let the buying public know what you have to offer out there. People use the internet today for research before they make major purchases like a boat. How many sales of 2009 models got missed because of the fact that their web site doesn't show current product offering?

Even if there is a reason for not having current product information on their web site the general buying public just doesn't understand it.

COME ON SEE RAY..................YOU HAVE A DECENT AND USEFULL WEB SITE. BUT GO THE EXTRA MILE AND KEEP IT CURRENT!!!!!!!!!!!

:smt013:smt013:smt013
 

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