www.iFourWinns.com

I ordered a new 2007 240 Horizon at the dallas boat show January 2007. I have previously had 4 older sea rays from 18-22', a 36' houseboat, a 24' Maxum with 7.4 Liter, and started out with an 18' Mark Twain, all inboard outdrives. I have been completely satisfied with this boat. Mostly, it is my wife and I going boating, but this summer will have 5 grandkids with us some of the time. We boat at Texoma and have been out in rough water and smooth. The recommended engine in 2007 was the 5.7 dual prop and that is what we got. I would have liked the captain's call exhaust but wasn't willing to pay the extra 2 grand for it. Other than oil changes it has never been back to the dealer. Great boat with plenty of get up and go. Very easy to ski behind for 3 at once. Not too bad gas mileage and it tops out at around 48. The Maxum we had topped out at 65 mph and that was too much for us.
We looked hard at the 260 Horizon, but the dealer at the boat show had a great deal on the 240 so we took it.
I will try to post a picture of it.

I had an '06 260 with the 8.1L and loved that boat. Probably one of the best bowriders in its class. I also towed it with an '04 Expedition with the 5.4. It was rated for 8300lbs I think and handled the boat just fine even when I was loaded up. Going up steep grades for over .5 mile challenged it but that was just cause I hated to hear it rev around 3000rpm's. I'd have no issue towing that boat with a half ton unless you're doing mountains every weekend.

Over the course of 3 summers I towed that boat every weekend and my Expy had 140k miles on it when I sold it and never once was in the shop. Transmission was in perfect order.

The 240 compared to the 260, I can't compare. In my opinion you are essentially getting a little more room for one or 2 more people to sit and some weight. So, if you are going to be in rougher water or have big groups onboard then the 260 may be worth the additional money. As far as size, don't sweat it. Either boat will be comfortable to you with a little experience. When I looked out the bow of my 290 my first thought was, wow, that's a lot of boat. But now, give me a 350 and I'd be happy.

Oh, and FWIW, I moved up to the 260 for a '96 200. It was a very nice jump.

_________________
Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags