General performance questions of 90-92 270/290

C

chucksberg

New Member
Apr 28, 2010
14
Western Basin of Lake Erie
Boat Info
1992 270 Sundancer
Engines
7.4 Bravo 2
Hi everybody, first post here. Usually on ******** or BOC.... I am looking at 90-92 da's because I like the interior cabin layout and total weight of the rig and width for towing. Here come the questions. Is the weight of the boat really 5800 pounds with the standard engine or heavier? How is performance with 7.4 and Bravo 1 drive? My SR friends are telling me to stay away from a very clean one because it does not have twins. They are telling me it is a bear to manuver and will not plane well with more than 2 or 3 on board. The owner of this boat is telling me to come down and drive it and see for yourself, it planes just fine with 6+ people on board. He also agrees it handles like a 29 foot single screw so i think he is being honest. Looking to hear from some people with hands on experience here. Thanks in advance!

Chuck
 
I just purchased a 1992 270 DA last august, not much experience with it yet but it seemed to plane fine with the single 7.4 the few weeks I used it before the season ended. As for maneuverability, it handles like any other single screw boat. Twin screws in any boat are easier to maneuver but if you are an experienced operator you should have no problems with it. The few weeks I had it in the water last season I routinely backed mine into a small area with inches to spare and had no problems getting it into the dock. I was looking for a twin screw myself but I couldn't turn this one down for the price. Mine should be back in the water this weekend....
 
I had a 1990 270 with a 7.4 and a Bravo 1.No problem getting on plane,the boat would cruise at 3200rpm making 27mph.WOT produced a top speed of 43MPH.I never had a problem getting the boat to plane even with 8 on board.Yes backing is a challenge but in time you will get a "feel" for the boat.Engine access is good,I can't say the same for twin 4.3s.(plus the added weight in the stern)That layout and design was one of Sea Rays best.
 
Funny you should ask about the weight:

http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22759

More like 8,000# with 7.4/B2.

WOT unloaded w/ 4.3s is 42mph running 14x19 4 blade props.

Its personal preference: single vs. twins.

Also, the 270/290 width is 9'-1". Technically, that is overwide for all states.

However, as it sits on the trailer, it surely doesn't not appear so. I think the widest part is at the bow rails which makes for an illusion that it is not that wide.
 
On the 3rd year with our 290da with 7.4 bravo II. I agree with all the above. I plane out a 3400rpm at about 22mph. A good running 7.4 does a great job. You are looking at about 12k of boat and trailer with fuel, water, and all your stuff on board. Post a link to the ad for the boat...we may have some more tips for you.
 
I'm happy with my 1990 270 (290) so far. I can keep it on plane with no tabs at 3500rpms.....it runs best at 3700rpms and tops out at 4500. I am running a 4 blade stainless merc prop and it gets up and out with 4 persons and no tabs. If I'm full with water and gas, tabs do get it on top quicker. After running a 350 for years....the 454 drinks more gas and is louder even through the prop. I looked at twins and passed on the V6's...I would rather have 350's. We love the cabin compaired to the 92 and newer. I like my berth set up all the time and the 9 ft beam is no problem. It really is a long boat for a beam that size plus it trailers well. A 383 FI or 496 would be a nice upgrade, Mike.
 
You can always throw a B3 lower leg on it and not worry about acceleration or docking.

That's what they did when they updated them.Twin 4.3/alphas have nothing on single 7.4 w/B3 but a higher gas usage.
 
The only downfall with the Bravo III is the cost of the outdrive and props.....yikes! Another Sea Ray Owner told me $10,000....not sure if thats correct or not, Mike.
 
Oh good lord no.New not even that much.He doesn't need that.
A good used lower leg B3 with no issues will run you $1500.Pair of props are $500 easily in excellent shape.

$2k tops and he doesn't even have to take the drive off.The lower unbolts and you pop the righ gear ratio B3 lower back on and put the props on.


There is a substantial performance difference between a B1 and B3.You might lose a mph or 2 but you might not.What you will get is much better acceleration and a great mid-range.Twice the stern lift so you can plane at a lower rpm and docking manners of a twin.
 
Seven years in ours. Currently re-doing the cabin upholstry, so, we obviously intend to keep it for several more years. Purchase was based on the cabin layout and that the boat is trailerable. We don't seem to have the issues that your friends mention.
 
What prop is working best for you guys? I'm having a hard time pinpointing the right prop for my 1990 270 sundancer Ive tried a 14.5x 18 and could only get 4000 rpm WOT then tried a 15.5x15 and got 5000 rpm WOT gonna try a 15x17 3 blade next debating a 4 blade though to get better stern lift what do you guys think?
 
Mine is a four blade stainless 14.5 x 17 cupped Mercury. I get 4600rpms with two of us and half a tank of fuel. Gps is saying 36-37mph. 3700rpms gives me 27mph. It starts to fall off plane below 3500rpms without tabs. I can hold 24mph at 3500rpms, Mike.
 
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I think the OP writer left the room
 
I run a stainless powertech 18 3/4 X 19p. I hold plane at 3500 rpm / 22 mph. WOT is about 4400rpm.
 
Yep...it's just a big ole work horse..gettin' the job done! Here is a shot of an alpha prop next to my bravo II prop.

alphapropbravo.jpg
 
I used to have the 1990 27 with Bravo 1. I have changed so many props on that boat that I swear I have tried them all. Original was 15 1/4 x 17 lstainless 3 blade. It works well as others have said. I personally liked the 16x16 aluminum merc prop. it has huge ears and the darn boat could plane at 2900 rpm, lightly loaded. problem was when the boat was heavily loaded, it would blow out the hub centers! single engine, big block has lots of torque and only 1 prop. that equates to a weak point in the drive train. The best overall prop was a "Prop Tech" 15 1/2 x 17 4 blade prop. it was stainless though. Not sure they are even in business any longer since it was 12 years ago. i prefer aluminum props however. The 4 blade had good planing, and lifting in the stern. The boat is narrow and long. that makes it good for cutting the water, but not so much for planing at low speed. overall, its a great boat. so much so, i bought its big sister (my current boat).
 
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