looking at buying a 260
 

Hello everyone, Im looking at a 260 with 385hp big block I really like the boat but it dosent have external stearing and the big thing no trim tabs, should i saty away from it?

$1500 in parts for an "add on" external steering piston system; about $3500 for a "full to the helm" system.
Trim tabs start at about $500 for the sheet metal to about $2500 for K-plan type.
If the deal is right, adding parts/upgrade can be a fun part of our hobby...

But do you think they are needed

i never ran a 260 but IMO a 280 does not need tabs. The external steering is a good idea.

Just wondering do to the other post about the boat wanting to lean to one side. It really bothers me, if some one is having this problem, I would hate to buy some thing thinking I had a great deal and having to put a bunch of money and time into it just to make it safe feeling to drive.

got them on mine and i would not have the boat without them. I put them on so i know how it did before they were there, they sure help in a cross wind to keep the boat leval

My 320 K/Planes are must.

I run my boat with the tabs at neutral/level most of the time.
This makes the boat run more stable in the rough water.
As far as the lean to port issue, I find that more of a problem at low speed.
Need tabs probably not, but all boats perform better with them.

I agree, a 320 needs them. On my 280 I have never missed them and that includes a bunch of nasty time in Lake Erie, and Lake Huron. Nothing against tabs but it if everything else is sound not having them shouldn't be a deal breaker.

It always depends on water conditions but personally I would never own a boat without trim tabs. They definitely make the boat feel larger in rough conditions and make a big difference in beam seas. You don't need the expensive K-planes for the 260 - the $500 to $1000 will get the job done nicely. External steering is a needed for higher speeds but how often will your conditions permit a 260 to run full speed and how often will you want to? My advice, if you like the boat buy it as is and if you find yourself running hard often then add steering if you feel you need it. As Pat said, upgrading the boats is part of the fun and gives you something to do in the off season. Neither tab or add-on external steering installation is that big of deal to accomplish having done it before.