Chesapeake
New Member
Any thoughts/considerations in purchasing a new 240/260/270 Sundancer from the late 90's or early 2000s? Might be leaning toward a 260, but looking for opinions from anyone who considered these three. Thanks!
Thoughts on 240, 260, 270
- Thread starter Chesapeake
- Start date
JoeDig
New Member
- Oct 8, 2009
- 7
- Boat Info
- 1999 260 DA "Flip Flop"
Prior boats: 1996 175 bowrider, 1986 Pearson 33
- Engines
- 5.7 L w/ Bravo III
We looked at these three. We felt the 240 was a bit small and light. The forward berth on the 270 was too small for me - I am six feet. We have been really happy with the 260. The exterior is great. We love the larger "L" seating and had a custom table made for the exterior which is fantastic for meals/snacks and games. The 5.7 liter motor and Bravo III work well together and give plenty of power. The size/weight have worked out well in some chop on the Barnegat Bay in NJ. Let me know if you have any questions. As a side note, my 1999 260 is in great condition, available privately, and listed on a few sights.
Kingsfr
Member
- Jun 23, 2011
- 98
- Boat Info
- 2005 Sea Ray 270 SUNDECK
- Engines
- 2012 Mercruiser 383 Stroker W/ Bravo III
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MonacoMike
Well-Known Member
- Sep 15, 2009
- 14,721
- Boat Info
- 2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
- Engines
- 85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
I must say my take is quite different than Joe. I began my search thinking a 99 or newer 260 would be in my future, we love the wood in the cabin on the newer models. I received a call from a broker and went to inspect my first 260 with much anticipation. One step into the head pulled the plug for any 260 for me, I had to bend my knees to squat in there, I could never stand up to shower.
The broker suggested I look a little older and check out the 94-97 270 and the 98 & 99 270SE. I was quite pleased with the layout of both the cockpit and cabin. Most of these are powered by the 7.4 and I wouldn't look at one that did not have that power. Most years SR didn't offer a smaller engine in the 270, just the first year and then when they cheapend up the boat in the SE years. I targeted the 97 as it was the year with the most standard features and fewest options. Check out ht 270 thread: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/936-Mid-90-s-270-Sundancer-Thread I put together a history of the 270 in the first post. Good luck in your search, MM
Jay Bird
New Member
- Jun 26, 2011
- 75
- Boat Info
- 1999 270DA Sundancer
- Engines
- 7.4 Mercruiser w/Bravo III
I just recently (about 5 weeks ago) purchased a 1999 270DA Sundancer. This is the wide beam version 270 at 9' 2" and I love it. It has the 7.4MPI with Bravo III and all the options but generator. I did not consider the 240 but did look at some 260's and the 270 was a better fit for me.
A few of the factors that played in my decision were that I have a 10' wide dock and I boat on one of the roughest inland lakes in the country, Lake of the Ozarks Missouri. The wide beam 270 has a dry weight of around 7,500lbs and I must say it has handled some of the roughest water LOTO can dish up. I have only had to throttle back for some of the big 60 footers running the lake.
The other reason I went with the 270 was the fact that it did not have an arch and I can put it on a lift with out raising the roof on my dock. And since our lake now has the zebra mussels I would not leave my boat in the water.
So bottom line for me the 270DA was a better ride with the wider beam and the heavier weight, about 1500lbs more than the 270SE. Plus all the amenities of the larger boats.
Good luck in your search.
A few of the factors that played in my decision were that I have a 10' wide dock and I boat on one of the roughest inland lakes in the country, Lake of the Ozarks Missouri. The wide beam 270 has a dry weight of around 7,500lbs and I must say it has handled some of the roughest water LOTO can dish up. I have only had to throttle back for some of the big 60 footers running the lake.
The other reason I went with the 270 was the fact that it did not have an arch and I can put it on a lift with out raising the roof on my dock. And since our lake now has the zebra mussels I would not leave my boat in the water.
So bottom line for me the 270DA was a better ride with the wider beam and the heavier weight, about 1500lbs more than the 270SE. Plus all the amenities of the larger boats.
Good luck in your search.
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dicor
New Member
- Feb 19, 2011
- 835
- Boat Info
- 270 DA 1998
- Engines
- 7.4 Merc w/Bravo III Drive
I also have a 270 DA, 7.4 bravo III. I have absolutely zero complaints about this boat. Great layout, I'm over 6 ft and fit well in the V berth. Gets up on plane fast, handles the chop smoothly, easy to maneuver and I feel the quality per dollar is unbeatable.
wastinaweigh
Member
- Oct 4, 2006
- 219
- Boat Info
- 260 Sundancer 2004
Kohler 5E Generator
- Engines
- 350 MAG Bravo III
In the 99-04 years, the 260 was the smallest with a generator, which is what decided it for me.
I think that the 260 is a nice little cruiser for two people, and a great day boat if you have kids. We have overnighted with the Admiral and I, three kids, and the dog, but it was a little cramped. The 240 and 260 can be trailered - not sure about the 270.
With a single 350, it is reasonably economical. I burn about 11.5 gallons / hour cruising at 22 kts (25 MPH).
As already mentioned, you need to go aboard one and decide if the head works for you.
I think that the 260 is a nice little cruiser for two people, and a great day boat if you have kids. We have overnighted with the Admiral and I, three kids, and the dog, but it was a little cramped. The 240 and 260 can be trailered - not sure about the 270.
With a single 350, it is reasonably economical. I burn about 11.5 gallons / hour cruising at 22 kts (25 MPH).
As already mentioned, you need to go aboard one and decide if the head works for you.
VinceR
Member
We highly recommend the wide 270.
We owned a 1999 wide 270 for 7 years with a 454 B111 power. We cruised over 650 hours on the boat. The best trailer boat we ever owned. I modified the front bunk by expanding the drop in plate with a piece of 3/4" ply wood and expanding the drop in cushion. We removed the large surround and had an interior shop fabricate a small surround. That makes the bed very large. I am 6’ 2” at 290 pounds. Next we used the old bed drop in for our dinette table. I repositioned the leg holder on the bottom to move the table within an inch of the side. This opened up the walkway between the galley and the table.
We spent up to 5 nights on the boat at a time.
We owned a 1999 wide 270 for 7 years with a 454 B111 power. We cruised over 650 hours on the boat. The best trailer boat we ever owned. I modified the front bunk by expanding the drop in plate with a piece of 3/4" ply wood and expanding the drop in cushion. We removed the large surround and had an interior shop fabricate a small surround. That makes the bed very large. I am 6’ 2” at 290 pounds. Next we used the old bed drop in for our dinette table. I repositioned the leg holder on the bottom to move the table within an inch of the side. This opened up the walkway between the galley and the table.
We spent up to 5 nights on the boat at a time.
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
I'm very happy with my 260DA. It has a roomy v-bert(I'm 6'-1") and my wife and I sleep there. The cockpit layout is the roomiest but works well for this size of boat. Ideally if I could fit a 280DA with twin 4.3s in my boat garage, I'd love to have one. The 260DA provides us a very economical boat that we can afford to take out every weekend if we want.
Bob & Sue
Active Member
I have the 270SE the narrow beam just purchased in late May we run mostly in Puget Sound have just over 100 hrs on it since buying, conditions can be smooth as glass and calm it can change instantly to 2-3' swells with 3-4' waves or more with 15 knot winds the SE handles them just fine if you throttle back for the conditions. We have the 5.7l the fuel economy is worth the lower mph's we can run all day on $100 worth of fuel I can plane at 18-20 knots with tabs at 3000 rpms. It is smaller inside but it fits the 2 of us just fine for now.