What's "enough" power for a 260 Sundancer

[devilrays]

I have an '03 260 Sundancer with 5.0L engine and it isn't a speed demon but for the price I paid 3 years ago was well worth it. The best performance of this engine is 4000 RPM and it runs 30mph. The top speed with my wife and I is around 38mph. I would like to have the 5.7 but for the price I got this boat for it was well worth it.

 

[Theresamarie11]

Hi, this is my first post. My wife and I are looking to upgrade from a Sea Pro 20' Cuddy to a 260 Sundancer. We're looking at used 260's that fit our budget, '04's etc.


Re: 2004 260 da

Hi, we just purchased a 2000 260DA with a 7.4L and took it out on it's maiden voyage (for us) today. Fully loaded with full fuel, full water, tons of gear and and a good bunch of big folks we were doing 42.5 at 4300 RPM. The bottom hasn't been cleaned so I suspect that might be good for a bit more and we had out bimiini's up (not sure whether it matters or not). Seems like it might as the rear bimini was blower down pretty severely at speed.
Power was our biggest worry as we didn't want an under powered boat.

We're pretty happy right now with the 7.4L.

 

[weather or knot]

I have a 2003 260 DA with the 350 mag MPI. I have only gone top speed twice (price of fuel) and hit about 40 mph. That is with the boat fully loaded (fuel, water, plus gear for the weekend. If I spent more time trimimg it and had less gear it would go over 40 MPH with no problem (GPS speed). the 5.7 has enough power for the 260. :thumbsup:

Anyone else running about 3700 to 4000 rpm for cruising. I find if I drop down to about 3600 RPM (and triming the outdrive to compensate) the boat feels like it is falling off plane. If I use the trim tabs I can keep her up on plan at lower RPMS but the goal here is to have the least amount of drag. Does any one else feel 3700 to 4000 RPM is a bit high for cruising. It seems like a lot of other boats are able to cruise at 3200 to 3500 rpm. My boat has the b3 outdrive with 20 pitch props.

I cruise mostly at 3800 and at times at 4000 rpm. I am trying to find the sweet spot for cruising but like I said these RPM seem high to me. Of course my last boat (sea ray 215 express cruiser) cruised at 3000 rpm, but that was a much lighter boat.

What is your cruising speed (RPM) especially other 2003 260 SD with the 350 mag? :huh: :smt100

 

[rabyers1]

Well I can cruise at about 3200 rpms with my boat which is the same hull configuration as yours. I like to run mostly between 34 and 3,500 - seems to be my sweet spot. I do have the 24 pitch props on my B3. Those were standard on my set-up in 2000 I beleive (5.7 EFI & b3). Of course I do also have bottom paint which increases drag somewhat.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Well I can cruise at about 3200 rpms with my boat which is the same hull configuration as yours. I like to run mostly between 34 and 3,500 - seems to be my sweet spot. I do have the 24 pitch props on my B3. Those were standard on my set-up in 2000 I beleive (5.7 EFI & b3). Of course I do also have bottom paint which increases drag somewhat.

Sounds pretty much dead-on to how my boat will perform.

 

[Nehalennia]

I'm happy with my set up. It's not a speed demon, but it cruises very nicley and I couldn't be happier with the fuel economy. If I had any wish to get different motor, it would just be the 350MAG Horizon. Just that little bit of HP would be nice, but I'm very satisfied with this one.

 

[ultratiger89]

What is your cruising speed (RPM) especially other 2003 260 SD with the 350 mag? :huh: :smt100

3600 - 3800 RPM's, 25 - 28 MPH

 

[weather or knot]

3600 - 3800 RPM's, 25 - 28 MPH

Your 260 sounds a lot like mine then. I can hold it at 3600 but not much lower. Still up on plane but feels to slide across the water easier (better) above 3600.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just for reference, the '99 - '04 hulls are exactly the same. The only major difference is the option of an arch (started in ?2003?)

It's possible the prop pitch can change, but that usually goes hand-in-hand with engine (HP). The last part of the equation is gear ratio.

 

[magster65]

not unless you re-prop it. here's the numbers for the 496, cruise @ 25 - 32 depending on how you drive (I cruise at 3600 - 3800 RPM's) 43 @ WOT

The 496 comes in an H.O. package @ 425 hp... that with 26" pitch should hit 50's.
I know... overkill and expensive but like I said, my imagination isn't on my budget :lol:

 

[Moose]

Don't forget overall weight. My '04 with genset, arch and everything else is heavier than specs list. My 350 Mag is the minimum I would have for this boat. Cost was not a factor, I let the previous owner foot the bill!