Advice - buying "new" 2008 260DA

slagterd

New Member
Aug 25, 2008
17
Fairfax, VA
Boat Info
'08 DA 260 Sundancer
'96 DA 240 Sundancer
Engines
6.2L Mercruiser, Bravo 3
5.7L Mercruiser, Alpha 2
Not sure where to post this but am considering a new/left-over '08 260 with 6.2L, Windlass, AC/Heat, TV/DVD, VHF, Camper, etc.

Latest price offer: $71k.

NADA on' 08 says this deal is good; NADA on similarly equipped '07 says huge value drop coming.

Any advice? Thanks!
 
NADA, many would say, estimates way high.

Remember. . soon as they hand you the keys, you have a three year old boat in terms of depreciation.

But other than that: ENJOY!!
 
Not sure where to post this but am considering a new/left-over '08 260 with 6.2L, Windlass, AC/Heat, TV/DVD, VHF, Camper, etc.

Latest price offer: $71k.

NADA on' 08 says this deal is good; NADA on similarly equipped '07 says huge value drop coming.

Any advice? Thanks!

Any chance this boat has a Genny? I only ask because based on what I have seen it is unusual to find one as loaded as the 260 in question, without one.

Jason
 
Any chance this boat has a Genny? I only ask because based on what I have seen it is unusual to find one as loaded as the 260 in question, without one.

Jason
No - it doesn't have a gen but I wish it did. Also want to know if it's possible to add a 3k gen without pulling the engine. Your thoughts on the price at $71k even though it's 3 years old as soon as i purchase? I've seen lots of your posts so THANKS for all, Dennis
 
NADA, many would say, estimates way high.

Remember. . soon as they hand you the keys, you have a three year old boat in terms of depreciation.

But other than that: ENJOY!!
Thanks! Just wondering if $71k is a good price eventhough it will be 3 years old off the lot. I think 5 year warranty on engine/outdrive, dealer support, etc is worth something. Thanks for your help, Dennis
 
No - it doesn't have a gen but I wish it did. Also want to know if it's possible to add a 3k gen without pulling the engine. Your thoughts on the price at $71k even though it's 3 years old as soon as i purchase? I've seen lots of your posts so THANKS for all, Dennis

Personally, I think that is a little high without a Genny, new or not. Only because of the depreciation curve Consnark mentioned. My suspicion rests around why is this new 2008 model still sitting around in 2011? There has got to be a logical reason this boat has not sold before now. It may be (and probably is) just a fluke but I would recommend calling Sea Ray with the hull number and asking if it has had any warranty work before you make an offer.

It is very expensive to add a Generator. The "off-the-cuff" price most give is $10K. You could probably do a 3kw cheaper. CSR user Presentation added (I think) a 3kW Genny to his 280DA so you can ask him. Personally, if you want a Genny I would recommend just buying a boat that already has one unless you can get just get a steal on this one. I think you still have some negoating to do to get down to that range.

If it had a Genny, I think you would be pretty close where you should be with it. I believe the 2010 280DA (replacement for that 260DA) equipped like that but with genny is about $130K or so. A guy on my dock almost bought a 2010 model.
 
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Let me share with you my old saying on things like this.....

"The wrong boat at the best price in the world is still the wrong boat."

If your plans on how you will use the boat include overnighting on the hook you probably will want a genny if for nothing other than running the heat/air. It's going to be very expensive to install one even if you don't have to pull the engine to get it in. Not only do you have the cost of the genset itself, but there's all the wiring changes that will have to be done to wire it into the electrical panel.

Remember..."The wrong boat at the best price in the world is still the wrong boat."
 
Let me share with you my old saying on things like this.....

"The wrong boat at the best price in the world is still the wrong boat."

If your plans on how you will use the boat include overnighting on the hook you probably will want a genny if for nothing other than running the heat/air. It's going to be very expensive to install one even if you don't have to pull the engine to get it in. Not only do you have the cost of the genset itself, but there's all the wiring changes that will have to be done to wire it into the electrical panel.

Remember..."The wrong boat at the best price in the world is still the wrong boat."
great advice; needed to hear it - yes we want the ability to overnight on the hook - just don't know how often to make a Gen worthwhile.
So eager to get a nice Sea Ray at the right price so now I'll focus on the "right" SR at the "right" price.
Thanks!
 
great advice; needed to hear it - yes we want the ability to overnight on the hook - just don't know how often to make a Gen worthwhile.
So eager to get a nice Sea Ray at the right price so now I'll focus on the "right" SR at the "right" price.
Thanks!

Good plan. $71k is too high for that boat. There are a lot of really well maintained used boats for less right now. If you plan to overnight and want the option to trailer then look at the 280 vs. the 260. Bigger, wider, more cabin space, more cockpit space and still trailerable.

Start with yachtworld . com
 
I can't comment on the price of this boat. . .but I do know that USED is much cheaper than NEW. And a new boat becomes USED mighty quick.
 
What was the "list price" on that boat? If you are not getting at least 45 percent off then I would think you ought to pass on it or at least counter with a lower price. A slightly used boat of the same year and with the same equipment with under 100 hundred hours is probably available for $10K less than that.
 
I dont know if your stuck on brand new, but i would look at a used boat that is bigger for the same price.
 
What was the "list price" on that boat? If you are not getting at least 45 percent off then I would think you ought to pass on it or at least counter with a lower price. A slightly used boat of the same year and with the same equipment with under 100 hundred hours is probably available for $10K less than that.
Thanks - it's 35% off of NADA and more than 40% off list. I agree it's not the greatest price deal but i like new; 5 year warranty on drive/engine; loaded features and strong possibility that he'll sell my 96 240 for me. Not a done deal but we'll see. Thanks again D
 
Would you trailer this boat?
If not, go with a 280DA, heck even if you're trailering I'd go with a 280DA(before the model change).
 
Thanks - it's 35% off of NADA and more than 40% off list. I agree it's not the greatest price deal but i like new;

What does this mean?

Does that mean that NADA and LIST are close to each other? If that is true. . .that is simply looney tunes.

I had a similar problem shopping for a certain car last year. I found a leftover. NADA and a competing price guide was HIGHER than any comparable USED car asking price within 100 miles of me, and higher than the dealer wanted for this leftover (Before negotiation).
 
Just to add my (newly registered) $0.02, I am purchasing a 2006 260DA this weekend for $49k. It has only 74 hours, the 5kW gen (80hours on it), Garmin 545s, upgraded 6.2L engine, and it looks practically new. Hopefully this gives you a little more information on how the market is. Good Luck! :smt001
 
Just to add my (newly registered) $0.02, I am purchasing a 2006 260DA this weekend for $49k. It has only 74 hours, the 5kW gen (80hours on it), Garmin 545s, upgraded 6.2L engine, and it looks practically new. Hopefully this gives you a little more information on how the market is. Good Luck! :smt001

At $49K you are getting a bargain. That's way below market.
 
I would also check with a lender.....they will know what the boat is worth. They don't want to get upside-down in a deal either. Our friends have a 2005 260 and constantly compare what they owe with what it's worth. They were looking at a 2006 300DA to upgrade and trade value and payoff are always a concern to get a fair deal. If we were further south and needed air to sleep on the hook, a would need a genny on my 270 to run air.....we only use shore power for that right now. My 260 friend/owner uses an inverter to run his air cond. off three big batteries. It's a real balancing act but they make it work. I would still be happy with a 90's boat with a genny and pay cash for our next bigger ride, Mike.
 
Hey here’s a though, why don’t you ask to have a generator installed thrown into your deal? What is the worst that can happen, they say no?? PS… Are you sure going from a 240 to a 260 is going to make you happy? I agree with Todd, maybe you should be looking in the 280 range.
 

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