2004 sea ray 270 sundeck, vs 2006 sea ray 270 sundeck

O

oneillpete

New Member
Sep 28, 2014
6
Colorado and Florida
Boat Info
2004 270 sundeck.
Lowrance HDS 7
Engines
496 Mag bravo 3
Hello everyone, I am in the process of purchasing a newer boat, I posted this same question on the "hulltruth" forum, but I'm looking for some sea ray specific input.

I have pretty much decided I want a used Sea Ray 270 Sundeck. with a budget of about 40k, I want the big block MAG 496. I live in Colorado, but I will be running the boat in the FL keys for about 2 months a year.

Options are pretty much the same on both boats, however the 06 has Sirius radio, some control switches on the steering wheel and a VHF radio (not sure if it is DCS).

TX boat is 2004, sea ray 270 Sundeck, 102 hrs. 35k
CA boat is 2006, sea ray 270 Sundeck, 46 hrs. 39k

So I am down to two boats, both out of state (Texas and California). Either boat will get a full bow to stern mechanical inspection before the deal is closed. I was able to get my brother in law to look at the TX boat, and while he found no major issues, it looks like a 10 year old boat, with various scratches and stains, the snap in carpet is either moldy, or rotting, its sticking to the deck. The trailer has surface rust, and the hubs are leaking. Overall, it looks like a boat that has not been well cared for, even though it a one owner boat

Best I can tell, the CA boat is clean, fully detailed and looking sharp. but I'm asking for more photos.

My question, Should I pay the extra 4k for the newer, lower hr boat. Are there other features or benefits owning the 06 that are not apparent.

Thanks

Pete
 
Pete,

Welcome to CSR. Hopefully some Sundeck owners will jump in here and offer some advice.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
I would go with the newer boat. 4K is a small percent difference. By the time you redo the hubs on the trailer, replace the carpet, and detail out the scratches, you will be even in price, and still have a 2 years older boat.

I am surprised that you can't find a local boat. The 240/260/270 models are VERY popular here in Oklahoma. I see used ones for sale all the time. I wouldn't get so hung up on the bigger engine. The sun deck is not a go-fast, and the 350 mag has almost the same power, for a lot less money and gas. Most people I know spend most of the time at 300 rpm cruising and pulling water toys. I have a good friend with the 270 big block, he wishes he had my engine.
 
Thanks for your input. I am starting to lean towards the newer boat. However when I asked for more photos it too has some damage. That's the reality of a used boat event with low hours. I have looked within 1000 miles of Colorado and that's it for the boats within my budget. There are quite a few more boats with the smaller engines but I really like the idea of having a closed cooling system for running in salt water and my understanding is only the big block has it.

Can anyone confirm if any of the other engine choices for the sundeck have closed cooling systems?

This forum is great. Please keep your input coming

Pete
 
Pete, the 496 (8.1L) came from Mercruiser with standard closed cooling. With the small blocks, it was up to individual boat manufacturers to offer the closed cooling as an option - whether a regular option or a special order. Most of the time, it was not a regular option with the small sport boats through Sea Ray. However, closed cooling can be added to any engine. Call a local shop and ask them for a 'rough' quote on installing closed cooling on a 350MAG Mercruiser.
 
100 or 46 hour boat should not be full of scratches and be in need of so much work. That being said, I drove a 270 Sundeck with a 8.1 for a Sea Ray demo day. It was a great boat. The carpet sticking to the deck is typical of the original carpet. It can be cleaned with a powerwasher, but once the back is shot, it is shot. You can stuff to the backing to extend the life.
 
skolbe said:
100 or 46 hour boat should not be full of scratches and be in need of so much work.
Click to expand...

Depends on how/where it was used. Sometimes, especially with new owners, the boats tend to get most of their scratches in the beginning. Plus, maybe it was from the non-use of fenders or proper dock protection? Hard to say how it got the scratches without talking with the owner, but I wouldn't write off a boat because of scratches - it's only one 'piece of the puzzle'.
 
I think that is fair Dennis. New boaters tend to scratch boats more often. If they have good mechanical records that is a good sign.
 
skolbe said:
I think that is fair Dennis. New boaters tend to scratch boats more often. If they have good mechanical records that is a good sign.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's just too hard to say whether 'scratches equals poor maintenance'. Especially via a forum. But your thought process is by no means flawed, though, since scratches will tend to make one look a little harder into the history of the boat.
 
Thanks for the link, very nice boat, called the guy last week, it's sold.
I will look into the cost of adding a closed system. Basically it's just a pump and a heat exchanger and some plumbing.

Any thoughts on resale. Will having a Big block, hurt, or help?
 
oneillpete said:
Thanks for the link, very nice boat, called the guy last week, it's sold.
I will look into the cost of adding a closed system. Basically it's just a pump and a heat exchanger and some plumbing.

Any thoughts on resale. Will having a Big block, hurt, or help?
Click to expand...
My opinion is that on that boat it will help the sale. It can satisfy the guys that want a little performance. My boat would get up and go, and had a top end approaching 60mph when lightly loaded and top off.
 
It's a very rare occasion when a bigger engine hurts resale. I don't see it hurting the resale of this model, either.
 
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