Eyeing at '98 & '99 270 ...

[Hai Nhi]

Good morning everyone.

I've been checking out all brands in 24-26'. Happen to run across the these 2, felt in love with the lay out of the cabin for their extra Dinette, which is convertible to a sleeping area as well. More room is better.

Question is: For a ~400ish hrs boat, Nada guides lists at $30K-$35K, asking is $26k-$30K, no trailer for the lower priced one ('99). Engine looks really clean. Everything else looks at least above average. New outdrive in 2010. How much is a good range? and where I can find a good trailer without breaking the bank? I will check out the '98 today and compare conditions.

Anything I should watch out/look for in these year/models?

Thanks.

Nhi

 

[dicor]

I've got a '98 270DA and love the boat.
-First and foremost find a surveyor and make sure your there when he does the engine compression test and hull/deck moisture test.
-Slide the cabin entrance door back and forth and check for smoothness. If it is rough or binds the rollers will need to be replaced big job big$$$
-Lift up the step going down to the cabin, remove the waste can shine a flashlight down the hole look for any signs of moisture or previous moisture.
-Check the top deck & flooring for soft spots
-If it was in salt water check the out-drive Bravo III for pitting and galvanic corrosion, also check the steering pivot in the transom assembly
-Check for signs of water /moisture around the 4 portholes.
-If it has AC/heat check it thoroughly
-When it's in the water make sure the Surveyor has the proper tools (test probe&meter) to test the Mercathode.
-Inspect the water heater for leakage and proper operation
-Ask for the repair receipts from the previous owner. Find out when the raw water impeller, exhaust manifold and riser was replaced
-If it has a canvas camper top but it up and inspect it.
.......and everything else

 

[Hai Nhi]

That's Great. I'll do just that. What's the porthole?

do you tow the boat back & forth? If you do, how is the tow? I wonder how the gas bill is like for a 8.1L for one day out cruising.

Thanks

Nhi

 

[dicor]

Porthole is Pirate talk for window.

 

[dicor]

Days of cruising about for most of us have become far and few between. Gas at about $4 a gallon, $400 to fill it up makes tooling around pretty expensive. For many of us our boats are being used as Winnebagos, we cruise out to our special spots, drop anchor and enjoy the day on the water then at the end of the day cruise back to the Marina and plug it in.

 

[magstang1]

It's just my opinion, but I was looking at twin 270's in the middle to lower 20's last year.

Those prices sound a bit high.

 

[Hai Nhi]

These puppies list really high in my area. They based on values in the book I guess. These 2 are pretty in the most reasonable priced.

I checked out the '98 yesterday. Cabin & layout looks great. Trailer looks strong with some normal light rusts here and there. It's dusty for sure 'cause it's been at the broker yard uncovered for a couple of months. The broker said they have a tarp but the wind blew it off. ...!

Engine looks good, at 600 hrs on its 7.4 310HP. It has a 4000 W generator for heating & AC @ 70 hrs, windlass, full camper, GPS & fish finder. Everything else is pretty much standard.

Based on Dicor's advice, I looked at the cabin door slider: it's rough. I think I might be able to fix it/replace rollers. But how much is an estimated cost on shop fix? I also noticed lots of water condensation on the ceiling, really wet carpet and one place (maybe because of the drips down). Why would that happen? I came there at about noon-1pm, was really nice out, sunny & warm. No raining in the last 2-3 weeks or so. He had about 4 cruisers right next to it, nothing like that on the other ones.

And yes, this was offered at $30k. NadaGuides lists at $30,310 with all the options ($24,300 base price). If you said it's high, then what would be a fair price? What would consider a good/great deal?

I'm not sure why but this broker keeps insisting that it's within legal tow-able width limit for CA. It's a 9'2" beam.

Thanks

 

[MonacoMike]

I'm not sure why but this broker keeps insisting that it's within legal tow-able width limit for CA. It's a 9'2" beam.

He's probably thinking legal since you can get permits in most states to haul it.

MM

 

[MonacoMike]

You might find this interesting, and want to read the linked threads.

1994-1997 270 Sundancer and 1998 and 1999 270 Sundancer Special Edition History

The number 270 has been used since the early 80s for various styles of boats manufactured by Sea Ray. The SRV 270 Sundancer moniker was used in 1982 for a 28 foot, 10 foot beam express cruiser. The 270 designation went through various changes in length and beam throughout the 80’s and into the early 90’s.

In 1994, a new hull design was released known as the 270 Sundancer. This design featured oval porthole windows that have become synonymous with the Sea Ray look and two glass hatches. This vessel had a 27’ 4” overall length and with the integral bow pulpit was 29’ 11”. Standard power was a Mercruiser 5.7 BII, with optional 7.4’s, diesels, and 4.3 twins. In 1996 and 1997, the 7.4 with BII became the standard power package. The BIII’s were always an option. In 1995, A/C was offered followed by generator packages in 1996. Each year the options list grew smaller, even while they added options, as most options were moved to standard features by 1997. The base weight grew from 6100lbs in 1994 to 6500lbs in 1997 as the options list grew.

In 1998, the 270 Sundancer became a 9’ 2” beam boat and the package described above became the 270 Sundancer SE. (The 270 now offered a separate dinette in the cabin and is the quickest way to tell it and the SE apart.) This SE boat did undergo some changes. The standard power went back to 5.7 BII with the optional 7.4 BIII also available; diesel and twins were no longer offered. Other changes were the complete loss of one of the glass fore deck hatches, while the VHF radio and many other previously standard features became options again.

The advertised weight remained the same for 1998 but dropped to 6200lbs in 1999, it is thought this was an oversight as the options were removed in 1998 not 1999. At this point, they were using this hull for a “price point boat” as evidenced by the advertising slogan; “Is it too much boat for the money? The competition thinks so”. The 1999 270 SE continued, as in 1998, but now had competition from the new 260 Sundancer as a large trailerable Sea Ray. 1999 was the last year for this hull design.

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/936-Mid-90-s-270-Sundancer-Thread

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/1786-Late-90-s-270-Sundancer-Thread/page7

MM

 

[Hai Nhi]

I read it at least twice MM. Thanks for the links anyway. Good info.

Anyone on the water/condensation question above?

Nhi

 

[Hai Nhi]

Days of cruising about for most of us have become far and few between. Gas at about $4 a gallon, $400 to fill it up makes tooling around pretty expensive. For many of us our boats are being used as Winnebagos, we cruise out to our special spots, drop anchor and enjoy the day on the water then at the end of the day cruise back to the Marina and plug it in.

Dicor, and for similar activities like yours, how much you're spending on fuel for a weekends, on average?

nhi

 

[WahooUSMA]

I have a 2000 270 Sundancer and pull it with a 2002 Chev 2500HD 4 x 4 Duramax w/no problems at all. The 9'2" beam is legal at all hours in Ca. Btw, the boat is up for sale if you are interested.

 

[Hai Nhi]

I have a 2000 270 Sundancer and pull it with a 2002 Chev 2500HD 4 x 4 Duramax w/no problems at all. The 9'2" beam is legal at all hours in Ca. Btw, the boat is up for sale if you are interested.

Can you pm me with the details pls? Ty.

Nhi

 

[Hai Nhi]

I have a 2000 270 Sundancer and pull it with a 2002 Chev 2500HD 4 x 4 Duramax w/no problems at all. The 9'2" beam is legal at all hours in Ca. Btw, the boat is up for sale if you are interested.

Where can I get the information, just to make sure? Ty

Nhi

 

[Xplicitlnck]

I bought a 99270 last january. Listed for 29999 I offered 20 and settled at 23. Had 290 hours. Everything that was lited by decor was in need of fixing except for manifolds risers and impeller. I had water intrusion around 2 port holes. Resealed all of them myself with the help of one friend. Took a full 8 hour day. I had water under the trash can around the shower sump. I had the boat for a year and could not find the source. A lot of forum members on this site have posted about it and have still yet to find the source. So its a common problem. The door track lasted me about 3 months after purchase. To do it the correct way is a huge job. You must remove the entire helm to get the door off and change track and rollers. Lots and lots of labor and about 300 in parts. Ive had to climb out of the cabin via port light above the v berth because I couldnt get the door open. I fixed it myself by drilling holes on top of the sliding door and screwing the top plastic rollers tight.the caulking th holes. Worked perfect (for me) door was silky smooth. But again not the proper way to do it. Other than that I had no problems at all with the boat other than neglected maintenance from prev owner. Great fuel economy (for a boat) ive learned almost every inch of the boat from forum members here at csr so if you have any questions feel free to ask. If you do get the boat the best upgrade I ever did was 4 blade props. Front and rear. Went down to 20pitch. Amazing results in handling planing speed and fuel economy. Mine seemed to not want to plane under 4k with 4 people on the back with full fuel and half water. Once planed I would have to cruise at 3600 to stay on step but with the new props I planed under 3300 and could cruise at 3100. 4 knots slower but fuel economy was much much better. Well worth the 1200 $. But I lost her in hurrican sandy so im back on the market.... also make sure you have the gimball bearing gimball ring shift cable and all bellows checked along with the trim position and limit sensor. They are very pricey to change and if you can include it in the contract somehow it would save you a couple thousand. Best of luck

 

[Hai Nhi]

Wow that's a good deal right? Oh wait, is the trailer included?

I think I can try to get the '98 at around $20. I'll know their respond tomorrow.

There's a couple of 270's up for sale but not the right combo/price:

- '97: the shorter version, no extra dinett
- '99: like the conditions, no a/c, no trailer, 8.1L - strong but gas hogger maybe?, won't come down on price.
- '00: has lots of stuffs: asking $40k out of range.

 

[Xplicitlnck]

Shorter equals narrower but if your ok with it thats fine
8.1 is a lot of power and a lot heavier. Mine will h a 7.4was very heavy in the rear and tended to squad a lot esp with a load on he back. I don think the 8.1 would be a help. Not to much worse on the fuel more power equals less stress on the engine. I wouldnt worry about the fuel difference. I wouldnt have bought mine without the ac. I love havning it
40k is insane. You should pay no more than 30 for even a showroom condition one
I did not have a trailer and a trailer in my opinion is a freebe in a boat sale. Maybe ad 500to th price. What else are they gunna do with the trailer. Unless its a gold plated trailer or a really big boat trailer it really shouldn't mKe a difference in the boat price

 

[Hai Nhi]

Well those without a trailer is a problem to me. Hahaha. 'cause it costs an arm & a leg to get a new one ($3500-$5000 I think, and I can't even find one for sale). That's why I have to take that into account. And when you do, your offer would have been too low. So I just skip those without it.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I also noticed lots of water condensation on the ceiling, really wet carpet and one place (maybe because of the drips down). Why would that happen? I came there at about noon-1pm, was really nice out, sunny & warm. No raining in the last 2-3 weeks or so. He had about 4 cruisers right next to it, nothing like that on the other ones.
Thanks

I have the 99 SE it fits our needs and budget right now we do a lot of 1 day trips mostly salmon fishing and crabbing it didn't come with a trailer but we didn't want one we use indoor rack storage. I would really be concerned about that much moisture. Before you make any offer get a SURVEYOR in there and find out where the water is coming from. The broker will tell you anything to make a sale just a 5 minute fix with some caulk then you find out your looking at a 2k repair. We bought ours almost 2 years ago with 380 hours on it went out yesterday looked at the hour meter 996 hours we use it year round.

 

[MonacoMike]

A roadworthy trailer to tow a 270 would be very hard to find priced in the $3,000 range.