Upgrade to a 260

planesailing

i currently have a 242 which I am thinking of possibly upgrading to a 260 as there is one for sale in my marina and am just wondering what to look out for on them. What are the common problems and what engine and drive combos are the best on them? Any help is greatly appreciated as always!!!

MarkB

260EC? I have one. 

Have a Merc 350 MAG MPI with B3. Performs well with that engine, but the 6.2L would be better. Not complaining though. I can still plane with 10 people on bard, full water and gas. If it had a Genny, then for sure you need the 6.2L MPI.

I can't say the boat has any generic problems. Just have to look for the norm that impacts all boats. Get a good surveyor as there's a lot to look for on the mechanicals, gelcoat/fibreglass, seals, etc. Make sure you see the service records. 

Some options I'm glad I have is the air con, radar arch, upgraded house battery, windless anchor, and electric jabsco head. 

Anyhow it's a great boat in that size range, next step up that is materially different is the 310.

Michael T

Get the 6.2 B lll more torque and probably better gas mileage too. While you're at it look at the 290 but that must have the 8.2 B lll as it's a lot of boat for a single engine.

MarkB

Looks like according to the Rinker specs 300 HP is the max rating for the 260EC, so the 6.2L won't be applicable. 

Michael T

When we were looking at ordering a new 260 Rinker in 2013 Rinker told us they'd put a 6.2 in it if we wanted one but maybe there aren't many used 260s with 6.2s out there for sale?  I thought someone on this forum once said they had a 6.2 in a 260. Was that Mike G. ? Personally I'd look for a 260 that was in good shape with a tired engine or even a decent engine and just rebuild it into a 383. Far cheaper with more torgue and great gas mileage. Tune it to 370-380 H P and it would be strong yet docile.

MarkB

MT, check out the models link above, click on the 260 CAD sketch. It will bring up a summary of the specs. 300HP is listed as the max. I also thought when I bought mine the 6.2L was an option (2011/2012). But they have changed the model since (it's 1 foot shorter, mine is 28'10"), so maybe they've done something to the limit the power??

Stodge

If you go up to the 310 you'd get twins.  

Michael T

@MarkB you certainly could be right. I asked in 2013 and told them it would be a deal breaker without a 6.2 and they said okay - but - that was 2 years ago and a lot can change in 2 years!

@planesailing I would price a used 290 too as the cockpit in that has an awesome layout.

@Stodge, funny you should recommend the 310. We had written-up a deal on a 2013 Rinker 260 when they showed us a 290. We loved the cockpit in the 290 and were in the process or writing-up a deal on a new 290 when a customer brought in a 310 for service. We went to look at it only because it had the Diamamte Frost upholstery up-grade and ended-up purchasing a new 2013 EC 310. I just wish we had seen a new 360 - as we traded-in the 310 on a 2014 EC 360 the next year, we missed it by one model size! Ha Ha! 

Cableguy Greg

The 260 is a great boat. If you can find one with a 6.2, I would jump on it. If you have the extra $$, go for a 280 or 290. If you go for the bigger boat, the 6.2 is the minimum that you would want. The 280/290 has 7 inches of extra beam and the length gives you that extra room that you will want.

bigal6030

Go bigger, 270, 280, you'll be glad you did. The 260 is nice but you will be looking to go bigger if you settle for the 260. 
Trust me I made a similar mistake. Take your time plenty of great boats out there to choose from.

MarkB

I would not go from a 260 to a 270 or 280 - there is not a big enough jump to get anything material (6" of extra beam is nothing). If I had to upgrade my 260 EC, the next logical step is a 310 for me.  It has a nice jump in beam and materially bigger on deck and in the cabin.

Michael T

If you can afford a 310 that would be the way to go. Way more room and twin engines as a bonus. I think there are several models of  300s? a 300, a 310 Fiesta Vee, the 320 Fiesta Vee? the EC 310? I think you have a lot of models and price points to choose from over the years. You can google them and look at models on www.yachtworld.com and see a lot of boats at once. Looking is fun, right? 

[Deleted User]

@planesailing I have fond memories of spending two days in Porthcawl, S. Wales in with my parents, summer of 1971. It rained the whole time and we played a lot of Scrabble. The locals were very friendly. Cheers!

Andy

planesailing

Porthcawl is about 30 mins drive from me and I bet it hasn't changed a bit since you were there! It has just had a new marina built which holds about 150 boats mind! No rinkers there last time I checked though!