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

The 260 model is a lot higher satisfaction boat in their line-up than the 240. More money, but higher level of happier owners.

That's good to know. Where did you find that information?

Read this , IF you are truly interested.

The 260 is discontinued for 2009.

I can not say. Sorry.

Why not?

The 260 is a vastly different boat. It feels much bigger, and probably weighs a lot more. We toured a 2005 240 and a 2006 260 side by side and liked the 260 much more. It's a lot more money though.

Either boat will be a bit tough on a novice compared to a typical starter boat, but I doubt there will be much difference between the two.

I think the 5.7 would be a little small for the 260, but I like big engines.

If he told you, he'd have to kill you. Homeland Security rules being what they are these days...



The 240DA is more popular than the 260DA due to its initial price.

However, the 240DA is also sold or traded in in a much shorter time frame, since folks quickly get the "two foot-itis" due to its small cabin.

The 260 is a slightly roomier boat. More "elbow" room. And S/R knows that. They get folks into their "cruiser" line with the 240, and then hope that they upgrade soon after.

The "revised" 260 of late was not well liked in the market, as evidenced by its drop from the line, and your search for a previous year model. You're not the only one that feels that way.

The new model that will/should replace it has already been seen on the water. If everything checks out, it should be announced to the public soon.

The 260da is much better boat and is more suited for light off shore cruising. The 240da does not come with gen-set and ac and cabin is very tight. The extra two feet allow for more than just one couple. I tried both and settled on the 260 and have over 350hrs on it and love it, as far as it being discontinued, its because searay listens to the surveys and they see the need for the wider beam so the compromise is to discontinue the 260 and reinvent the 270 with the wider beam. Still trailerable with yearly permit and more sitting room up top for quest. They understand most people can't afford the 320 or 340 which are great for entertaining. Even with the current 260da gets crowded if I have a couple sitting up front and I need to get up fast and move to the rear when docking. It seems 8'5" beam is narrow enough to get a few toe's For trailering and Comfort I really like the redesigned 290da and that would be my 2 foot-it-is choice if I could swing it. In our area there are some many choices to boat that trailering is very convenient.

I will kind of stay away from the Sundancer discussion but chime on on the 240 vs 260/80/90 etc discussion. While you can say any of us would like to have a bigger nicer boat (goes without saying) I love my 240 because I can tow it with a somewhat smaller (F150) vehicle and it fits in smaller less expensive slips. In general it is more nimble and quicker. Neither my wife nor I are huge people and consider our 240 to have adequate room and we do have AC (powered by Honda).

Now, a couple of years ago I compared the Chap 240 to the Sundancer 240 and, other than the molded in steps on the cabin door on the Sundancer, liked them about the same. Then I looked at the 260 and decided it was not worth the money to move up to a boat with the same size beam and 2 feet longer. It WOULD be worth it to move up to a wider beam boat and 2 feet longer because you gain a lot of space in the cockpit and cabin but then there is the overwide towing permits and additional weitght to factor in.

In respect to the way some larger boats play with the storage in the cockpit and stern area, i.e. take away storage from under the helm seat and provide it to the cabin, or take away storage from the stern and provide it to the cockpit I actually preferred the 240 to the 290 I looked at. There is really a lot to consider.

The 270 DA(260's replacement)was mentioned here back in May. New SR

It has been seen by the general public, and can currently be ordered. Priced around 160K depending on options.
A couple more pics.

Does it come in red not a big fan of orange.

Nice boat also

Now, a couple of years ago I compared the Chap 240 to the Sundancer 240 and, other than the molded in steps on the cabin door on the Sundancer,

Another good point we were sold on the searay due to the research online but after buying I went to a show and looked at 07 chaps and it seems the were ahead of searay in looking at ways to open up the space down below more. Much easier to access the mid berth on chap's. With only subtle difference's between these names I believe both are great boats. (As my wife say's "fit and finish") The only selling point for me is that marinemax and searay put allot of after sale care into you and boating and with get-together's and they understand that I am not bringing it to them each time something fails and help out allot over the phone, have helped me learn allot along with this site and clubsearay.com

2004 240DA

If you are willing to travel to get the boat you want that is......

The source would perhaps get in trouble.