Trailer for Sea Ray Sundancer 268 1988

GenneyO

New Member
Nov 25, 2018
2
Boat Info
1988 268 Sundance
Engines
Volvo Penta
Does anyone know where to find, or know, the length from the bow eye to transom? This boat was recently 'gifted' to my son, and we need a trailer to get it out of the marina.

We called one dealer, they said that we needed to be prepared to trailer up to 9,000lbs.

Talked to another dealer, and they said 6,500 would be fine. They have a a Loadrite for sale, but i just want to make sure that we are getting the right thing.

It originally had a 1999 Maxum 2800 SCR with a beam of 9' 8" on her that weighed 7000 lbs. Carrying capacity: 7100 lbs
Fits a 27-29' Boat
 
The two dealers are likely talking about two different things - or you got the information crossed/confused. Your "trailering weight" will most likely be in the 9K weight range. However that includes the weight of the trailer and a "loaded up" boat. The measurement that CNY kindly provided for you is from the tip of the bow to the transom. "Typically", the bow eye is going to be 4' or 5' back from the tip of the boat. So if you want to guesstimate the length you need to know (bow eye to garboard drain plug), subtract that from the overall (w/o platform). That is the measurement you'll need to use to see if the trailer you are considering can be adjusted to fit. The carrying capacity should be fine - but you can double check by adding up the various things... fuel, water, batteries, gear, optional equipment... and adding that to the dry weight of the boat.

If you can get to the boat, just measure from the bow eye to the drain plug (straight line) to be sure. Then compare to the trailer and how it can be adjusted.
 
Thank you! My husband is pretty good with towing, we have a center console, and a fifth wheel we trailer, so I was surprised when they told him that although the Sea Ray GVW was 5500lbs, we needed to be prepared to tow 9k. Maybe the sales guy was confused?

I think we are going with the latter. I really appreciate your help!

Be prepared to for lots of other questions from me as we try to refurbish this Sundancer :)
 
You're welcome.

What I meant, above, though, is that the 9K trailering weight is just about right. You have to add the weight of the trailer (2K lbs, if galvanized, give or take) plus fuel, batteries, fresh water, black water, hot water, gear and any things on the boat that were not standard when built (options).
 
Not implying you will not be fine with the latter trailer but keep this in mind about boat weights vs "dry weight".

Dry weight does not include the following. (Not intended to be a complete list, based on likely for the 268, some are estimated.)

Fuel: up to 600 pounds
Batteries: 125 pounds for 2, + if there are more
Fluids: 100 pounds
Fresh water: up to 200 pounds
Pump out head + waste: 200 pounds
Camper canvas: 50 pounds

You get the idea. Other items not included you may have on you boat
Air conditioning
Generator
Twin engines
Optional seats

That 5425 "dry weight" can be over 6000 pretty quickly.

I would also factor in that a boat that old has some part that is wet and it is heavier than a new boat at "dry weight".

Good luck
 
How did this turn out? I went through this process last Summer for a 2000 260DA. There are a lot of considerations as already mentioned.
 

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