Going to look at a 1990 270 Sundancer - Anything particular to look for?
- Thread starter tapenick
- Start date
1 - Drain the outdrive oil and check for water in the oil and excessive metal particulate (a pressure test is also in order)
2 – Props okay?
3 - Compression check the engine while warm. All cylinders should be above 100 and within 10% of each other
4 - Canvas in good shape? You will get serious sticker shock if it needs replaced (3 to 4K)
5 - Maintenance records available?
6 - Freshwater boat ? this would be a good thing.
7 - Have someone hold the steering wheel firmly, now try to move each outdrive side to side...does it move more than a half inch or so? gimble ring possible worn out.
8 - Refrigerator work? I put a new one in last year...$750...no kidding.
9 - Is it in the water? does the bilge have water in it? if it does, you may have a leak.
10 - Check that all gauges work. My fuel gauge did not work. I changed the sending unit in the top of the fuel tank. It was very tough to get at....very tough.
11 - When was the last time the exhaust was serviced, as in manifolds and riser inspected and gaskets changed? this is the biggest killer of marine engines and is often neglected
12 - Is the transom solid ? remove a few screws from the trim tabs.....wet wood revealed? (of course reseal with 3m 5200 when you put them back). take lots of time at the transom...any sign of moisture penetration near through hulls... inside or out?
13 - Sea trial the boat with five or six adults on board.....should reach 4600-4800 rpm at wide open throttle.
14 - When were u joints / gimble bearing / all bellows last serviced or replaced?
15 - When was impeller last changed?
16 - Confirm A/C works...run it while checking generator (must be in water of course to run AC or generator)
17 - Trailer? what is your tow vehicle? you are looking at well over 12k lbs of boat and trailer....not your run of the mill bowrider....and a beam over 8' 6" means technically you need a permit to haul it.
18 - Check that both trim tabs work....you need them.
19 - Check that the outdrives trim up fully and back down.
20 - Toilet work?
21 - All freshwater spigots work? no leaks in freshwater system?....pump should turn off a few seconds after a faucet is shut off.
22- Look under EVERY cushion and hatch for standing water, if you find it investigate further.
23 - Anchor windlass?...does it work? they are not cheap to replace.
24 - Watch temp gauge during sea trial ....boat should not overheat at any time....also keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge, My 454 stays between 40 - 60 psi. .......................this is a good start for you...good luck with it.
2 – Props okay?
3 - Compression check the engine while warm. All cylinders should be above 100 and within 10% of each other
4 - Canvas in good shape? You will get serious sticker shock if it needs replaced (3 to 4K)
5 - Maintenance records available?
6 - Freshwater boat ? this would be a good thing.
7 - Have someone hold the steering wheel firmly, now try to move each outdrive side to side...does it move more than a half inch or so? gimble ring possible worn out.
8 - Refrigerator work? I put a new one in last year...$750...no kidding.
9 - Is it in the water? does the bilge have water in it? if it does, you may have a leak.
10 - Check that all gauges work. My fuel gauge did not work. I changed the sending unit in the top of the fuel tank. It was very tough to get at....very tough.
11 - When was the last time the exhaust was serviced, as in manifolds and riser inspected and gaskets changed? this is the biggest killer of marine engines and is often neglected
12 - Is the transom solid ? remove a few screws from the trim tabs.....wet wood revealed? (of course reseal with 3m 5200 when you put them back). take lots of time at the transom...any sign of moisture penetration near through hulls... inside or out?
13 - Sea trial the boat with five or six adults on board.....should reach 4600-4800 rpm at wide open throttle.
14 - When were u joints / gimble bearing / all bellows last serviced or replaced?
15 - When was impeller last changed?
16 - Confirm A/C works...run it while checking generator (must be in water of course to run AC or generator)
17 - Trailer? what is your tow vehicle? you are looking at well over 12k lbs of boat and trailer....not your run of the mill bowrider....and a beam over 8' 6" means technically you need a permit to haul it.
18 - Check that both trim tabs work....you need them.
19 - Check that the outdrives trim up fully and back down.
20 - Toilet work?
21 - All freshwater spigots work? no leaks in freshwater system?....pump should turn off a few seconds after a faucet is shut off.
22- Look under EVERY cushion and hatch for standing water, if you find it investigate further.
23 - Anchor windlass?...does it work? they are not cheap to replace.
24 - Watch temp gauge during sea trial ....boat should not overheat at any time....also keep an eye on the oil pressure gauge, My 454 stays between 40 - 60 psi. .......................this is a good start for you...good luck with it.
Whitenights
New Member
1990 was the first year for the vinylester resin and had blister issues. Not sure if that is the proper name but it as to reduce toxins in the resins, which means takes the good stuff out. My 1990 250 had blisters the first year and was recoated with blister guard gelcoat, then kept on a left. My 1990 280 had a few blisters under the bottom paint so I kept it on a left as well. My 1990 350 had a lot of big ones under the chines when I got it. Fixed and put on 2 coast of epoxy, and after 10 years in fresh water was still blister free.
Dean
Dean
Thanks guys! One the plus side it had the 454/Bravo3 and ran fine. Down side - it needed a gimble bearing, major cleaning / polishing, bottom paint re-do, and the fenders were missing. They had reduced the price accordingly (only asking $9k) but I'm just not in a situation to take on a project at the moment.
Tom
Tom
plumbhappy
New Member
- Aug 15, 2010
- 136
- Boat Info
- 1989 340 Sundancer
- Engines
- 7.4L Mercruiser Blue Water 340 hp (2)
Quicksilver 6.5 gen
Every boat is a project! :grin:
CV-23
Active Member
- Jun 25, 2010
- 1,891
- Boat Info
- 1990 270 Sundancer, 2003 Ford Excursion 4x4 Limited
- Engines
- 454 merCruiser w/Bravo 1
We really enjoy ours....does it have AC, radar arch, camper canvas? The Bravo III can be a plus. Gimble Bearing is no big deal. Our BravoI with a 4 blade prop runs nice and gets on plane well. Watch for rain leaks around bow rail mounts and starboard mid cabin wall. What head is in it? Quint4's list is pretty extensive. It has the best designed cabin for it's size and money IMHO, Mike.
Last edited:
N369RM
Member
You are buying a boat that is over THIRTY YEARS old.
These are ALL project boats and if you do not want one, you need to reconsider the years on the boat.
Ron Mason
These are ALL project boats and if you do not want one, you need to reconsider the years on the boat.
Ron Mason
My current boat is a 90 and I rarely work on it. And it's actually only 22 years old... but I know what you mean. Have to expect some problems. I mainly meant that I didn't want to buy one that already had a bunch of stuff that needed repair.
Tom
It has deck air, radar arch (but no radar), and camper canvas. Not sure about the different heads... it has a shower. Thanks for the tip on the rain leaks!
Tom
N369RM
Member
LOL.
Next time I will use my fingers to count.
Ron Mason
Next time I will use my fingers to count.
Ron Mason
