Sundancer 260 350 Mag

T

twoiner

New Member
Mar 8, 2008
17
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
I am looking to purchase a new 260. The dealer has a new 07 and a new 08 available. The 07 has a 6.2l engine upgrade and the 08 has the standard 350 mag. I like the 08 because it is loaded with options. Can anyone tell me from experience should I be concerned with the performance of the standard 350 that the upgrade to the 6.2Li s worth it. Either boat is going to be a welcomed upgrade from my Cobalt 190 so I am excited to be getting the Sea Ray.

Thanks,
Tim
 
Tim......welcome to CSR.

There are quite a few threads you can search out on the board regarding the 260DA. Also, I have sent you a response to your email that hopefully you will find helpfull.

Dave
 
Merc 6.2 vs 5.7 MPI

Both
- Start life as a GM 350 cubic inch small block V8. That’s right. Mercury does not cast this engine. They buy it from General Motors. By the way, so does Volvo.
- Given the same gear ratio and prop pitch they will have identical hole shoot.
- Fuel economy should be very similar
- Both are engines with a very reliable history.

Difference
- The 6.2 has a longer stroke
- The 6.2 has a higher maximum RPM
- The 6.2 has an additional 20 hoarse power. Those extra ponies are at the top of the RPM curve.

Result: The 6.2 should give you a higher WOT (wide open throttle) speed.


The question is this; does having a higher top end speed matter to you?

If yes, go with the 6.2. If no, go with the 5.7.

It’s that simple.

In my opinion, for this size and type of boat, the current 260 Sundancer is best boat ever. They got everything right. If I could get buy with a bit smaller of a boat this would be my choice. I still think of this boat often.
 
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Doug & Lisa,

Thanks for the good words. I am in Pittsburgh using the boat on the river. For the most part it will be my wife and myself. We do a lot of lazy cruising around the city. The 08 has a windlass, tv, ac, sat radio. The only advantage on the 07 is the 6.2L engine and I didn't think for my application that it was worth giving up the extra amenities.

Tim
 
The windlass can be added after, but it's a pain to run the cable. The TV I would not consider an advantage. Many people don't like the location of the factory TV. The benefit however is you get the DVD player and arch antenna pre-wired. Still, I would put low value/priority on the TV. The A/C is a big plus, assuming it's the factory std with reverse cycle heat. This can also be added, but it's another project to install and run the hoses. The Sat radio, like the TV, is minor, even more so. Adding a stereo and sat antenna is very easy.

Similar to buying a house, think of the things you can change (stereo, tv) vs. those you can't (engine). (You can change an engine, but for this excersice let's say you can't). Test drive with the 350 and compare to the larger engine. Compare time to get on plane and crusing RPMs. Take into account how many people you will normally have and what type of water (river vs. open ocean).

Does the 07 not have windlass, ac, tv and sat?

Esteban
 
I dunno. . . .I really like the Windlass on my boat.

I don't overnight, so I don't give a hoot about TV, AC, or a generator. But I do drop down the hook. . .and every once in a while you REALLY want to get the hook up quickly without sending someone to the bow (BTW: It is always better to be at the bow. . .but sometimes reality dictates certain expediances)
 
Tim,

Welcome to the board!

We have the same motor in the lighter, earlier body-style and it's the minimum I'd recommend in this boat. The dry weight of the '07 is 7,500 lbs, the '08 is 7,900 lbs, and our 2000 is 6,200 lbs. Based on the increased weight from our model year to those you're considering, I think the 350 may be marginal power. Granted, the '08 350 is rated at 300 hp and ours is rated 260 hp, but as Doug pointed out that doesn't necessarily mean the low-end perfromance is improved.

As for options, I really like our windlass. I'm not sure if AC is a necessity in Pittsburg. In the Baltimore area, it makes overnighting on the boat in a marina much more comfortable, but we rarely use it on the hook. Unless you have a generator, of course, you won't be able to use it on the hook anyway.

Jeff
 
Tim - we just bought an 05 with the same 350 Mag, and it's been fine for us. It's usually us and one other couple, and she does everything we ask of her. There are some "issues" with the 260 design itself that an engine size won't fix (it tends to wander form course just a touch, but you'll get used to it).

We were comfortable with the 350 because we do short hops and drop anchor for the day. Once in a while we might get a little adventurous and take a day trip, but most anyplace we would go is within a days distance. And I couldn't be happier with the 350. It's a scrappy little engine, and we still have plenty of power to plain, and cruise at a reasonable (about 27mph) speed.

We also have all of the features you're describing on the 07 (TV, windlass, etc...). Since we had limited DIY boating knowledge, we liked having all this upfront. And we use it all too.
 
Good idea and that is what I decided to do. Like one of the members said, you can never have too much engine. I can save almost $10,000 taking the new 2007 so I will add the windlass and tv. One final thing. I have melanoma and need to be careful of how much sun I get. The 08 had the Bimini top with the aluminum frame. When I am on the boat I will usually be under the top. I liked how solid this was and how nice it looked on the boat. The boat has a blue hull and blue canvas. I looked on Sea Ray and to add a soft top it is a $6,000 option, seems a little much. Any idea where to get a bimini or does the canvas package come with a center top that is adequate?
 
twoiner said:
Good idea and that is what I decided to do. Like one of the members said, you can never have too much engine. I can save almost $10,000 taking the new 2007 so I will add the windlass and tv. One final thing. I have melanoma and need to be careful of how much sun I get. The 08 had the Bimini top with the aluminum frame. When I am on the boat I will usually be under the top. I liked how solid this was and how nice it looked on the boat. The boat has a blue hull and blue canvas. I looked on Sea Ray and to add a soft top it is a $6,000 option, seems a little much. Any idea where to get a bimini or does the canvas package come with a center top that is adequate?
Click to expand...

You need to get a camper canvas package if you can. That provides you with a rear bimini as well. Look at my signature picture and you will see what I mean. If the boat does not come with camper canvas, you can always have that extra bimini made by a canvas shop. Your dealer should be able to hook you up with one. On the other hand it's awfull nice to have a camper package. Here is what that looks like when it is up.

DSC03783.jpg
 
Great Lakes Boat Top Co., Inc.
15 Quality Circle
Vonore, TN 37885
423-884-6761
fax:423-884-6410

I'm not sure if they will sell to you unless the boat is X years old. They make the top for Sea Ray. Should be well less then $6,000.

Are you sure the '07 does not have at least the bimini and sides? You can add the back and back sides (3) and hardware for about $1,500.
 
Dave,

My boat will look about the same as yours which makes me happy because yours looks great. If I take the 07 it does come with the camper canvas package. I just liked the solid frame on the integrated Bimini they show on the Sea Ray site. I thought it might be nice to use it and just cover her with the cockpit cover. I don't know how much of a pain it is taking all the canvas except the Bimini off and then back on. Anyways I am going with the 07 with the 6.2L and I will add the windlass.
This is a great group, I appreciate how helpful everybody is and hope down the road I can contribute back.
 
In order to cover all bases, you need to get both the camper enclosure and the mooring cover. My camper canvas goes up in November and will come down in April when things warm up. The camper canvas allows us to boat year round since our lake never freezes and the boat stays in the water. Then we use the mooring cover for the rest of the year.

Today it was sunny and 53 degrees outside. We were out on the lake in shirt sleeves since it was nice and warm in the cockpit just from solar heat. In fact is was so warm we had to unzip a few of the panels for some air. Once I take the camper side panels down, I still leave the rear bimini up year round for protection from the sun. .
 
To clarify the coverage on the 260 with arch and camper canvas: you get 3 top/horizontal sections, and 8 side/vertical sections.

Tops:
1) Bimini front of arch. This one most people keep deployed all the time, for function and looks.
2) Bimini aft of arch. This one too most people keep deployed all the time, for function and looks.
3) Bimini on rear which connects to bimini aft of arch. This one I keep closed and only deploy when I need additional shade at anchor. Some people keep deployed all the time.

Sides camper top:
1) 3 panels in front, from top of windshield to front of front bimini.
2) 2 side panels in front, from windshield to sides of front bimini.
3) 2 side panels in back with screens, from gunwale to sides of 2 aft biminis
4) 1 back panel with screen from transom to back of aft most bimini.

I have seen photos of the optinal rigid frame for the two biminis that connect to the arch and IMO this is not a must have option. The std support rails that come with these biminis provide all the support that is needed.

If you don't get the camper option, you eliminate the aft most bimini and the 3 vertical panels aft become one and at an angle. I think both the aft most bimini, and the ability to increase living room make the camper top a must have. Fortunately, this is one that any canvas shop can custom make in case the boat you decide on doesn't have it. I would estimate under $2k to add the aft bimini and 3 vertical panels.

I agree with Dave that a mooring cover is a must have. For those times when you don't use the camper top (say day trips and most of summer), it's much easier to install/remove the mooring cover when you leave the boat, vs. having to install all the side panels.

Esteban
 
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We just traded our 260 & 185 on another SR. The 350 was fine for us, sure it didn't fly like a rocket but was perfect for the boating we did around the intercoastal. The only thing I wish our 260 had (outside twin engines and bigger...which is why we moved up) was the windlass. Ours had the AC and gen set but no TV. Get a good GPS chart plotter "thrown" in the deal.

Enjoy the 260 she's a great boat,

Mike
 
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