Comparing 240 to 260 Sundancer

M

Matt R

New Member
Jul 22, 2008
25
Indiana
My wife and I currently have a Crownline bowrider and would like to upgrade to a cruiser. We are pretty set on a finding a small Sundancer; we've looked at both the 240 and 260 and with the exception of a few bells and whistles, aren't seeing much difference. The 240 is obviously a better price, and is easier to trailer should we ever decide to do so. The 260 really didn't seem that much bigger. I'd love to hear thoughts on what I may be missing! Thanks!
 
Welcome...

Even a couple of inches can make a big difference...Try and drive both if possible. I can tell you I have driven both and you will be happier in the 260.
 
What is your towing vehicle? This can make a difference since 260DA is heavier boat. If you're looking at new 240DA, I do agree that 260DA has better layout. It's a personal prefference, but we think that before the model change 240DA had better layout compare to new one. I would focus more on items that you may need more, like build-in a/c, windlass, etc.
 
Matt,
I too am comparing boats in that size range 24-27. I do not plan to trailer the boat so that is no real concern to me HOWEVER I do plan to sleep on it and I plan on sleeping in the V berth. The difference seemed to be in the "length" of the V berth. Even the 250 seemed much larger in the V. Board the boats and hang out down there (ie dont just look around). That is by far the best advice that was given to me.
 
I tested both the 2006 240DA and the 2006 260DA before settling on the 260DA.

The usable cabin space is not much different between the two although the 260DA does offer better standing headroom everywhere. There are a few more storage areas in the cabin of the 260 compared to the 240. The cockpit on the other hand has quite a difference with the 260DA winning hands down both on underseat storage as well as seating.

Performance wise the 260DA will give you a better ride and the boat rides with less of a "bow up" attitude than the 240DA as well. On the other hand, the 240DA has a better performance curve (standard engines) with a higher top speed than the 260DA. Either boat would have suited us but based on our own comparison, we chose the 260DA.
 
This is all very helpful! We are looking at used, around 2000-2002 or so. Trailering is a thought, although either boat would likely remain on a lift at the marina pretty much year-round, we'd like the option to pull out for maintence, etc. Our current tow vehicle could pull the 240, but not the 260. Good advice, keep it coming!
 
Matt R said:
This is all very helpful! We are looking at used, around 2000-2002 or so. Trailering is a thought, although either boat would likely remain on a lift at the marina pretty much year-round, we'd like the option to pull out for maintence, etc. Our current tow vehicle could pull the 240, but not the 260. Good advice, keep it coming!
Click to expand...

Most of what I told you in my previous post would not apply to the earlier model 240DAs and 260DAs you are looking at since both were replaced with newer models that have different configurations and that was what I was talking about.

The only thing I can tell you is look at storage space as a primary consideration on both models. You can't have too much. The newer 240 and 260 have under-the-seat storage in the cockpit which is really nice but the older models have none. Keep in mind there are few choices for storing anything except primarily in the cabin with the older Sundancers. Look at usable seating in the cockpit as well if you plan to take out more than 4 people regularly.
 
Riverrat and I had a 240 and a 260 of that era - respectively. When we were rafted we compared extensively and we both concluded storage was larger and more plentiful on the 260. Also, you end up with more room in general. Both are great boats. The 260 will be more weight to tow. The 260's often have vacuflush heads, not sure what is common on the 240's.
 
Don't do either or you'll be trading up again later. Go straight to a 280 and be done with it. The 240 and 260 are very "tender" to operate and will give you heart burn every time you operate it. Read about it on this web site. The money you lose trading, will pay for a towing truck. My 2 cents. Sorry to anger any 240 or 260 owners.
 
My 240DA was very nicely equipped, including VacuFlush head. If you have towing vehicle that will pull 240DA, this would stop my search. Two models 240 and 260 very competitive. Granted, 260 has bit more storage and more room. But, this doesn’t (usually, your case could be different) justify an upgrade of the towing vehicle. Give your self few years, may be less, and you might be looking for upgrading your boat anyway. The boat becomes “smaller and smaller” each year.
In our case, 240DA had served as a transitional boat from trailering boating style to a “summer house” style with having the boat in a slip for the season providing all necessary comforts for travelling and spending weekends or more on board.

The other point is that if you like boating and planning to maintain this hobby, chances are this wont be your last boat. Thus, while choosing now, I would focus on how your family would use the next boat and what are the must have items. Spend minimum and max in return. If you’ll upgrade the tow vehicle for the boat, I’d say you just spent double. I’m still trying to sell my truck and with these fuel prices no one cares for those gas eaters.
 
Soon you will find the 260/240 too small as I did with my 240DA. If you can spare the extra cost, go for a 280DA as Islandhopper suggested. With the economy & gas the way they are going, you can find a nice deal on used ("Pre-owned") boat with few hours.

Good luck with your search!

PS If you what a 2001 240DA with less than 400hrs, I can sell you mine!!
 
I think the cabin room in the 260DA was just enough bigger to sway us. We like the layput too on the 2000 we bought last Dec. We have been cruising now for 9 day with 6 more to go. We're getting used to where things should go and how to pack this thing full.
We also trailer this boat.
 
If I have it to do over agian and was comparing the 240DA and 260DA. I would have gone with the 280DA. hind-sight being 20/20 the 280DA is the right starter crusier. their are things on the 240Da and the 260DA which will become annoying over time at least if not a down right pain in the A$$.
 
Had a 250, bought a 280 and love it but I just towed it 235 miles each way.. what a load. the F350 7.3l Diesel did a good job. Remember that many of the 280's don't come with trailers (add about 6K to the price) and you will most likely need a permit to tow legally. If towing is a major consideration I would go to the 260 or even a 270 but not the SE if you want the wider 9'2" beam (and believe me, you want the wider beam)
 
I had a 240 for one year and now have a 280. The 240 I believe is a great boat. Presentation(Doug from this board) owned his for years before trading to a 280. Some of the options we decided we wanted after having the 240 were a dedicated dinette, windlass, a.c., radar arch(looks much cooler) and the extra space that 4ft longer and 1 ft wider will give you. Depending on where you are boating the 240 may be the boat that will work for you. I have not run a 260 but if the 240/260 is the size and price range you are in go for the 260. Good luck in your search.
 
I don't mean to stear in the wrong direction, but I thing for the first boat 280 is too much if towing is involved. Imagine if the person never towed any trailers before. How do you expect him to lear towing 10K load? If we're just talking about boating alone, yes 280 is very good choice. However, you'll have a harder time to justify the upgrade. Your next jump would in 40'ers.

But again, if you'd like to go different destinations (see the country) and tow your boat I would suggest nothing more than 260. In this case even 240 to avoid extra $$ for new truck. Lets not forget the oversize permits and restrictions for towing ove 8'6" beem.
 
I owned a 2002 260DA with the 6.2L/BIII Package and found it to be a great family cruiser. Shortly after we bought it I became very ill with a disease called tenfootitis. So the 260 gave way to a 320, which gave way to the current 420DA with Cummins Power.

We looked at both the 240 and 260. The 260 was a better fit for us...more storage, and a bit more boat in sloppy water.

One thought, from a guy who kept his first two Sea Rays (260DA, 320DA) an average of 9 months each (but now in season three with the 420DA).

-Buy the most boat you can comfortably afford, appropriate to your intended usage now and in the future. (i.e. how you think you and your family might use the boat in 3-5 years-and remember, you are guaranteed to make new boating friends who will want to join you aboard)
As a good friend of mine says, buy the most boat you can get your wallet around.

-Buy the most motor you can. You never hear guys say "Dang it, my boat just has too much power" but you often read, on this website and others, folks lamenting the fact that their boat is marginally powered.

A final thought. Some folks will only shop for new boats. More power to them-they get full warranty and (in theory, anyway) a dealer who is going to bend over backwards to make that new boat run perfectly.
But I am a used boat buyer.
Every one of my Sea Rays has been 2-3 years old. The new boat buyer gets to enjoy the depreciation hit, de-bug the new boat, etc. With proper due diligence (hull survey, mechanical survey, sea trial) you can get a whole lot of used boat for the money-with residual transferable warranty in many cases--

And in the current economic downturn, there are deals to be had.

My .02. Good luck.

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