Choosing between an '06 vintage 240 and 270 - help!

[jebjam]

Thanks to all members and regular posters in this forum - so helpful to me already as I've spent days reading pervious questions and replies! I'm looking to upgrade from my '98 Sea Ray 18' 175 Bowrider with 3.0 Mercruiser (an awesome boat) to a Sundeck - we love the layout and to date have felt a 2005 - '08 240 with 350 Mercruiser would suit our budget and needs perfectly. My boat is for fun but I've always cared for it - stored indoors summer and winter, washed and waxed yearly - simple care that keeps it running well and looking amazing. I've stumbled on an '06 270 that I'm now seriously considering - a size I hadn't previously thought about. It has been stored indoors and launched for each use, has the 496 Magnum and by all descriptions is in near perfect cosmetic condition, with under 150 hours.
I was looking for an indoor stored 240 but the size of both these boats means most are in water or on lifts, and even if well cared for simply show their age sooner. An indoor stored 270 seems rare and needs to be considered. I've read as much as I can and now need advice from owners. Its a huge step from my 18' to a 26' boat with an 8'6" (or 8'10") beam, I love the nimbleness of my boat but simply want the extra space. I'm not sure I'll be able to test drive or tow both models before I need to make my decision on this boat - how much difference is there between these two in terms of handling on the water? I know the 270 is a full 1000+ lbs more with the larger engine - I know the swim platform is absent from the 270 but the LOA is within 2" between them.
They'll both be beasts to tow - I have just a few hundred feet between storage and launch, and will very rarely travel to more distant lakes - I know the 270 is 4" over allowable state towing widths but have read this shouldn't cause much worry. How much difference is there between towing these two? My 4X4 Avalanche isn't the right vehicle to pull this boat distances, but I think it will be ok for launching and returning to storage (right?). What else am I missing and should I consider in choosing to go with the apparently pristine, slightly larger than I need boat that looks lovely and will give me all the space I need vs waiting for the right 240 to come along?
I know the 270 is bigger and heavier with a larger engine than the 240, neither will compare to the gas consumption I experienced with my 3.0. How much difference between these two?

Thanks all!

 

[dpmulvey]

For launching and storage you'll be fine. I had a 2465 Regal. Roughly 6800 pounds plus trailer. I towed it with my 2001 Montero rated at 5500 pounds from home to the marina in the spring and back in the fall. Roughly 5 miles. Always in 4WD H. I had no problems up or down the ramp in 4WD L getting her ready for the slip or rack storage. Any distance, a friend let me use his 350 Ford.

 

[jebjam]

Thanks David. My Avalanche is rated at 7100 lb., dry weight of the 270 alone is 5800 lb.- slipping and sliding on the ramp is never fun - good to know it can be done with confidence, appreciate your experience. This was a huge question I needed to know to even consider the next step!

Best,
Bill.

 

[dpmulvey]

The 4WD is the key.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I would be more concerned with your original statement "'I'm not sure I'll be able to test drive or tow both models before I need to make my decision on this boat" you need to sea trial any size boat.

Does this mean no sea trial or survey on either boat if it does your making a huge mistake no matter what the boats look like you may be buying a real deep money pit.

I would be concerned about any 06 boat with 150 hours on it that's 16-20 hours a year meaning it has sat unused for most of it's life things tend to go bad without use like belts, hoses, batteries, fuel tanks etc.

Sea Trial, Engine & Hull survey or throw the dice you may be lucky.

 

[tdgard]

I was in the exact same dilemma as you. I had looked at probably a dozen 240s for months and months. Ended up at a MarineMax to look at a yet another one but it had cracked hull & was pulled from their inventory. Since I was there, why not look at the 270 they had. Stored indoors with about 90 hours. They are a few inches LOA different but the 240 includes both of the swim platforms while the 270 has the dinky platform. Almost 4' of the LOA on a 240 is the platform. I put an extended platform on and now my LOA is 30'. I think what sold me was the finished berth as opposed to the hole the 240 has on the starboard side. Not that I ever use it as a berth, but its a better use of space & the kids love it.

As far as towing goes, I haven't. Mostly because I don't have a trailer. I have an x5 that is rated at 7700lbs and would not hesitate to move the boat to and from storage. That said, the low rent, no option 270 is 5800lbs dry. Add the extra 400lbs a 496 weighs, a hundred pounds of tower, 80 gallons of fuel @ 6.6lbs, 25 gallons of water @ 8lbs, other options, and stuff your looking at quite a bit more. Then place it all on a 2000lb trailer. You are overweight for your vehicle, as am I. Not saying you cant do it, but I would hate to even get rear ended out of fear of what the insurance companies would say.

All in all, I love mine. Either is a good choice-but go with the 270.

 

[tdgard]

I would be more concerned with your original statement "'I'm not sure I'll be able to test drive or tow both models before I need to make my decision on this boat" you need to sea trial any size boat.

Does this mean no sea trial or survey on either boat if it does your making a huge mistake no matter what the boats look like you may be buying a real deep money pit.

I would be concerned about any 06 boat with 150 hours on it that's 16-20 hours a year meaning it has sat unused for most of it's life things tend to go bad without use like belts, hoses, batteries, fuel tanks etc.

Sea Trial, Engine & Hull survey or throw the dice you may be lucky.

Missed this part. Exactly this!

 

[jebjam]

Agreed Bob & Sue, sorry I wasn't clear. I will absolutely have a sea trial and a survey on any boat I plan to purchase - what I meant was I haven't had the opportunity to run either a 240 or a 270 of any description on the water yet (I'm deciding between models based on research, I don't have two specific boats to compare at this point). I may find myself needing to decide on this boat before having the chance to pilot a 240 and compare how each handles on the water. Given this, I was wanting to draw on the experience of others who have owned either or piloted both, and share their experience with me. A virtual comparison test drive through description if you will! As for the boat I buy - I'm with you, it'll be checked on and off the water.
Thanks for your insight.

 

[jebjam]

Your boat looks beautiful td, can I ask who you purchased the extended platform from and the approximate cost installed? Good to hear your experience, I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with either as well. "Either is a good choice - but go with the 270." Spoken like a happy owner. Thanks!

 

[SeaRide]

You guys are funny - belittling the 270 because of it's smaller swim platform. What..........the 240's platform is probably 2.5' and the 270 has a few inches less.....................I'm the one who should have swim platform envy................mine's only about 18" long! All joking aside, the 240's platform may be a bit closer to the water. The 240's a great boat with a nice ride. I like it. I've crawled around a 270, but have never driven one. Here's what is immediately noticeable. The extra beam makes the boat feel much bigger and the extra storage below the helm. The 270 also has a much taller windshield. This 270 has a larger engine. At any given speed the 270 will be turning lower rpm than the 240. Will the 270 burn more fuel at the same speed as the 240, probably so. However, we may be talking 1-2 gallons per hour at cruise. Now if you compare fuel burn at wide open throttle, there will be a larger disparity. However, the 270 will also have a higher top end.

I say at least go have a look at the 270 and see what you think. If you like it, proceed on with the advice others have given you.

 

[jebjam]

Thanks SeaRide, tremendous help to hear from someone who has been on both. I have to say I'm quite certain I'd be very comfortable on the 240. One of the reasons I love my 175 is I sit close to the water, it feels like a sports car, though the narrow beam and length makes for a rough ride in choppy seas, and obviously limits entertaining. I've been on boats with a much deeper hull and haven't liked the "feel" as much when underway. Obviously either boat I'm considering is going to bring some of this, the difference you mention in windshield height may contribute to more of that detached-from-the-water feeling in a 270 vs. a 240..? Your thoughts on fuel consumption are what I imagined as well - an engine properly matched to boat size is more important than engine size overall.

 

[SeaRide]

You are welcome. One of the reasons I bought my 230 is because I look through the windshield on my 230 while seated. I don't look over it and perhaps more of an issue is that top of the windshield frame is not in my direct line of sight while seated. FYI, I'm 6'2" tall. Neither issue should be a problem for you in the 270 or 240. Yes, it may contribute to a more detached feeling. However, this is not a real disadvantage in my opinion. The cockpit of the 270 is going to be slightly deeper as compared to the 240 as well. Once again, not a huge difference, but noticeable. If you want wind in your face with either boat, you are going to have to flip up the seat bolster and stand up. Tons of storage on either boat, with the nod going to the 270. Your passengers will love the comfort of the 240 or 270. In addition, both boats will have trim tabs. So a couple of taps on the rocker switch will level the boat if you have substantially more weight on one side than the other.

No bad choice here. Once again, I think I would be making an appoint to have a serious look at the 270.

 

[jebjam]

No bad choice here. Once again, I think I would be making an appoint to have a serious look at the 270.

Yes! This is a private seller- plans made to see the 270 this weekend, pending an answer to one question...the boat is in Ohio but shows a CT registration - waiting to learn if its seen salt water...!!

 

[Leardriver]

I have had both. You can't go wrong. They are both heavy-ish to tow, but a Tundra or Ecoboost will do it, and a diesel makes it effortless.

A 240 is 4700 lbs plus trailer weight. The 270 is 5800 lbs with the 6.2, and 6100 lbs with the 496, plus a slightly heavier trailer. There is more like 1500 lbs difference.

The swim platform on the 270 is plenty big, the one on the 240 is just bigger. That doesn't make the 270's platform too small. The interior room is noticeably bigger on the 270, but the 240 is super roomy also.

Both are terrific rough water boats. The 270 tames some pretty big waves, but you will be grinning on the 240 also. There are 15 240's for sale for every 270. No one who buys a 270 ever wants to sell it.

 

[Searaybio270]

I haven't had both but I still own my first boat the 270 Sundancer 1988 and yes the beam is 10'8' if I remember correctly. If your struggle is between the size of the 240 and the 270 - I say go bigger. Had I known when I bought the 270 that I would love boating as much as I do I never would have bought that boat. I would have bought a 340 or so. Hence the 400EC I have today. But back to the 270. that extra room in the cabin and in the cockpit area is great to have. My boat has twin 4.3L 175HP and she gets up and goes and having the wider beam makes for a smooth ride and for sure great stability. I don't tow my boat but could with a special permit. I have already made the decision if I sell the 400EC before the 270 I am keeping the 270.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[tdgard]

Your boat looks beautiful td, can I ask who you purchased the extended platform from and the approximate cost installed? Good to hear your experience, I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with either as well. "Either is a good choice - but go with the 270." Spoken like a happy owner. Thanks!

Thanks. It is from swimplatforms.com I think it was around $2100 crated and shipped plus another $500-$800 installed. Ill have to update my sig picture with it on. It's not that the 270 platform is too small, its just that it does not adequately cover the outdrive like a 240's does. This was my biggest concern when I got the boat and almost immediately put on the extended platform. I have far too many kids going on and off to have to worry about telling them each and every time where to jump.