Current SR cruisers- form over function?

H

Halcyon Days

New Member
Mar 2, 2010
16
Mt Holly, NC
Boat Info
1998 215 Express Cruiser 1996 Chevy K1500 5.0 Vortec
Engines
5.0L Merc EFI 240 HP
Is it just me, or does SR now value form or styling of their boats, more than the function of their boats? I recently toured a new 240& 260DA and was astonished at how things have changed since the early to mid 2000's. The current models of these boats are just so cramped(cockpit& cabin) compared to some of the earlier models. I couldn't even stand up in the cabin of the 240 without my head hitting the top of the cabin. In the 260, there is a storage cabinet in the mid-berth that prevents me from extending my legs when laying down. The head in the 260 is so small that when I sit on the toilet, me knees are pressing against the door! These are just a few of the things I noticed and did not like.BTW, I am 5' 10"/185 lbs. The earlier models of these boats impressed me with the clever use of space, and beautiful blend of form vs. function. But that has changed. I know that all boats are a compromise of many things, but I feel that SR has let it go too far towards form. Or maybe it's just me.:smt001
 
I also like the "older" boats (1990 ish to 2003 ish) as compared to the newer models. I do not like the bows angled down at all. Realize tho this is a personal preference. The newer boats have more "pizzazz" than mine, and also have some very cool newer electronics, tv's, etc.
 
At the Chicago show I purposely checked out every 8'6" beam cruiser from several manufacturers and was disappointed in every one. They all had similar issues. If you are looking check out the 97 270 DA. Yes, I'm biased, but I started where you are and ended there. The dealers say mfg's aren't putting much effort in those models now due to slow sales. MM
 
My last boat was a 2005 260DA. Even with the change over to the new model in 2005, the cabin was essentially the same as the model that preceded it. I always found it functional but as with all small pocket cruisers there are compromises. In today's models, many changes have been made but keep in mind that the current 260DA is not the same size as the older 260DA. In fact the current 280DA is the exact same size as the older (2008 and back) 260DA. Checkout that model if you really want an apples to apples comparison.
 
David Paul said:
My last boat was a 2005 260DA. Even with the change over to the new model in 2005, the cabin was essentially the same as the model that preceded it. I always found it functional but as with all small pocket cruisers there are compromises. In today's models, many changes have been made but keep in mind that the current 260DA is not the same size as the older 260DA. In fact the current 280DA is the exact same size as the older (2008 and back) 260DA. Checkout that model if you really want an apples to apples comparison.
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I skipped back as previously explained and the compromises of newer boats the reason.

The 2011 280 DA is not the same boat as the old 260 of 05. The length is similar, but the beam is wider, requires permits to trailer, has a deeper draft, and it is heavier.
 
I know the beam is slightly wider (by 4 inches) on the new 280DA but the real point I was trying to make is the current (NEW) 260DA is actually smaller than the older (2008 and earlier) 260DA. The current 260DA has an overall length of 26'7" where as the 2008 260DA had a length of 28'8". That is a significant difference and the cabin in the new 260DA is not nearly as roomy as the older 260DA.
 
I don't know, but I saw a 5 hundred Sundancer yesterday from the outside and it looked nice. The only concern I saw was with all the glass, unless perhaps some window tint was used, is how to keep the cockpit area cooled?
 
I don't know, we had a 2003 260 Sundancer for a year in 2009 and though we really enjoyed the boat, the replacement for that model, the 270 (and now the 280), was in our mind a significant improvement all around.

In the cockpit, we found the addition of the jump seat and the ability to swivel the helm seats around made for a better conversation area. We also found that below the mid berth was more open and therefore more likely to be used.

Having a 2006 300DA now, which we also really enjoy, I would say that there are significant improvements in the replacement (310 and now 330) but it seems that these redesigns are a generation behind the philosophy that underpins the 270/280. The layouts above and below decks are quite similar to the old model, but admittedly the finishes etc are in our mind nicer - just not enough to justify a trade up.

Where we see the biggest difference is in the 340 to 350/370. Personally, I think this boat is a huge improvement over the predecessor in layout and finishes and is kind of our 'dream boat' except used prices haven't yet fallen into our target range.
 
The new 240DA is ridiculous. You can't even get by the cabin galley table to sit if the table is up. We looked at it at the boat show. My cousin and her husband just bought an '00 240DA and it has so much more room. I really like the layout of our 260DA over the newer ones with similart size. SeaRay really muddied the waters in the 25-28' boat range. It's very hard to compare apples with apples.

If you look for an older model you can find some decent boats and save a ton of money.
 
I went to the Hartford Boat Show this winter. Saw the new 340 Dancer and was taken back with how small they have become. I could not even walk down stairs without bumping my head. That is why I like the mid 80's sundancer. I could drive the new one inside my old one and still have room.
 
Went to the Detroit Boat show to look at a new 240 Sundeck. Hate the rear facing seat, if persons were sitting there on "take off" they would go into the water. The floor are on my 200 is larger than the 240.
 
Yeah, my 05' 300DA is bigger than the new 310 and closer to the 330. SeaRay was more conservative than their competitors with model numbers and must have decided to play the game.
 
I went on the new 31 at the boat show, and was not impressed at all. Its got a 9"6 beam, is only 28 feet long and has a dinete table the size of a pizza box! The 80s 300s and 340s have a nice big table and seat four very comfortably. I asked what I would have to buy, to get the size and beam of my 1988 sundancer...... He told me to go look at the 35.
 
I'm with Monaco Mike on this one - we understood the 07-09 310 to be 'equivalent' to our 2006 300DA. Last summer when we got about the 2010 310 for a quick look, we really did not pay attention to the outside of the boat and were kind of shocked at how little we liked the interior and how much smaller it seemed.

Well, surprise surprise, we found out the 310 had moved upmarket and became the 330.

I think you have to be careful when comparing old vs new - probably better to ignore model numbers and compare boats with similar LOA. If I didn't do so, I'd think my old 2003 260 was certainly a much bigger and better-laid-out boat than the 2010 260.

As I understand it, it would be fair to compare the 2010 260 to the older 240, the 2010 280 to the 260, the 310 to the 280 and so on.
 
jeremyandalison said:
I'm with Monaco Mike on this one - we understood the 07-09 310 to be 'equivalent' to our 2006 300DA. Last summer when we got about the 2010 310 for a quick look, we really did not pay attention to the outside of the boat and were kind of shocked at how little we liked the interior and how much smaller it seemed.

Well, surprise surprise, we found out the 310 had moved upmarket and became the 330.

I think you have to be careful when comparing old vs new - probably better to ignore model numbers and compare boats with similar LOA. If I didn't do so, I'd think my old 2003 260 was certainly a much bigger and better-laid-out boat than the 2010 260.

As I understand it, it would be fair to compare the 2010 260 to the older 240, the 2010 280 to the 260, the 310 to the 280 and so on.
Click to expand...

Yes, the 2010 310DA is the replacement for the 01-09 280DA. The 07-09 310DA remains basically un-changed and was rebadged the 330DA for 2010. So the modern "equivalent" to your 300DA in 2010 Model Year is the 330DA
 
Of course, by the time I can afford a larger boat, I will be elderly, so I suppose my next boat will be a Tiara.[/quote]
Now thats funny:smt043:lol:
 
David Paul said:
I know the beam is slightly wider (by 4 inches) on the new 280DA but the real point I was trying to make is the current (NEW) 260DA is actually smaller than the older (2008 and earlier) 260DA. The current 260DA has an overall length of 26'7" where as the 2008 260DA had a length of 28'8". That is a significant difference and the cabin in the new 260DA is not nearly as roomy as the older 260DA.
Click to expand...

I got your point and thought you knew but just wanted to make sure the OP who has 13 posts knew. :thumbsup:
 
Sea Ray focus seems to be on rear facing seats not cockpit facing seats note 240 Sundeck new vs. old.
 
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