Official 270 Amberjack thread (2005+)

Richard N

New Member
Sep 29, 2017
25
Southern California
Boat Info
270 Amberjack 2007
Achilles LT2 dinghy
Engines
6.2 Mercruiser w/ Bravo III Drive
Because I just acquired a 2007 AJ, couldn't find a main 270AJ thread, and I bet others can benefit from a dedicated thread for such a unique vessel. Cheers!
 
Last edited:
Thanks Rich,
I have an 05 270 for about 9 years now. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
 
Toilet seat hinges cracked. Found no cost effective alternative for the 14"x 14" seat and cover. Bit the bullet and purchased part #385344437 bone seat and cover from Aquastar distributors. $80 with shipping; problem solved.
 
Aft fold down seat bench was cracking in the very middle so a repair/upgrade was in order. Pulled the seat and had an upholstery shop reinforce the front support bar. Turns out it was a heavy duty resin plastic cross support that was indeed compromised. The repair required grinding down the plastic support to accomodate a piece of 1/8 inch angle iron that was screwed into the support. After confirming a flush fit, upholstery was reattached and bench reinstalled. Good as new, or maybe even better!
 
Aft fold down seat bench was cracking in the very middle so a repair/upgrade was in order. Pulled the seat and had an upholstery shop reinforce the front support bar. Turns out it was a heavy duty resin plastic cross support that was indeed compromised. The repair required grinding down the plastic support to accomodate a piece of 1/8 inch angle iron that was screwed into the support. After confirming a flush fit, upholstery was reattached and bench reinstalled. Good as new, or maybe even better!

I had the same issue. The internal structure is made from Starboard. The front edge is made from a couple pieces layered up. Mine was too far gone for a simple reinforcement. I needed an whole new structure.

To fix mine I took off the skin of the bench, which was in fine shape. I used the frame as a template to make a new frame from marine plywood. I drilled a bunch of holes for airflow in the cushion (matched the original), flowed epoxy over the works to waterproof it, then reattached the skin with monel staples.

Bench before disassembly.
IMG_0609.JPG IMG_0607.JPG

Original internal structure of the bench. The front edge and most of the flat seat was cracked through. It was assembled with staples.
IMG_0662.JPG IMG_0664.JPG IMG_0663.JPG

Replacement structure. Made from 1/2 inch marine plywood. These show the epoxy application in progress. I reused the T-nuts from the original structure, so the hinge could be reattached. They were installed before the epoxy layer. I used drinking straws inserted in the nuts to keep them from filling with epoxy.

IMG_0638.JPG IMG_0639.JPG

Top side of the final structure, before reinstalling the old upholstery.

IMG_0661.JPG

Underside of the final structure. I used 2 layers of 1/2 plywood for the main structure. But - this was 100% thicker than the original starboard structure and would have thrown off the dimensions for both the hinge and the support legs. I had to cut out where the hinge attaches, and also make recesses for the legs. All of the wood parts were attached with waterproof wood glue and stainless screws. The back corners / edges were also sanded at an angle for clearance purposes.
IMG_0660.JPG

The finished product installed. Fits great. Other than being super solid, you'd never know there was a repair.
IMG_2088A.jpg
 
Nice job. Can You suggest a fix that is not so elaborate? I don't have the tools nor knowledge on the repair you did. Thx
 
For those with the live baitwell, can you confirm the gallons capacity?
 
Nice job. Can You suggest a fix that is not so elaborate? I don't have the tools nor knowledge on the repair you did. Thx
I guess it depends on how badly the structure is cracked. Mine was cracked pretty much all the way across.

If you don't want to any disassembly and the crack is not too bad you might be able to screw a piece of plywood bracing into the bottom center, through the mesh underside. Have it extend 12 inches on either side of the centerline, and try to get it as close to the front edge as possible. You'd need a decently thick plywood - 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Thinner is going to have too much flex.

My concern would be 2 parts:
  1. Will the plastic composite structure hold the screws? The might tear out with the load. You would need a good number of screws to make a stiff repair.
  2. Will the screws project through the cushion? You would need to ensure the screws are just long enough to secure the brace, but not so long that they go too far into the foam cushion. You don't want to sit on the bench and feel the screws in your rear, or have them poke through the upholstery.
I think my repair wasn't complicated. Using the OEM structure as a template made things easy. The expoxy coating was probably overkill. IIRC correctly, the tools I used were:
  • jigsaw
  • cordless drill (for drilling and installing screws)
  • Drill bits - twist and spade bits
  • flat head screw driver and pliers (for removing staples)
  • hammer
  • sander
  • Clamps (optional)
  • a heavy duty staple gun.
For supplies I needed
  • plywood
  • stainless pan-head screws
  • water resistant glue (for attaching the plywood layers)
  • West system epoxy. As I mentioned, you could skip this but I kind of wanted to try playing with epoxy.
I have a garage full of tools I've acquired, but this project could be done with even minimal tools.
 
Picture of our 2007 270 Amberjack
 

Attachments

  • 20171001_112455.jpg
    20171001_112455.jpg
    156.1 KB · Views: 331
Enjoying the deck space and the fishing aspects of the boat.
 

Attachments

  • 6259881_20170605175121510_1_LARGE.jpg
    6259881_20170605175121510_1_LARGE.jpg
    27.6 KB · Views: 337
Because I just acquired a 2007 AJ, couldn't find a main 270AJ thread, and I bet others can benefit from a dedicated thread for such a unique vessel. Cheers!

Glad you did, wondered how many AJ owners were on here. I am looking at mine in the driveway as we try to stay warm on this -5 degree morning here in MA. Thinking about warm summer days fishing Vineyard Sound helps a bit!

My '05 hit 1,000 hours and now needs the fuel pump, hatch door glide repair, blue gelcoat and the front vinyl windows. Boats are great when new.....
 
2007 Mercruiser Model 6.2 MPI
As I got ready this weekend to hit the water. I noticed Coolant level was a bit on the low side. Will need to keep an eye on it.
 
'05 hit 1,000 hours and now needs the fuel pump, hatch door glide repair, blue gelcoat and the front vinyl windows. Boats are great when new.....
What seems to be the issue with the hatch door glide (assuming you are talking about the cabin door track?). My door needs a firm tug whenever we open and close. Should be smoother.
 
On another fun note. I am looking to replace the Sitex navigation and Fish Finder system vintage 2007. I am considering the Raymarine es series with chirp function. Does anyone have any positive experience with this or other system that fits nicely into the stock Dash?
 
On another fun note. I am looking to replace the Sitex navigation and Fish Finder system vintage 2007. I am considering the Raymarine es series with chirp function. Does anyone have any positive experience with this or other system that fits nicely into the stock Dash?

It's older, but I installed a Garmin 4208 a while back (2007). I think some of the newer Garmin models - especially touch screen models - have thinner bezels that might allow for an upsize.

Here are some images of my system just after install. IICR, I had to slightly notch out the fiberglass in the sides of the opening, but the original blanking plate would still cover it. I did also cut the blanking plate.

BOAT_20070622_0020.JPG BOAT_20070622_0021_1.JPG BOAT_20070622_0022.JPG

I have a sounding module, which I mounted under the helm in the storage space along with all the wiring.

BOAT_20070622_0023.JPG BOAT_20070622_0024.JPG

I don't know about others, but Garmin posts mounting templates on their website for each of their GPS plotters. You could print them out and see what fits. Note: Be sure not to scale down when printing. Acrobat Reader almost ALWAYS trys to slightly scale down prints to 94%; be sure it's set to 100%.
 
On another fun note. I am looking to replace the Sitex navigation and Fish Finder system vintage 2007. I am considering the Raymarine es series with chirp function. Does anyone have any positive experience with this or other system that fits nicely into the stock Dash?
Subscribed....I'm thinking of upgrading my electronics as well. I have the Raymarine GPS/Radar/FF that came as part of the fishing package in 2006, along with the Raymarine Auto Pilot..I too want something that 'fits' in the current dash cut out with if possible. The prices have really come down on some of the combo units out there!
 
Im thinking about replacing this hack monitor and Sitex unit 20180106_161953.jpg

With a Raymarine flush mount
Screenshot_20180214-211218.jpg
 
Purchased a comprehensive electronics package that is awaiting install. Nav unit will require custom fiberglass work to dash area for nice flush install.
Items will include
Raymarine
  • es98 nav unit
  • rd418hd radar
  • Cpt 120 bronze transducer
Oceanled Sport S3116s midnight blue underwater lights

IcomM400bb Vhf radio
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,862
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top