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

Hello,

I was just wondering if you putted along in a 260 Sundancer say 7 or 8 knots if you'd get better fuel economy than running on plane at cruse? Most of the time we're not in a big hurry, so I was just curious.

Thank you!
Mike
 
Someone with much more experience than I will chime in, but...I believe you will find that your best economy is running on plane. I run at 3850 rpms, 28mph, and burn 12.5gph according to my smartcraft gauge. This means I am getting about 2.25mpg.

7.5 knots=8.6mph. You would have to burn 3.83gph to equal the 2.25mpg and I don't think you can do that. I may be wrong and will check it tomorrow and report back.

http://www.boat-fuel-economy.com/mercury-mercruiser-350-5.7-fuel-consumption-us-gallons

This link is pretty accurate.

Bennett
 
a typical planing hull , and the 260 dancer is no exeption here, will reach its best mpg/range at no wake speed. but 8 knots its too much here , at 8 knots you start to push a significant bow and stern wake and the engine has to work for it so your mpg will drop .

easing off to lets say 5 knots will bring you a range you will not achieve even on best economical planing speed.

generally speaking the worst are transient speeds where the engine works hard for pushing the boat over its own bow wake but the boat is still relativly slow , the lowest clean planing speed brings you close but not exactly to no wake speed range , pushing the boat towards WOT worsens range significantly again.

best regards
 
magicmike said:
Hello,

I was just wondering if you putted along in a 260 Sundancer say 7 or 8 knots if you'd get better fuel economy than running on plane at cruse? Most of the time we're not in a big hurry, so I was just curious.

Thank you!
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike

You definitely get better fuel mileage. Here are the fuel burn numbers at various RPMs as recorded on my Chartplotter when I had my 260DA. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/4189-Fuel-burn-numbers-for-my-2006-260DA?highlight=northstar
 
...and I finally finished reading through 121 pages of this post.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk
 
I recently installed 18 inch trim tabs and added the AC 3000 Auto trim tab control and I will say we traveled on Lake Michigan this weekend and it was being on auto pilot. No more problems with listing or playing with trim tabs.
 
Hey everybody! New member here. Been a Sundancer owner for years. My question is, can anyone tell me where I can find pics or blueprints showing the original main deck seating layout for the 1977 sundancer? Just finished refurbishing the cabin. Now I want to start the top deck but I got the boat with no seats(raccoons got into the boat while it was being stored in a barn last winter) so I have no idea how the top deck seats are supposed to look. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Frtbroker...My winter project for sure...did you go with the Classic tabs? Getting so tired of musical seats with guests to balance her out.
 
Bennett 18 in tabs. They were very simple to put on and the AC 3000 system is easier then you would think. It has really changed the way the boat handles.
 
Purchased the AC 3000 from Discount Marine for 289.00 and the Bennett TPA Series Trim Plane Assemblies 18 x 12 were 256.00.
 
I'm considering the purchase of a 2005 260 DA and I just finished reading this whole thread. I can honestly say I didn't see the answer to my question: How in the wide world of sports do you guys deal with the vertical space limitations of the head? One of the boat magazine reviews, which are loathe to say anything negative, even mentions it.
 
SRV210 said:
I'm considering the purchase of a 2005 260 DA and I just finished reading this whole thread. I can honestly say I didn't see the answer to my question: How in the wide world of sports do you guys deal with the vertical space limitations of the head? One of the boat magazine reviews, which are loathe to say anything negative, even mentions it.
Click to expand...

I am 6'3" and manage. To shower, close the toilet lid and have a seat. To utilize the toilet, open the toilet lid, and have a seat. You will figure it out and it is not a deal breaker-just another challenge....

Bennett
 
Another question: The boat I'm considering seems to be well-equipped, e.g., generator, but inexplicably does not have a remote spotlight. Are these boats pre-wired at the factory for one? If not, how much hassle is it to run the necessary wiring?
 
SRV210 said:
How in the wide world of sports do you guys deal with the vertical space limitations of the head? One of the boat magazine reviews, which are loathe to say anything negative, even mentions it.
Click to expand...

you just have to live with it. that said a buddy in our marina has a maxum 2400 SE and this boat features with the same overall dimensions like my 240 DA much more room and vertical space . i cannot say why searay built the flooring of the head that high. sitting at the toilet while showering is correct.

the good thing : you can shower and s**t simultany - its searay lifestyle !
 
SRV210 said:
Another question: The boat I'm considering seems to be well-equipped, e.g., generator, but inexplicably does not have a remote spotlight. Are these boats pre-wired at the factory for one? If not, how much hassle is it to run the necessary wiring?
Click to expand...

To my knowledge, I have no existing wiring for one either and from my research here and own experiences, do not want one. I have a handheld. It is much easier/faster to aim than the built in one. I hear that trying to drive at night and utilize the spotlight is tough. It is just easier to flick the hand held on, find your object, and cut it back off as you do not run with it on all of the time anyway. Research on here and you will see that most people feel the same. However, if you wanted to install, it is certainly a DYI job.

Bennett
 
SRV210 said:
I'm considering the purchase of a 2005 260 DA and I just finished reading this whole thread. I can honestly say I didn't see the answer to my question: How in the wide world of sports do you guys deal with the vertical space limitations of the head? One of the boat magazine reviews, which are loathe to say anything negative, even mentions it.
Click to expand...

Leave the head door open, close the cabin door for privacy, and back in to sit down. It works. Sure glad to have it. We have a transom shower, haven't tried the one in the head...seems like it would be a challenge.
 
SRV210 said:
Another question: The boat I'm considering seems to be well-equipped, e.g., generator, but inexplicably does not have a remote spotlight. Are these boats pre-wired at the factory for one? If not, how much hassle is it to run the necessary wiring?
Click to expand...

My boat guy says he can pull power from the windlass and use a wireless remote to make it quick & dirty, and easy. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but sounds reasonable.
 
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