Amberjack 27 w/6.2 Is power adequate?

M

mikeg

New Member
Apr 4, 2011
4
annapolis md
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boatless
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New to this site,I am looking at Amberjack 27s with Bravo 3s.I think they would be a good balance for my fishing and cruising weekends.My first question is what years have the rear 1/4 bunk or rear bunk? Secondly,I had seriously looked at a 2006 in the fall but my mechanic talked me out of it saying the 6.2 would not be enough power for a 7300 lb boat.My last Crownline cruiser with a Bravo 2 was 5300 lbs with a 7.4 merc (300 hp) and that seemed perfect.The boat will be used on the Chesapeake Bay and I would like to have enough power to plane quickly and to motor into the wind if caught in summer storms.Top end is not important.If someone has a 260 since the boat is similar could they give power advice.Finally some amberjacks have 8.1 liter motors but they are few and far between.
 
Single or twin engine? A friend has a pair of 6.2s on straight inboards in a 32 Luhrs open with tower and he is a bit under powered, has to run 3800+ to stay on plane. His boat is much bigger and heavier than a 27 Amberjack so you have the weight advantage. Is it possible to have too much power in any boat? I think a check ride on a similar boat equipped with 6.2s would be a good place to start. Is this boat going to be a used purchase? What does Merc rate the horsepower for the 6.2 ?

As a comparison, my 300 with twin 260's and Alphas weighs about 12000 lbs and performs very well, I cruise at about 26-28mph at 3000-3200 RPM which is right before the secondaries open and can stay on plane with tabs down to about 2600 rpm, she tops out right around 38-40 mph at 4400.
 
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I have a 2006 Sundancer 260 with the 8.1 and feel it is the "right" choice. Have not been on one with the 6.2 but did sea trial 2 with the 350 MAG and decided to hold out for the larger engine. Very satisfied with the results.

Attached is a Boattest.com review of a 2005 260 Sundancer with the 8.1. The author compares it to the 6.2. Be sure and check out the the "test results" section at the end.

http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?ID=905
 
Thanks so much for the quick responses.I am looking at the newer single engine amberjacks.It looks like 95% have the 6.2.
 
mikeg said:
Thanks so much for the quick responses.I am looking at the newer single engine amberjacks.It looks like 95% have the 6.2.
Click to expand...

Just as an FYI the '06 260 DA and the '06 270 AJ are very similar hull designs. The AJ is 2 feet longer but has the same beam and a and is about 200lbs lighter so they are fairly comparable. Sea Ray takes the same hull with several different layouts and puts the same engines in them giving very similiar performance characteristics. Check out the Sea Ray archives for the specs of the various years.
 
These leads were great and gave me a huge amount of data.The club Sea Ray posts had a load of opinions and the boat test data laid out the numbers.With the 05 boats being 1300 lbs heavier the bigger motor is the way to go.I go fishing in heavy weather especially summer thunderstorms and an underpowered boat is dangerous if it gets sideways to the wind and waves.Since the amberjack 27 is not in production I wont get a chance to try a used one without a deposit so this info is terrific.Thanks again.
 
Strangely, as an AJ owner I may be not have much to offer since I'm diesel powered but I can say the AJ seakeeping is good in soggy conditions. With a 285 HP diesel I get 20kts at economical cruise with a good punch out of the hole. Of course, in shabby weather into the sea, speed and power is not so much the issue. I have had a few greenies come over the bow and slide up the windscreen at displacement speed but have still felt comfortable in the AJ. The big bonus is its great for fishing. The decks are clear of all the lounge suites and you can move about the boat while that monster on the end of your line tries to wrap himself around your stern drive. I bought the 'Poledancer' because of the diesel and thought I'd miss the cocktail layout of the DA but that has not proven to be the case. Quite the contrary, with four people fishing off the boat on occassions, I can't imagine a DA ever being suitable. :grin:


Terry
 
I own a 2007 270 AJ and couldnt be happier with the power I have the bravo 3... 6.2 and I feel it is sufficient. I am not a speed demon but not a snail either. Gets on plane very easily. Very sea worthy and has the "punch" when you need it. I was looking for an article from JD Power on the AJ. Cant find it though. Their assessment was right on target. Good luck
 
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