270 and/or comparables

[MHorn0817]

We're looking to upsize and trying to figure out all boat options as well as real life experiences. We're looking for a 27ish foot boat that has a cuddy /express cabin, something we could spend the night on or a weekend. Looking for a single motor and be able to be trailered.

A 98-99 Sea Ray 270 special edition basically fits the bill but we wanted to look at and hear all options. We would like to stay 98 or newer. 26 or bigger. Like to be trailerable. Please don't hate us for considering anything other then a Sea Ray.

We're trying to stay around a 20k budget but willing to go a little higher if the right one comes along. Early 2000s 260 seemed to be an option, early 2000s four Winn's 258, early 2000s 270 amberjack, although we don't fish.

Thanks for all the help and information in advance

 

[OllieC]

I’ve been considering upgrading to that size for some time now. It looks like you’re on the right track. If powered by Mercruiser, it’s my understanding that at a minimum you’ll want a 350, although the carb’ed versions have less HP than the MPIs.

In todays market, the $20k budget may be a little low when finding a quality 26’-30’ Sea Ray (DA, AJ, WE), especially with a trailer

 

[b_arrington]

I think anything bigger than 27’ is going to be tougher to trailer. That seems to be the breakpoint where models moved from 8.5’ beam to something larger like 9.5’ or 10’. in many (most?) locations a trailer over 8.5’ width is supposed to have a wide load permit.

Even some 27’ models are over the 8.5’ beam. The ‘98 270SE was 8.5’ beam, where the ‘98 270 DA was 9.5’ or 10’, I don’t recall which. My laws have a ‘98 270 DA that I help maintain and it has the wider beam. I can tell you it made a big difference on the interior volume compared the 8.5’ beam of my 270 AJ.

If you do go with a 98ish 270 DA and you find one with a single engine (dual and single were available) try to get one with a bigger engine.

 

[MHorn0817]

Yeah, we're hoping whatever we find has a big block because we do like to have the power when we need it. If not a big block then atleast at EFI 5.7. We're not looking at twins or anything under 5.7.

We figured 27' would be the most we would want to trailer and launch and retrieve. We know around 20k we will be looking for a bit for what we want and that's okay. We're just trying to weigh all our options so when we find it we can go for it.

We found a 2006 Four Winn's 258 for a decent price and talked to the owner and sounded good. We were going to fly and look at it this weekend but sold before so we keep looking.

We found a 99 270 SE that sounds and looks nice and we spoke the owner in depth and has told us every little thing. Seems it's been very well taken care of. Only "down fall" is no trailer. So o that's an on added expense.

 

[Force Majeure]

I was looking for pretty much the same thing last summer when I bought my 270SE. I already have a 46 foot motor yacht and a 35 foot sailboat, but I wanted something I could trailer. The 270SE fit the bill.

I learned here on the site about the differences between the 1999 270DA and the 270SE. Some important differences you should consider. There's quite a long thread on the issue.

The 270SE is easy to single hand and has sufficient room for a couple for the weekend. With the camper canvas, there is sufficient cockpit room even in the rain.

Overall, my boat was in 'near-perfect' condition with only 250 hours. I'm kind of meticulous about my stuff, so I replaced the water heater which had a slight leak, the head, which had a slight leak, and both the camper canvas and the cockpit carpet, which were in less than perfect condition. I'll probably put in another $5-6K over the purchase price to make it like new.

I bought a new F150 5 liter V8 4WD to pull it. So far, it's worked out quite well. Let me know if there is anything I can help you with.

 

[boatrboy]

FWIW- While I am prejudice, the wider beam on the 270 as Brad says makes a world of difference. I owned mine for 17 years and had a trailer for it. While I did not trailer it much, it was a little bit of a chore to bring it anywhere far. The beam is 9’ 2” and while you wouldn’t think the 6” makes a difference, it does.
I never did anything special to trailer it, even though in some states trailering wider than 8’6” needs permits. This boat is also 29’10” long. The seating is nice and having a dinette without changing the configuration of the v-birth is nice too.
Mine and most had the big block - 7.4 mpi. And bravo 3. This boat was not underpowered

Good luck
Mark
P.s If you want some pictures of the 270 go to the classified where I posted my boat and you can see the layout.

 

[MHorn0817]

Yeah I've read many threads on the SE and DA differences. The DA would be great but I think the SE would fit the bill for us. I'd rather not have any problems trailering so the SE will be good enough. But the extra space on the DA would be awesome. Guess it all depends on the right boat we find.

Boatrboy- I seen your ad and the boat looked great. Was Definitely taken care of. If I would've seen it sooner, I would've reached out to you about it.

 

[MonacoMike]

One big thing not mentioned here, how tall are you? At 6’2” the 260 head room, particularly in the head was an issue. So check that out in person.

The 1997 270 had better options than the SE model in 98-99, as it was marketed as a budget model then. My 97 270 with 300hp carbed with a bravo II ran great if not overloaded, and mine had a generator also.

Most of these models need an aftermarket swimplatform to be more livable. They are found at https://swimplatforms.com/

 

[MHorn0817]

Ah, that is a good call. I am 5'10 and the wife is 5'4 so hopefully a 260 or 270 would have enough room for us.

If we go for a 270 SE, we would look for one with options already included. The one we've found has all the options I could think of (big block, generator, AC/heat, hot water, canvas package).

I just remembered the only thing we're not a fan of is the windshield dow not open to pass through.

 

[MonacoMike]

Ah, that is a good call. I am 5'10 and the wife is 5'4 so hopefully a 260 or 270 would have enough room for us.

If we go for a 270 SE, we would look for one with options already included. The one we've found has all the options I could think of (big block, generator, AC/heat, hot water, canvas package).

I just remembered the only thing we're not a fan of is the windshield dow not open to pass through.

I think you missed my point, for instance the 97 270 has two hatch windows that let in a lot of light to the cabin, the 98/99 SE has one and I have never seen one with two, don’t remember if it was even an option available. But because the 98/99 were a budget boat dealer ordered boats were low option boats are usually what is out there.

The 97 is the better boat, I spent hours of research on this topic in 2009 when I was shopping for one, though now I don’t remember all the details. I also was looking for a very rare boat, a 97 with a generator. Found an excellent model. It served us well until we were ready to upgrade.

As for trailers, these are big boats and need a substantial trailer, those are not cheap. Cheap trailers are just that and not worth it. I like nice stuff so I was planning to sell the old trailer I got with my 270 and get a shiny new pretty one, because I thought I could get one for $6000, then I learned that a solid trailer was $10,000, so I spent $4000 to refurb the old one.

If you plan to trailer you need a real tow vehicle, I would not be comfortable towing a 270 with a 150/1500 truck, no matter what the weight rating they put on it. My 270 and aluminum I beam trailer was near 12,000 pounds loaded to go boating. I used a 2500 suburban and it did well as long as we stayed out of mountains.

 

[MHorn0817]

I see what you're saying about the options. The extra hatch's would be nice for air flow but I wouldn't want/need any more light. When down below, I like to be relaxing. Ill have to do some more research again to see the major differences in the 97 da and 98 SE. We would like EFI which is why we were looking for 98 or newer.

I know exactly what you mean about a trailer. Been pricing them out and hoping to find one with a trailer to help the price pain, lol.

Tow vehicle will not be an issue as well.

I was also turned onto late 90s Doral 270. Seem like a decent boat but never heard of them

 

[mrsrobinson]

My first "big" boat was a 2001 Maxum 2400 SCR cabin cruiser with a 5.0 and Bravo III. Loved the boat, a bit underpowered, decent room for myself and the now ex-wife. I am guessing this compares to a Sea Ray 240 of the same year.

 

[Old Man In The Sea Ray]

I have a 270 Sundeck. I assume the hulls are similar if not identical. I realize were not talking apples to apples here, but we do share some common concerns. The sundeck weighs in at 6000 lb... 9' beam. I pulled the boat down to my home in Florida from Knoxville with a F150. It's a handfull to trailer. The size alone makes it subject to semi truck turbulence. I have the 496 and with that much weight behind the axles it was hard to get enough tongue weight.
Here in Florida, it's near impossible to find mechanics that will touch I/O's. That's another topic, but I can tell you that 496 is bear to work on.
I don't give to much credence to a super low-hour boat. 250 hours on a twenty 20 years old boat converts to 12 hours a year. That may indicate that it was ignored much of its life.
My .02

 

[MHorn0817]

I appreciate all the advice and information. We have settled on a 98 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer Special Edition.