260 Sundancer Thread.........Comments questions and answers

Miss Laura 2016.jpg

..Don't want this summer to end!
 
Hi Everyone, I am new to the website and this is my first post. We bought our 260 last fall and had it out for a few good runs this summer. We love it. I have read virtually all the posts on here and there is just a tonne of valuable information. We are a family of four so the 260 is very tight for sleeping. We make the best of it but I am going to attempt to construct a topside berth that I can assemble at night and disassemble in the morning. I have the seed of the idea but am going to through it out there to my fellow 260 enthusiasts to see what others have done or thoughts you may have. I am thinking that I can use the bracket for the table leg to hold a plywood platform I would then run some plastic deckboards to the step (behind the sink) and to the port side lounger. Then I would get some kind of roll away mattress for the whole works. Any suggestions folks? Thanks a lot in advance.
 
Hi. I'm also new to the forum. Wish I had found it years ago - stumbled across it while researching my recent buy.

My 2007 260 arrived Monday afternoon. Picked her up for a steal! I took her out that evening and have been making excuses everyday to make side trips to the lake.

The 2007 replaces my 1985 260 which will probably go to the boat yard this weekend. It's tough to retire an old friend who has been in the family for 30 years. Though the difference between the old Merc 350-A1 and the 6.2L MPI-B3 almost masks the nostalgia and sentimental attachment.

Interestingly, the listing issues at hi-power are similar though we figured out how to deal with that years ago. Backing in is still difficult with a crosswind. We used go nose in before but the new 260s are are longer so I'll need to master the backing in quickly.

One question - how hard is it to install a windlass if everything is already in place? (I'm sure it is somewhere in the forum and I just haven't reached it yet.)

Regarding the stereo not working - I need to turn on the stereo and the TV breaker. Not sure exactly why but this works.
 
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Flips said:
I am thinking that I can use the bracket for the table leg to hold a plywood platform I would then run some plastic deckboards to the step (behind the sink) and to the port side lounger. Then I would get some kind of roll away mattress for the whole works.
Click to expand...

Flips - Do you mean the area in the cabin? If so, I'll get a few pics of mine. The previous owner did this with plywood plus a second PVC support leg, and also added a custom formed mattress pads to make it a full bed. It's pretty cool (tho I suspect a lot of extra weight).
 
Steel06 said:
Hi. I'm also new to the forum. Wish I had found it years ago - stumbled across it while researching my recent buy.

My 2007 260 arrived Monday afternoon. Picked her up for a steal! I took her out that evening and have been making excuses everyday to make side trips to the lake.

The 2007 replaces my 1985 260 which will probably go to the boat yard this weekend. It's tough to retire an old friend who has been in the family for 30 years. Though the difference between the old Merc 350-A1 and the 6.2L MPI-B3 almost masks the nostalgia and sentimental attachment.

Interestingly, the listing issues at hi-power are similar though we figured out how to deal with that years ago. Backing in is still difficult with a crosswind. We used go nose in before but the new 260s are are longer so I'll need to master the backing in quickly.

One question - how hard is it to install a windlass if everything is already in place? (I'm sure it is somewhere in the forum and I just haven't reached it yet.)

Regarding the stereo not working - I need to turn on the stereo and the TV breaker. Not sure exactly why but this works.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new girl, I know you'll love her dearly!!

As to the windlass, you'd have to check. I can tell you that on mine (2005) the wiring and such was NOT in the locker anywhere so I never added one. You might get lucky though!
 
Sous said:
Congrats on the new girl, I know you'll love her dearly!!

As to the windlass, you'd have to check. I can tell you that on mine (2005) the wiring and such was NOT in the locker anywhere so I never added one. You might get lucky though!
Click to expand...

Adding a windlass is involving, but very doable. There is a write up or two on here where others have done it. I do not have one nor is there anything present to assist in adding one. It would have to all be done on mine. ...and for now, I am good without it. If memory serves me correctly, about $12-1500 if you do it yourself.

Bennett
 
Flips,

The wiring for the windlass will definitely not be there. Years before, they often came pre-wired - but not anymore. As Bennett said, it's totally doable but it will require a lot of time. I did it on my my boat (different model 260DA, but essentially the same). It's a very labor intensive project.

Your thought on building a platform for a cockpit bed is a good one. I would just caution you to use weight-savings where ever possible. For example, the use of 3/8" plywood and something like plastic L-channel stock underneath to make it stronger.

On the other hand, how about a blow-up mattress (although it would be tight fit) or a nice camp pad? Some of those nicer, inflatable camp pads are actually pretty comfortable to sleep on. And, they pack down to less than a square foot of space and weigh barely a pound.

Still another option is to put the support board on top of the forward/aft bench, using those as the supports (and possibly a short leg underneath, in the middle, if needed). Lay a towel down on the cushions (easier then removing them and trying to store them somewhere) and just make sure the support boards don't have any sharp edges.
 
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Guys - The PVC pipe extra leg and plastic channel are both great ideas. Thanks so much. It so happens that I put a windlass on mine. I had a boat mechanic do it and it cost about $1500. I'm glad I have it though.
 
Hello Everyone! I'm purchasing a 2005 260 Sundancer 350 MAG MPI with Kohler 5e Genset. Should take delivery next week. I stumbled across this forum yesterday and then spent the next 8 hours reading from post 1 all the way to post 1313. What an amazing wealth of knowledge you all are! So with that said, here comes my first of what I'm sure will be many questions. I live in Ft. Myers / Cape Coral area. I'll be putting the boat on a Dolphin Boat lift behind my house (it's a four post vertical cradle lift). Does anyone know how to set up the lift bunks? This is the first time I've ever had a boat on a lift. Any insight would be appreciated!
 
Hard to say without knowing how tall your bunks are. It's going to be trial and error. You want the bunks out as far as possible for stability, and that's going to be limited to keep the v from touching the steel cross members. So when all said and done those bunks are going to be fairly close together
 
Thanks. I checked this weekend and definitely have the wiring already there - it is neatly tucked away in the locker with ties to the bulkhead (even has connectors on the wire ends). Looks like it will be my first DIY project this winter.

Pics of the mega-bed the previous owner built are pending. Having problems posting the pictures - something about size even though they are <100kb. Will keep trying to post so you have an idea Flips.
 
Hello all

I'm the new proud owner of a 2005 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer. Mine does not have the radar arch but I'd love to install one. Do you know where these can be purchased as an add on ?

Thanks...Jonathan
 
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