Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

[jattea]

Hi all.

I've been searching for a used 24'-25' cruiser for a while, and started by looking at sea rays, rinkers, chapparals, bayliners, maxums, and four winns.

After much much searching, I think the 2000-2005 Sea Ray 240Sundancer is the best for me. I like the layout, the quality, etc.

The problem is, I can't find many 240da's with the specs I want: either the 5.7l or 6.2l engine, and a vacuflush head. I also don't want anything after 2006 because I don't like the new design.

I'm kind of a novice, so I though the 24' would be right for me.

My question is: Should I include the 260 in my searches? If I'm a relative novice, is that too much boat? Is there much of a difference? What do you get for the extra two feet? Is the 5.7L enough of an engine for the 260?

Thanks everyone...

Jonathan
Buffalo

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

2 foot isn't much difference when you're talking about 24' or 26'. (I don't think) I'd include the 260 and improve your search results.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

IMHO, 24 is a bit big for a novice, i don't think going up to a 26 makes much of a difference when you are starting at 24. I say this because I was surprised at the difference from an 18' bowrider to my 22 (24 with the ex platform). I could be wrong (as i am still novice) but it seems to me that once over 20' you seem to be into a different boat. Its like pulling into a parking lot with a regular sized car and pulling into the same one with an extended cab full size pick up.

Like i said.. imho

 

[tommays]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

If your going to trailer the 26 is a LOT more boat at over 2000# more weight and that is also a lot more fuel burn to push that extra boat if you dont need it

 

[jattea]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

If your going to trailer the 26 is a LOT more boat at over 2000# more weight

I think it's only 700 pounds more than the 240..

 

[tommays]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

Dry Weight : 5,593 lbs / 2,537 kg


Dry Weight : 7,900 lbs / 3,580 kg


2300# more in fact


I am more of a Sailboat GUY but the cost to keep a 26' J80 is profoundly more than my current 24' J24 and it just tends to work out that way with all boats

 

[torcano]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

The 260 has the same beam as the 240 so that the boats are very similar in design and layout. The 260 will cost more than a comprable 240 but is worth it if you get the options you are looking for. I sold my 240 after owing it for only four months because it was not enough boat for my needs. I was very lucky to sell it quickly in today's market. It only takes a litle time and practice before you will be comfortable handling the boat. I would extend your search to include the 260. Most people tend to move up to larger boats, not smaller. If you buy a boat with the portapotty and plan to spend some time sleeping on the boat, I think you may regret it. I moved up from the 240DA with a 8'6" beam to a 290 Chaparral with a 10' beam. I have the vacuflush head which is like a real toilet. In my opinion, there is a huge difference. If you plan to anchor a lot, I would give serious consideration to an electric windlass. My 240DA did not have one. Pulling up the anchor by hand is not always fun, especially where there is a muddy bottom.
Good luck

 

[QC]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

jattea,

We all want to help as much as possible, so help us understand a few things first. I have helped a lot of novice boaters, so I think I have a decent feel for this. Tell us about any previous boat experience. Also, what kind of cruise speeds are you looking for? That will help with the powerplant questions. Also, are you going to keep her in a slip or on a trailer? What's your tow vehicle? How far will you be going on the trailer? Where? Where will you boat? I know it's a lot, but this will help us to help you with your decision making process.

 

[jattea]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

Dry Weight : 5,593 lbs / 2,537 kg

Dry Weight : 7,900 lbs / 3,580 kg

2300# more in fact

Ah I see, you're looking at the new Sundancers. The 260 put on a LOT of weight with the new redesign. In 2002-2004, the years I'm looking, the dry weights are 5,500 and 6,200.

 

[jattea]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

Tell us about any previous boat experience.

My experience consists of being a passenger on, and sometime guest piloting, family and freinds' boats. I've docked a few times, assisted with going through the Welland Canal (8 big locks), etc. So pretty novice. I'm reading Chapmans now and will take the Coast Guard Auxilliary course as soon as possible.

Also, what kind of cruise speeds are you looking for? That will help with the powerplant questions.

The cruising speeds for the three engines (5.0, 5.7, and 6.2) are only a couple of mph apart. On a separate thread here and on other boards, many people advised to opt for the larger engines on the 240 and 260. But to answer your question, I'd like to cruise at +/- 30mph and top out at 40-45.

Also, are you going to keep her in a slip or on a trailer? What's your tow vehicle? How far will you be going on the trailer? Where? Where will you boat?

I'll have it slipped at the Erie Basin Marina in Buffalo, and will be boating in Lake Erie and the Niagara River. I drive a Land Rover LR3, which I think can trailer the 240 but not the 260. It doesn't matter though, as I probably won't ever trailer it anywhere. For a few weeks out of the year I might take it up to Lake Ontario. I could either pay a Marina a little money to transport it via truck, or take it through the massive locks at the Welland Canal, which could take 8-12 hours...

 

[QC]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

Sorry, missed this response . . .

My experience consists of being a passenger on, and sometime guest piloting, family and freinds' boats. I've docked a few times, assisted with going through the Welland Canal (8 big locks), etc. So pretty novice. I'm reading Chapmans now and will take the Coast Guard Auxilliary course as soon as possible.

It sounds like you have your head screwed on straight and that you have watched. I am a monkey see monkey do or don't kinda guy depending on whether I see good stuff or bad stuff. It sounds like you pay attention and take it seriously, and I am guessing your time as a passenger and deck hand would've given you some respect for wind and speed and currents and closing distances and even rules of the road. Combined with the research and training you're doing you may be able to pull off a pocket cruiser as your first boat.

I'd like to cruise at +/- 30mph and top out at 40-45.

I think the 5.0 will struggle to break 40 in the 24. I'll look for some data from Magster who has this exact setup. The 5.0 MPI with a Bravo 3 is fantastic, but horsepower is still horsepower . . .

I drive a Land Rover LR3, which I think can trailer the 240 but not the 260.

I personally think the LR3 will do no more than launch either of these. But it sounds like you have options, so I would not let towing affect your decision.

Good luck and keep us posted. I'll see what I can find from Mags. He loves his 24 . . .

 

[jattea]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

thanks for the encouraging words, QC. I love the water and I love boating, but the terminology and technique are intimidating.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

Sounds like you've decided on the sea ray, but after going through the same process a while back I thought I'd give input as to why I went with a Chaparral. 1) The Chaparral had a double bench at the helm. I crusie a lot at night in the summer and I like being able to sit with my wife next to me. The sea ray sales rep thought this was a funny request until I pointed out that in all the sea ray brochures, the female was STANDING next the captain while he was sitting at the helm, cruising. 2) At least in my area, the Chaparrals were equiped with a vacu-flush head, MUCH nicer for the ladies and very easy to deal with. 3) The Chaparrals generally were equiped with larger engines (stock) and Bravo III outdrives. I have owned both sea rays and chapparals and IMHO think you get a little more boat with the Chapparal.
Regardless, if you have the choice, make sure and get the Vacuflush head and more importantly Bravo III outdrive. The Bravo III has counter rotating props and handles a lot better in reverse (makes docking easier).

 

[QC]

Re: Sea Ray 240 Sundancer vs, 260 Sundancer

I love the water and I love boating, but the terminology and technique are intimidating.

This means that you are thinking about it deeply and that anything that is not 100% clear remains an open item. This is why I think you'll be fine. Single screw cruisers may be one of the toughest animals there are around a dock. Be patient, obsess like it sounds you are, if it is confusing to you, then you are either missing something or it is a good serious question. Keep up the questions and we will defintiely help.

BTW, I have tried to talk a couple of guys out of buying big boats when I thought I should. Both guys have helped the local boat repar businesses a lot trailer stuff too . . . and I have spent a lot of time bailing them out of trouble . . . I really don't mind, but they needed way more experience before they got into 25 footers. They were not as inquisitive as you, and they did not spend time stressing about scenarios etc. Keep up the stressing, it's valid . . . Absolutely everything is more difficult with a bigger boat except big water.