SR vs. Chaparral 240 cruiser

[cec]

Hi All,
I have a 22 foot LOA bowrider which i really like a lot. That said, we are starting to research small cruisers because we want to do weekend trips in the Washington State Puget Sound (San Juan Islands beckon). Specifically, I have been looking at the Sea Ray and Chaparral 24 cruisers - both really nice. I have read on other forums (the Hull Truth) that the Sea Ray 240 (and 260) cruisers are "tippy", that you need to constantly use the trim tabs to keep even keel. The feeling is that they are top heavy. So, I was wondering how you guys with 240's think it handles. We presently do most of our boating on lake washington and want to continue this because we really like happy hours during the week. Thus, we don't really want a too big boat because we will trailer it around (I have a Ford F150, 5.4 L, tow package). Anyway, would love to hear from you 240 owners. How do they handle in 1-4 foot wind waves, what cruising speed (and GPM) do you get with the 5.0 and 5.7 engines, etc.
I appreciate your input!
cec

 

[MonacoMike]

There is much posted here on the 260 and the "tippy" feel. Try some searches and good luck, MM

 

[270SLX]

A buddy of mine bought the Chappy 24 and has had no new boat issues or problems with it. That's more than I can say about my SR.

 

[matt327]

went from a sea ray 215 EC, great boat can't say anything bad about it to a Four Winns 245 Vista. The four winns was tippy and always took a wave over the bow everytime out. Now have the 2003 260 DA and I don't find it tippy at all. rides nice in 1-4 seas and never get wet like the four winns. I heard the newer 260's have a differant hull.

 

[cec]

Hey Guys
Thanks for the input. Still at the "research" stage and will keep-a-looking. Is there a difference between the "older" boats (say 2003) and the "new" hull boats in handling? As I understand it SR changed the hull design for the 240 and 260 in 2004, yes?

 

[Nehalennia]

The '99-'04 260DAs have the less tippy hull over the '05-'08s. My cousin just bought a '00 240DA. I helped her husband (and my friend) Greg go get it in Cali. It is in great shape and I was with him on the seatrial. I was with Greg on the seatrial. I am used to my 260DA and was warned about the 240DA being "tippy" too. I did not find it to be that way. We have been on a couple trips with them since they bought the boat in Feb. They have had no issues with the boat. It's a great pocket cruiser for our area.
Best of luck.

 

[gg51p]

I had a 240 Chappy for 10-years an never touched the trim.

 

[Georgia SeaDawg]

I have an 07 240 and yes, I have to use the trim tabs. On the first trip out, yes, it is a tad bit concerning wondering if she will eventually tip over. Then you reach over trim her a bit and everything is right again. Now I'm so used to it, and make corrections as we come up on plane, that my passengers don't even notice. Pros and cons with everything. I liked the finishes of my SeaRay much better than a Chaparral.

 

[TomT]

I have a 2000 240 with a 5.7 Bravo ll drive and we have spent many hours in Washington and Canada. Depending on loading, winds, and seas, some use of the tabs is required and have not experienced the "tippy" feeling at all. Also, depending on conditions, 3200-3300 rpm produces 25-28 mph with 9.5-9.8 gph on the fuel flow. I tow with a Silverado 2500 HD and sometimes wish it was bigger and heavier but it is adequate...Tom

 

[Danny Troy]

I had to do a lot of trim tab adjusting underway, until I installed the Bennett ATC system. Best $230.00 I have spent on the boat. You set it once and forget about it. It even remembered last year's setting, which really surprised me. So, whatever you wind up with, think about adding the Bennett system. Easily installed, even while the boat is in the water. BTW, I am not a Bennett salesman!
http://www.bennetttrimtabs.com/autotabcontrol.php?cID=4

 

[David Paul]

The "tippy" feeling on the newer 240DA is confined to the newer models (2006 and up) while on the 260DA's it affects the 2005 thru 2008 models.

In both cases the "tippy" thing is way overblown. I owned a 2005 260DA and after a little bit of familiarity, it was never a problem for me and I have boated in a lot of different types of water.