Differences from 260 to 290 for Family of 4

[WannaBSeaRayOwners]

Well, thanks to the great advice from everybody here, and LOTS of looking, we are about 2 days from owning a 2005 280DA with twin 5.0's. She's stunning, we're REALLY excited, but this Spring has been TERRIBLE in Michigan. I hope it's not a sign of things to come for the summer!

 

[floriduramax1]

Well, thanks to the great advice from everybody here, and LOTS of looking, we are about 2 days from owning a 2005 280DA with twin 5.0's. She's stunning, we're REALLY excited, but this Spring has been TERRIBLE in Michigan. I hope it's not a sign of things to come for the summer!

Good Luck! I am jealous, I would love to have the extra horse power!!

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Congrats! Of course we expect to see some pics!

 

[WannaBSeaRayOwners]

Good Luck! I am jealous, I would love to have the extra horse power!!

You put us over the top on that decision. Gotta trust the advice from a fellow Duramax driver - if there's one thing we understand, it's the fun of having more power than you almost ever need! I don't call the captain "Captain Overkill" for nothing!

 

[floriduramax1]

:smt038:thumbsup:

 

[Gofirstclass]

WannaB, I just sent you a PM.

GFC

 

[Gunn]

You put us over the top on that decision. Gotta trust the advice from a fellow Duramax driver - if there's one thing we understand, it's the fun of having more power than you almost ever need! I don't call the captain "Captain Overkill" for nothing!

May I welcome you to the "280DA Owners with 2500HD Duramax Tow Vehicles" club. I think there are several of us!

Did you get a generator with this one? How about a trailer? I know you were considering both.

Let me just say, that I recently towed my 280 for the very first time. And I've towed lots of smaller trailers... But this is BIG! It's nice to have a truck that has no issues with it (actually, kinda like a water dog...loves to work and retrieve instead of just walk around) :grin:

 

[ch435]

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your '05 280 as much as we enjoy ours!

 

[WannaBSeaRayOwners]

May I welcome you to the "280DA Owners with 2500HD Duramax Tow Vehicles" club. I think there are several of us!

Did you get a generator with this one? How about a trailer? I know you were considering both.

Let me just say, that I recently towed my 280 for the very first time. And I've towed lots of smaller trailers... But this is BIG! It's nice to have a truck that has no issues with it (actually, kinda like a water dog...loves to work and retrieve instead of just walk around) :grin:

Thanks, very excited to be in the club! The Captain is actually stretching the Duramax legs this weekend picking up a friend's boat "up north". Not only true that people like friends with boats, they also love friends with tough trucks!

No trailer in the deal, we're going to try the marina setup for this year and figure out if we want to just do that or get a trailer. We used to pull a Formula 272 but that's nowhere near as bulky as this one! No generator either, we'll see, again, how we use the boat and decide if we want to get the generator later once the savings account is fattened back up!

 

[Scanlans Pride]

[


look for a 280 sundancer....one of the best boats made.









QUOTE=WannaBSeaRayOwners;442893]Hi! We're looking for a used Sea Ray somewhere between a 260 and 290 probably, and something probably between 1995 and 2005, considering our budget. This is our situation:
- 2 young kids (3 yrs and 6 months)
- don't want to upgrade again for 10 years
- mostly dayboating, but may do some overnight/weekend camping
- want something fairly conveniently trailerable (very skilled at trailering)
- I think we want a single engine due to gas prices, but open to opinions...
- Freshwater boaters in the Great Lakes

So, I'm looking for advice from all you veterans on the following:
- Size - is the 260 enough to be pretty comfortable?
- Power - is the 290 with the single underpowered?
- How mcuh does going from single to twins effect fuel use?
- How about going from 260 to 290?
- What do we need to watch out for? any particular years or models we should be wary of?
- Must haves?

Thanks so much for your help! We've done a ton of research which has only confused us more, so looking for real-life advice![/QUOTE]