8' 6" Beam owners please respond- I need some advice

Mojo Risin

New Member
Jun 22, 2010
20
Georgian Bay
Boat Info
1998 330 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 7.4L (454). V drive
I am in the process of purchasing a bigger boat. I have my eyes on a 1999 270 Sundancer SE. The SE has the smaller beam of 8'6". I am worried that I will regret not going with a wider beam. Can any of you Boaters please give me some advice. I would truly appreciate it.

Mojo Risin
 
Beam is very important in boat sizing. When you think about the layout of a boat, a given design in two different beams has the same things on either half of the boat (port and starboard). The wider beam boat has what amounts to a strip of space down the centerline of the boat equal to the difference in width/beam.

That space is very important in terms of the interior volume of the boat, especially down in the cabin of a 270. The wider boat will "feel" a lot bigger, afford more room for two people to be down there at the same time, etc.

The trade-off for that additional space is the wider boat now probably requires a wide load permit to move it. Any load under 102" (8'6") can be moved easily from place to place on interstate highways, secondary roads and city streets. A wider boat can't.
 
Help us help you. How are you going to be using your boat? Are you going to be trailering every weekend or in a wet slip? Are you going to be overnighting? with your family?

You can't underestimate the value of more interior space in the cabin and cockpit with a wider beam. Two foot itis can set in for beam as well as length. If you are going to slip the boat and not trailer I would go wider. There are many members of this forum who trailer wide beam boats over long distances but that also requires another investment in a tow vehicle.

There are also many members with narrow beam trailerable cruisers on this forum that love their boats and they fit their needs perfectly.

Give us some more info so we can help you out.
Darren
:huh:
 
I never trailer my boat. I don't even have a trailer on my existing boat and won't trailer my new one. I am in a area with lots of water and leave it in all season. I realize that Searay made the 8'6" so that it would be easy to trailer. My concern is the stability in big water. Other than the interior space, will I notice a marked difference in handling and stability in the water. Will I be going side to side a lot easier or will most of the difference between the 2 beams be interior space.

I have a wife and 2 kids and our objective is to stay on board on weekends and while on vacation in the summer for a couple of weeks. I found a 1999 270 Sundancer SE with 400 hours on it, with the 7.4L Merc for $39000. I've always wanted a Searay and I want to make sure that this boat will fit.

Thanks for responding helping me in my decision. I appreciate it.

Mojo Risin
 
There is a signifacant difference in stability between the 8'6" and the 9'2" beams (I have experience on both of these), you will be much happier with the wider beam if your leaving it in the water. Check the price of the SE again because that number is very high for that boat, should be in the low to mid $20's
 
The boat will be fine for your needs. There isn't going to be any stability issues with that boat. Depending on the boat, the price seems slightly high.

Doug
 
Thanks for that advice. Can you tell me more specifically what those differences are as I haven't experienced both. Is the smaller beam a lot more tippy?
 
Larry, you think there is much of a difference in stability from 8'6" to 9'2"?

I have been on boats at 9'2" and I haven't noticed much difference on that size boat.

Doug
 
A smaller boat is more susceptible to load imbalance. You may have to use the tabs slightly. Again, I don't see much of a difference between the two for stability. Interior room gets the nod - yes, stability - no.

Doug
 
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I actually have 2 friends with these 2 different boats, and have done sea trials with them and the difference is surprising, the larger beam gives it a much more stable feeling in the water and does not have the same issue as narrow beam boats have as far as stability. That being said please don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with the SE version, It is just that if your not towing the boat and you want the best ride and room in this size package then go with the 9'2" beam especially at the price point that your looking at.
 
Assuming the Survey and compression checks are favourable what should I be paying for that boat? I am going to see it on Saturday morning. It isn't in the water. Seller is said to be motivated.
 
Without seeing the boat, it's a shot in the dark but somewhere in the $23k to $30k region.

Doug
 
Based on your post on how you intend to use the boat... I am thinking that there is not a huge difference between the larger beam. As Scott points out don't overlook sleeping arrangements. Based on you saying you are going to go for a week's vacation on there sleeping it important. As well as storage. If it gets hot where you boat you will want AC/Heat option too. And a vacuflush head.

Heck with our family of 4 on a 3 night excursion it gets pretty cozy on our 330 once all the kid's stuff starts coming on board not to mention the provisions!!!

Best of luck to you on your purchase!!! For me I'd give up the dinette to have the large V berth to sleep on... But that's just me. I'd eat in the cockpit.

Go to boats.com and do a search in your area and see what they are listing at. In our area here I see them asking around $34 for that vintage 270 both the SE and wide beam model. I saw the dinette in the wider beam 270, no offense to the 270 owners, but is that thing useful??? It might be deceiving in the pics...
 
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I'd go with the wide beam. I have not sea trialed either, so I don't know the difference in stability. However, I have been on both and would definitely say the 9'2" is more liveable in the cabin. It is easier for two people to be in there at the same time. Also, the seperate dinette in the wide beam may be small, but it is useable. And it means you don't have to clear the bed to eat, or clear the table to sleep.

I think 39K for the 270 SE is nuts. Out here, you can get a quality 28-30 footer of the same vintage for that or less.
 
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It's been a while, but I do seem to recall that the wide-beam was more stable. I wouldn't say it was a "night and day" difference, but it was noticeable. If I remember correctly, there's almost a 1,500 pound difference between the two boats, so I'm sure that helps as well. In a 35 foot boat, it won't make as much of a difference, but in smaller boats, that weight represents a greater percentage of the total.

I also agree on the opinions of the pricing on that SE being too high.
 
Pricing on that boat is too high! I just went to Yachtworld and the average asking price for that boat is 30K. One boat in Michigan was 31K with 100 hrs on the boat and it looked clean from the pics.
 
As you asked for advice: I think the 27' boat you are looking at is too small to enjoy multi-week vacations with two growing children. For me (we have a 26' DA), the space on that 27' boat would get very, very small by the end of a vacation that long. It would seem to me that if your budget is $39K, there are a lot of mid 90's Sea Rays in the 29 to 31 ft range on the market that would give you a whole lot more room and some more stability than the 27'.
 
For $40K you could get a 290 or 300 around the same year as the boat you're considering. You will appreciate the extra room after a week long cruise.
 
We have the 25ft. with the 8.6. beam There is a lot more work involved with the overnite stays. We have to use the mid-cabin for storage. I can't imagine have the kids on board ( both college age now) with a smaller boat & a Single engine also makes is hard to dock plus no AC or generator. ( just put a Port. AC in the mid-cabin)
I believe if your handy with the repairs to save money the Bigger / older boat makes sense. JG
 

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