New to me 260 SS


P

PJ

Member
Recently purchased a 2000 260 SS Moving up from a 21' Crownline cuddy. Figured I would find others here with a 260 SS that could offer advice/ things to look out for on this model. Has the 502 w/ B3 drive.

Hope my 1/2T Suburban 5.3L / 3.73 axle is up to pulling this thing. The published tow rating is 7,100# and the hitch says 6000#/600# toung wt. I have a feeling I'm on the bubble if not just out side. Boat is supposedly 5,400 dry. w/trailr, gas, water and stuff it's probably close to 8000# rig.

Can't wait for spring!
 
Congrats on new boat to you. :)

Join the club, we are all waiting for Spring now. Well, at least the hard core boaters since the southerners don't really fall in that club.
 
Hi PJ, I have a 260ss also and love it! Mine is a 2006 and everything has been pretty good on it. It handles like a much bigger boat and cuts through the rough stuff really well. The 260ss is a heavy boat when compared to other boats this size. How often will you be towing it with your set up? I ask because I struggled towing mine with a 2000 Silverado once a season. It pulled fine on flat roads but hills were tough. Also give yourself plenty of room to stop cause your going to need it! I now tow mine with a GMC 2500HD.

Make sure you check your anodes on the B3. Merc had a lot of issues with corrosion on those drives during that time. If your in fresh water use Magnesium anodes, and add one to the prop shaft if it hasn't been done already.
 
We owned an '04 260 SS for three years. Really liked the boat (moved down from a 31 PC).
It really has a "big boat" feel in rough chop, very solid. I'm sure you'll be hally with it.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I did notice two "eaten away" spots on the lower unit. Very small about size of a pencil eraser. One was on the skeg tip which isn't too worrisome but I'll still keep an eye on it. I will probably just touch up with an artists brush and some black enamel. The anodes look new so it's possible the previous owner just changed them.

Towed it 325 miles from Detroit to Chicago with the Suburban and it pulled better than I expected. Probably ate 1/4 of the trannys life and as mentioned, the stopping is pretty scary even with discs brakes on both trailer axles. I kept it at 60 mph max.

So is there any way to open the engine hatch all the way??? I tried removing the actuator pin but it appears the arced metal hinge brackets only allow it to pivot up so far before they hit fiberglass deck sole. From above, it looks as if you have tons of space to work all around the engine and batteries and compared to most boats I've seen it's a dream. Problem is, it's just big enough for me to climb down in backwards and get stuck!! It would be nice if the hatch opened all the way.

Also IMO, The transom eye brackets are mounted too far in towards the centerline. With the factory mounted Bennet tabs I was unable to get a straight line shot with the transom straps to the trailer hooks. It's not the trailers design fault either. The hooks are all the way outboard. Anyone else have this problem and figure out a work around? I either need to mount another set of eye brackets farther out or cut some oblong slots in the tabs to allow the straps to pass through straight line :eek: Strength on the tab won't be an issue but I may get a funky rooster tail spray ;D
 
I have noticed the same problem with the transom straps and trim tabs. I only tow my 260ss once a season so I just strap them as good as I can. As for the anodes looking new that could be because the wrong anodes are being used. Most new boats come from the factory set up for salt water use. If you are in fresh water make sure you use magnesium and there is an aftermarket kit that allows you to put one on the end of the prop shaft. All new Mercs have the prop shaft anode now.

I agree it would be nice if the engine hatch opened a little more, but I haven't had any issues with access to anything. I can even get at the engine coupler grease fittings without a problem.
 
Well - 4 years later still towing the 260 (loving this boat more all the time) but since upgraded to a 2500 Suburban with the 8.1L / 4L85E /4.10 gears. Night and day difference and much less stressful towing compared to the 1500. Transom straps are still in the same goofy arrangement, still not liking it but have moved on with life.
 
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