Buying Advice 2006 Sundancer260

[Fumita305]

Hey guys im going to look at a 06' 260 on friday... it will be my first/ starter boat. im looking to upgrade hopefully to a 370 in 5-10 years. Either way, im looking for some advice, it's probably the cheapest 260 ive been able to find and it seems to be in great shape. Theres no Gen, or AC. Does that mean that the microwave and other electronics wont work while on the water?


Also, the boat doesnt have a windlass, it's said to need new Bimini tops/ and a cleaning. The owner seems to be reasonable and I ran a boat check on it and all came out well.

is there anything I should look out for? it has 710 hrs on the motor, the owner is willing to take 35k for the boat and trailer. ill get more pics friday, this is what I have from the posting

 

[Golfman25]

From the pictures it looks like it has a windless. Where is it located -- winter storage???

I would look it over real good. Pay attention to the transom and the outdrive area. Review any maintenance records. Start looking for a surveyor -- you want to get it surveyed.

 

[Fumita305]

I see what you mean it def does look like it has one but the owner says it doesnt and yes in MN. winterized at the moment.

 

[JeffM]

Those pictures look a lot like brochure pictures; I would suspect they aren’t the boat that’s listed — especially since they show a windlass and the ad says there isn’t one. Be very cautious when looking this boat over — I would be very concerned about why they did not post photos of the actual boat for sale. You most definitely will want to get a survey.

Yes, if there’s no generator the microwave won’t work unless you’re plugged into shore power. However, the rest of the electronics should. The refrigerator is dual-voltage and runs on either batteries or shore power, and the stereo, lights, etc should also work on batteries.

 

[Fumita305]

Those pictures look a lot like brochure pictures; I would suspect they aren’t the boat that’s listed — especially since they show a windlass and the ad says there isn’t one. Be very cautious when looking this boat over — I would be very concerned about why they did not post photos of the actual boat for sale. You most definitely will want to get a survey.

Yes, if there’s no generator the microwave won’t work unless you’re plugged into shore power. However, the rest of the electronics should. The refrigerator is dual-voltage and runs on either batteries or shore power, and the stereo, lights, etc should also work on batteries.

They could be older pics from when the boat was newer, but I do think it is the actual boat because I used the MN Hull ID to look up the boats history. I am definitely going to be cautious I appreciate that! I am looking to have it surveyed like Golf mentioned, and I'll have more photos then too when I see it.

is there anything I should look for in specific with this model?

 

[Stee6043]

Seems a little odd but if everything else checks out be sure you know how much the new canvas will cost you. That's no small expense and it's probably "pretty bad" if the owner is already telling you it needs to be replaced.

Where are you located? No AC would be a bit of a problem for me for overnights.

 

[JeffM]

….and with no generator, you wouldn’t be able to run AC unless plugged into shore power.

 

[radscoot]

Good Luck with your search for a 260. Here is a pic of what a windlass looks like. The picture you show clearly does not have a windlass it only has the basic rode chute with tie off cleat. There is a lot of good info to read through on the 260 here. http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

 

[Fumita305]

Seems a little odd but if everything else checks out be sure you know how much the new canvas will cost you. That's no small expense and it's probably "pretty bad" if the owner is already telling you it needs to be replaced.

Where are you located? No AC would be a bit of a problem for me for overnights.

Beautiful boat, were in Minneapolis. it stays cool for the most part, im hoping to cool the cabin on shore power through a standing AC unit/ Tower.

 

[Fumita305]

Good Luck with your search for a 260. Here is a pic of what a windlass looks like. The picture you show clearly does not have a windlass it only has the basic rode chute with tie off cleat. There is a lot of good info to read through on the 260 here. http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/260-sundancer-thread-comments-questions-and-answers.414/

Very nice ! yes it does seem to have something upfront, not sure exactly what. since im a complete newbie! ill post some pics when I come back Friday, ill also be meeting a surveyor to help me inspect it all!

 

[BillK2632]

No windlass, that’s a hawspipe - a shoot that the anchor rode drops into the anchor locker through. Nice looking boat, at least from the pictures.

 

[K-DUB]

The scum line seems to be very high. Almost like it was sitting very low in the water at some point. May just be the pic.

 

[Golfman25]

Report back if you like it. I may have a surveyor you can use in the area. Brokers "hate" him.

 

[bbwhitejr]

What looks like a windlass in the pic, is what is called a hawse I think. It is simply like a short pipe that you feed the rope/chain into in order to deposit it in the anchor locker. The 260s of that era did not come standard with a windlass. I say this because I had the same model and year some years ago.

Bennett

 

[Fumita305]

The scum line seems to be very high. Almost like it was sitting very low in the water at some point. May just be the pic.

yeah it does seem that the two pics are from different times. more pics to come this week, if it was sitting low would that be a bilge issue? or something worse? bottom paint have it looking newer/ nicer I assume ..?

 

[Stee6043]

yeah it does seem that the two pics are from different times. more pics to come this week, if it was sitting low would that be a bilge issue? or something worse? bottom paint have it looking newer/ nicer I assume ..?

If you're going to need to replace the canvas and paint the bottom this $35k boat is quickly turning into a $50k boat! Don't force it....Sea Ray made a bunch of 260's, many of them with painted bottoms and AC.

EDIT - To clarify, if you're going to leave the boat in the water for extended periods the bottom will tend to look like that picture without bottom paint. But if you plan to trailer it, it's not going to get that bad over a single weekend.

 

[skibum]

That is one of the most beautiful boats I've ever seen. It looks just like mine. LOL

Assuming that this boat has a Bravo 3 outdrive, have a mechanic take a look at it. Have him pull the water inlet (2 screws 10-15 minutes) and look at where the water inlet tube comes through the transom. If that is blocked up the drive needs some serious work. Probably in the neighborhood of 6 to $800. It's called bravoitis. Search this site for it and you'll find some pictures, I'm sure. If he finds it, get an estimate to fix it, and use it in your negotiations.

If that tube gets blocked you'll have the smart craft shutting down your engine when you try to get on plane. It'll work up to a certain point and then shut down on you because the computer thinks the water pressure is too low, which is actually is. It happens right around 35 to 3,600 RPM on an 8.1, probably a couple hundred rpm lower if you have the 350.

 

[JeffM]

yeah it does seem that the two pics are from different times. more pics to come this week, if it was sitting low would that be a bilge issue? or something worse? bottom paint have it looking newer/ nicer I assume ..?

The one picture, with the bow ladder, looks as thought the boat had been beached — which would lift the bow out of the water and make it look as though the scum line is unusually high. However, since the owner appears to have invested in a bow ladder I suspect they be he’d the boat a lot. Therefore, i’d check the gel coat and condition of the keel near the bow….beaching can cause damage to the gel coat. Some folks install stainless keel guards to protect the hull when beaching.

 

[Fumita305]

 

[Fumita305]

got to see the boat today, it looks to be in really good shape. with a solid pressure cleaning and some acid for the bottom I feel like it would look almost new