Moving up, 260da concerns

0

03silvers

New Member
Jul 26, 2010
3
Pa. Upper chesapeake bay
Boat Info
97 2300sc
Engines
Merc 5.7
Hi all, this is by far the biggest forum for one brand i have come across. Hoping someone can give me some advice. Im moving up from a maxum 24' cuddy cabin. Love the boat but want a true cruiser. My choices are down to a 03-07 rinker 270 or a 05-08 260da. Let me say that i like the layout and cockpit of the searay more, but the rinker has the wider beam and few extra feet loa with the swim platform. My main concerns are the 50 threads on many websites i have read about quirky handling issues with the 260. Since forums are where people go to discuss problems i cant figure out how big of an issue this really is. Anyone own a 260 that is happy with the handling?
 
03silvers said:
Hi all, this is by far the biggest forum for one brand i have come across. Hoping someone can give me some advice. Im moving up from a maxum 24' cuddy cabin. Love the boat but want a true cruiser. My choices are down to a 03-07 rinker 270 or a 05-08 260da. Let me say that i like the layout and cockpit of the searay more, but the rinker has the wider beam and few extra feet loa with the swim platform. My main concerns are the 50 threads on many websites i have read about quirky handling issues with the 260. Since forums are where people go to discuss problems i cant figure out how big of an issue this really is. Anyone own a 260 that is happy with the handling?
Click to expand...

With a little practice, it is no problem. It will take a little getting used to controlling the trim tabs in windy conditions. The main procedure to go through is once you get on plane is to trim the motor up until the roll evens out. The only time after that you'll have to adjust the trim tabs will be for the wind. After a little practice, it becomes second nature. When I am on open water I use my trim tabs to steer the boat and never touch the wheel. After you learn to handle this boat, you'll be able to handle any boat. But, don't let it discourage you from buying it. They are a great first cruiser with good fuel economy and speed. Good Luck in your boat search!
 
Definately the 260 DA over the Rinker. Despite the quirks of the 260DA handling, it's still a better boat in rougher conditions and for eventual re-sale than the Rinker. Pretty limited choices you have there, there are several other boats in this size range that do not have handling issues, equal re-sale value, and should be priced at or below the 260DA.
 
Hi 03silvers,
i bought a 08 260DA (sold here as 275) last month. A step up from my bow rider. Read the posts on this site, there is a particularly good description of the correct technique by Dave S on one of the threads. Simple answer is the handling is NOT an issue once you get the technique right. As Hellman Huddle says you just need to trim the leg out as you come onto the plane and don't be afraid to use lots of trim. The boat is then very stable and I find I rarely use the trim tabs at all. As for build quality and the extensive support network you find on this site, I reckon you'd be hard pressed to go past the Sea Ray. The cockpit layout on the 260 is hard to beat and if most of your boating time is up on deck, then you'll be very happy with a 260. Good luck with your boat hunting!!

Here is the link to the other thread. Dave S is response #16

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/6417-Another-260DA-handling-question/page2
 
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You should look at a 2002-2003 280 da. It would be about the same price and the 260 DA's you are looking at.

I think that the 260 is a great entry level boat into the larger cruiser market. But it gets small quick.
 
I had a 05 260DA and it is a bit quirky about using the trim tabs with several folks on board.. get a 350 mag or if you can find it a 6.2. If it were me and I could afford it I would go down a couple of years and get a 02-03 280DA. I went 240DA, 260DA,280DA in 5 years.. that cost me a bunch of 2 foot itus money..
 
I agree, going froma 24' to a 26' is not a big jump. The 280 is a great "pocket cruiser" and you will really notice the increased room.
 
I've got an '05 260DA and love it... sure I'd like something bigger, but this was a fantastic deal and the Admiral and I both know that an upgrade will come in a few years.

The handling is a bit quirky, but once you pick it up it is really easy to handle. We got ours at the end of last season, August to be exact and after putting about 25 hours on her, I had the handling well under control. The tips on this board were invaluable to me.

I come from a sailing background and the biggest thing I've captained with a motor was a dinghy, so if I can pick it up in only a few outings, I'm sure someone with some power boat background will get it lickedy split.
 
I love my 260. Perfect for our needs. Yes it's a bit small when sleeping aboard, but a bit big when staring it down on my trailer and draggin' it down the road. Great compromise for our needs. The handling I have never found to be an issue like so many have complained about. There is a thread here dedicated to the subject on this boat. For me, it's like any girl (I mean boat), just take the time one-on-one to get to know her and she will do you well.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I really like the apparent build quality of the searay. I understand it isn't a big step up in size 24-28loa. But it is kept in front of the house and not at a marina. The only overnights will be when going out of town. I just wanted to stay with a single engine. Don't want to deal with costs associated with twins.
 
My friend has a 2005 260 with Smartcraft and loves it.....it sips fuel compaired to mine but my cabin is much nicer and larger IMHO. Love my 454 270DA and would only trade up to a 2005 300SD with twin 350's. I can run faster but he can travel farther....they all have their strengths, Mike.
 
This being a SR site, you'll alway be pointed in the direction of a SR however this true story may help you make up your mind. I friend purchased a 2002 270 Rinker new in 2004. A few year into ownership, he had a button pop out of the head liner. He contacted Rinker and they told him if it doesn't appear to be wet, just epoxy it back in. The next year, he noticed a stress crack on the starboard side of the deck about a foot from the side of the windshield. The following year, another stress crack formed on the port side which indicated a poor build quality or something worse. It was worse. The next year the deck was delaminated. Rinker installed the windshield with no or little bedding compound/silicone and in one spot drilled a hole that was never used and it wasn't filled. Water was running down the windshild and rotted the balsa core so the entire deck had to be replaced. Cost was close to $10,000. Rinker was made aware of this problem as the issues were identified however Rinkers opinion was that the cause was a manufactures defect and not a structural problem therefore they were not responsible for the repair despite a 5 year warrantly. The manufactures warranty was only 1 year. After significant negotiations, Rinker agreed to pay the cost of the materials but then after the repair was completed, they claimed they agreed to provide the materials to repair the deck. My friend ended up bearing the cost of the entire repair however gladly wears "Rinker Buyer Beware" T-shirts to all boat shows.

I've run the boat a number of times and the performance is poor. I don't think it handles the chop like a SR and planning times are very slow.

While the price of a Rinker is less than a SR, the resale value will also be less and if your unlucky, you may have significant repair bills and will end up on the losing end. It could happen to a SR however I've heard less horror stories about SR's than Rinker.
 
My dock neighbor has a Rinker 342, I have a 320 Sundancer - the price paid was similar. Things I like better about his boat, the hardwood floor and additional space for the same money. What I like better about my boat, gel coat on my boat shines - it always looks great, the Rinker always looks dull compared to mine, many extra features on the SR that are hidden that you appreciate later, access to the actuators in the bilge, my boat has 2 his has 1 actuator and when his ripped right out of the deck floor we had do to some surgery to get in. His boat had no hard wired carbon monoxide detector. His boat had no holding tank vent. The quality of sea cocks, strainers and hoses is much better in the SR. The isinglass and canvas on my boat is much better quality, he has had to replace his and mine is still in good shape. Rinker is a nice boat, but SR builds a better boat in overall quality. I had a 260 Sundancer and was very happy with it. Granted mine was a 2000.
 
WE love the 260. the advice on handling is spot on.
little learning curve, then golden.
Ron
 
You might consider jumping to a 280DA. We owned a 08 260 for three seasons and found the narrow beam to be a real issue. I think I read every posting on this forum regarding the 260's handling quirks and we had no major problems....however, the truth is, the moment someone changes seats, moves about the cockpit, or goes below, you are going to be trimming. We put about 120 hrs per year on our 260, and enjoyed it alot until we went for a ride on a friend's 300. No going back after experiencing the stability a broader beam provides. He never touched the trim.

As far as Rinker vs Sea Ray, no comparison in quality and value. Hands down, Sea Ray.
Good luck!
 
The older 260DA's 01-04 don't have the handling quirks that the newer ones have, if that's an option for you.
You could also find a nice 280DA with a single 8.1 that will probably be similiar in price.
Either way...
Nice boat.... Sea Ray
Nice blender...Rinker ( this is a SR site :)
 
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