Sea Ray 268

[Oscarlyy]

Hey CSR!

I'm looking in to getting a classic Sea ray 268 sundancer but I'm wondering what fuel economy is with the 5.7 vs the 7.4 and top speeds. How were these boats built and how do they handle? Im just Wanting to know everything I should before going to look at them.

Thanks !!

 

[Getaway]

Hey CSR!

I'm looking in to getting a classic Sea ray 268 sundancer but I'm wondering what fuel economy is with the 5.7 vs the 7.4 and top speeds. How were these boats built and how do they handle? Im just Wanting to know everything I should before going to look at them.

Thanks !!

I've owned one since 2010 and my family and I really love the boat.

Here are the pro's and con's:

Pro:
-Nice all around trailerable "pocket" cruiser
-Plenty of space for sleeping 5 adults
-Handles well in rough seas.
-Handles well around the docks with practice. (A bow thruster would be wonderful, but I would feel like I was cheating)
-Fiberglass layup and gelcoat is excellent. I've never seen one with osmonic blistering.
-454 big block gets decent fuel mileage for size of boat and motor. 5.7 would be better for fuel, but I would worry about having enough power.
-Engine bay with the single motor is big and there is plenty of access for maintenance work.
-32 MPH at WOT with the 454 and 16x16 prop. Cruises nicely at approx 28 mph 3400r's.

Cons:
-Narrow beam with deep cut V. The deep cut V blows up waves very well, however in a beam sea (the ditch) she wallows side-to-side quite a bit. The boat does not like trolling in the "ditch".
-Notorious for water intrusion. Sea Ray did not do a good job sealing the swim platform mounts, trim tabs and transducers causing transom and stringer rot.
-With no water in the fresh water tank, she will list to starboard. I always keep the fresh water tank at least 1/3 full. For some reason, they designed the boat with the fridge, galley and head all on the starboard side of the boat. Maybe that was by design so it could be balanced out with fresh water, not sure..
-Factory prop would not keep her on plane very well and took a long time to plane out. Fixed this with a 16x16 prop. Lost a little top speed, but stays on plane at 17-18mph.
-My boat has the Alpha drive behind the 454. They changed this in '89 where you could get a Bravo drive. I've never had an issue with the Alpha drive and it is the original drive that came on the boat.

I have completely rebuilt my 268 after purchasing her in 2010 and finding wood core rot. She has a new transom, stringers, gas tank/side supports, bulkhead etc done in late 2010-2011. I know a lot about the construction of these boats not by choice.:grin:

Our boat has provided many weekend and week-long live-aboard vacations for my family of 5. I tournament fish this boat and it provides a place to stay for my crew and me. It truly is a great boat. Yes, a 10ft beamer would be nice, but I do a ton of trailering and for now, I enjoy the simplicity of trailering an 8-1/2' beam boat.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Now THAT was the kind of reply that has some meat to it. Nothing better than the word from a guy who owns one and actually USES it a lot.

Getaway, thanks for that great reply.

 

[JC3]

I agree! Great reply Getaway. It appears the OP has some one to lean on that knows this boat. Good luck, JC

 

[Getaway]

Thanks guys!

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably look for a 268 with twin 4.3's or an 89 with a 454 and Bravo drive, but I'm still really happy with mine. The previous owners of my boat took really good care of it. She was immaculate with the exception of the wet core. In their defense, they are an older couple and really didn't know about the core rot. I've been around boats my whole life and thought I knew what I was looking for when it came to a wet core. I bought a moisture meter and went to work checking out my boat. Well, the meter I have won't read through the thick glass/gelcoat of the older Sea Rays. I figured out later that I needed to go inside and check from the thinner inner glass....dumb move on my part, but a good lesson learned.

I still got the boat for a great price, so rebuilding it was definitely worth it and gave me a boat that is sturdy and meets our needs.

Since Oscarlyy is looking into a 268DA, I should offer him a trade for that 345SB of his....:grin::grin::grin:

 

[Ottawamerc]

I agree with Getaway also, I bought the same boat last winter with a blown 260 Merc and Alpha drive the PO was not impressed with the performance of the boat but we loved the layout and size of it. We also trailer it around everywhere with a F150 5.4L it did it ok but was taxing on it for sure! F250 with a 6.7 turbo diesel this year:smt038 I figured the poor performance report from the PO was partly to do with the waay too small trim tabs and possibly a poorly built engine cause at the time we owned a 25' Thundercraft Magnum Express and it had the same engine drive combo and that boat ran like a scared rabbit, fully loaded and towing skiers. Unfortunately the PO was right and it was a terrible performer even with a fresh and slightly better HP Merc 260. The throttle had to be almost fully open to keep it on plane and with a full load it was a tug:wow: But we loved the boat so after lots of research I decided to pull the 260 and Alpha and I installed the 7.4 and a Bravo, I did not want to blow up my new 260. I cant report on the new setup yet as I did it last fall and I have not splashed it yet but from the likes of Getaway and others whom have this combo I should be happy.

So in short: stay away from the 5.7's but the twins and 7.4's are great boats!!

Nothing else to say as Getaway hit all points perfectly.

Good luck.

Scott

 

[Oscarlyy]

Thanks guys!

If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably look for a 268 with twin 4.3's or an 89 with a 454 and Bravo drive, but I'm still really happy with mine. The previous owners of my boat took really good care of it. She was immaculate with the exception of the wet core. In their defense, they are an older couple and really didn't know about the core rot. I've been around boats my whole life and thought I knew what I was looking for when it came to a wet core. I bought a moisture meter and went to work checking out my boat. Well, the meter I have won't read through the thick glass/gelcoat of the older Sea Rays. I figured out later that I needed to go inside and check from the thinner inner glass....dumb move on my part, but a good lesson learned.

I still got the boat for a great price, so rebuilding it was definitely worth it and gave me a boat that is sturdy and meets our needs.

Since Oscarlyy is looking into a 268DA, I should offer him a trade for that 345SB of his....:grin::grin::grin:

Wow thanks! I definently know what to look for. Haha, not selling the 345. 268 Would be my son's boat.
I'll let you know how things go if I find one in my area!

 

[barros57]

It is a great size boat for trailering. Look for rot in the rear corner shelfs especially near the trim tab pump, the rear back flip down seat, and the around the engine mounts. Plan on resealing all the screw and bolt holes on the transom, swim platform, engine compartment, and bow rails.