350 Mag/Horizon B3 enough for '06 260?

[petern]

Getting some vibes that the boat I'm about to buy may be under powered..anyone care to weigh in?

 

[Nehalennia]

That would be the package I would want in that newer model.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Getting some vibes that the boat I'm about to buy may be under powered..anyone care to weigh in?

Go with your vibes.
I did a lot of reserch on heavy 26' boats.
About 40% were unhappy with the performance of there smallblocks.
A few boats just flat out could not plane out :huh:
The smallblock should work OK to Decent.
Thats a lot of money spent, Hoping so.

Not one complaint with a big block.
Keeping your cruise rpms at 3000rpm or below.
You will get the same or better MPG then a smallblock.
Yielding a higher cruise speed also.

If you are WOT everywhere you go.
The big block will burn lots more fuel.

A more simple answer might be....
Do you want 355 ft lbs of tq pushing your boat or...... Do you want 509 ft lbs of tq. ?
And what is it worth to you.
The small block should move you along at 26 MPH at 3600 RPM.

I stumbled across a good place to buy my big block.
Due to a salesman convincing a buyer that the 5.7 320 HP Volvo has enough power for pulling water skiers in a 24' boat.
Volvo claims their 5.7 320 HP engine has 370 ft lbs TQ. (A bigblock replacement engine.) Merc has the 6.2 Claimed 375 TQ.

The guy actually wanted to pull two skiers.
He repowered with The 8.1 375HP Mag after putting only 20 hrs on his brand new boat.
He loves the 8.1 repower.
I want the big power for dealing with big swells and strong currents pulling me back.

 

[At Ease]

I had the same concerns before buying my boat. Having operated it for a full season, I have no concerns. Once you learn how to trim the boat and balance with trim tabs they are fine. If this really concerns you, look for one with a big block. Plenty of boats on the market.

 

[Moose]

My 2 cents worth. from '04 to '05 the weight jumped considerably. With my '04 at about 1500 lbs lighter than an '05 the 350 Mag is great. If I was buying an '05 or higher I'd be looking for the 496! Not many around, but look used and let the original buyer pay the tab. You'll be a happy camper.

 

[Bridog]

My 2 cents worth. from '04 to '05 the weight jumped considerably. With my '04 at about 1500 lbs lighter than an '05 the 350 Mag is great. If I was buying an '05 or higher I'd be looking for the 496! Not many around, but look used and let the original buyer pay the tab. You'll be a happy camper.

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[rondds]

My previous boat was a 2002 Crownline 262CR. It weighed 6200# dry, which is fairly heavy for a boat that was 25'8" LOA. This power package was great for that boat - I never felt like the boat was dragging. The 2006 260DA is longer and about 21% heavier. Not sure if you'll have enough giddee up when loaded.

http://www.searay.com/online_brochure.asp?display=brochure&tab=2&modelid=54021&reqtype=1,5,9,19

 

[Presentation]

Umm, looking at this a bit different, ask yourself:

When you go on a vacation for the weekend do you put your families packing’s in a couple of duffel bags or is your vehicle loaded like a Chinese junket? Rate your packing from 0 (lightest) to 10 (heaviest)

Do you plan on being mostly day boaters or packing food and supplies of extended days onboard? Rank your intentions from mostly day boating 0 to extended cruising 10. If somewhere in between, pick the appropriate number.

Do you hope to pull each other up on one ski or is pulling a tube sufficient for your activities? Rate your expectations from slow, light loads = 0, slalom skiing = 10. If somewhere in between, pick the appropriate number.

Do you drive down the highway in the right slow lane or the left passing lane? If you drive like a little old lady give yourself a 0, if you collect speeding tickets give yourself a 10. If somewhere in between, pick the appropriate number.

Add up you score.




Now consult the below guide for the 2006 260 Sundancer.
0-15 = the 5.7 should meet your needs
16-29 = get at least the 6.2L
30-40 = get the big block V8

 

[skibum]

My 2 cents worth. from '04 to '05 the weight jumped considerably. With my '04 at about 1500 lbs lighter than an '05 the 350 Mag is great. If I was buying an '05 or higher I'd be looking for the 496! Not many around, but look used and let the original buyer pay the tab. You'll be a happy camper.

+1

+2 :thumbsup: :grin:

 

[ChuckW]

My 2 cents worth. from '04 to '05 the weight jumped considerably. With my '04 at about 1500 lbs lighter than an '05 the 350 Mag is great. If I was buying an '05 or higher I'd be looking for the 496! Not many around, but look used and let the original buyer pay the tab. You'll be a happy camper.

OK, I'll chime in from the other end of the spectrum. I never even considered anything other than the motor I have, the 496 MAG. Why, because I've never been on a boat that is over powered. But plenty that were under powered. To me, the fact that you even feel compelled to ask tells me you'll be unhappy one day should you go with it. But that's just me.

The other issue not mentioned here, is longevity. How long are you planning on keeping this boat? An engine that is used at 60% of it's power band will last a lot longer than an engine that is used at 90% of its power. Wear and tear was important to me as well.

If you are at all concerned about longevity, I suggest you read this article http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasDiesel.htm. While the impetus is about gas vs. diesel there is a lot of good data on wear and tear that applies to both types. I found this from a post by Presentation at http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18963 Post #7.

Cheers,

 

[Lazy Daze]

You'll never go wrong with a bigger engine in a boat. As was mentioned above, you have to consider how you're going to use it, though.

That being said, we've sold quite a few '05+ 260DA's, all with the 350MAG. No one has come back and complained.

Yes, the 05+ 260 is heavier than the older hull, but it also has a vastly improved hull design that more than makes up for the weight. The boat does extremely well with the 350MAG.

Nice thing about the 496's is that they come standard with FWC.

 

[Presentation]

You'll never go wrong with a bigger engine in a boat. As was mentioned above, you have to consider how you're going to use it, though.

That being said, we've sold quite a few '05+ 260DA's, all with the 350MAG. No one has come back and complained.

Yes, the 05+ 260 is heavier than the older hull, but it also has a vastly improved hull design that more than makes up for the weight. The boat does extremely well with the 350MAG.

Nice thing about the 496's is that they come standard with FWC.

Just so you can never say you never heard it……I have the 280 Sundancer with the most displacement offered in this model, 2 engines, 16 cylinders, 10 liters / 610 cubic inches, 520 horse power, 4 propellers spinning 12 blades and I wish I had more power.

Any change you could yank out the 5.0’s and shoe horn in a pair of Merc HP700 SCi’s?
1,400 horse power in sheep’s clothing would be cool!

Picture our 280 Sundancer, isinglass up, grill bouncing around, kids swimsuits hanging from the camper top as we pass Fountains, Bajas, Outlaws and the rest. To top it off I’d even wear my over the calf black dress socks with shorts.


(kidding)

 

[Lazy Daze]

Any change you could yank out the 5.0’s and shoe horn in a pair of Merc HP700 SCi’s?
1,400 horse power in sheep’s clothing would be cool!

LOL - That's the first time anyone's ever asked me to put an engine of that magnitude in a Dancer!

I do have a customer who has the same set-up as you. Wants more power and he's not shy about it. He's got a big black and white checkered flag down the hull side. His Duramax, 4-door, dually is all black, dark tints and another black/white checkered flag all down the side. He tows that 280DA EVERYWHERE! Even puts in at a little lake around here called Beltzville -- it's all of 3 miles long... if that!

I'd like to see you actually wear those socks!!!!! With the "straps" to keep the socks from falling down???

 

[Stray Cat]

Just so you can never say you never heard it……I have the 280 Sundancer with the most displacement offered in this model, 2 engines, 16 cylinders, 10 liters / 610 cubic inches, 520 horse power, 4 propellers spinning 12 blades and I wish I had more power.

Any change you could yank out the 5.0’s and shoe horn in a pair of Merc HP700 SCi’s?
1,400 horse power in sheep’s clothing would be cool!

See what happens when you add all that Westerbeke weight? :grin:

I loved my 270 with the 7.4 MPI....For a 260, I would get as big of a power unit as possible.

 

[MExcelsior]

My previous boat was a 2002 Crownline 262CR.

I had a 2001 262CR with a 350 EFI. Great minds think alike! : )

 

[keokie]

The only benefit of the small block in the 260 is price. The 496 will match the effeciency, and exceed in all other areas such as planing ability, cruising speed, longevity, and noise (the 496 will turn about 800 rpm less at any given planing speed). I've been on many, many boats. In my opinion, many, if not most cruisers are significantly underpowered.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well, it looks like I'm fighting a loosing battle. :smt001

That's OK, I'll live to fight another day.:lol:

I'm lucky enough to be able to run a lot of Sea Ray's. I don't get a chance to run other manufacturer's boats as much, but the times I did I was amazed at the difference in hull design. Hands down, the SR outperforms them. The SR will never be the fastest hull out there, but it excels in hole shot and fuel efficiency.

I know I'm in the minority in this discussion, but I'm sticking to my story - with the way the '05+ 260's hull is designed, it does fantastic with the 350.

However, as mentioned a few times above, if you're going to have a "boatload" of people most of the time (7,8 plus), then a bigger engine would be warranted. If it's only going to be 3 to 4 adults and a couple kids most of the time, then the 350MAG is more than adequate.

Ultimately it comes down to how you're going to use the boat and what you're comfortable with. But please, anyone, don't make a blanket statement saying the the 260 is underpowered with the 350MAG.

 

[Dave S]

The 350 is "adequate". I have one and that is how I classify it. The 6.2 is a better choice but the 496 is the best choice and you will like your boat's performance a lot better with that motor.

 

[rondds]

By definition, isnt the 350 Mag Horizon closed cooled with ceramic lining? That's what I was led to believe when I paid $3K more for that package in the Crownline.

 

[ultratiger89]

I have a 2003 with the 350 mag. It has enough power, planes out fine, even full of fuel and water, 3 - 4 passengers. Gets good fuel mileage too.

Here are the test results for each power plant. The 350 results are from 2001 - 2004 models, the 496 from 2005 models. There is an apparent error in the top knot speed on the 496, the top MPH is 6 MPH more. No where in the range is the fuel mileage better though.