Weekender Or Sundancer and why?

P

ProfitOfDoom

New Member
Jan 7, 2010
188
Eastlake,OH
Boat Info
1987 268 Sundancer
Engines
454 Mercruiser/Bravo Three
I been looking to buy one or the other. "Most likely a mid 1980's and somewhere between 23'-26' " Im not really sure on the differences,but from what I can tell it looks like the sundancer has less seating up on deck with more of a open floor,maybe a better fishing boat? and the deck of the weekender looks more seats and less floor,maybe better for entertaining more people?
As far as inside goes they looks basically the same to me "from pics Ive seen" But if there are more differences between them please let me know,and why you chose what you did.

I also had a question about the heads,Looks like both of them have small bathrooms,but I see some have a porta potty type thing and some have more of a real looking toilet. Can they be made either way,like say I got one with a porta potty,could I convert it to the more real looking toilet,or are they pretty much made like that and thats it?
I know the toilets must have a holding tank or something and are needed to be sucked out at the docks "how much does a toilet sucking cost?,lol im sure there is a term for it but thats the best I can do right now"
And if you have the porta potty,what do you do with the waste?
 
If you're talking about 30' Sea Rays in the 80's and early 90's...Basic design difference is that Sundancers have the engines placed further back against the stern and most often have out drives while the Weekenders have their engines placed further forward under the helm area with the engines facing forwards and a straight inboard transmission at the back of the engines for the prop shaft.

Pros and Cons for both. :smt101

Weekenders...
Have no aft cabin (due to engine placement)
Have a better balance due to engine placement
Usually plane easier with additional guests on board
Have easier access to cabin due to stair setup
Have two separate Helm/Passenger seats with a center aisle
Inboards have less maintenance and better dock manuvering
Use thru hull exhaust so nice sound but more sound
Engines are more easily accessible/larger engine room

Sundancers...
Have a usable aft cabin
Have a higher top speed with outdrives
Can go in more shallow water with outdrives
Have one long helm seat
Outdrives are quieter and have less exhaust fumes in boat
Engine room is tight making servicing more difficult

I'm sure there are differences that I've missed, but it's a start. Take a good look at both with these things in mind and you will most likely be able to quickly rule one or the other out based on your needs.:thumbsup:
 
Are you looking? I have both an 88 model 300 Sundancer AND an 88 model 300 Weekender that I am finishing up for sale soon.
Email me if you'd like some info.
 
I can tell you about 268's. I have a 88 weekender and a boating bud has a 87 da.

>da has an aft cabin. Gangway to cabin down port side. The cockpit is raised a bit due to the aft cabin. The cockpit seating has fold down aft jump seats(opens up the aft area). I believe this setup is great for kids on board.

>weekender has a lower storage hold in place of aft cabin. Gangway to cabin down center. Port side wet bar. Back to back cockpit seating. I believe this setup is great for two adults.

The basement of the weekender is great, but a pita to access your stuff. I boat with 3 other da's. The aft cabin is where our fellow boaters store there stuff. They like my basement, I like there aft cabin:huh:. ...Ron
 
trying to find this 300 weekender
HID# 300WE01227-89

tried boat fax, they asked me for the HID, 12 Digits, I

plugged in 300WE0122789, they highlited in red the part of

the HID they said was in error ----- 300WE0122789, can

anyone help ???

Thanks,
Paul
 
Its called a pump out :) On the lake here its free if you buy gas. Some marinas will charge $10 though. I think most of the smaller boats have the selfcontained "porta pots" with a pumpout access on topside. Bigger boats may have a pump and storage tank.

How do you envision using a boat? What are your plans and desires? That will help dictate which length and layout you need.

We have both boats you speak of but they are pre 1983. The models changed some that year (actually they change ever year but that was a big one).

They'll both have outdrives in your 23-26' range. All the attributes discussed above seem to describe them pretty well.

I love our Weekender. Nice lines. Lots of room in the cockpit. Nice lines. Easy acces/visibilty at the helm. Nice lines. Just a beautiful boat. Great for an over night or long day.

Add two kids and several nights out and you'll want the Sundancer. You sacrifice room up top but a dedicated gally and dining area makes a week on the lake more enjoyable. Plus the "cave" is ideal for kids - or junk. I don't like the helm as well because it feels tight to me and not condusive to standing up. Plus the extra height seems to catch wind more and make docking a little more tricky than the WE. But theres plenty more engine space than the Weekender (which is 2' shorted by the way). Room for extra batteries, water heater, water tank, etc. BTW, IMOP, the 350cid seems adequate in the WE but struggles a little on the Dancer. Just slower is all. Once on plane she is fine.

The Sundancer (26') has the engine below deck while the Weekender (24') has half of it sticking up between two seats.

All these comparrisons are specific to ours at their respective lengths.

In '83 the Sundancer had a hump in the top sides for more head room below and a more open bulkhead but the basic layout stayed the same.

Why is a Sundancer referred to as a "DA"???
 
Why is a Sundancer referred to as a "DA"???[/quote]

I think it's just short for "Dancer"
 
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