1998 or 1999 270 Sundancer. Thoughts?

D

dakst54

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Joined
Feb 5, 2007
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25121
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Hello all - thanks so much in advance for your expert advice.

I've messed around on some sail boats for a couple summers, but I'm new to the world of power boating and am in the market for a 26 to 29 foot express cruiser. I've looked at a lot of boats and really like the Sea Ray 270, but only a 1998 to possibly a 2000 would be in my price range. I don't particularly want to go older than that. The 270's in Southern California that I've seen range from 150 hours (on a 1998) to 450 hours (on a year 2000 model). Otherwise, I'm tempted to just get a 2004 Maxum-type boat. And no, I won't even bring up Bayliner - they are certainly tempting, but seem to be a very polarizing topic of discussion.

Again, it would be my first boat and while I've done a lot of research, I know there's no replacement for experience and mechanical saavy. Unfortunately, I have neither of the two (yet).

With that, here are my questions:

A) Would you guys recommend a 1998 or 1999 I/O, especially when it's in a saltwater slip, for a first time boat owner? I have the desire and willingness to properly maintain it, but right now, I don't necessarily have the know-how.

B) How much will a thorough engine survey and sea trial really tell me? Is there a chance that a good mechanic will give it a solid survey, give the a-ok, I buy the boat and follow his maintenance advice, then it experiences serious issues during the first season I use it?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks again!
 
You have a nice boat in mind. I like the 270 in that year range. This is the same size boat and setup that I had before the 310. The I/O will be no problem if you maintain it correctly. It will be the Bravo II or III drive. For the survey, definitely have it done. This is the best money you will spend on the boat. The mechanic will be able to do a compression check, etc., and will give you a good indication of how well the engine has been maintained. And yes, the mechanic can give you the OK and then something goes wrong after. This is just a possibility with any boat you buy. Good luck, it is a great boat. Also, there is nothing wrong with looking at that OTHER brand, especially for a first time boat owner who can get a newer, reliable, boat for less money.
 
We had a 97 270 (8.5ft beam) and to this day is still one of our favorite boats. We had the 7.4/B3, a very nice match for the boat. If you're going single engine, I would not have one without the big block...

so far as salt, I'll let those whom know comment, as we boat fresh.

In regards to a survey, personally I would recommend one, especialy on a used boat, and also a mechanic to check out the engine, (compression check, oil samples, etc) pretty cheap insurance for such a major purchase.
 
My father-in-law bought a 1998 270 Sundancer in October. Nice boat. It has the 7.4 BIII. I helped him deliver it from Mystic Connecticut to Port Jefferson, NY (couple hours) and it was a very nice ride. I certainly appreciated the 1 foot extra beam over my new 270 Amberjack.

An outdrive in salt water really isn't a problem so long as it has been properly maintained. Definately have the survey and do a sea trial. The survey can turn up problems, and the sea trial can help you determine if you like how the boat handles. There is always the risk of a problem that did not come up on the survey. It's the nature of boats and not necessarily the surveyor's fault.

As far as being too much boat for a beginner, I'd say probably not. I would not recommend going any bigger though. The risk is if you buy the boat and then you (or your spouse) decide boating is not for you. Having a boat that size is a pretty big commitment with the maintainance, upkeep, and associated fees. Be sure to go take some seamanship and boat handle classes and/or have a boating friend help you learn.

That's definately a nice boat - good luck!
 
I just found out that the 1998 270 Sundancer is having is getting its outdrive replaced. Its being done by one of the more reputable ship repair shops in San Diego, so I'll be satisfied with the quality of work. I'll obviously look at the boat, get my own subsequent survey, do the sea trial, etc., but I understand the rest of the boat is very clean.

Is purchasing a '98 with a new outdrive almost preferable to having one that could go at any time? What are some things I should watch out for when purchasing a boat with a newly installed outdrive?
 
I would ask why the outdrive is being replaced. Was it damaged? or was there a corrosion problem in the salt with the bravo drive? Either way, if the outdrive was the only problem, you're better off with a brand new one. With a new outdrive, you will be all set for a while. You will want to keep an eye on the impeller within the next couple years and keep a good visual check on the bellows gasket under the outdrive. This is another good reason for the survey.
 
I'm going to take a look at the previous survey when I meet with the broker this weekend, but I believe it was a corrosion problem and the rest of the boat is in good shape.
 
Another question -- on that style of boat, is the Merc 7.4 MPI V-* 310 hp enough power to have six or seven people on board and still plane?

Here's how it tested:

3800 RPM -- 20.1 knots
4000 RPM -- 25.6 knots
4500 RPM -- 28.1 knots

Thanks again!
 
we had no problem on ours I know with 5 adults, again that was the 8ft 6in beam...

7.4's have excellent torque, which is what really makes difference when stepping to plane.
 
Yes, but I haven't seen any in my area (Southern California) that have twins. Should that be a deal breaker for me?
 
Sea Ray also produced some Special Edition 270 Dancers around those years, model 270 SE. They seemed to have more issues than the regular 270 Dancer, which also had the larger beam. I boated out of a Sea Ray dealership in NJ at the time and had first hand experience with the issues, was friendly with entire service staff. Just something to watch for.
 
personally I think you'll be happy with the 7.4/B3 leg... and I do know we looked at a 290 of about that era once with twins, and there was NO room to do anything... but I would do a trial to be sure, I think you'd be surprised...my boat guide shows a 9ft 1" beam, 7500# for 98 thru 01... only engine options were two 190hp, or the 7.4 single.
 
I have ran a few of them and my favorites were with the twins, much easier to maneuver at the dockside.
 
Dak,

I have a 1999 270 Dancer with a 7.4 310 HP and a B 111 out drive, 5.0 Westepeke genset. We bought it new and have put 410 hours on the tach. We keep ours on a trailer in a building when not on the water. We operate mostly in fresh water but we have some 50 hours in salt water. We flush the systems when we come back home from salt water.

We love the boat. 3500 RPM two people GPS 28 MPH about 1.7 MPG. Good ride and handling.

We have not had any real problems with the boat. I am big on preventive maintenance. We completely inspect and service the engine and out drive every year. Change oil and gear grease and filters and fuel filters as well as raw water pump. Batteries every three years. Since you do not know how the boat was maintained I would plan on a $1000 to $2000 annual inspection and maintenance.

Personally from what I have seen and heard repeated by others I would not keep a B 111 out drive in saltwater full time. Or any other out drive for that matter. I would prefer a 310 Dancer or a 330 Dancer with V drives for your application.

Just my opinion.

Vince
 
Greetings dakst5a,
We had a 1999 270SE. Note that in this time frame there were two 270's being sold: the old and new style. Long story short, Sea Ray priced themselves out of the 270 market with the new style (9' 2" beam). So they brought back the 270 (8.5 ft beam) and badged it Special Edition (SE). It was the old 270 hull and a bit stripped down. Dealers ended up loading them back up with options to sell them and they did not last long in the product line-up. Ours was completely loaded with all options sans a genset. The 7.4 MPI with BIII was a great combination. Usually only two of us on board it would outpace most other cruisers out there without much effort. Alas, it is small and the narrower beam could be felt. Pretty quickly we ended up moving to our current boat for weekending elbow room with a 10.6 beam and those extra 2 feet mean a lot.
I would not get a 270 with twin engines. The single big block is enough IMO. The twin engines (and out drives(!)) are twice the cost, twice the headaches.
A member of BE ended up buying our 270SE. He liked it, but the B3 did corrode out and was fixed under warranty. A fellow two slips down had a new body style 270 and his B3 outdrive burnt up while out cruising. He lost half the boating season while Merc/Searay/Dealer all stood in a circle j_ _ _. The dealer came through with a new unit.
Get the survey. If you finance the bank may require it. But it is just a survey. You take your chances either way. You'll probably see obvious problems and some deeper problems no one may see until you are being towed in. If this is your first boat you may get more value from the surveyor explaining how everything works and is put together than uncovering hidden problems.
Good luck and enjoy!
 
Dakst5a,
I currently own a 1997 Sundancer with the 454 big block, bravoIII, it has been a great boat! Easy to handle, maintain,drive, etc. I am currently selling mine, located in sunny Florida, 305 hours, well maintained, all new parts done 2 years ago, manifolds,risers,water pump etc. Not that it needed them, but we pulled the engine when purchased and went through everything and changed what we felt needed changing therefore less down time with the boat.We are moving up to a 34 searay, searay makes a great boat and has a great reputation, its a good starter boat. We have enjoyed ours for the last 4 years. Good luck with your new boat!
Ocean Spray
 
I have a 1999 SeaRay 270 (the newer model, not the SE) Sundancer with the single 7.4, Bravo III. I bought the boat used in 2001, so I have had it over 6 years, in saltwater the whole time. However, I do store it on a lift and I flush the engine every single day after use (no exceptions). I had Marine Max install an engine flush connection in the back hatch and it is very easy to hook up the hose and let it flush as the boat goes up the lift.

I can't say enough good things about this boat. It now has 625 hours on it and seems to get better every year. I have an annual maintenance done on it every summer by MarineMax which costs around $ 1,000. However, they replace all the filters, oil, lube, etc. and check everything out. We are not here full time, but come every other month or so. We have never had an issue with the boat from it sitting idle for a month or two and use it daily when here. I have had to replace the water pumps and the oil pump, but that's about it other than the usual maintenance items.

I keep detailed records on the boat and track every time I fill up, have stuff replaced, etc. It burns 6 - 7 GPH regardless of how fast you go. I used to cruise it at about 25 MPH as I thought that would be the most efficient, but now I cruise at 30 MPH as I didn't see any change in performance, in fact, it seems to run better at 30 MPH.

We pull the kids on water toys behind it (creates a giant wake for them), cruise to restuarants, watch the sunsets or use it just get out on the water. We have "camped" out at various marinas on the West Coast of Florida. Sometimes, we will beach it on a tidal island next to the ski boats. It dwarfts them, but is just as easy to get off sandbar.

I think this is the best boat SeaRay ever made. It has the single engine, which I know some don't like, but I used to have a 330 Sundancer and I'll take the economy of single vs twins, as long as I have the BIII. I don't think you can find a more versatile boat.

There are plenty of them for sale on Yachtworld. Get a survey, buy one and enjoy.
 
I have a 1999 270 Sundancer with a 5.7L Bravo3 for sale in NY. If your interested in seeing pictures call me at 631-786-4472
 
.....there is a BIG difference in the 270 AFTER 1997 as they put in a dinette. The most room is in the 1997 and earlier versions of the 270...if you don't care for the dinette I would look at the size difference in the v birth and aft cabins as well as the head etc of the 1997 versus the 1998...I bought a 1996 270 and have tons of room..more so than a 1998 270
 
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