Thoughts 240DA? early 2000 models vs 2006 and above

Flyinghigh

New Member
Jan 6, 2011
9
Great Lakes-Mentor Ohio
Boat Info
2001 Weekender
2000 Signature CC
1989 Century 4000
Engines
5.0 Merc/Bravo III
4.3 Merc/ Alpha one
5.7 Merc/ Alpha one
Looks like a huge difference between the early 2000 240 Sundancer VS the 06 and above Sundancer. Would anybody like to comment on the pros and cons on these different years? I am currently in the market.
 
I certainly like the layout of the older ones over the new ones.
 
Looks like a huge difference between the early 2000 240 Sundancer VS the 06 and above Sundancer. Would anybody like to comment on the pros and cons on these different years? I am currently in the market.

IMO, this is where SR really messed things up with the design and unfortunatelly continue doing it to 240DA until this day (we simply ran away from one at the last boat show). My primary concern is in the cockpit accomodations.

Anything with boating is a bout fun, having family and friends over to have a good time. I just don't see how can you invite anyone on the newer 240 if you have family of 3-4. It looks like you can barely fit another couple (forget the kids) based on the seating design. In our 2001 240DA we could have 6 adults around the table comfortably and that would leave plenty of room on the L-shape port seat.

If you look at the 2006 pic gallery where a lady is looking forward, it's a cool shot, but I want to see her sitting like this for 1.5-2 hours at cruise. The L-shape seat on the older models might be lower and the vis. may not be so great, but admiral loved chilling in that seat very comfortably with kinds by her side.

Inegrated platform is another draw back for me. I think you loose about a foot comparing to older bolted on platform. If you plan on using a dinghy you'll have to do some kind of davits system and you'll have interesting time pulling it on the boat since the integrated platforms are way too high from the water. We have 6.5' Baltik that fits perfectly with no davits (i had only electric motor on it thought, which was fine to get kids to a beach). But, the dink was a good match and worked perfectly for few years. IMO, having larger and lower to the water platform is a plus.

Interior didn't change that much, but you get some extra bells and whistles on the newer models. Although, I'm not sure it's pays for the lose of the major items from above.

Vacuu-Flush is something I suggest to get. We had it and it was just gread feature.

Just my opinion for what it's worth.
 
The 2000 240 has a way better layout. It's similar to the mid/late model 260 & 280 DA's in terms of cockpit layout. My slip neighbor has a 2007 240DA and it's nice but it's definitely a one-family boat. They often take it out for dinner/drinks after work and it's tight when they bring another couple. It honestly looks a little awkward....like nobody is really comfortable.
 
In our 2001 240DA we could have 6 adults around the table comfortably and that would leave plenty of room on the L-shape port seat.
I have the similar aft cockpit table layout and there is no way to get six adults "comfortably" there. Four yes.
My Twins facing aft.
Aug6-1610GulfislandssetV35.jpg


Me sitting solo
Aug6-1610GulfislandssetV47.jpg

My bride Mighty Mo sitting there by herself
WinterruntoLangleyforPizza12-26-096.jpg
 
Todd,

Debate on how many people could fit around the table is pointless, b/c it all depends on people dimensions. However, just by looking at those seats it’s clear that they were designed to have 3 people on the seat by the stern and 2 on the aft side. So, without much effort 5 should fit comfortably and 6 can be seating on a cooler or some kind of folding chair. The bottom line is that I don’t see how any of this is possible on the newer models.

I had 3 couples with kids (obviously not too often, mostly 2 couples with kids) and we were managing just fine.

The cockpit layout of older 240DAs is similar to 260s, 270s and 280s. So, anyone upgrading from 240DA to 280DA feels at home.
 
I am also considering purchasing a current generation 240DA(an '08). While I like the overall styling of the current model, the earlier models had a much more practical cockpit layout. I really liked the folding aft bench seat that the 240& 260's used to have. I wish SR would keep in mind that some people like an open cockpit for fishing, skiing, and other activities that don't involve just sitting around on a seat! In 2001 I nearly purchased a new 240DA, sometimes I wish I had done it back then.
 
Thank you for the great input on the cockpit area. How are the sleeping accommodation in the fwd and aft berths. Any other comments for the cabin would also be wonderful.
 
Alex is right, there is no need for debate. It's like when you go back to your old school, everything is much smaller than it was when you were in the school. He's on a big boy's boat now and forget's the reality.

I helped my cousin by a very nice 2000 ~ 240DA three weeks ago, so I recall all of this vividly. + My 260DA is very similar. The Vberth is a little smaller than the 260DA. The mid berth accomodations are nearly identical.
 
As owner of a 2006 240DA, I agree with all comments regarding the layout; really wish my cockpit was friendlier for larger groups. As to the V-berth and mid-cabin question, watch out if you are 6' tall or more as the V-berth and mid-cabin length can be an issue.

At 6'1", I get by but sometimes my feet touch the galley or mid-cabin wall depending upon how I sleep. Have to go diagonal or curl if you are any taller.
 
.... How are the sleeping accommodation in the fwd and aft berths. Any other comments for the cabin would also be wonderful.

This will also depends on people's dimensions. Some people manage to sleep on the forward berth head to bow feet to aft. We tried it, but later found that laying across (heads to port and feet to strbrd side) worked much better. For example, I would take the “first row”, then admiral and then we had room for our child.

The aft cabin gives you more room, the only slight challenge is that it gets a little hotter than in the forward berth with hatch right above.

We often did long trips with another couple, so we had 4 adults and 2 kids and we managed to sleep in the cabin with no issues.

I would strongly suggest looking in to the model that has build in A/C and heating or look in to purchase carry-on A/C. It’s a bit of a PITA, but let me tell you that there were times when without the PITA carry-on we would have to go home, but we were able sleep on the boat on the hot nights. This obviously requires shore power.

..... He's on a big boy's boat now and forget's the reality....

Todd,
I agree that not owning our 240 since 2008 one may forget things, but we will never forget as we used that boat as our mobile home and it was the biggest boat that we could take thousands of miles away (trailering) and have trips of our lifetime.

Our son was born on that boat and I still remember the butterflies in my stomach when I signed the papers buying her. Some things you just don’t forget. It’s interesting that our friends who cruised with us for many years tell us that we had one of best times on our 175 and 240.
 
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I will tell you my experience with our 2007 240... It is the perfect beginning boat for us. We were very fortunate to find the boat with the options for the price. Ours is loaded with all the options including a genny and AC. As for sleeping arrangements, I'm 6'3" and I prefer to sleep in the aft cabin, and my wife sleeps in the v birth. With the AC running, I will tell you, the aft cabin is as close to a cooler as I would like to experience. The head is very small, the layout design is not ideal. The two seats on the port side are just not needed. The u layout design in the older models was much better. BUT all things aside, I made the purchase due to the fact that the boat was a great deal for me and my family. Will I keep this boat for the rest of my life... no. I will hopefully upgrade to a 340 within 12 months. Would I call my purchase a mistake, heck no! Love my 240, especially with gas as high as it is right now!!
 
Todd, I agree that not owning our 240 since 2008 one may forget things, but we will never forget as we used that boat as our mobile home and it was the biggest boat that we could take thousands of miles away (trailering) and have trips of our lifetime.
Our son was born on that boat and I still remember the butterflies in my stomach when I signed the papers buying her. Some things you just don’t forget. It’s interesting that our friends who cruised with us for many years tell us that we had one of best times on our 175 and 240.
I agree with all of that. All I was saying is there is much less space than I think you recall for the aft cockpit seating.

...........Would I call my purchase a mistake, heck no! Love my 240, especially with gas as high as it is right now!!

No kiddin' this looks like '08 all over again.
 
We enjoyed our 2000 240DA for a couple years. I always thought the cockpit layout was pretty good. Better than the newer ones. It also had more headroom in the cabin. I could stand up in our 2000 (I'm 5'11"), but I couldn't in an 08 I looked at.

The one thing ours didn't have that I sorta wished it did was fuel injection. 2000 was one of the last years with carbs. The 5.0 fuel injected versions of that era had another 20 hp. (240 vs 220)
 
Does the fuel injected 5.0 seem adequate on performance with a full load?
 
IMO, 5.0 with BIII is good combo for normal loads. We had company and pulled ski or tube with no issues. The only time the boat felt "underpowered" is when I overloaded her with 13 people. This was way beyond the load for which the boat was designed, so I would never say that she's underpowered with 5.0/BIII.

Fuel injected engine was a huge plus after my carb. on 175BR.

BIII was excellent performer drive. Counter rotating props made the boat move nicelly and it was easier around the dock. Very responsive in reverse as well.
 
Speaking for the newer 240DA, which I own a 2010, the boat will comfortably hold 4 adults for a day out on the water. Overnight, no. We have had 5 before it begins to feel cramped. 3 adults can sit at the table in the cabin for a meal and it's not too bad. I will say the features and finishes on my 2010 are very nice and it's a great boat for weekend getaways or days on the hook.

Also, remember the 240 today is right at 24' 10". SeaRay now makes the model number the actual length of the boat, so a 240 from a few years back is going to be slightly longer.

With all of this said, I was out on a 330 last fall and you really can't *seat* more than 5-6 adults in the cockpit. In reality, the cruisers are not designed for large crowds on deck.
 

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