Question for 280, 290, 300DA owners

[Theresamarie11]

Hi, we're currently loving our 260, but finding it maybe just a bit snug. One thing is the sleeping berth. We are both around 6' (one just under, one just over) and find the sleeping situation in the front berth just barely usable. So besides some luxuries we wish we had (air conditioning, generator) we would like a bit more leg room to sleep.

So we've been looking at 280s-300s. We looked at a 2006 280 and found the sleeping berth up front even shorter than the 260 and the mid-berth narrower than the 260(although may be longer but we didn't get in it). In standing inside it would seem this is due to fitting in the dinette area and they had to steal length from each area.

My question for you 280 through 300 owners. Can you say how long your sleeping quarters are and are they sufficient for comfortable over-nighting?

 

[Theresamarie11]

Come on guys, there must be some six footers out there. If I'm missing where the berth lengths are specified, pls let me know. I did some searches but didn't find anything.
Also, thinking around 2006 give or take a year.

Terri

 

[Tonka Boater]

I don't have the dimensions on the 280's forward berth but I can say that I sleep very comfortably up there -- but I am 5' 10". I would imagine the width on the forward and mid berths are wider on the 280 simply because the beam on the 280 is about 1' wider.

I don't have the links but there is a post or two in the official 280 thread that lists the exact dimensions. Maybe Presentation will chime in -- seems like something he would know.

Here's the 280 thread -- there are more than 1000 posts to sift through:
http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10064

 

[jason78]

Hi, we're currently loving our 260, but finding it maybe just a bit snug. One thing is the sleeping berth. We are both around 6' (one just under, one just over) and find the sleeping situation in the front berth just barely usable. So besides some luxuries we wish we had (air conditioning, generator) we would like a bit more leg room to sleep.

So we've been looking at 280s-300s. We looked at a 2006 280 and found the sleeping berth up front even shorter than the 260 and the mid-berth narrower than the 260(although may be longer but we didn't get in it). In standing inside it would seem this is due to fitting in the dinette area and they had to steal length from each area.

My question for you 280 through 300 owners. Can you say how long your sleeping quarters are and are they sufficient for comfortable over-nighting?

I am 6' even and can sleep in either aft or V-berth comfortably with my wife. She is 5'4 though. I don't think 2 6' foot adults could sleep in the V berth comfortably. I sleep with legs oon the "long" side toward the sink. Good for the weekend but wouldn't want to sleep on it every night.

I am not sure about your year 260 but I have been in many newer 260s and never had the impression there was more room in the 260 than the 280. The aft cabin in the 260 looks alot more crampped in the 260 than in the 280. I have never taken a tape measure to the two though.

Of course the 300 has much more room than either. A friend of mine has one and says the fixed bed is not all it's cracked up to be though. I think is is not until 320 and up that you see a reasonably large forward bed.

 

[Alex F]

When we were looking to upgrade I liked 300DA style. But, the forward berth was one of the show stoppers. I'm 5.8' and still didn't feel comfortable on that bed.

Before you analyze the conforting features are you boating in fresh, brackish or salt water?

 

[jeremyandalison]

We had a 2003 260 last year and were ok with the v-berth. It was snug, but we found it more an issue of comfort with the convertible cushions. We added a 4" memory foam on top of the cushions and found it much better.

That said, an opportunity to sell arose and we bought a 2006 300DA and one of the main reasons was the fixed v-berth, which as you probably know is angled on the 300. We took the factory cushions out and put in another thick memory foam and find it much roomier and way more comfy. I am 6'4", 220 lbs and Alison is 5'5" and quite petite but we''re pretty happy with the new boat.

Of course, in the 260 once I got into the midberth I was afraid I couldn't get out in the middle of the night so the midberth in the 300 is a huge leap forward.

 

[Woody]

Come on guys, there must be some six footers out there. If I'm missing where the berth lengths are specified, pls let me know. I did some searches but didn't find anything.
Also, thinking around 2006 give or take a year.

Terri

I measured the 280DA v-berth once, it is about 5' x 6.5'. I'm 6'1 and wife is 5'2. We have found what we feel is the best fit and the last thing I would call it is comfortable but this is more due to the pad than the shape. I like the aft berth....nice sleeping but hard for me to get into with my bum knee. Unfortunately my grandkids or dog claim it as their space so I'm stuck on the v-berth.

 

[66pony]

I can sleep in the v-berth and just touch both ends of the bed, (I happen to be 6'5" though. My wife and I sleep well in there though. She is a little over 5' 2". I have never tried to sleep in the mid berth but am sure i would fit.
The comfort of the mattress is more of a hindrance than the size of the berth.

 

[Ididntdoit]

If you don't mind the "crawl in" aft cabin the 280s is "full Beam" so it would be plenty long for one of you - the other would have to sleep on the v - birth (should not be a problem for one)

on the 300 the aft cabin is actually shorter because one of the fuel tanks is there - still plenty long though - we leave it "converted" with a 4" memory foam topper on it - it is the size (length and width) of a standard double bed - my wife and I sleep on it comfortably - The v-birth is not bad - my two kids sleep up there

Having owned both I would say consider all things (not just sleeping quarters) including storage (both cockpit and cabin, hardly any on 280) head compartment size/shape (must lean when sitting on 280) cockpit seating (no port lounger on 300) etc

The 300 is a much heavier boat than the 280 between that and the beam it handles much better - the 280 on the other hand still feels like a runabout and I miss that - spend some time on both and sea trial both equipped and loaded as you would use them - you have some experience now and should know what to look for and wat is important to you I know this is more info than you asked for but hey thats what CSR is for - good luck and have fun!

 

[magster65]

I'm 6' and 250... the girlfriend and I are comfortable in either spot but we sleep in the v-berth and let my boy turn the midcabin into his 'theater' / bedroom. The square footage seems bigger than his bed. He loves it and it's easy access being in the center. The mid-cabin in the 30 isuch bigger again.
What keeps him happy inevitably keeps me happy!

 

[Theresamarie11]

Thanks guys for all of the replies. For those with 280's I admit to being a bit baffled. We looked at a 2007 280 at our local dealer and were in it. We both thought the berth was short but maybe there was some part left to be set up. We also thought the mid was narrow. Maybe we need to bring a tape. I am asking on line instead of going and looking at peoples boats beCause we'll most likely not make a move until seasons end or later. We have been leaning towards a 290 or 300 but that was mostly because of sleeping accommodations.

Use is in freshwater (someone asked).

Terri

 

[Alex F]

I asked about the water you're boating in to make sure you'll be ok with the outdrives before you start spending any money. Since you're in fresh water then either boat will work from technical point of view.

Make sure to measure the total length of the berth you're comfortable in and then see if it fits on 280, 290 or 300. Don't forget that the pillows do take some room, which shortens the bed size. Consider that with larger boat you would want to stay on it more and more, so making sure that you're totally comfortable is the key. The last thing you want is to rush and then realize that that bed is actually too small.

 

[Brian 59]

Terri, My wife and I are 5'-11 ish and I can say I have never used the V-berth. We always use the aft cabin and only when she say's that I am snoring too loudly will she move to the V-berth. I dont think the two of us could sleep up there comfortably.

 

[Theresamarie11]

I asked about the water you're boating in to make sure you'll be ok with the outdrives before you start spending any money. Since you're in fresh water then either boat will work from technical point of view.

Make sure to measure the total length of the berth you're comfortable in and then see if it fits on 280, 290 or 300. Don't forget that the pillows do take some room, which shortens the bed size. Consider that with larger boat you would want to stay on it more and more, so making sure that you're totally comfortable is the key. The last thing you want is to rush and then realize that that bed is actually too small.

Thanks Alex, good suggestions.
There are some boats around with v drives here, but the economy and performance suffers a bit.

 

[Theresamarie11]

Terri, My wife and I are 5'-11 ish and I can say I have never used the V-berth. We always use the aft cabin and only when she say's that I am snoring too loudly will she move to the V-berth. I dont think the two of us could sleep up there comfortably.

Thanks Brian,
That was our conclusion when we looked. But several tall folks here have said they do make it work. I will look again.

The 280 is ome of the most popular boats at our marina and beautiful as well.

Terri

 

[Bel_Mar_Pointe]

I'm not a big fan of the v-berth on our model of 300DA. At 6'1" and the wife about a foot shorter, we fit but I could never get comfortable. Kind of an odd shape to it actually. We converted the aft to our full time bed with the foam as others have mentioned. We were out for a 17 day cruise last season and the bed never became an issue.

I say go for the 340 and never look back! Not an unreasonable jump from a 260 really.:grin::thumbsup::grin:

 

[EricW]

The 280 & 290 are great boats, but I don't think it makes sense for you to consider these boats since you have a 260 now.

The 300 is a decent step up, and is still pretty economical because they all have small block stern drives. Once you go to gas V-drives, your gas bill will really get ugly.

IMO, the 300 cabin is by far the nicest of your 3 choices. Its the same basic layout as the newer 310 thru 370 --- head immediately to port, and open aft cabin/converstion area under the helm.

 

[Bridog]

My wife and I are both under 6' so the v-berth in the 300DA works fine for us. We bought a custom mattress and that made a world of difference. The aft cabin in the 300DA is larger than the 320DA and is over 6' long. Plenty wide for 2 adults. But I have to ask...how much time are you planning on sleeping? Much more to think about. Storage, handling, fuel economy, stability, layout, etc. Anyway here is a picture of the aft area on a 300DA if you haven't seen one.

 

[Alex F]

... The aft cabin in the 300DA is larger than the 320DA ....

That is the first time I hear this. I'll have to measure it for myself.

 

[Bridog]

Ok and I'll re-check mine. No cheating Alex.