Sea Ray Sundancer 240DA Questions before I purchase

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nuclidex

New Member
Jan 10, 2015
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Florida
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Hello CSR!

Anyone with a 240DA here to answer some questions?

I want to purchase a 240DA and use it to run from miami to freeport (about 100 mi) weather permitting and with a buddy boat/group type cruise like a club. Is this something you guys have done before or am I crazy?

I am looking to add a small generator to the 240da next to the engine. Has anyone done this in the 240da before and what was the cost?

Is it possible to add a hard top to a 240, or should I stop asking questions and get the 260 already!?

My dilemma is that I have had many, many boats but they have all been fresh water river and lake boats. I am comfortable piloting boats and have done so since age 12. I know the sea is different ball game so that is why I am here. Also, I see that most manufacturers start the full shower, mid berth around 24 feet and so that was my target. I still want to be able to run whatever boat I purchase in the lakes and rivers near where I live in central FL.

Thanks for the help.
 
What year 240? The generator question should get this thread going. :)
 
alwhite00 said:
What year 240? The generator question should get this thread going. :)
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I was looking at 96-2002 ish 240's, but I see there are 230s, 250s, etc. I just need a boat with ac, full head, galley with stove fridge sink and microwave, mid berth, fresh water storage, hot water heater, and generator. if anything around the 230 240 250 is like this please let me know.

And yes the generator thing is a good question. I know these salt water generators use some sort of water to coolant exchange to cool the engine, as well as some sort of exhaust piping beneath the waterline. I would assume someone here has purchased and done an install in a 240da or similar at some point
 
Not sure about the generator options for a 240. I have a 290 with 5KW Kohler generator. It has a closed cooling system that utilizes a heat exchanger. Raw water comes in thru an inlet in bottom of hull, runs thru the heat exchanger and discharges (along with the exhaust) out the side of hull above the water line.

Sounds like you have a big wish list for a 240 - you might need to look at something a bit larger.
 
Although the 240DA is a great boat (I had a 2006), its hull design and 8.5' beam make it tippy which creates an uncomfortable experience in rough waters, more than you might expect (my opinion from rough days on the Chesapeake Bay). The 260DA still has the 8.5' beam and similar characteristics. If possible, I would consider something with a wider beam, better overall stability, and longer range (larger gas tank) for this kind of use. If you really like those boats, IMO your best bet is to spend some time on a 240DA or 260DA to see if you are comfortable in choppy/rough conditions before committing. I was amazed at the improved stability when moving up to a 280DA with only 1' wider beam and more weight. Your chances are higher in finding a boat with a generator already installed when you move above the 240DA.... or at least more room in the engine bay to add something.
 
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going to need a big engine for all that extra weight too.
 
jlamb said:
Not sure about the generator options for a 240. I have a 290 with 5KW Kohler generator. It has a closed cooling system that utilizes a heat exchanger. Raw water comes in thru an inlet in bottom of hull, runs thru the heat exchanger and discharges (along with the exhaust) out the side of hull above the water line.

Sounds like you have a big wish list for a 240 - you might need to look at something a bit larger.
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now I'm looking for a 250 da. The 250 is slightly larger and offers more standard amenities, and the price jump is marginal. Anyone have experience between the 7.4 big block and the 5.7 in these 250s?
 
I don't know what "standard amenities" the 250 offers that the 240 doesn't but I can tell you that the 7.4 MPI version is a huge, heavy engine that fits snugly into a 250's engine compartment. If a generator were to be shoehorned in there, working on it or anything else is nightmare ish.

My normal style of boating is not a fuel hungry style, but even when I "have my foot in it", the consumption has been pleasantly surprising. I say this so you don't shy away from it because of fuel consumption fears. Depending what year you look at, most 7.4s were coupled with. B3 out drive. Keep this in mind when it comes to maintenance costs and additional survey checks.

After re-reading your posts I have to agree with some earlier comments....you might want to look at a larger boat. Again, depending on the year, a 250 is, in reality, no bigger than a 240. I don't know your experience level but taking a boat this size off shore is something I would never do so I'll let others address those issues. When you start to talk about adding generators and even mentioning a hard top, they can add up quickly. Very quickly. Lets just say you bought a 96 with a 5.7. Add a genny, A/C and a trailer and you've about doubled the cost of the boat. Look for a boat that has the features you need to be able to boat the way you want.
 
on an '06 240 and similar a gen install is tough - there were a couple on here at one time - they had retrofitted the 3.0 BPMG by westerbeke - as I remember something had to go, like the waste tank or water heater.....you could certainly do an aluminum arch/hardtop combo but you would be putting a lot of dough into the boat......an '05up 260 had a gen as a factory option and most of them had arches too - still 8.5 beam so trailerable without permits.....good luck
 
I had a 2005 240 DA with the 3 KW Westerbeke genset. Yes, the holding tank had to go. Great starter boat. I would suggest looking at least at a 260. It will have what you need. I will say that the 240 with the genset squeezed into that ER was tight!!
 
The 240 is a great little cruiser. From reading what you want in it I'd go bigger. I had an 06 240 for just over a year and only a few months after my purchase found that it ran out of room quickly. I had the 5.7 300 hp motor in mine with the Bravo3 which moved it right along.

I have seen other 240s on here that had a genny, but with your wants I'd at least go up to a 260.

Try not to make compromises when making your purchase. We quickly out grew our 240 and moved up to my current 340 only 15 months of owning the 240.

Good luck in your search!
 
After more research, I am going to try to find something bigger. My tow vehicle will handle 8300 lbs MAX, so Im not sure i could safely tow a 270DA. The 250 and 260 are very appealing. How much does a dry 260 with trailer weigh, approximately? How well would a 260 handle rough conditions versus a 240DA?
 
A 260 on a trailer is going to weight more than 8300 lbs. I have a 2001 260 and I'm over 9000 lbs on the trailer loaded. Around 2003 or 2004 the weight of a 260 also went up by about 1000 lbs.
 
Westie said:
A 260 on a trailer is going to weight more than 8300 lbs. I have a 2001 260 and I'm over 9000 lbs on the trailer loaded. Around 2003 or 2004 the weight of a 260 also went up by about 1000 lbs.
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I guess a 240 is about all I will be able to tow under 8300 lbs with trailer, gear, etc. :huh:
 
I dunno, my silverado 1500 pulled my 240 with no issues at all. so I would assume going to a 260 would still be doable. I trailer in VA so there are plenty of hills to deal with. I think that is not so much an issue in Florida. The only problem I had trailering my 240 was braking, but I quickly realized that my trailer brake lines were jacked up and needed to be replaced.

But now I have a GMC Sierra Denali 2500 so I doubt I will ever worry about weight again when towing anything :D
 
nuclidex said:
My tow vehicle will handle 8300 lbs MAX,
Click to expand...

My `08 240DA is right at 8,000 lbs on the the trailer. The `08 260DA manual states it is 7,000 lbs dry; I would plan on a 260/fluids/trailer/gear being close to 10,000 lbs. altogether.
I pulled my 240 with an`01 1500 Dodge Ram (5.9L 4x4) for 4 years; it worked but it was right at the limits of the truck. The 2500 Avalanche I have now handles the 240 much better!
I would recommend a 2500/ 3/4 ton truck for 240 and the 260.
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Another thing to think about is the boat ramp; many times with the Dodge I would have to engage 4 wheel drive to pull up the wet ramp.
 
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My 250 on the trailer ready for the lake is about 8,700 lbs ready for the water - Weighed on a truck scale.
 
I have the 250DA and trailer it wit Chev Z71 4x4 1500 no problem. I do have electric hydrolic brakes the are the way to go. I also solved my problem of putting my boat back onto the trailer and no getting soaking wet. Check I out www.hookon.ca
Joe
 
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