24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

[jobofly]

Hey guys,

I can't decide which boat to buy. We want a boat that we can't tube and ski with but also sleep on. Is a 26 foot boat too big to ski and run around on the lake with? How much more gas will I use between a 24 and a 26?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

As Bubba said that's not the type of boat for pulling tube/ski with.

You MIGHT be able to get by with a 21' or so cuddy that has some sleeping/bathroom facilities and sleep 2 in the V berth and if it has the fold out seats in the cockpit, sleep a couple more there also.

Mark

 

[Bondo]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

A 24' or 26' cruiser for water skiing is going to burn LOTS and LOTS of fuel regardless. Kind of like using a loaded semi to run to the store for a coke.

Ayuh,.... Great analogy,..

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Don't think many mfr's make 'em like this anymore, but this is the biggest 21' boat you'll ever see! (save for a few similar Bayliners)..

Being 21' it's not huge inside obviously, but would seat 6 in the cockpit and sleep 4 down below. The midcabin was small but great for kids (we slept in it many times to leave the V-berth for friends) Has an alcohol stove, sink, some storage, an icebox and potty room. A bit heavy for a 21'er but makes 'er ride like a 25'er. We skied and tubed and all that behind it just fine with the 5.7 Merc.

Our Sun Runner 252, which was actually only 23-1/2' long, did make for more room but even more weight so tubing and skiing activities suffered (but we didn't do much of that anyway)

==============

 

[dzurinko]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

I had a Sea Ray 260 until about two years ago. It was very common to spend $80 to $100 a day in gas just riding around the bay for a couple hours at 15 kntts , a 5 mile trip through the inlet and then stop at a waterfront restaurant for dinner. I think running higher speeds and cornering would use up more fuel than that. I wouldn't use a 24 or 26 for pulling tubes around unless you own a marine fuel station. Its a lot of boat for that activity.

 

[Begester]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

I have a 1989 Sea Ray 220DA (24 feet long), similar to the one posted by Frantically Relaxing. Relatively speaking, its pretty good on gas when we do 20-50 mile cruises and overnights, I cruise at about 25 mph and burn about 7 gph. We sleep 4 adults and its comfortable but cozy.

When we ski/tube/wakeboard in the lake, its painful to watch my fuel gauge, especially at $4+ per gallon. The semi-truck analogy is spot on. Fuel burn during water sports is one of my only complaints on this boat.

 

[Solittle]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Don't forget you need a truck matched to the size boat you are thinking about. e.g. - A Chevy Blazer ani't gonna cut it.

 

[jobofly]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will mostly be cruising, tubing and swimming from the boat. Maybe some fishing. I just want the option to waterski. I'll never run her wot, cruising fast enough to get on plane not much more. I went with the sea ray weekender 245

 

[agallant80]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Stingray makes the 250cr which is the 25 foot bow rider with a cabin on top. It's meant to be a cove/lake/harbor cruiser that can be a sports boat too. Check that out. I have a 25 foot bayliner which is very similar to the searay and there is no way that I would do water sports with it.

 

[agallant80]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Sorry 260CS

Stingray 250CS - Mid Cabin Cruiser

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

Thanks for the feedback guys. I will mostly be cruising, tubing and swimming from the boat. Maybe some fishing. I just want the option to waterski. I'll never run her wot, cruising fast enough to get on plane not much more. I went with the sea ray weekender 245

I bought my 2550 Chap for mostly cruising and she is superb for that, but do occassonally tow a tube for family and friends. She is a bit big for that. She isn't near as nimble as a 21, but you don't even feel the tube / skier back there, when towing one. Plus it's a ton of fun having a whole gaggle of folks onboard laughing and having a fun watching the victim (tuber) be pummelled while doing water toys. Where a smaller boat would be limited to number on board while doing water sports. Spotter has be on top of his / her game because driver can't feel when the tuber / skier is ejected. LOL. Plus the 454 doesn't even grunt with the extra load, so I think excessive fuel consumption pulling a tube / skier is a minor concern. My real fuel consumption is when up around the (not very often) 40-50 mph range and above, not 20-25 with trim tabs down and with water toys.

I would buy a boat that is suitable for what the majority of the use will be, but able to handle the incidental stuff too. I think my 2550 was the perfect choice, as cruising is about 90% of intended use and toys / fishing is about 10%.

Did I buy her for towing.... No
Can I tow with her........... Absolutely Yes

 

[Slip Away]

Re: 24 ft vs 26 ft sea ray cruiser

I'll never run her wot,

That would be a mistake. you need to run at WOT every once in a while, to verify you are at the correct RPM, and have the correct prop.
These WOT runs can be short in duration.