Greetings from Connecticut

[Adefelice]

First I would like to thank all the "old salts" out there in this forum. Even though this is my first post, I found so many of your threads helpful and have learned a great deal.

Three years ago my lovely wife repeatedly told me we would never own a boat. Not to be deterred I continued on my search and purchased a 04 180 SP last season and loved it! Loved it so much in fact, the wifey recently completed her boating safety course, just sold the 180 and now aggressively searching for a 240 DA!
The funny thing is she now has a little anxiety that we might not find something or secure a slip before the season beings.
To say this purchase made for the best summer ever would be an understament, I think it may have changed our lives.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Slow down - there are plenty of boats and slips available - take your time and don't hurry either "purchase" make sure to get full service history in addition to a survey - ask about the manifolds and risers, etc - as for a slip - its best to actually visit the marinas in question as the weather turns - where are you thinking about keeping it? Also, think about a 280 da instead...

 

[Adefelice]

Looking to keep it on the CT river north of Middletown in fresh water, may venture out to the sound for a day depending on my comfort level. We are pretty familiar with the marinas in that area and have visited them to speak with staff/owners.
Why do you suggest a 280? We thought a 240DA would be a nice entry level cruiser we could trailer home at the end of the season.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Looking to keep it on the CT river north of Middletown in fresh water, may venture out to the sound for a day depending on my comfort level. We are pretty familiar with the marinas in that area and have visited them to speak with staff/owners.
Why do you suggest a 280? We thought a 240DA would be a nice entry level cruiser we could trailer home at the end of the season.

If your going to tow it than the 240 makes sense....but spend some time in the cabin first - sit on the head - lay on the birth - both of you - together - the 280 also gives you twins - the 240/260 are probably the hardest to handle around the docks of ALL searay express cruisers....I know it seems HUGE moving up from a 18' but just try to avoid having to move up again (I know its never big enough) a wise man on here once said "get the biggest boat you can wrap your wallet around" this includes not only the boat itself but the maintenence, storage, upgrades, etc......have fun with the process!

 

[25thmustang]

I am also in the Middletown area on the river. Private club, but some of the local marinas are nice places.

What year dancer are you looking for?

 

[Adefelice]

Looking for 2004 - 2007. You know of any?

 

[dwna1a]

There's one here in Jamestown VA. I think Jeff has two on his web site. I know he has an 04, but it would be a project boat. Hampton Marine Services. There's a mint 1987 34'. I want it but the boss would kill me dead

 

[25thmustang]

Looking for 2004 - 2007. You know of any?

I don't know of one off the top of my head, but I dabble in helping some buy and sell their boats, and I live the hunt!

 

[Adefelice]

I don't know of one off the top of my head, but I dabble in helping some buy and sell their boats, and I live the hunt!

Good to know cuz I am in the thick of it right now! Mind if I PM you with questions/advice should I need it?

 

[spurdog]

There is plenty out there... welcome to the CT river my favorite playground!!!!

 

[RubberDuckeeToo2]

I spent 12+ years making the trip between Portland and Saybrook in 32'er. It's a great trip and lots to see and do. I would reinforce going to the biggest size you can legitimately afford to avoid 'footitis'. Check out Yachtworld, here's a listing of currently available boats in our area:
http://bit.ly/Y42Stf

Good luck with your search.

Gene

 

[25thmustang]

Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have. I actually did a quick search and found it interesting that none of the local ones seem to come with trailers (240s).

 

[Adefelice]

Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have. I actually did a quick search and found it interesting that none of the local ones seem to come with trailers (240s).

Thanks!, and yea I found that to be odd as well. But that started a conversation at the house as to whether we even want a trailer. We have the space to store a 240DA indoors however, if we go 260DA the Radar Arch will prevent us from getting it passed the garage door. Anyone know if they are removable?

I
spent 12+ years making the trip between Portland and Saybrook in 32'er. It's a
great trip and lots to see and do. I would reinforce going to the biggest size
you can legitimately afford to avoid 'footitis'. Check out Yachtworld, here's a
listing of currently available boats in our area:

http://bit.ly/Y42Stf



Good luck with your search.



Gene

The river is great so much to see and untouched landscape it is like going back in time. Thanks for the link and advice.

 

[25thmustang]

To be honest, in that size boat I would almost only look for one with a trailer, or look into getting a trailer for it. Indoor or even storing simply on your property is a great plus. Being stuck with a marina to launch and retrieve your boat could pose issues. If a storms coming, trailer boaters grab them and take them to safety, non trailer boaters get in line to haul and then get stuck on land adjacent to the potentially flooding waters.

Regarding the 260 and the arch, I imagine its fixed and modifying it to be lowered would cost a fair amount of money. If indoor storage is a must have, you might have ruled out a radar arch equipped 260. Narrowing your search criteria is a great thing to do, but being open to other options (such as a 260 as well as the 240) broadens your possible candidates.

I tend to solely be a CT river boater, but do enjoy it. I love heading up or down river, setting anchor off the main channel and just relaxing.

 

[Adefelice]

Ok, it looks like we removed the 240DA from our list and replaced it with a 270DA. I am not too familiar with the 7.4 engine package but we really like the cockpit and cabin layout. This particular 2000 270DA has all the options I want and more. I have a lot of questions,...
What should I be looking for and asking when I go look at this on Sat? (fresh water used)
Anyone know what kind of fuel usage we can expect to get out of the 7.4 VS 350mag? We typically would cruise in our old boat around 21mph, I know you can't compare the two but what kinda fuel burn should I see with the 7.4? I am not interested in reaching tremendous speeds just like to reach our destinations slowly and enjoy the views.
Can I trailer it? (2 times a year) short distance? Is the 9' 2" beam too wide?
Thanks in advance for any advice, I have a ton more questions,....

 

[katricol]

I owned a 270 da and it had a 7.4. I towed it all over the place with a chevy 2500 at 65 mph on the highway and didn't know it was there. You will be over the legel width, but I have not heard of that being a problem, I think it would be really rare for someone to get pulled over for that. I can't hel with the gph as it's been a long time, but at your stated cruise desire, it will be reasonable. Is it fwc? Where is it now, and where has it been used? How many hours? I'll check back when I have more time.

 

[Ididntdoit]

Ok, it looks like we removed the 240DA from our list and replaced it with a 270DA. I am not too familiar with the 7.4 engine package but we really like the cockpit and cabin layout. This particular 2000 270DA has all the options I want and more. I have a lot of questions,...
What should I be looking for and asking when I go look at this on Sat? (fresh water used)
Anyone know what kind of fuel usage we can expect to get out of the 7.4 VS 350mag? We typically would cruise in our old boat around 21mph, I know you can't compare the two but what kinda fuel burn should I see with the 7.4? I am not interested in reaching tremendous speeds just like to reach our destinations slowly and enjoy the views.
Can I trailer it? (2 times a year) short distance? Is the 9' 2" beam too wide?
Thanks in advance for any advice, I have a ton more questions,....

i told you..........the 270 is essentially the same boat as the 2001-2008 280da - great boat

 

[Adefelice]

I owned a 270 da and it had a 7.4. I towed it all over the place with a chevy 2500 at 65 mph on the highway and didn't know it was there. You will be over the legel width, but I have not heard of that being a problem, I think it would be really rare for someone to get pulled over for that. I can't hel with the gph as it's been a long time, but at your stated cruise desire, it will be reasonable. Is it fwc? Where is it now, and where has it been used? How many hours? I'll check back when I have more time.

It's not FWC but claims to be used only in freshwater. 250 hours. No trailer
thanks for the feedback!!

 

[Adefelice]

i told you..........the 270 is essentially the same boat as the 2001-2008 280da - great boat

thanks! We figured why waste everyone's time when we know we want bigger. I could see myself pouting around the docks and eyeballing all the 260/270's this season if we went the 240 route. I'll let you know how we make out.

 

[25thmustang]

Let us know how the viewing goes.

Also I sent you a PM.