Potential new '06 owner here!

[DaleM]

Hello all! What a better way to open your first post then by postinig the fact that I'm heading down the road of a potential purchase of a Sundancer. With that I'd like to get a general feeling from folks on their thoughts of the boat.

The boat in question is an '06 28' Sundancer. It has twin Mercruiser 4.3s with Bravo IIIs. It comes loaded with everything minus a generator. There's a cockpit cover as well as a camper canvus - 60 hrs - $69k. Could you let me know good or bad of the boat? Seems like a good purchase but along with being a first time poster here, I'm also a first time boat buyer!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[gerryb]

Hello and welcome. Technically, A Sundancer '06 28' boat would be the 260. If it is the 280, go to the 280 thread for the info you'll ever want on that model. (I think there is a 260 thread as well.) Lots of owners for both models as both are very popular. Specific questions..?

 

[DaleM]

What defines the 260 and 280? The model listed for sale specifically calls out 280. Thanks also for pointing out the thread.

 

[Dave S]

With twin engines it is a 280 Sundancer and that is indeed a good price if the boat is in good condition. An 06 isn't much different than a current 09 and you can look on Sea Ray's web site to get a wealth of information on the boat http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/10231/pmid/140246/280-Sundancer.aspx There is plenty of information on the 280 Sundancer on the CSR Board but essentially what you get with the 280 is one of Sea Ray's best small cruisers ever produced. I would prefer one with a generator myself but a lot of that depends on how you intend to use the boat and where you are located. For instance if you live in Florida I would not have a boat without a generator. But in Minnesota that may work fine. On the other hand if you plan to overnight away from shore power a lot then a generator is a must.

Just remember to hire a surveyor to look at the boat before you finalize the deal.

Dave

 

[DaleM]

Is twins the difference? I have a buddy that has a single 8.1 with a B3 outdrive and his has 280 all over it too. His is an '04.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Is twins the difference? I have a buddy that has a single 8.1 with a B3 outdrive and his has 280 all over it too. His is an '04.

No. A 260DA is 28' overall (w/ the platform) - it is a 26' boat. A 280DA is 31' overall. A 280DA can be had with either a single or twins.

 

[DaleM]

Got ya! This is 31' overall including the platform. Thank you.

 

[rcknecht]

Sounds like a good deal... I would not worry too much about the generator... You'll have more room to work on your engines without a generator, and you'll have less maintenance...

 

[DaleM]

I understand one less engine is one less things to maintain.

That leads me to this question:

What's the general opinion of the twins versus the single V8? I'm sure it's somewhat of a debate I'm curious though the thoughts around (better or worse) fuel consumption, performance, maintaining, etc...

 

[Jack F]

I understand one less engine is one less things to maintain.

That leads me to this question:

What's the general opinion of the twins versus the single V8? I'm sure it's somewhat of a debate I'm curious though the thoughts around (better or worse) fuel consumption, performance, maintaining, etc...

This is my 1st year boating, I'm getting comfortable backing into my 10' 11' wide slip on 1 engine with a little wind but it gets very stressful when the wind picks up. My next boat will be bigger and have 2 engines.