Sea Ray 240 Sundancer

[shibbs]

This is my first year with the 5.7 V8, and to be honest, it's not been a bad as I had prepared myself for.
I've been keeping an eye on fuel usage all year, I have worked out recently that as an average over all the trips this year it is using about 18 lph. That is across a whole range of use, I.e, gentle trips up rivers, cruising over to Isle of Wight / Southampton etc.
I haven't got times and distances on me at moment, just remember the average but could post if your interested ( probably turn out I've calculated all wrong though and I've used twice as much. )
Nice boat though, I think it offers a very usable layout.

[shibbs]

Its also worth noting that this one has a 5.0litre over the preferred 5.7

James

Out of interest, why is the 5.7 the preferred? Is it just because of the slight increase in power to assist the larger boats?
I only ask as I thought the 5.0 would be in the hope of lower fuel consumption?

[mlines]

Its as Ian says, the larger engine can produce better all round performance in a larger boat as opposed to a smaller engine that has to work harder.

Of course, these preferences tend to come from more USA sea/lake users where the engine will be used at higher power than a UK river user.

[Ianfs]

Of course, these preferences tend to come from more USA sea/lake users where the engine will be used at higher power than a UK river user.

I agree and fuel prices are a little cheaper in the states. However I think I'm right in saying that when these boats were built, it was a lot cheaper.

I did mention this earlier Dennis but what are you going to do with it for the other 9 months?

[Bigplumbs]

The other 9 months will be on shore at my mothers who has quite a bit of land.

Basically I intend to use it on the broads and other places for part of the year and store it out of the water in the winter. I don't want to pay all year mooring fees

So probably in the water 5- 6 months and out 6 - 7

I am getting ready for my retirement

Dennis

[Ianfs]

Had you considered something like an old Seamaster or similar. Not very good on the sea mind, but would be great on the broads.

Also something like a Sealine S24 with a diesel would work.

[_Ed_]

I've been looking at these as well now. (Yeah crazy since I'm so far into the other 580 project) but I almost feel I would have already grown out of that.. Hmm anyway. I've seen a few of these sell for quite a lot less, one went at the beginning of the summer for 11,500 on the IOW that may however have been a 1997, and I've seen a few others go at similar prices since.
The 5.0 engine and alpha 1 drive is the err budget option I feel and pretty much the opinion is its a bit underpowered. Interestingly 240 seems to get the better owners reports when compared to the 250 or 260 as to sea keeping . Does seem like you get a lot of boat for the money, that's for sure, and I'm seriously looking at expanding my cruising area somewhat in the next year so this one is definitely on the list.

[Gazjen]

The difference in fuel consumption between the 5.0 & 5.7 will be minimal. Having said that a 350 mag mpi (5.7 fuel injected) will be better on fuel than a 5.0 carb for instance. Also bare in mind the weight for the 5.0 and 5.7 is exactly the same. To be honest I can't ever see why they fitted the 5.0l when the 5.7 has more torque and weighs the same.

My biggest tick box now days would be fuel injection even before engine size (within reason) I really like how much smoother and easy to start the injected engines are

Mine has a 1995 350 mag efi/mp and I know it's only 20ft but it's been costing me around £40 for a couple of days cruising on the river with the occasional blast in unrestricted waters I think that's pretty reasonable.

There's a nice looking S24 on eBay at the moment cap have you seen it?

[Ianfs]

There's a nice looking S24 on eBay at the moment cap have you seen it?

Interesting Gaz and y'know at first glance the Sealines look slow and very British in comparison to the Yanks big V8 powered boats. However if one looks closer, its not just the engine, but the layout seems to be more spacious.

S23/24/25's seem to sell very quickly and having looked over a few recently, the general layout seems very spacious in comparison. Consequently, for an upgrade they seem to hold they're prices.

[_Ed_]

Everyone here should know how much I love EFI!! Totally agree Gaz