Need Thoughts. New 240 or 260?

F

fropleyquark

New Member
Dec 30, 2007
99
So it looks like Im going to be in the market for a new to me(slightly used) 240DA or 260DA. I've got a '94 230DA that I'll probably be trading.

Looking at used prices it looks like the cost difference is minimal. Factors in play are:

My current 230 handles WEIRD! Ive read up and looks like its due to hull design. Do the newer 240's have the same issues?

A/C is a must. Ive seen that most new 240s and 260s dont have Gens but do have A/C/Heat. How does that work?

I have a Nissan Titan that I pull with. Its rated to 9600lbs. A dry 260 weighs 7400. Anyone pulling a 260 with a Titan? Im worried about getting her up out of the water.

I'd rather the 260 but really cant afford a new truck to pull her too....

Any other thoughts are welcome!
 
Isn't a 260 a bit small to put on an A/C unit?

I guess if you have shore power, you can run the A/C.

Read up on the 260. . others have described it as a bit finiky.
 
We just bought a new 260DA with gen and heat/ac. We love it! The 240 cabin was a bit too small for us. There are 260's with generators...go for it.
 
I know what you mean about the 230.. had mine for less than 3 months. Best description was "squirely". So here have complained about the 260's handling "Personality" but I can't comment as I've neither owned one nor driven one.

As for the 260, what year? Sea Ray has the 2008 listed at 7900 lbs, plus 500 for gas, 225 in water and or waste, batteries, oil, lube, gear, trailer and you're in the high 10's low 11's. So the Titan may be struggling a bit but then again, I towed my 250 with an F-150 for 6 years no problem.
 
I'm towing my 270 with an 07 Expedition rated at 9500lbs so I'm in a similar situation. My tow distances are very short and we have great ramps around here. I have A/C without a gen and wish I had it since I can only run when at a marina and connected to shore power. Good luck with your search!
 
fropleyquark said:
A/C is a must. Ive seen that most new 240s and 260s dont have Gens but do have A/C/Heat. How does that work?
Click to expand...

Shore power only.

I have a Nissan Titan that I pull with. Its rated to 9600lbs. A dry 260 weighs 7400. Anyone pulling a 260 with a Titan? Im worried about getting her up out of the water.

I'd rather the 260 but really cant afford a new truck to pull her too....
Click to expand...

You may want to look at a pre-2005 260da. They put on a lot of weight with the redesign, and many people don't like the redesign anyway. The 2004 260da weighs 6200 lbs empty, if i recall correctly. In my opinion, the 2004 260da is a fantastic design, both in the cockpit where they managed to get comfortable seating for 6-8 adults, and in the cabin where the headroom is far superior to the 240da's.
 
I haul my 260 with a 3/4 ton Suburban all over. Plenty of power to spare. My trailer gets 15k miles a year. We go from MA to FL to Great Lakes. We take it everywhere. I have the full package a/c, gen, big block engine. It's a dream. If money isn't a factor per se, you can never have too big of a boat. Go with the 260. I love it!

Leaving tomorrow for a week on it down in FL. Can't wait.
 
jattea said:
Shore power only.



You may want to look at a pre-2005 260da. They put on a lot of weight with the redesign, and many people don't like the redesign anyway. The 2004 260da weighs 6200 lbs empty, if i recall correctly. In my opinion, the 2004 260da is a fantastic design, both in the cockpit where they managed to get comfortable seating for 6-8 adults, and in the cabin where the headroom is far superior to the 240da's.
Click to expand...

Speak for yourself on the new design:grin: Although she may be different to handle at first once you get the hang of it and understand the tendencies of the hull you will not regret it.

I am 11,000 loaded on the trailer. I pull with a 3/4 ton Chevy Duramax.

My dad owned an 04 260 and I personaly think the new layout is much better and offers way more cockpit storage.

The 05 has a cave for an aft cabin while the 06-08 have open stairs to the cabin so you can see out from back there.
 
Zorba said:
Speak for yourself on the new design:grin: Although she may be different to handle at first once you get the hang of it and understand the tendencies of the hull you will not regret it.

I am 11,000 loaded on the trailer. I pull with a 3/4 ton Chevy Duramax.

My dad owned an 04 260 and I personaly think the new layout is much better and offers way more cockpit storage.

The 05 has a cave for an aft cabin while the 06-08 have open stairs to the cabin so you can see out from back there.
Click to expand...

+10:thumbsup:
 
Get the 260.... we did a sea trial on both and there is no comparison. The 240 does not have a generator option. We LOVE the generator / AC in the hot summer months and heat in the winter on the water. :thumbsup:

The 2005-08 260DA's are heavier and (I hear) list more easily from side to side than the earlier years but it's easily controlled with the trim tabs. We use her year around and keep her slipped so I don't know anything about towing.

Great boat! :grin: See this thread for all the details... http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414
 
I agree with all of the above. The 260 is a fantastic boat. The way they handle just takes a little getting used to. I love mine!!!!

Michael
 
Thanks all for all the really quick replies. MY worry is pulling her on the ramp. I have no doubt my Titan could pull a 260 on the raod, its the ramp that Im worries about. (Im 2wd). I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather go with the 260 but, again, the new truck cost weighs in big time. Thanks for the "shore only" explanation of a/c/heat without the gen. So, it looks like a gen is the only way to go. Keep em coming! You guys are awesome!
 
Your worries about towing are validated. I think with the Titan you could pull it fine and depending on the ramp steepness you could even pull it out fine in 2wd. As long as it is a limited slip differential. I rarely use 4wd although it is nice to have it there if needed

My concern is Controlling the boat while stopping. I've said it in a previous thread that no matter how well you trailer is set up something may go wrong at the wrong time.

Good luck with your choice but if you decide on the 240 because of the towing don't even bother getting on a 260 to sea trial because the difference is night and day and trust me you'll want the 260 and instantly regret getting a 240
 
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