Considering a Sundancer 270 purchase, contemplating single v. twin

[mark guthrie]

I am concerned about the maintenance cost and fuel burn of a twin. Also, I will be buying used, so the prospect of replacing two engines down the way v. one is weighing on my mind.

Of course, I know the arguments for maneuverability and "getting" home on one. A twin would be nice, no doubt. I do have Seatow and don't plan on going far offshore.

Any input would be appreciated. I read somewhere recently that an owner was getting 2.5 MPG with his twin Seay...which was surprisingly good.

Thanks, Mark
St. Pete


p.s. If you know of anyone selling a 270, 280, 290,300, please let me know.

 

[Ruff Life]

I have a 2000 270 Sundancer widebody with twin 4.3 EFI's. I figure 1.75 mpg. With perfect conditions may get closer to 2 mpg and with rough conditions and tabs down much less. I usually cruise at about 32 mph at around 3400 rpm.

 

[SteveRuss]

Find two equivalent boats, one with twins the other with a big block and sea trial them both. I assure you, you will be driving home in the boat with twins. I did just that with my current boat. Same model, same year but one with a MAG 454 B3 and the other twin 5.7L EFIs. No comparison in performance, speed, planing, maneuvering. The maintenance is not that bad and if you are dilligent about is those motors will last for years.

 

[northern]

I had a non SeaRay with upper and lower helms 28 footer with a 10.5 beam with twin 3.8 V6ies. It burnt 1 liter a minute at 24 knots at 3,800RPM in calm water. We put 100 hours on it a year. It cost us about 3,000 each year for hall out, bottom paint and out drive work. One year I damaged an outdrive and that cost 3,500 and I had to replace the manifolds that was 4,500.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Mark, asking that question is like asking which is better, Ford or Chevy.

Personally I'd go for the twins just because low speed maneuvering is so much better. You will find there's twice as much maintenance with twins, two to winterize, etc, but even considering that I'd go for the twins. I don't think you will find a huge difference in fuel economy between a single or twins because it's going to take a certain amount of fuel to push a boat at a certain speed. Fuel consumption might be a little higher for the twins, but IMO that's a small price to pay for the significant difference in maneuverability.

To picture how good the maneuverability is, picture your two hands on the handle of a shopping cart. At low speeds, to turn right you push harder with your left hand than your right. To spin the cart around you pull back with one hand and push with the other. That's basically how simple it is to maneuver a twin engine boat.

 

[tdappleman]

I love my 270 with the twins. It is more work keeping them up and the engine room is really tight but you learn how to handle it. I did have to re-power this past year and the performance now is even better than before since I upgraded the 4.3's in the process. The engines were ~$2500 each with about $1400 in labor and parts for installation. The previous owner did not maintain well and I got a really good deal on the boat knowing I would have to re-power in the future.

The performance is good - I usually cruise at 30mph at 3200rpms with a top speed of 42mph (GPS) with usually four people on board and half fuel. My area I didn't want to have just a single engine since I boat in both the sound and the ocean. Handling around the dock with the winds we get around here was extremely important and the twins handle it great. Good luck in your search!

 

[Loneranger]

I agree this may be more "ford vs. chevy" than its worth.

I am obviously biased since I have a single 7.4l. However I would not let maneuverability figure too much. I can maneuver mine easily with the single engine. The 270 is not such a large boat that twin drives are necessary for successful maneuvering. I have never had a problem.

I have no problem with twins. I have actually never been on one with twins so they may make maneuvering even easier, but I have no problem without them.

If I were doing my own maintenance I would opt for the single since it it a tight fit already with a single.

I am also in fresh water. I do not need the redundancy to "get home on one" when I can swim to most any shore from wherever the boat might be (but then I would have to go get the boat, ugh).

 

[northern]

With the twin 3.8V 6ies and a 10.5 foot beam it was tight to access the outside of the engines. A starter went on one engine and I could not get to it. Look at the boat see if you can get to all parts of the engines. Oil filter on one engine was very hard to get to.

 

[CV-23]

I would own a 300 Sundancer with twin 350's......twin's in a 270 would be tight to work on. My 270/290 came both ways with a 9' beam. My 454 does fine but I like 350's also and would consider them in an older '90's 280, Mike.

 

[Quint4]

Mark, you have mail.

 

[SteveRuss]

Good point about who does the maintenance. I specifically looked for my current boat because engine access to either engine is terrific. A little tight between the two but I can lay down on the outer sides of each engine all the way back to the couplers. (the Sun Sport has a hydrolic hatch under the aft seat with engines set up higher than the Dancers). I tested the Mag 454 B3 (385hp) and though the boat topped out at 50mph it took a while to get there and struggled to plane with 3 aboard. I did not want to have to resort to using the trim tabs to assist or have people move around. The 5.7 EFI B1s (520hp) topped out at 57mph (prior to bottom paint), got up there in a hurry and I have never had trouble getting on plane even with 6 or 7 guests. I cruise 35 - 37 @ 3500.

 

[itsabowtime2]

There are pro's and con's to each. With twins you have redundancy and potential get home power. Better dock side manners and better (more than likely) performance. You also have a cramped bilge area, twice the maintenance. When the day is done it is a matter of personal choice.