Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruiser?

[Kiteboarder85]

My wife, 2-year son old and myself will be looking to purchase our first boat and will most likely be going with a gently used vessel being that we are both new to the boating community. The Sundancer 240, 260 and 280 both jumped out at us while visiting our local Marina, Skipper Buds. The price range we want to stick around is $40-$50k which I think I have found will be 2005 or older models. Now the question is, will the 240 be a better beginner weekend towable boat over the 260 and 280? It looks like they stopped making the 240, does anyone know the reasoning for this discontinued model? I've read the 260 has some trimming issues while turning so i'm reluctant at even thinking about a 260 based of those findings. If this is true, maybe my decision should be between the 240 and 280. If anyone has any experience with these two, please state your opinion and also your suggestion on what would be best for a weekender boat for beginners. Thanks!

 

[JimG]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

A late model 240DA would be an excellent first cruiser/boat, as would the 260DA. It looks like Sea Ray just does not offer the 240DA in a 2014 model... It could very well be offered again in the coming years. I have not heard of any issues with the 260's turning abilities... more likely related to the operator's deficiencies. Although a nice size boat, the 280DA is wider than most states allow to tow without a permit.

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

A late model 240DA would be an excellent first cruiser/boat, as would the 260DA. It looks like Sea Ray just does not offer the 240DA in a 2014 model... It could very well be offered again in the coming years. I have not heard of any issues with the 260's turning abilities... more likely related to the operator's deficiencies. Although a nice size boat, the 280DA is wider than most states allow to tow without a permit.

Good luck and welcome to CSR!

Thank You! Would the 260 be fine towing on the road? I'm not going to lie, my wife does like the look of the arch on the 260 and 280's which the 240 does not include.

 

[JimG]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Weighing in at 7,500 lbs., a 2006 260 would be a fairly easy tow with the right vehicle and trailer. I towed a 1999 270 SE (8'6" beam) for several years with a 1500 Silverado. Although you knew it was back there, it was definitely a towable configuration.

 

[Zorba]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Get the late model (2005) 260. We cruised for years with the same size family you have. Trailered pretty much every weekend with ease.

The trimming and leaning issue is easily overcome with a couple of hours of practice.

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Get the late model (2005) 260. We cruised for years with the same size family you have. Trailered pretty much every weekend with ease.

The trimming and leaning issue is easily overcome with a couple of hours of practice.

I see both you and JimG are cruising in 310's and 340's, is this something I should expect to naturally want after a few years...ha ha.

 

[play dough]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

A 24' boat gets to be very small in a hurry. As suggested, take a look at a 27' with a trailerable beam and a 7.4L/Bravo drive. Based on your location, you must be looking at either Lake Michigan or Huron. I started in a 23' Weekender. Within a couple years it was a 268DA and now a 300DA. Wish I had just jumped into the 30' boat from the beginning. It depends on your use, but if there's any cruising in the plan, 24' will be cramped. For day use, it's probably fine.

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

A 24' boat gets to be very small in a hurry. As suggested, take a look at a 27' with a trailerable beam and a 7.4L/Bravo drive. Based on your location, you must be looking at either Lake Michigan or Huron. I started in a 23' Weekender. Within a couple years it was a 268DA and now a 300DA. Wish I had just jumped into the 30' boat from the beginning. It depends on your use, but if there's any cruising in the plan, 24' will be cramped. For day use, it's probably fine.

Correct, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan will be the main lakes. Hoping to trailer down to Florida on our vacations as well once I "know" the boat. We are located 15 minutes from Lake Huron (Bay City). I do a lot of kiteboarding and my wife, son and I do a lot of stand up paddling as well so our boat will make it around Michigan to various slips all summer long. We'll be going up to Petoskey, MI to the in-water boat show this weekend but I'm sure they are all new boats, which won't really help with our year range of 2000-2005's, but will be great to get a feel of the size. Thanks for the input.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Definitely start with the 260 DA if the LOA isn't an issue as it is for us. You will outgrow the 240 in a matter of a few weekends.

 

[AU1N04]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

My wife, 2-year son old and myself will be looking to purchase our first boat and will most likely be going with a gently used vessel being that we are both new to the boating community. The Sundancer 240, 260 and 280 both jumped out at us while visiting our local Marina, Skipper Buds. The price range we want to stick around is $40-$50k which I think I have found will be 2005 or older models. Now the question is, will the 240 be a better beginner weekend towable boat over the 260 and 280? It looks like they stopped making the 240, does anyone know the reasoning for this discontinued model? I've read the 260 has some trimming issues while turning so i'm reluctant at even thinking about a 260 based of those findings. If this is true, maybe my decision should be between the 240 and 280. If anyone has any experience with these two, please state your opinion and also your suggestion on what would be best for a weekender boat for beginners. Thanks!

We looked at a 260DA first and then a 2013 280DA. Ended up being the same size, when we looked at a 2006 280DA it felt very big. I have been told each time I looked, buy the biggest boat you can afford, you won't regret it. You don't want to go 2' every couple of years. So, we settled on a 2006 280DA and are set to receive it next week. It's also our first boat.

 

[Richie89]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

i'm just one more person who will tell you the 240 is really small. i bought one as my first and after 1 overnight started looking for bigger. if i were to do it again, i would have bought a 2006-2008 (i think) 280. the new ones are like an old 260 (i think). i bought a 290 but it's a bear to tow and launch.
and now i'm starting to research my next one!

 

[skolbe]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

When I bought our 260 Sundancer in 2000 - I thought that I would never want a bigger boat. We jumped to a 320 after 4.5 years. If you stay on the boat weekend after weekend and you make friends in the marina with bigger boat owners. You quickly learn that the larger boat seems nice. That being said the 260 is a nice towable boat.

 

[PMC]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

This is such a personally biased question, but you will find a re-occurring theme going on....I wish I bought a bigger 1st boat.

Looking at the 280DA (I previously had a 2005), it is a well equip to day trip with the option to stay overnight. The negative is going to be towing. I know some people do it, but that is a fairly large (and heavy) boat to drop in every use. Plus as pointed out, it is too wide (9' 5") without a permit. if you have a short distance that may not be a concern to you.

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

i'm just one more person who will tell you the 240 is really small. i bought one as my first and after 1 overnight started looking for bigger. if i were to do it again, i would have bought a 2006-2008 (i think) 280. the new ones are like an old 260 (i think). i bought a 290 but it's a bear to tow and launch.
and now i'm starting to research my next one!

Thanks for the input. Now, I have to ask- did that girl come with your boat? If so, where should I be buying from for that deal?

 

[Kiteboarder85]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

This is such a personally biased question, but you will find a re-occurring theme going on....I wish I bought a bigger 1st boat.

Looking at the 280DA (I previously had a 2005), it is a well equip to day trip with the option to stay overnight. The negative is going to be towing. I know some people do it, but that is a fairly large (and heavy) boat to drop in every use. Plus as pointed out, it is too wide (9' 5") without a permit. if you have a short distance that may not be a concern to you.

Do you think jumping into a 280 would be harder to learn docking and navigation for a beginner over a 260?

 

[PMC]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Do you think jumping into a 280 would be harder to learn docking and navigation for a beginner over a 260?

Not at all. You'll have a period of adjustment (in any boat), but can be master it with enough practice. If you want to build confidence quickly, I'll suggest you hire an experienced captain. Review all the rules of the road, the boat, docking, navigation, etc....It will be the best $ you spent (and saved in stupid tax repairs).

Are you looking at single engine or twin 280's? With or w/o genny?

 

[skolbe]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Any boat has a learning curve, trailering versus marina life are two different ways of boating. We personally really enjoy marina life.

 

[Zorba]

Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cr...

I see both you and JimG are cruising in 310's and 340's, is this something I should expect to naturally want after a few years...ha ha.

Actually yes. We were in a 22' cuddly when it was just the two of us. We started talking about a kid so naturally we bought a boat big enough for three. The 260 was perfect for the three of us. We had it for 4 years. We started talking about another kid and again, naturally we would need a bigger boat. I was sold on a 320. My wife however fell in love with the 340. Guess who won...


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[Richie89]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Thanks for the input. Now, I have to ask- did that girl come with your boat? If so, where should I be buying from for that deal?

Yes, any Sea Ray dealer should be able to add this option.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Re: Potential Sea Ray Owner: Is the 240 models from 2000-2006 a good beginner cruise

Be sure to keep us in the loop about what you're doing and looking at; include links to the listings if ya can.