Team:

 

I've been on a 30' sailboat for 11 years and now I’m very seriously considering .....purchasing a 262 CR.    (2001 …  Merc 5.7L   306 hours…private sale … a deposit has been given....) I just found this website yesterday and have read a few threads…(Russ’s and Stefan’s..  ) and saw some interesting comments   …..a tendency to list to the starboard…  being slightly top heavy ..   etc etc…  

 

I guess what I’m looking for is some insight from current and/or previous owners that might complete some of the following statements…

1)       I have one, love it….. here is why……______

2)       Make sure you are aware of  _______  it may need more that just the basic routine maintenance….

3)       I have needed to replace my ______ more than once now…

And finally … always the crowd pleaser… 

4)       I wish I knew ______________ about this specific model before I pulled the trigger ….    

 

Of course, anysight along these lines will be appreciated...  I’m paying for a professional survey to be done on this boat within the next 2-3 weeks.  Is there anything specific that I should request the surveyor pay particular attention to? 

 

Thanks very much for your insight; some of this isn’t just for me with the maintenance hat on…  it will also be used to help convince my wife … who just wants to lay out in the sun…  J  ...

 

Very Respectfully,

 

Mark

 

Since my name was mentioned already, you’re probably aware of our situation as well: We bought the 262cr after comparing it to the newer 250cr and 270cr at the dealer’s. For us the choice was simple as the 262cr offered more usable deck space - we have two dogs we want to bring along occasionally and we figured the extra legroom is beneficial. Other than that, we could not find any convincing reasons NOT to go for the 262cr…

 

We don’t have the boat just yet so I am as interested in you’re questions as you are! We bought it in trusting the dealer the 55 hours were genuine and trusting Crownline they have built the boat to last.

 

And BTW: welcome to this site Mark! It’s great to see another 262cr in the fleet!

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Stefan

2008 275CCR 496MAG B3
"Arosa"

Mark, I can't speak directly on the 262CR, but I feel Crownline builds the best boats in the industry and their customer service is second to none.  Welcome to the forum.

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Dennis & Paige Detlefson
"Sun Chaser"
2004 192 BR

Mark,

 I think you've already discovered one of the best assets of owning a Crownline - this forum and the resulting tight-knit family that we all are as Crownie's!  This was a major factor in my purchasing decision.

We own a 2001 242CR.  Same layout as yours, just 2 feet shorter.  And we love it.  Personally, I like our layouts better than the newer 250 and 270.  I don't go much for the sunpad - eats up too much area.  As far as your concerns & questions:

List to starboard - she'll list (a little) at rest if you have a full water tank and empty holding tank.  You won't notice it though.  When on plane, you can (and will) use the trim tabs to straighten out your ride.

Top heavy - its alot of boat sitting on top of the water when you're on plane with a large cross-sectional area.  And that big "sail" is easily affected by wind.  I think that is what people might be experienceing and calling top heavy.  You don't have to worry, she is one solid and stable boat.  We have been out on the Chesapeake Bay in small-craft warnings with winds gusting to 40 mph and 4 to 6 foot waves and have always felt safe.  We definately are not on plane at those times, though.

 Your surveyor should check the condition of the risers and exhaust manifolds.  They are probably due for replacement.

I assume you have the Bravo 3 outdrive.  I have the Volvo Penta Duo prop with a 5.7L and she moves out preey well.  With 6 adults it takes a little longer getting on plane, but no problems.  You have a little more weight so you should test drive with the number of people that you will be taking out most of the time.  My top speed is 40mph (GPS).

We are heading into our 7th season with the boat and have put on over 400 hours total.  Its a very versatile boat - we wakeboard behind it/ cruise and overnite on it/ or just hang out, raft up and cookout (man, is it spring yet - I'm getting the fever now)

The only bad thing I have to say about the boat, is that it is a little bit of a wet ride in rough seas with a good wind.  Ya just gotta know when to duck!

Good luck and hope to see you as a future Crownie.

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Frank
Moon Jelly
2001 242CR

Mark,

Congrats on the switch to a 262cr!

As mentioned the list to Starboard is because holding tank (17 gal) is on the Starboard side as well as the batteries (3 in my case) plus the driver is there and the head too. (The head isn't the issue, it's when someone goes to use it while underway you'll have a shift in loads, but that happens on all boats)

1)  We stepped up from a '99 225ccr - which was crowded even for the wife and I on a weekend sleepover.  The 262CR is roomy and like others have said (if you don't like the sunpad, like me) it's a better layout then the new 250cr & 270cr.  I like that the mid-berth has a curtain and the stairs are just two SS poles with steps on them, this makes the salon feel bigger vs the new boats that have a "wall" with the steps built in which (to me) makes the mid-berth feel like a confined space.   Yes it's top heavy and sensitive to the wind at slow speeds but it doesn't draft that much....it drafts about 4" more than our 225ccr and it's almost twice the weight!  Smooth ride.  Cockpit is well laid out and the salon is a lot more spacious than the new ones.

2)  Be aware of the exhaust vent hose for the head.  Mine had a dip in it so IF you get water in it (from a wave or washing the boat) it'll hold the water with no where to go.  I had my mid-berth panels out so I put a 3" vent elbow in it and and the point of the bend I installed a drain which was attached to a hose that runs into my bilge.  Problem solved.

If your boat has a windlass, watch how much line you have in the locker.  My line would foul all the time.  The anchor locker is not designed correctly - the windlass manufacturer says you need 12" of clearance between the bottom of the windlass and the top of you rode that's in there.  You're lucky if it's 6". So I replaced my 200' rope with a 150' (can't remember what type now) - which lays better in the locker - and haven't had any problems since.

The windshield wiper sweep is set for 110 deg and that's too wide as it'll make the wiper "fall" to the side of the windshield.  I haven't done this yet but I am this off season - you can change the amount of sweep on the wiper motor.  I'm going to set it for 80 or 85 (don't recall which one) and see what happens.

3)  I replace the joker valve on the head twice on the manual head.  No biggy.  I just replaced the manual head with an electric.

4)  Honestly, no complaints.  Would be buy it again if we had the chance?  YES!  Our criteria was we wanted the biggest cruiser that was still towable while maintaining the 8 1/2 feet width for trailering.

My wife runs the boat once in a while - which is nice. 

Another nice add-on that you should add is a grab bar next to the steps to assist in entering and exiting the salon.

 

Mark Luddy:

Team:

 

I've been on a 30' sailboat for 11 years and now I’m very seriously considering .....purchasing a 262 CR.    (2001 …  Merc 5.7L   306 hours…private sale … a deposit has been given....) I just found this website yesterday and have read a few threads…(Russ’s and Stefan’s..  ) and saw some interesting comments   …..a tendency to list to the starboard…  being slightly top heavy ..   etc etc…  

 

I guess what I’m looking for is some insight from current and/or previous owners that might complete some of the following statements…

1)       I have one, love it….. here is why……______

2)       Make sure you are aware of  _______  it may need more that just the basic routine maintenance….

3)       I have needed to replace my ______ more than once now…

And finally … always the crowd pleaser… 

4)       I wish I knew ______________ about this specific model before I pulled the trigger ….    

 

Of course, anysight along these lines will be appreciated...  I’m paying for a professional survey to be done on this boat within the next 2-3 weeks.  Is there anything specific that I should request the surveyor pay particular attention to? 

 

Thanks very much for your insight; some of this isn’t just for me with the maintenance hat on…  it will also be used to help convince my wife … who just wants to lay out in the sun…  J  ...

 

Very Respectfully,

 

Mark

 

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Russ Handy
Oshkosh, WI

TYPE-A
2005 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express
1998 Merc 270 w/a Merc 4hp

Hey Russ,

 

The grab handle is a good idea for entering the cabin.  Where did you put yours?  Any pics?

Bow thruster!  Now you're talkin'.  That's the best way to handle these 242/262CR's in the wind.  Once that nose starts to go, there ain't no stoppin' her.

 

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Frank
Moon Jelly
2001 242CR

Wow…Thank you Russ, Frank Dennis, and Stefan…. these responses was just what I was looking for..    Thanks very much…   and I certainly agree, this forum truly is AWESOME…honestly I’m overwhelmed at the insight and quick participation…    Thanks again…  and I’ll be happy to share my from experiences as well… 

 

The whole process of buying this has been rather emotional draining; so the support certainly helps…  I really didn’t see any “Gotchas” .. I did see some very happy “Crownies”… which was good to hear..  and I saw some GREAT ideas.. .which I’ll be looking into … that hand rail., the anchor locker…. .. the vent house for the head was rather interesting…  my first thought on that was …  had you not mentioned that….. the only way I would have known is when it was too late…   the water might have frozen and busted the house…  and then of course the smell….  So…  again… this forum is a goldmine… thanks for the heads up… 

 

Trying to schedule the compression test and hull inspection has been a little tricky … and he had the exact same comment regarding the risers and exhaust manifolds perhaps needing to be replaced….. but he will check them out….. I’m thinking the engine looks really clean… but I’ll certainly heed his warnings......    

 

So, thanks again….

. .

Stay tuned sports fans; there is more to come….

 

Mark

Hi Frank,

I dont have a photo but I can tell you where I installed it.....it's on the bulkhead that divides the head from the salon.  I think it's about 4-6" away from the door to the head, mounted vertically.  I believe I got the 18" long grab bar from West Marine.

I had the bow thruster installed as part of the purchase (used - new to us).  I was fortunate enough to know the previous owner and was able to drive it BEFORE he traded it in.  I love that thing so much that when we go to the next sized boat, I would love a big single engine and bow thruster again - but that would really limit our boat options.

Frank Winner:

Hey Russ,

 

The grab handle is a good idea for entering the cabin.  Where did you put yours?  Any pics?

Bow thruster!  Now you're talkin'.  That's the best way to handle these 242/262CR's in the wind.  Once that nose starts to go, there ain't no stoppin' her.

 

---

Russ Handy
Oshkosh, WI

TYPE-A
2005 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express
1998 Merc 270 w/a Merc 4hp

Hey Russ,

 Sounds like you have it setup similar to a hand railing for stairs.  That's a good idea.  Did you just screw into the bulkhead with short screws?  How thick is the wood there.  I just don't want to go thru to the fiberglass in the head.  I can't wait for the temps to get above freezing so I can start tinkering around on the boat.  I'm ready for spring!

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Frank
Moon Jelly
2001 242CR

Hi Frank,

I grab rail comes with bolts in it.  Unfortunately it does have to go thru into the head - there's no wood there, it's just vinyl, foam and then the fiberglass enclosure for the head.  I put large fender washers on it (to spread the load) and ny-locks on it.  I cut off the extra bolt so the bolt is flush with the nut.  The shower curtain hides the washers and nuts.

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Russ Handy
Oshkosh, WI

TYPE-A
2005 Cruisers Yachts 300 Express
1998 Merc 270 w/a Merc 4hp

Ouch  I'm going to have to take a closer look on this one.  Although, I don't use the head to shower and took the shower curtain down.  I put a transom shower in for showering and general hosing off.

 Thanks for the info, Russ.

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Frank
Moon Jelly
2001 242CR

Dear Mark:

 

Wouldn't  you mind to tell me how much you pay for it?

 

Thanks

 

Shawn

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Shawn