1987 270 possibly interested

[PlumCrazy4spd]

Been searching for a little while now, came across a boat that I stumbled upon in the fall as well, price reduced he already purchased a new boat. Comes with a tri axle roller trailer. He's asking $11,250. Boat looks to be in great shape let alone for it's age. The only thing holding me back is the twin 470's, 180hp. At first I thought maybe they'd be under powered, but I've seen videos of it planing with people on board and it does not seem to struggle. One engine has the alternator conversion and the other "charges fine". Here's the description

Brand new:
Lewmar profish 1000 windless
Risers/reservoir
Port outdrive
Bellows and gimbal bearings both sides
Rams both sides
Trim sensors both sides
Alternator conversion kit starboard engine

Boat info:
10’ beam
Twin merCruiser 180 4 cylinder 4 barrels
Alpha 1 outdrives
Interior is like new
Full camper top in great shape
Electric flush fresh water toilet 20 gallon holding tank with pump out
120 gallon fuel tank
40 gallon fresh water tank
Sleeps 6 v-berth aft cabin and pull out couch
Full kitchen w/ microwave
Blue underwater lights
Bottom painted this season
Wood is done with Sitkins wood finished
Most lighting changed to leds
3 fairly new batteries

Trailer:
2002 triaxle with paperwork
All wheels have surge brakes
All bearings were done last spring
Tires should be replaced/ good tread but some dry rot.
That being said, I do like the usability of the wide beam 270's I personally like the lines on older vessels, I wouldn't be opposed a 300 dancer or weekender either. What do you guys think? If this had twin 4.3 i'd be all over it. Thank you in advance.

 

[El Capitan]

You need to google mercruiser 470 issues

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

I did, that is what alarmed me. Wasn't sure if the ability to maybe negotiate to a lower price, the trailer, some of the upgrades and new items on the boat/engines would mitigate the fact that they're less than desirable engines. As I have found there are a select few who run these engines without issue, and wasn't sure if they really were as bad as they seem or if it is one of the instances where a lot of people had some issues that could have been worked out and just didn't bother and scrapped them. Thank you for the reply.

 

[Dave - M]

It looks really nice, although it seems a bit high. Like you, I'd be all over it if there were 4.3s in there. You could move up to the 90-93 270/290 and get 4.3s, although you lose a foot of beam.

There will likely be some comments about the harbor freight generator in the cabin!

 

[El Capitan]

It’s the cost to keep them trouble free. You need to convert the charging system. Also upgrade the heat exchangers to the larger size. There are some other items. If you spend the money to address the common ailments maybe.

Some people will tell you to run from the 470’s.

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

Oh man, the 1990 280 da would be at the top of my list currently. I was really interested in the 270/290 And still would opt for the right one if it came up. The benefit of twins in my opinion probably out weighs the maintenance aspects. Though, looking at the engine bay's of single screw boats is really enticing haha. I do appreciate the replies. I don't mind having to fix things, I get that it's an expensive hobby. It's the lack of parts available for the 470 that makes me nervous.

 

[DWABoat]

Keep looking...just me.
Shouldn’t go into something with so many reservations. Problems with used boats will inevitably come up, but shouldn’t buy it when you know a series of engines were problematic.
Also, I agree with you that the horsepower would be a major issue for me.
I have a 280 with twin 4.3’s. I would not want a boat this size with anything less, that is for sure. They are enough for me, but any less would be too little.

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

Actually gentlemen, I stumbled across an 88 270 today with twin sbc's unfortunately raw water cooled, but the boat looks immaculate in the pics, one of the cleanest engine bays I've seen on a boat. Not sure on the hours, but it comes on a tandem axle trailer as well. Will inquire in the morning. Asking price is 14k. Seems reasonable to me maybe a tad on the expensive side without knowing the hours, thanks again!

 

[Stee6043]

Actually gentlemen, I stumbled across an 88 270 today with twin sbc's unfortunately raw water cooled, but the boat looks immaculate in the pics, one of the cleanest engine bays I've seen on a boat. Not sure on the hours, but it comes on a tandem axle trailer as well. Will inquire in the morning. Asking price is 14k. Seems reasonable to me maybe a tad on the expensive side without knowing the hours, thanks again!View attachment 81790 View attachment 81791 View attachment 81790 View attachment 81791 View attachment 81792

There's nothing wrong with raw water cooling in fresh water. Where are you located?

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

There's nothing wrong with raw water cooling in fresh water. Where are you located?

I'm in Mass, but it would stay in a Rhode Island Bay, will definitely see salt water

 

[El Capitan]

I believe you can add on closed cooling if you love the boat.

 

[DWABoat]

Actually gentlemen, I stumbled across an 88 270 today with twin sbc's unfortunately raw water cooled, but the boat looks immaculate in the pics, one of the cleanest engine bays I've seen on a boat. Not sure on the hours, but it comes on a tandem axle trailer as well. Will inquire in the morning. Asking price is 14k. Seems reasonable to me maybe a tad on the expensive side without knowing the hours, thanks again!View attachment 81790 View attachment 81791 View attachment 81790 View attachment 81791 View attachment 81792

Nice looking boat. You got more pictures?
I have a 1989 220 with a 5.7L carbureted engine. I love that engine. Strong. Easy to work on. No computerized controls. I plan to keep it forever. Just run some Sea Foam in it and keep the oil fresh.
The specs say the 270 is about 7000 lbs depending on options. I would bet the tandem trailer is technically overloaded. Likely 3000 or 3500 lb axles. Even if the axles are 4000 lbs each, you would still be pushing it. Not a show stopper but certainly a bargaining point, in my opinion. Also worth checking for your intended use. At the least, you need to check the trailer load rating, check the date code and load rating on the tires. Since it is likely borderline now, I would put some properly load rated plus up one rating Goodyear Endurance tires, then trailer the boat “light” meaning be conscious of how much stuff you are putting in the boat for the trip versus in the truck. Do you plan to trailer a long way or just rarely?

 

[Stee6043]

I believe you can add on closed cooling if you love the boat.

Yes indeed. A company called "Mr Cool" sells closed cooling conversion kits. Pretty reasonably priced too...

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

Nice looking boat. You got more pictures?
I have a 1989 220 with a 5.7L carbureted engine. I love that engine. Strong. Easy to work on. No computerized controls. I plan to keep it forever. Just run some Sea Foam in it and keep the oil fresh.
The specs say the 270 is about 7000 lbs depending on options. I would bet the tandem trailer is technically overloaded. Likely 3000 or 3500 lb axles. Even if the axles are 4000 lbs each, you would still be pushing it. Not a show stopper but certainly a bargaining point, in my opinion. Also worth checking for your intended use. At the least, you need to check the trailer load rating, check the date code and load rating on the tires. Since it is likely borderline now, I would put some properly load rated plus up one rating Goodyear Endurance tires, then trailer the boat “light” meaning be conscious of how much stuff you are putting in the boat for the trip versus in the truck. Do you plan to trailer a long way or just rarely?

Thank you for the heads up, yeah the ad says it's rated for 14k but I can almost guaranty that trailer is not rated for 14k. It's a little further away than I'd like, about 200 miles. And it happens to be in the middle of Covid central. So I'm not positive how this will pan out as far as them letting me into and out of the state and my own state letting me back in with a NY trailer lol. I would ultimately slip it for the season and probably bring it home to store at my house for the winter and for some maintenance. Then tow it back to the drink in the spring time... I do very much like the fact (can't believe I'm going to say it) that it has small block Chevys dime a dozen and parts everywhere. I can pm our some more pics of you'd like. Thank you

 

[El Capitan]

I didn’t realize 5.7 350 blocks were considered small block.

That rig w twin 350’s is gonna move real nice!

 

[SloBurn]

Much better than the twin 470's. Nice boat at a reasonable price. Trailer may be an issue, but what old boat doesn't have issues. I got my '94 270 for $12.5K 3 years ago, and am now sinking $6K more into it.

 

[DWABoat]

Thank you for the heads up, yeah the ad says it's rated for 14k but I can almost guaranty that trailer is not rated for 14k. It's a little further away than I'd like, about 200 miles. And it happens to be in the middle of Covid central. So I'm not positive how this will pan out as far as them letting me into and out of the state and my own state letting me back in with a NY trailer lol. I would ultimately slip it for the season and probably bring it home to store at my house for the winter and for some maintenance. Then tow it back to the drink in the spring time... I do very much like the fact (can't believe I'm going to say it) that it has small block Chevys dime a dozen and parts everywhere. I can pm our some more pics of you'd like. Thank you

I found a trailer dealer that lists one of their new dual axle trailers as 14,000 GVWR. So, I guess it is possible the trailer does have some really heavy duty axles. That should be easy to verify. My 15,000 GVWR trailer is triple-axle.

Either way, check those tires and learn about the date codes, if you don’t already know.

Does it have Alpha Ones, Inboards, some other drives?

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

I didn’t realize 5.7 350 blocks were considered small block.

That rig w twin 350’s is gonna move real nice!

Years ago my father had a 1980 Vanguard 310 with twin 454 Inboards, and that ran close to 45 knots. at a foot and a half wider and 4 feet of length on this 270, I'd expect to get atleast 40 plus out of it. Hopefully I'll find out!

 

[DWABoat]

Years ago my father had a 1980 Vanguard 310 with twin 454 Inboards, and that ran close to 45 knots. at a foot and a half wider and 4 feet of length on this 270, I'd expect to get atleast 40 plus out of it. Hopefully I'll find out!

Hey slow your roll there Mopar Man! (I assume by your name PlumbCrazy4spd you have a Challenger/Charger 4 speed and you are not particularly a SBC fan).

Sounds like you already decided to buy this boat. Have you inspected, test run, had a survey done yet? Go into it slowly and objectively. On my current boat, I brought a close “boat experienced” friend with me on the sea trial. I told him the biggest favor he could do for me was to find a reason to not buy the boat. He failed me.

 

[PlumCrazy4spd]

I found a trailer dealer that lists one of their new dual axle trailers as 14,000 GVWR. So, I guess it is possible the trailer does have some really heavy duty axles. That should be easy to verify. My 15,000 GVWR trailer is triple-axle.

Either way, check those tires and learn about the date codes, if you don’t already know.

Does it have Alpha Ones, Inboards, some other drives?

It has alpha ones. The value of the trailer would increase if it was indeed a 14k gvw.