sundancer 240

G

gh4

New Member
Nov 12, 2009
3
NEW JERSEY... AND LAKES
Boat Info
PURCHASING
Engines
5L MERCRUISER 240 HP
I'm looking at the 06 or newer sundancer 240. I like the new design, but have heard that this boat is top heavy. Also, has anyone towed with a Ram 1500? with the 10,000 lb package.

thanks
 
Great boat you're interested in. Friends that have owned these have absolutely loved them. I have never heard that they are top heavy before you mentioned it. Maybe it appears that way when the canvas is installed(?), but for me, this is hard to believe. It would definitely be to your benefit to PM islandhopper00, if he doesn't chime in anyway.

By the looks of his most recent photos on the link I have provided below, he's taken his through some nasty stuff. Hopefully you can get an idea of this handles from him.

Now, from my experience with similar boats, not the 240 specifically, but Sundancers in the ~26 ft range, are generally heavy boats. This may create the top-heavy illusion, but the truth is that they cut through the waves very well. Not sure what the standard propulsion is currently, but I would recommend 375 Mag or 496 Mag BIII, or a larger engine in general.

Hopefully you'll get more info from 240 owners, but I'd thought I'd try my best anyway.

Good luck.

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25152&page=4
 
I love my 240 DA. The only time I notice the handling characteristics change is when I have the full canvas up. Love the boat. Not sure about the towing, as I have mine in dry covered storage at the marina. I considered getting a trailer, but it is much easier to have them put it in the water for me. Good luck.
 
I agree with SeaDawg, I don’t trailer either and the canvas can cause some problems, also once if figured out how to trim the drive and adjust the trim tabs no problems.
 
gh4 said:
I'm looking at the 06 or newer sundancer 240. I like the new design, but have heard that this boat is top heavy. Also, has anyone towed with a Ram 1500? with the 10,000 lb package.

thanks
Click to expand...
Towing the 240 with that truck, noooo problem.
 
The 06 and newer 240's are "tender" boats to operate. Wind and waves, and people moving around will upset it's balance. Once you learn to use the trim tabs, you can "catch it" before it lays over. The boat will handle well in open water due to the change to 21 degree hull, it's what sea ray was after when they did the design change. However, smooth water and wind are a challenge to keep proper trim without alot of trim tab input. There is always a trade off when a change is made. rough water handling better, smooth water handling tender. Rob peter to pay paul kinda thing.
It is a good example of a compromise boat. You get alot of comfort and extras, at the price of handling. Depending on how you use the boat will determine if it is the right fit for you. I have learned to accept it for what it is and enjoy it as best as I can. The 240 has taken me places some big boat guys don't want to go but then it's all about comfort and experience level. Alittle luck never hurt either. Mike
 
In terms of towing with your RAM - it should be no problem. My '04 240 Sundancer with a LoadRite Aluminum I-beam trailer is about 8,200-lb on a CAT scale. I took it to SW Florida from Connecticut 3,000 miles round trip - twice behind a Ford Expedition with a 5.4 motor & 3.73 rear. I now have a GMC Denali which has the 6.2 motor & 3.42 rear so it lacks a little low grunt to get it going, but I still happily tow every weekend about 100 miles round trip.

We love our 240! It is perfect to get away for a night or two, yet my wife & I can load & unload off the trailer is seconds. It gives us a solid boat with the neccessary goodies and allows us to tow & go wherever we wish such as Long Island Sound, Husdon River, Lake Champlain in the summer and then Florida during winter vacation. :smt038

tginz
 
Here is the process to balance a 240 Sundancer with trim tabs.

Step #1) adjust the trim tabs until the boat is in balance.

Step #2) Goto step one.

We had a 240 Sundancer before our 280.

The boat is a great all round boat. It does require a learning process to keep the boat level. To me it seemed each time a person moved about or we changed direction I needed to do some minor trim tab adjusting.

There are things I miss about the 240 but the frequent trim tab adjusting is not one of them.
 
I bought my 240 around 3 months ago. As it was the end of the season I've only taken it out once. Bare in mind that I'm on sea! I experienced the problems with the trim, but I've now learnt from this site that I need to use the tilt on the engine rather than the trim tabs! Performed well though!

and i LOVE the interior - it feels a lot more expensive than its similarly priced boats!
 
We had our 240DA for 4 seasons and loved it. I pulled it with Cadi Escallade with no issues. We always had full camper up. I do agree that trim tabs play a big roll, but only when the boat is loaded. When we had only 2 couples it was laveled fine. Add more and it needs extra trim on the starboard side to compansate for the balance. We had lots of excellent trips anywhere from 1000 Islands to FL (Marco, Naples, Ft. Lauderdale).

Good luck.
 
Sundancer 240 has turned out to be a great first time boat for me. Plenty of comfort for 2. I wouldnt recommend it for long excursions with a family. Yes, handling is not the greatest -- it took me awhile to figure out how to best trim it and it still requires adjustments. With a 305, do not expect to be a hot rod, but it gets the job done. So far, it has been reliable.
Ed
 
Hello New to CSR. Can't wait for summer to come back around. I've been reading the posts on Trim and handling and could not agree more that the 240 is very sensitive. I orginally had a 1977 240 for about 4 years before I bought the 2008. The 2008 seems to be sensitive in small chop and actually flat. I've been venturing out on rougher days and have noticed it actually handles well when the lake "lake Erie" kicks up. interesting-- took some time to master the trim.
 
sundancer 240 Bow Rail

October was a fun month at the marina, had a-little bow rail issue. Anyone replaced the bow rail on a 2006 -2008 240 dancer? Bow rail quote was about $900.00 waiting on labor. I doubt it just screws on--although it would be great if it did:smt100
 
Re: sundancer 240 Bow Rail

kgmmarsh said:
October was a fun month at the marina, had a-little bow rail issue. Anyone replaced the bow rail on a 2006 -2008 240 dancer? Bow rail quote was about $900.00 waiting on labor. I doubt it just screws on--although it would be great if it did:smt100
Click to expand...

It does but you'll want to make sure it gets sealed up properly.
 
Re: sundancer 240 Bow Rail

Nehalennia said:
It does but you'll want to make sure it gets sealed up properly.
Click to expand...

Dealer wasn't sure. Thought interior would need removed? I would think sea ray would of made it just bolt on? Can't find any installation directions for this. Want to make sure I'm not getting hosed!:smt013
 
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