Onboard Systems
Beyond the engine and drive, the 260 has a handful of systems that every owner ends up learning: the marine head, the galley stove, the helm controls, and the DC/AC electrical setup. Here's an overview of each, with links to the relevant manuals.
VacuFlush Head
SeaLand / Dometic vacuum-flush marine toilet.
The VacuFlush uses a vacuum pump to pull waste to the holding tank, so it needs very little water per flush — good for tank capacity, but it depends on the vacuum system holding a seal. The most common complaints are a pump that cycles too often (a leak somewhere in the vacuum side) or a flush ball that won't seal.
- Loss of vacuum / pump keeps running: usually the flush-ball seal or duckbill valves. The troubleshooting guide walks through isolating it.
- Odor: often the discharge hose or a dry tank vent, not the toilet itself.
- Keep the bowl seal wet — the water in the bowl is part of the vacuum seal.
Galley Stove
Kenyon "Kiss" electric galley stove.
The galley runs a Kenyon electric stove (the "Kiss" cooktop). It's a shore-power / generator appliance, so plan cooking around your power source. The manual covers element operation and cleaning.
Engine Controls
MerCruiser Commander throttle & shift.
The helm uses a MerCruiser Commander single-lever control for throttle and shift, plus trim. If shifting gets notchy or the throttle feels sticky, the cause is usually cable drag or the control needing lubrication rather than the control itself.
Electrical
12V DC house & start, plus 120V AC shore power.
The 260 has a 12-volt DC system for starting and house loads (lights, pumps, electronics) and a 120-volt AC shore-power system for the battery charger, outlets, and the galley stove. Know where your battery switch, main breakers, and shore-power inlet are, and keep the batteries and terminals clean and charged.
- Battery switch: locate it before you need it; leave it off when the boat is stored.
- Shore power: inspect the inlet and cord for heat/corrosion — a hot connection is a fire risk.
- Bilge pump & float switch: test regularly; it's cheap insurance.
Wiring diagrams for your specific hull are in the owner's manual and the parts manual.