Kiora from New Zealand,new member

[kiwisearay]

Hi there everyone ,this is my 1st posting on the site,enjoying looking around for all sorts of advice etc so far.I own a 2300 seaswirl striper that I imported from USA 3 years ago,I have enjoyed the boat but are now ready to move on to a cruiser! sea ray 270 sundancers appeal to me and I really want to get into over nighting with my wife and 2 young boys ,we live in marlborough sounds which is the top of NZs south island ,I have the ramp 700metres from my home and have hunting 700metres in the other direction ,so for us its perfect ,I was looking around for a good 270 and trying to figure out what I should expect to pay,I have noticed that most have the 7.4mpi which I dont know much about,I think I would prefer the 5.7 mpi or the magnum if possible,as speed isnt really my thing and with the cost of fuel nowdays it seems to make sense,can anyone give me advice on which engine is best and what the fuel consumption differance would be? also wondering if there is anything to look out for with the 270,the laws here will allow me tow the wide beam 270 if I apply for a permit(no problem) but which 270 is best? the 8.6 beam or the wider beam,the boat I buy will need to be on a trailer and will be used mainly in the salt,any help would be much appreciated:smt100,take care for now and thanks for allowing me to join you all for advice and general info ,cheers ,Mike

 

[JimG]

Welcome aboard!

You might want to look at the wider beam with the 2 boys. I had the SE which had the 8.6 beam and the 7.4, but I don't know that I ever measured the hours/gallon.

You would need a permit to tow 700 meters?

 

[gwkiwi]

The Marlborough Sounds are a great area for boating and I have spent some good times there over the years and my uncle has a house there as well.

With the high price of gas (petrol) in NZ that may become a deciding factor for you or it may not.

Enjoy your summer in the sounds this Christmas I will be boating all over Florida this winter and spring so if I may help you let me know.

Regards from a stateside Kiwi.

 

[barlow]

Welcome to the site, good to see another Kiwi on board.

Im in Havelock on berth 7/17 come by and say hello when next in town. Planning on 26/12 - 4/1/11

Cheers

 

[Kiwi Graham]

Gday Mike,
Up in hot and hunid Auckland for me.
Running twin gas engines in my boat a deisel is a definite option for me in the next boat, simply stuggling to justify the fuel bill!

You live in a fantastic boating playground but the only boat I've been on down there is the interislander

 

[kiwisearay]

:smt038Thanks for the welcome guys ,Its good to hear some other kiwis are here too ,Jim I may drop in to say Hi to you in Havelock ,Im at Waikawa Bay,so not far away from you at all,I could probably get away with towing the overwidth boat to the ramp with no permit ,just worried the cops might catch me one day! lol I understand the trailers are 8,6 anyway ,so technically its not overwidth,is it? thanks ,Mike

 

[barlow]

8' 6" is the legal max so you will be fine.

I have a 240 BR and the trailer is that size but the boat is actually wider but no problems there so far.