Newbie Looking for 240 Sundancer

S

SonnyJ

New Member
Sep 30, 2009
6
Central Georgia
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
I have been looking for a while for a boat and I keep coming back to Sea Ray, particularly the 240 Sundancer. Being in Central Georgia makes looking at a boat in person kinda difficult so I have to depend on the Internet for my research. From what I am reading and hearing, the 240 is a great all around trailering cruiser. I have a 1500 Silverado and Suburban, both with trailering pkgs, and the 240 loaded up and ready to go will be about all either truck can take. We plan to use it in both fresh and salt water. My friends are in a local boat club and they take trips from Brunswick, GA to Lake George, FL and Lake Eufala to name a couple. My kids are 3 and 7 and both love the water. Now I need to find a gently used 240. I found a 260 within my budget and everything I am looking for but I know it is more boat than my vehicles can pull any distance. As a soon to be new boater I would appreciate any advice before I purchase a Sea Ray. Thank you in advance!

Sonny
 
Bigger is better, maybe it is time for a new tow vehicle!

What years are you looking at?

We enjoy our 240 very much, good luck…

SonnyJ said:
I have been looking for a while for a boat and I keep coming back to Sea Ray, particularly the 240 Sundancer. Being in Central Georgia makes looking at a boat in person kinda difficult so I have to depend on the Internet for my research. From what I am reading and hearing, the 240 is a great all around trailering cruiser. I have a 1500 Silverado and Suburban, both with trailering pkgs, and the 240 loaded up and ready to go will be about all either truck can take. We plan to use it in both fresh and salt water. My friends are in a local boat club and they take trips from Brunswick, GA to Lake George, FL and Lake Eufala to name a couple. My kids are 3 and 7 and both love the water. Now I need to find a gently used 240. I found a 260 within my budget and everything I am looking for but I know it is more boat than my vehicles can pull any distance. As a soon to be new boater I would appreciate any advice before I purchase a Sea Ray. Thank you in advance!

Sonny
Click to expand...
 
I looked at the 240DA when I was looking to move up. I decided to get the 3/4 ton PU and search for 260DAs. Once you get on both, there is little differences that you'll notice the extra room here and there.

Either way, the 240DA is a nice little cruiser. I have twin 7 year olds and the aft cabin is their spot.

Best of luck.
 
Just so you know, the 240 Sundancer changed its size from year to year.
Just some examples:
1998 LOA = 23’6” with swim platform
2002 LOA = 26’ 4” with swim platform
2003 LOA = 26’ with swim platform
2006 LOA = 24’ 6” with swim platform
 
SonnyJ said:
I have a 1500 Silverado and Suburban, both with trailering pkgs, and the 240 loaded up and ready to go will be about all either truck can take.
Click to expand...

The 1500 can't handle a 260? I didn't realize that was the case. I have a 1500 Tahoe so I suppose I should know.

Here's my opinion, for what it's worth.....

The 240DA is great little cruiser but as a new boater I can almost guarantee you will want more boat very soon. I started with a 240SD and was bit by the bug in less than 7 months. Plus, your kids are at an age when the cabin will start to feel small. The cabin in my 280 feels small with a 5 yr, 7 yr and my wife.

Consider getting the most boat that you can trailer and that fits your budget....such as a 260DA.
.
 
If it was a short pull I would jump on the 260 but I have to pull a three hours to get to the coast and 45 mins to get to the lake. Even taking it easy pulling a 260 will be hard on the vehicles for that distance. There is nothing between Macon and Savannah on I-16...
 
Then I’ll bet you the 240 will work out just fine, for its size, it truly is functional. I can tell you that empirically.

However, I have been taking this at-home psychic study course, Madam’ Cortez ($19.95) or something like that. Anyway, I looked at the cards with you in mind and I do see a larger cruiser in your future. I’m still a novice, so take it for what it is worth…

C-


SonnyJ said:
If it was a short pull I would jump on the 260 but I have to pull a three hours to get to the coast and 45 mins to get to the lake. Even taking it easy pulling a 260 will be hard on the vehicles for that distance. There is nothing between Macon and Savannah on I-16...
Click to expand...
 
LOL. The last psychic I consulted gave me the winning lottery numbers...bad thing is they were the last week's winning numbers...
 
SonnyJ said:
I have been looking for a while for a boat and I keep coming back to Sea Ray, particularly the 240 Sundancer. Being in Central Georgia makes looking at a boat in person kinda difficult so I have to depend on the Internet for my research. From what I am reading and hearing, the 240 is a great all around trailering cruiser. I have a 1500 Silverado and Suburban, both with trailering pkgs, and the 240 loaded up and ready to go will be about all either truck can take. We plan to use it in both fresh and salt water. My friends are in a local boat club and they take trips from Brunswick, GA to Lake George, FL and Lake Eufala to name a couple. My kids are 3 and 7 and both love the water. Now I need to find a gently used 240. I found a 260 within my budget and everything I am looking for but I know it is more boat than my vehicles can pull any distance. As a soon to be new boater I would appreciate any advice before I purchase a Sea Ray. Thank you in advance!

Sonny
Click to expand...

It sound like you are doing your due diligence regarding vehicle towing capacities. There is much more to towing a boat than simply launching, retrieving and negotiating a few hills. I have towed for years and longer trips when pushing the limits of the tow vehicle are, let's say, totally friggin unsafe, and nerve racking. It only takes a second for an improper set up to change the rest of your life. I have seen to many ridiculous set ups and accidents in my travels to take any chances. I tow a 93 230 DA which including the trailer, fuel etc comes in at 5500 to 5600. My Blazer is rated to tow 6500 with an auto load levelling suspension which leaves me room to spare and provides a very comfortable towing environment. One more point, pay lots of attention to the trailer (functional brakes, trailer rated tires including load rating, lights, winch, wheel bearings). I can't stress the tires, hubs and wheel bearings enough. If they have not been serviced properly, don't head off down the highway.
There is no such thing as an accident !

Ken
 
I'm also looking at the 240 Sundancer... for the same reasons. I have a 1500 with the tow package. could pull the
260, but prefer to stay with the entry level cruiser.
the 240 changes after 2006, and I like the config better.
did you pull the trigger yet, I've been researching since mid August, and waiting for one with low hours, near NJ.
 
fwiw - I was looking for a 240DA and ended up purchasing a 260DA last month instead. It seemed to me that the prices of the 240s and 260s were fairly similar - in fact in some cases - some 260s were less than 240s. So I opted for the 260 and bought one for a price that was less than what many same year 240s are listed at.
 
emlevins said:
fwiw - I was looking for a 240DA and ended up purchasing a 260DA last month instead. It seemed to me that the prices of the 240s and 260s were fairly similar - in fact in some cases - some 260s were less than 240s. So I opted for the 260 and bought one for a price that was less than what many same year 240s are listed at.
Click to expand...

Smart move. Nothing wrong with the 240 but I always think it makes sense to buy the biggest you can get in your price range.
.
 
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