My 260ss Upgrades
- Thread starter andybellus
- Start date
SplitDecision2?2
New member
Nice job. Way make it yours. Like the fact that most things you've done are removable and not permanent so they won't decrease the value of the boat. You might want to consider using a non clear colored hose for the pump out though, not sure you wanna see everything that's going through the line. LOL! Maybe just a small clear section so you know when it's done like most pump out systems.
andybellus
New member
Thx, been a great boat for us so far....
The clear hose was the only option available at the time I purchased so had to go with it. I typically pump it out 2-3 times and make it a point to never look at the hose directly on the first pump out, only listen to the change in pump noise!!!
One of these days I'll stop being lazy and fine some better hose....
The clear hose was the only option available at the time I purchased so had to go with it. I typically pump it out 2-3 times and make it a point to never look at the hose directly on the first pump out, only listen to the change in pump noise!!!
One of these days I'll stop being lazy and fine some better hose....
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andybellus
New member
Well not to many updates to the boat other than more hrs on the clock, so thought I'd post up a couple pics from this weekends trip over to Catalina. This was our first time overnighting on it and we had a great mooring in Whites landing. Even though it's not a PC she did great with just the two of us.
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andybellus
New member
Sense most of the upgrades are complete I figure I'll post some pics of the fun I'm having with it.....
Headed out to Lake Mohave(Katherine's Landing) to celebrate my 40th with a few friends last weekend and treated the boat to the first fresh water since I've owned it, hahaha.
Had a great time, boat did great, ran the entire lake(53miles up and 53miles back) Friday and it was glass all day long, couldn't have been better.....
Almost forget, when I got to the boat Friday morning, this is what I see in the slip next to me!! 260BR same graphic as mine just red! hahahah small world, I never did get to say hi to the guy we kept missing each other, wonder if he's on here?
Headed out to Lake Mohave(Katherine's Landing) to celebrate my 40th with a few friends last weekend and treated the boat to the first fresh water since I've owned it, hahaha.
Had a great time, boat did great, ran the entire lake(53miles up and 53miles back) Friday and it was glass all day long, couldn't have been better.....
Almost forget, when I got to the boat Friday morning, this is what I see in the slip next to me!! 260BR same graphic as mine just red! hahahah small world, I never did get to say hi to the guy we kept missing each other, wonder if he's on here?
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andybellus
New member
Just got done replying to your other thread with my thoughts on the 350MAG and found your post here
Glad you enjoyed the upgrades and pics here. It's been a great all around boat for us so far and plan to get A LOT more use out of it this year! Hope the one you're looking at works out for you and your wife.
If you have any specific questions on the 260ss or any of the upgrades I've done feel free to ask.
Andy
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andybellus
New member
Been a while since I've updated this tread but figured I let you all know what I've been up to....
- Got the service taken care of for this season and ended up putting 130hrs on it last season, lot of good times had!
- Finally named her "Free Bird" and got some cool reflective stickers made up for the name and a formula logo on the trailer
- Swapped out all lights with LED bulbs
- Added a drive shower
- Added a small amp to the stereo to get me by this season, will need an entire revamp before next season
- Built a nice "boat house" for it, then got to tear it down per the city(no permit, was out of code A LOT apparently lol) so I had a nice custom morning cover made for it
- Had a 3ft bimini top extension made to work with the factory bimini/camper covers that should add some additional shade and usability of the u-shaped lounge when over nighting
That's it for now I'll get some pictures of everything up at some point.
- Got the service taken care of for this season and ended up putting 130hrs on it last season, lot of good times had!
- Finally named her "Free Bird" and got some cool reflective stickers made up for the name and a formula logo on the trailer
- Swapped out all lights with LED bulbs
- Added a drive shower
- Added a small amp to the stereo to get me by this season, will need an entire revamp before next season
- Built a nice "boat house" for it, then got to tear it down per the city(no permit, was out of code A LOT apparently lol) so I had a nice custom morning cover made for it
- Had a 3ft bimini top extension made to work with the factory bimini/camper covers that should add some additional shade and usability of the u-shaped lounge when over nighting
That's it for now I'll get some pictures of everything up at some point.
280sslaker
New member
Faria gauge swap
Love all your upgrades and am doing many of the same things to me 96 280 SS as well. I am changing my gauges to the Farias also and wanted to ask about the constant hot that Farias installation calls for. Did you do that or just let them power up when your ignition is on?
i did use the 4" gauges with Livorsi bezels but needed to fabricate a backing plate that's held in place with the VDO gauge hold downs to use the Faria gauge mounts. I'm going to post some pics of the steps when I get it all wrapped up.
Keep up the good work!
Love all your upgrades and am doing many of the same things to me 96 280 SS as well. I am changing my gauges to the Farias also and wanted to ask about the constant hot that Farias installation calls for. Did you do that or just let them power up when your ignition is on?
i did use the 4" gauges with Livorsi bezels but needed to fabricate a backing plate that's held in place with the VDO gauge hold downs to use the Faria gauge mounts. I'm going to post some pics of the steps when I get it all wrapped up.
Keep up the good work!
andybellus
New member
Yeah I'm slacking in that department lately hopefully will have some up soon, just need to find the time!
Thanks and glad to hear you're applying some of them to your 280ss! As for the constant hot, I honestly can't remember guess I'm getting old lol
Excellent posts! Getting some great ideas for my 02 260ss...
a quick question for you, I'm ordering the platform extender and wanted to put the ladder in the middle, but concerned it will crash into the prop with the drive out in shallow water if we forget to pull the ladder up. Can you tell me if the prop/drive would clear the ladder? Does it come close the way you have it on the starboard side?
thanks and happy boating!
a quick question for you, I'm ordering the platform extender and wanted to put the ladder in the middle, but concerned it will crash into the prop with the drive out in shallow water if we forget to pull the ladder up. Can you tell me if the prop/drive would clear the ladder? Does it come close the way you have it on the starboard side?
thanks and happy boating!
andybellus
New member
I think your right to be concerned about that.... Looking at mine, I think it would just barely clear with the drive all the way down and the ladder down if it were in the middle and for sure it would be a mess if the drive was up and ladder down.
I've had no issue with it off to the side, although it gets interesting when I'm BBQ'ing as they are on the same side.... I've thought about installing another ladder on the other side, but it's not on the top of the todo list....
andybellus
New member
Hey Foxman, Lets see some pics of your 260 SS. I also have a 2002 260 SS.
Agreed Doug, hope you got to enjoy your new 260 last season.... I had a busy year and didnt get nearly enough time on mine unfortonatly.... over 120hrs last season, and maybe 30 this season
No problem, nice 41pc there!! Avalon hu? You in SoCal by chance?
