Buying a 85 or 86 25' da

[Maritime Matt]

I'm purchasing from a friend a 85 26' Sundancer with the 260 Merc. I'll be going up to remove the shrink wrap and get her cleaned and polished. It has full camper canvas. Some of the cockpit wood will need replacing under the original vinyl and a water heater installed. Can't wait to start on it. I'm sure I'll need some fellow members input and knowledge for this boat. I did manage to secure a copy of the owners manual from SeaRay for this boat some years back. It will be docked down in Little Egg Harbor NJ. Matt.

Here is a start:
Shrink coming off
Helm view- Notice the generic handles that were installed to replace the vinyl straps. I was thinking off having a fabricator make a custom grab bar to replace the handles and old strap brackets and bolt some rocket launchers on for the occasional fish trip
Looking forward- Hatches need some maintainance. Needs new windlass. Had factory one but its gone.
Lookin through cabin entry
Port side cubbys missing the tambour doors.

 

[Drama Queen]

Congrats on your purchase!! Can't wait to see some pictures, you should post some before and after pics when you get started.

and a friendly reminder be sure and put your boat info. in your signature so everyone will know what kind of boat you have when you have a question.

 

[Nehalennia]

Welcome Matt,
Best of luck

 

[wprice0511]

Congratulations on your purchase. I have an 85 Sundancer 260 that I bought this year and we love it.

I'd love to see some pics!

 

[kybishop]

This is one of the few classic Sea Ray forums. Welcome aboard.

Kevin

 

[Maritime Matt]

Thanks everyone. I will be going up to the boat tomorrow. Shrinkwrap comes off and its time for a bath and some compound and wax. I'll shoot some pics also. Matt.

 

[kbsunlovers]

Welcome Matt, always great to see other 250's. There's a wealth of information from folks around here, I've learned a ton myself! Good luck and great boating!

 

[95290]

Congrats!
Those models look like REAL boats. Enjoy

 

[Maritime Matt]

Well its after midnight and I'm tired. Removed shrink wrap. Dirt. Lots of it. Was not used in 4 yrs. Found the name plate on the side and it says its a srv 260, not a 250. Don't know what the difference is. It has the teak anchor pulpit and the rail mounted chrome spotlight. Lots of caulk on the cabin trunk windows. Cabin in pretty good shape. Missing the sliding/roll away doors on the port side above the dinette. Need to find these I hope. Cooktop is combo gas/electric. Never used one. Not crazy about alcohol part of it. Started putting up canvas and decided to wash the hull and a bit above the rub rail as I want to compound and wax tomorrow. I did take pics as the wrap was undone. I'll post asap. Matt.

 

[Maritime Matt]

I buffed out the port side today using 3m compound/wax combo. The quality SeaRay gelcoat came right back to life. I was impressed, although its what I expected. Looks like the boat came with the factory option Benson Windlass, although the unit itself is missing, the control is on the dash along with the wire harness in the anchor locker. It also has a newer battery charger and the galvanic isolater both mounted under the starboard v berth cushion.

 

[KRB64]

Welcome aboard!

We have an '82 260. Its a good week/weekend boat for the family. Just replaced the electric/pressurized alcohol stove with a non pressurized unit. We have the teak pulpit and spotlight too but not the windlass.

Looking forward to the pics!

 

[keokie]

That's definitely a 260. They were made officially from '83 to '85. However, there were some sold as '82 models I am extremely familiar with the boat, and will be happy to answer questions. I have very completely restored my '83.

 

[wprice0511]

I knew it was a 260 when I saw your pictures. Your boat is identical to mine. Hull color, upholstery and interior fabric colors are all the same.

You're actually close to 27 feet with the swim patform and bow pulpit.

The 250 was similar to the 260 with an overall length around 26 feet and the beam at 96". The 260 is also 8 feet wide. The main difference in the interior of the 250 is the lack of a dinette table, which the 260 obviously has.

The 260 is about 27 and a half feet overall and has the dinette table.

Sea Ray has the owners manual and brochures in their archives section. The brochure for your boat is here... http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/1985/26 feet and below/DA_SRV260_SS.pdf

The owners manual is here... http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manu...80-85_Sport_Cruisers/80-85_Sport_Cruisers.pdf

We're really happy with ours. Contact me if you need me to check something on mine to compare as you work on yours.

Congrats again,

 

[AKBASSKING]

Welcome!

I am working on a 86 300DB so I can share your excitement!

 

[Maritime Matt]

Thanks for the input and links. Yesterday I powerwashed the bottom as the paint was loose and flaking. I think I removed around 90% of 20 yrs of bottom paint. More pics coming. Matt.

 

[Maritime Matt]

Re: Bought a 85 260 da

As I've been busy with customer work and winterizations, I have not been up to my SeaRay thats 85 miles away at my friends marine shop in 2 months. I really miss working on that boat and am looking forward to getting it down to Port Republic. Happy Holidays to everyone. Capt.Matt.

 

[Maritime Matt]

Some Spring huh? Every other day it rains or its raw and blowin out of the N'oreast. As I write its torrentially downpouring with thunder and lightning. How am I suppose to get my own boats going when I'm working on my customer's on all the nice days? Capt.Matt

 

[jffacets]

Well its after midnight and I'm tired. Removed shrink wrap. Dirt. Lots of it. Was not used in 4 yrs. Found the name plate on the side and it says its a srv 260, not a 250. Don't know what the difference is. It has the teak anchor pulpit and the rail mounted chrome spotlight. Lots of caulk on the cabin trunk windows. Cabin in pretty good shape. Missing the sliding/roll away doors on the port side above the dinette. Need to find these I hope. Cooktop is combo gas/electric. Never used one. Not crazy about alcohol part of it. Started putting up canvas and decided to wash the hull and a bit above the rub rail as I want to compound and wax tomorrow. I did take pics as the wrap was undone. I'll post asap. Matt.

I think you will find the roll away doors came out in 1986, with the 268, which had a 8.5' beam. I had one of these with twin 190's and it was a great boat. it is a 26' boat, not 25'. I just finished a total refit I started on a srv300 last year, it was fun.....enjoy!

 

[AKBASSKING]

Back door look something like this?

 

[CaptainH]

Welcome. Sounds like you got the boat bug. I really enjoy the work I have put into mine and it is looking a lot better after only 1 year. Good luck! :thumbsup: