New Owner 1980 Sundancer 260

B

BillyT0020

New Member
Apr 11, 2008
263
Catawba Island
Boat Info
1980 260 DA
Engines
Merc 260
Hey Guys,
Just wanted to say hi. Im a new Sundancer Owner, 1980 260, that I will actually picking up tomorrow and towing 350 miles back to Ohio. My buddy Matt Cowles told me I had to check out this site, so here I am. Anyway can't wait to get the boat home, she needs some cosmetic work inside, but is supposed to be well taken care of mechanically. I plan on redoing the interior and recovering all the cushions inside and out, and then putting her in Lake Erie at Winkie's Marina on Catawba Island Ohio in a couple of weeks.
Just wanted to drop by and say hello.
Billy
 
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I love those Classic Sea Rays. Congratulations, you will have a fine boat! JC
 
Thanks Greg, Im pretty excited as its my first boat. Cant wait to get the interior fixed up and on the water!
Billy
 
Congrats on the first boat, Billy. You have taken your first step towards a better life.

My wife and I re-did the upholstery in our last 2 Sea Rays. Let me know if I can offer any tips. Below is a pic of the dinette in our 340 Sundancer.
HPIM0608.jpg


There is so much you can do to update and this is a great site to get the tips

Have fun,
Shawn
 
Congrats. I just bought an 82 260 Dancer. Love the layout. Just working thru some carburetor issues. Make sure you send some pics of her on the water.
 
Congratulations Billy and welcome to CSR. Make sure you post some pictures of the modifications you make. I'm looking forward to your updates. Brian
 
Hey there, Billy! Glad you found the place!

Guys - I have known Billy for a while now from another forum. He's a great guy that always asks good questions, and will contribute quickly to this group!
 
Congratulations!
The 260SD is a nice sized boat I think. Family of four can spend a week on there as long as everybody gets along! I spent a long weekend on mine with my wife and 6 10 year olds for a birthday weekend once!
You made the right choice with a classic Sea Ray!
 
Very familiar with these boats. My Dad has an '81, my neighbor has an '82, I have an '83, and my neighbor's brother has an '84. We have extensively gone through all of them. they make a real nice small cruiser.
 
Thanks Guys, Will get some pics after I start working on her this weekend. Towing it back from Michigan to Lake Erie was a NIGHTMARE! Blew a bearing 30 miles for the Marina, on the Ohio Turnpike, had to have a towing company fix it. They insisted I need a new axle, and ended up costing me 700 bucks for a trailer Ill never use again! Anyway its there now and Im going up this weekend to get dirty. I bought this boat sight unseen because I got a REALLY good deal from an estate sale. From first glance she needs a bottom paint, real good wax job, new boot stripes, Teak work on everything, carpet and new cushions all around. As far as the mechanics, the engine look VERY nice, like it was repowered at some point, and all the electronics work. Turn on the batteries and the bilges started pumping water right away. She needs some TLC but looks like she can be a real beauty! Thanks for all the encouragement, seems like I have again found a great group.
Billy
 
Looks great! I recently purchased a 79 260 and have been really enjoying her.

I'll echo everyone else and say please post pictures when you have the time to take some.


:grin:
 
Congrats on your "new" 1980 SR Sundancer.

I have a 1979 260 Sundancer (purchased 5 years ago - 1995) which was supposed to be a drop-in-the-water-and-go 'er but needed a face lift, especially the brightwork, and was really fun for a few trips. Then the fire, then the repair, then the re-repair and more this and that's, and now we are almost ready to get back underway. Wife (as well as me) and 6 kids want to see if it can make it from San Pedro to Catalina Island.

Question for anyone about this vintage: What can you put in the starboard side of the engine compartment? Big space, what is safe? Port side has batt's and water heater.

Other question: Battery charger is 1979 era and rusty, I do not think it charges from AC plug-in. What is best 'modern' replacement for on-board battery charger replacement?
 
Congrats Billy and Welcome to CSR !!!!! I had a '79 260 Dancer for 20+ years until I sold her last season and stepped up to my 330. Great boat!! I had many, many good times on her. Good luck with the improvements. one tip I can give you and not sure all would agree but, I did all the teak with Cetol. I thought it looked awesome and really didn't require much maintenance after initial application. Teak oil looks great for the first week or so, then you have to clean, brighten and oil again. And god knows there is always something else you can be doing on a boat, old or new! Todd
 
virago said:
Congrats on your "new" 1980 SR Sundancer.

I have a 1979 260 Sundancer (purchased 5 years ago - 1995) which was supposed to be a drop-in-the-water-and-go 'er but needed a face lift, especially the brightwork, and was really fun for a few trips. Then the fire, then the repair, then the re-repair and more this and that's, and now we are almost ready to get back underway. Wife (as well as me) and 6 kids want to see if it can make it from San Pedro to Catalina Island.

Question for anyone about this vintage: What can you put in the starboard side of the engine compartment? Big space, what is safe? Port side has batt's and water heater.

Other question: Battery charger is 1979 era and rusty, I do not think it charges from AC plug-in. What is best 'modern' replacement for on-board battery charger replacement?
Click to expand...
My 260 had the batteries and water tank on the port side. I also had that space on the starboard side but, my water heater was on that side. I did not put anything in the space due to the fact that my boat always listed a little to the starboard side when docked due to the layout of the cabin interior. Someone had actually recommended putting a slab of lead under the cabin step to correct the listing problem as he had successfully done on his boat. Never got to it..... As far as the battery charger. My vessel still had the original Ray Jefferson charger mounted vertically under the helm when I sold her. Still worked great !!! Todd
 
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Congrats Billy! My first boat was also a 1980SD. I loved that boat. I am at Lakefront Marina in Port Clinton. I would love to see some pictures when you get a chance to post them.
 
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