Help me choose a Sundeck. 240 or 270?

SeaNile

SeaNile

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2010
1,522
Chadds Ford, PA
Boat Info
2003 50 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSM11
Love this site and I often post out of excitement before doing ALL of the research.

Looking for a Sundeck and assumed the 270 was bigger than the 240. Seems like the 240 gets fantastic reviews while being essentially the same size as the 2002-2005 270. I'm always in the camp of bigger is better.

This will be a family and friend run around that will have mostly 4 adults and 4-5 kids (4-10yrd old) and we will only be doing local Upper Chesapeake Bay boating. Lots of raft ups, tubing and maybe even a little wakeboarding and waterskiing.

Seems that there are a lot more 240's for sale compared to the 270, so is the 240 that much better of a boat? Would I regret getting the "smaller" 240 yet from what I can tell the 240 has the identical LOA as the 270? Budget is around 25K and a trailer would be a nice bonus!

Thanks again for the help.

Back to research and shopping!

JK
 
Both are excellent boats but the 270 is a few inches longer and wider than the 240. The 270 also roomier in the cockpit due to the fact that it has a slightly smaller, but integrated swim platform whereas the 240's platform is bolted on. I owned a 240 and LOVED it...in fact, I am considering going back to a 240. What's killing me is that the prices for used 240's are the same as what I paid for mine new on '08.
 
alwhite00 said:
What years 240 are you interested in?

LK
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Really depends on price. I found what I think is a nice 2002 270 for low 20's and it seems like most of the 240's in the low-mid 20K range are 2003/2004. There certainly are a lot of 240's on the market compared to relatively few 270's.
 
IMHO, there a lot more 240 SDs out there than 270s, and if I were you I would concentrate on the 240 to get your best value. There is not a big difference betweein the two, as they have the same beam...
 
Found a few options out there. One is a 2002 270 but the deal seems slightly shady (as is deal with no sea trail) and about 3-4 different 240's. One 240 has new motor (red flag??) other with 2003 with 150hrs and a 2002 with 300hrs but has a wakeboard tower. All of these are advertised for 25K.
 
The 2002 270 "as is" boat is probably out as the owner states that his phone is ringing off the hook with interested parties due to the price.

One 2004 240 is getting surveyed tomorrow so that one is out too.

Going to look at a 2004 240 tomorrow, this is the one with the new engine and 1 year remaining on 3 yr warranty. Owner claims he sucked up some mud and that did his engine in. He opted for new engine due to warranty. No trailer with this boat...
 
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SeaNile said:
Going to look at a 2004 240 tomorrow, this is the one with the new engine and 1 year remaining on 3 yr warranty. Owner claims he sucked up some mud and that did his engine in. He opted for new engine due to warranty. No trailer with this boat...
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Sucked up some mud? For real, he said that? Sounds fishy. How long did he suck mud, its not like he could have been going very fast churning mud. I wonder how many rocks he hit buried in that mud he was sucking.

Don't be in in a hurry, this is a major purchase and the mistakes now will cost you later, big time.

Both are great boats. I would instead focus on finding a boat someone uses regularly. Don't be scared of a boat just because it has 500-700 hours on it. A boat which is used regularly will be better maintained than a low hour boat seldom used. If you save a little money on the purchase price those savings can be quickly voided by repairs and loss of use. Look for something turn key, even if its not as pretty.
 
I have a 2003 270 sundeck. Beautiful boat with tons of storage, including a small berth that is very handy as a storage area or napping spot for the kids. We regularly have the same number of adults and children that you mention on our boat and the cabin space has been great, which as mentioned above may be one of the main differences. Not knocking the 240 at all as that seems to be a great boat from all reports, but we went for the 270 because I knew anything less and I may get two footitis within the first summer. If possible try to get on both boats and that may help you make a choice.
 
I agree on the desire to get a bigger boat. I'll see how we feel about the 240 tomorrow. Not many 270's around, especially when looking to spend 25K or less.
 
just to throw it out, are you going to be trailering??
If so you may want to stick with the 240.
 
I wouldn't go with the one that had the blown motor. Mud should not blow a motor. It is very hard on the impeller, but something sounds fish indeed.
 
Just saw the 2004 240 with new engine, just 47 hours. Boat is easily a 9/10 and the engine, bilge and drive are spotless. All it needs is a bath and new snap in carpet.

Here is my question/issue. Engine was replaced with a 6.3l and not the stock 5.0. I like the bigger engine since we will often have 10 people on board.

Owner has all receipts, paperwork and the mechanic that did all of the work is calling me back.
 
SeaNile said:
Just saw the 2004 240 with new engine, just 47 hours. Boat is easily a 9/10 and the engine, bilge and drive are spotless. All it needs is a bath and new snap in carpet.

Here is my question/issue. Engine was replaced with a 6.3l and not the stock 5.0. I like the bigger engine since we will often have 10 people on board.

Owner has all receipts, paperwork and the mechanic that did all of the work is calling me back.
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Bigger is always better. I had the 5.7 in my 240 and was very happy with it....the 6.3 will not disappoint.
 
I'm not familiar with a 6.3 I know Merc made a 6.2 but Tonka is right, bigger is better. What drive does it have, is it a Bravo 3? If its clean and you are serious on making an offer, make sure you get an independent survey and do a sea trial before you cough up the dough.

I still am unsure about sucking mud being the real problem. Also ask what parts were re used when he did the re power. Does it have new exhaust manifolds for example.
 
Looked at 3 different 240's today. Choice was easy, boat #1 from private owner won out easily. 2004, showed well, new (47hrs) 6.3l engine, spotless and corrosion free outdrive, no dings on props, clean bilge, recently washed and showed very well. Could tell right away the owner cared for the boat and took very good care of it, the stack of receipts in the folder were a good example.

Boat #2 was $9,500 more than #1, 2003, was filthy, ripped upholstery, faded hull and outdrive with lots of pitting and corrosion.

Boat #3 was $14,000 than #1 and had 310hrs. 2005, didn't show bad but couldn't justify the price difference, even it it was 1K more, not 14K more.

Settled on a great price for #1 and having it delivered on Monday!!!
 
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