2009 270 Sundancer Engine Size ???

Here is a test a found from PowerBoating.com

MerCruiser MX6.2 MPI SeaCore with a Bravo III drive and DTS.

With a third of a tank of fuel on board and two adults, I found a comfortable cruising speed to be 28 mph at 3700 RPM while consuming 13.3 (US) gallons per hour (GPH). Minimum planing speed with full tabs was a snail’s pace 7 mph at 2500 RPM consuming a meager 7 GPH. With no tabs, the reasonably deep-V 19-degree deadrise hull required 3400 RPM to stay on plane producing 25 mph while consuming 11.3 GPH. Wide-Open Throttle (WOT) was found to be 39 mph at 4700 RPM consuming 21.7 GPH.
 
From BoatingLife.com

Test Drive
Test Engine: MerCruiser MX6.2 MPI SeaCore B3 DTS
Test Load: People (425 lb.); Fuel (30 gal.)
Optimum Cruise Speed: 26 mph @ 3,500 rpm, 11.8 gph
Top Speed: 38.5 mph @ 4,700 rpm
Time to Plane: 7.7 sec.
Time to 30 MPH: 8.5 sec.
 
Hopefully you will not make the same mistake that so many SeaRay owners make. 2 foot "itis" can be VERY expensive these days. Do a test drive..... fully loaded!
 
While I can't say I have driven a new 270, but my 270 is almost 30 ft with a 9-2 beam weighing in at 7500 lbs empty. I guess its about 9k with gas and stuff (junk). I have 310 hp but the big block (7.4). If you ask me I would love another 50 horses for those bad weather trips when I am climbing up 5 footers. I just could not see me in a small block (5.7) on this boat. I don't think they even offered one in 1999.

Good luck and keep us posted - but my advice would be to pass.

Mark
 
Costeveco said:
Hello all

Many thanks for all the replies. Lots to think about but I will take everyone's advice into consideration. I'm thinking for our situation I would be satisfied with the performance. We are a small family of 3 (2 adults & 13 yr old) and will be boating in the 100 islands with friends who have their own boats so except for extended trips we will be traveling light.

I've spoken to a fellow who I met here and bought the same boat, same year, same engine and funny enough same dealer and is very satisfied with the boats performance. Make sure those performance number will be satisfactory to you.

Dave I will read your thread about speeds and fuel mileage later tonight.

Other comments are welcomed....

Thank you

Steve
Click to expand...

You are in the drivers seat. I spoke with the sales guy last fall at Sea Ray dealership in 1000 Islands. He said sales were way down. He said in 2009 it rained every weekend, cool summer and economy were the cause. Since the boat has the base engine and its 2009 left over you can rally get a great deal. Good luck. I am sure you will be fine with the boat
 
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Costeveco said:
Here is a test a found from PowerBoating.com

MerCruiser MX6.2 MPI SeaCore with a Bravo III drive and DTS.

With a third of a tank of fuel on board and two adults, I found a comfortable cruising speed to be 28 mph at 3700 RPM while consuming 13.3 (US) gallons per hour (GPH). Minimum planing speed with full tabs was a snail’s pace 7 mph at 2500 RPM consuming a meager 7 GPH. With no tabs, the reasonably deep-V 19-degree deadrise hull required 3400 RPM to stay on plane producing 25 mph while consuming 11.3 GPH. Wide-Open Throttle (WOT) was found to be 39 mph at 4700 RPM consuming 21.7 GPH.
Click to expand...

Planing at 6 knots...

Gotta be a typo for 2500 rpm?
 
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Looking at those 3 tests results are interesting. The 8.1 HO 425 HP has a top end of 42.3. (with only 40 gallons of fuel) The 6.2 320HP has a top end of 39 MPH yet Sea Ray claims the 350 mag at 300HP can go 40 MPH?? Doesn't make sense.
 
Brian

Yes I agree. About the only thing that is clear is the 496 produces the best cruising speed at 3500 RPM and that is 32 MPH. Compare that with the speed of my boat (and likely the 270DA as well) of about 25 mph at 3500 RPM and the 496 gets decent fuel burn numbers as well.

There is no doubt the 496 is the ideal choice but that engine is a very expensive option....."retailing" at $18K for the regular 496 and $23K for the Sea Core version. It is also very doubtful you could recoupe much of that at resale either.

Like I said earlier it's only money.

Dave
 
Top end speed is not going to be the best test to judge a boat's performance by.

First, NO Sea Ray will be a screamer - their hulls are just not designed for that purpose. They're built for how most people will use their boat most of the time - and that's not WOT.

Second, top end can be altered by prop pitch and drive gear ratio. Now, I didn't look at those test results to see if this is actually the case, but changing pitch or gears could very well explain the top end speed difference you're seeing.
 
Dennis

The 496's outdrive is geared differently and also has different pitch props compared to the 350 MAG. And both the 350 MAG and 6.2 are geared the same and have the same pitch props. Undoubtedly the additional torque (and horsepower) of the 496 coupled with different gearing and different pitch props allows it to power the boat along at a lower RPM for general cruising at planing speed.

There is no doubt in my mind that the sweeter setup is the big block if you can afford it. But like I said the 350 MAG is adequate given the huge uptick in price for the big block (at least for me that is).

Since you sell these boats, what do you think of the two different powerplants for the 270DA?

Dave
 
Dave S said:
There is no doubt in my mind that the sweeter setup is the big block if you can afford it. But like I said the 350 MAG is adequate given the huge uptick in price for the big block (at least for me that is).

Since you sell these boats, what do you think of the two different powerplants for the 270DA?

Dave
Click to expand...

Well said and I 100% agree with that. Personally, I think the 350MAG is the best "bang for the buck" engine out there.

I've been hesitating commenting on the engine size recommendation. Sometimes I think people see my signature and just think "of course that's what he'll say - he works for them". When the truth is, first and foremost I'm a boater like all of you.

I have not been out on the 270/280, yet. But, I will make a prediction that it performs as well as, or better, than the '08 260DA. It's a tad heavier, but just a bit wider and a bit flatter at the back end. That's the easy stuff to see - but there is much more to a hull design than just the specs.

Now, here's the part where people might think I'm just spouting off a line... but I truly believe this. Sea Ray spends A LOT of money on Product Development and Engineering... A LOT. With every new hull design they get better and better. They can get the same, or similar, performance out of a new product even though it may be bigger or heavier than the one it replaces... Simply because it is engineered better.

For example, compare your hull to the predecessor. Granted, the '05+ has it's quirks, but what hull doesn't. That's part of "getting to know your boat". But... with the same power, the '05+ comes out of the hole noticeably better.

We (Peters Marine) will order most, if not all, of our 280DA's with the 350MAG. But, certainly if a customer absolutely wants the big boy, we would order it for them that way. As was stated above, bigger can't hurt - except in the wallet. :smt001
 
Well said Dennis. I also know that the number of chines is different as well on the 270/280DA compared to my 260DA. Like you said a lot goes into the development of these hulls.

Dave
 
Hi Guys

Thank you again for all your comments.

Just wanted to add that the pitch of the propeller is going to be 20" and the gear ratio is 2.2.1. Any last thoughts with this info?

Steve
 
Costeveco said:
Hi Guys

Thank you again for all your comments.

Just wanted to add that the pitch of the propeller is going to be 20" and the gear ratio is 2.2.1. Any last thoughts with this info?

Steve
Click to expand...

Steve

That is the very same ratio and pitch that is used on the 05-08 260DA. By contrast, the ratio used on the 496 is 2.00:1 and the prop pitch is 22. The only other choices involve boats that are operated at high altititudes.

Sea Ray determines the best prop pitch for an individual model to best suit overall performance. On the other hand there are times when special circumstances dictate a special prop pitch but you have to know what you are doing when you mess around with that. The pitch can be changed on the existing props by a competent prop shop or you could spring for new ones but they are about $1500 for the two of them.

Dave
 
Costeveco said:
Hello all

Many thanks for ... snip... I've spoken to a fellow who I met here and bought the same boat, same year, same engine and funny enough same dealer and is very satisfied with the boats performance.
... snip...

Steve
Click to expand...

I would be that fellow that Steve mentions and I can say that I'm completely satisfied with the performance. With a full tank of gas, full water tank, supplies, and 800 lbs of "crew & captain" estimated at 9500 lbs, I have no trouble getting up on plane. Also, at the same time I achieved 42 MPH with trim/tabs (no rooster, shallow wake means not pushing water but on top of it :grin:). I gave my boat a good run through as I was getting to know the quirks.

It should be also noted that Steve and myself is on the Rideau canal. There's no substantial wind/waves and you can only open her up in certain places WHEN there's no other traffic (which is almost never). My wife hates wake waves so I always slow down (off plane) when I encounter such wakes then go back to plane after (if practical). It is very quick to go to plane. I can't see any reason why you would need a bigger engine, unless you want to burn more gas or burn a larger hole in your wallet.

Of course, there are activities and/or locations where I can see the need. Ocean going or wakeboarding/tubing towing 2+ adults come to mind. I do neither so 350 is fine by me.

Cheers,
Kaoru
 
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Hi All

I've decided to go for it. Thank you all again for all the info...

Best regards

Steve
 
Enjoy your new boat. If you still have the opportunity, make the sale contingent on your satisfaction with the sea trial.
 
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