Late 90's 270 Sundancer Thread

I too have looked at lots of pics of 280's are honestly can't see the big difference between the 280 and 270. I would guess the cockpit is never used by owners, although I would like a built-in cooler in the cockpit which I think the 280 has - under the sink. I too love my 270!!

I do have one major gripe and that is the lack of a step to use while boarding. I just can't fathom why nor forgive Sea Ray for this oversight. We tried putting rugs on the aft bench seat and the darn rubber backing of the rug left a faint (and removeable) stain on the white vinyl. Just a pain!! I know I can use a portable step or whatever, but common - WTH?
 
Hi all, i just bought my 1st boat a 98 270 DA last week. I love it and i am still learning a lot but one thing i dont love is the canvas. It seems everyone in my marina puts up the full camper when they leave. I tried w friends and failed to get the rear sides and back to meet no matter what we did (loosened all the pull pins) its just too damn tight. I am going to replace the bimni this winter but the rest is in good shape. Any suggestions on what to do? this thread is great!
 
I have the EXACT same boat and the EXACT same problem with the camper cover. It seems the bimini top is about 4 inches too high and most importantly, there is NO adjustment to lower it.

When you look at the Sea Ray manual, there is dissussion about push button pins in the bimini poles that slide for adjustment.

However, my bimini poles have NO such adjustment and are fixed in place.

As a result, when we tried as hard as we could to close the zippers, we actually TORE a plastic side window.

We then folded up the camper cover and put it away.

I think this has been a problem since day one as the camper top looks brand new.

I have been thinking about buying NEW bimini poles with the push buttons that the Sea Ray manual says comes with the bimini. I am not sure Sea Ray even has these available or the cost.

Let me know if this is YOUR problem as well as I keep wondering if someone substituted my bimini poles with the origional set?

I would like to know if others have adjustable push button bimini poles?

One last question, how does everyone STORE their bimini top with the cockpit tow cover on the boat? I have seen pics where the two parts are wraped up, the boots put on and one pole is still connected and it lays down on TOP of the cover.

However, that looks like a LOT of weight that would have to be carried by the center pole and when in travel, with the natural bouncing on the trailer, would even put MORE stress on the center pole!!!

Yet, there does not seem to be a better way to store them.

Finally, I still need an aswer to my question regarding recommended anchor weight, length of chain and rode for a 270 DA boat?

Thanks!

Ron Mason
 
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I checked today i do have the poles w the buttons but my issue is i cant get the sides to attach the back camper attaches fine to the bimni.
 
I have the same boat and when I first started using the camper it was very very very difficult to putup. It was never used. I layed everything out on the dock in the hot sun for a couple hours. On my boat I do have the push buttons on the uprights. I zip all 3 front pieces on slide all the buttons so the bimini is leaning forward snap the front 3 pieces in and slide the poles back down to were there suppose to stay. I have 4 buttons 2 on each side making instalation a lot easier.. after sitting In the sun and with a LITTLE pulling and fighting all other pieces fit. Zipper theb snap. I left then up for a couple days I the sun and everything is much easier to Install. Takes me about 15 min on oroff. As for storing them I roll them up and keep them I the aft birth but if they sit in the ac to long there a b.... toget back on. Onceyou figure out a routine it gets easier every time. As for the sides not fitting. Does one side fit and not the other or both dnt fit. Sometimes I have to re center the rear half of the bimini it slides a little sometimes. Best of luck with your new boat enjoy
 
Also - there is a sponsor here that sells extender strips for covers that are just too tight and may have shrunk. It may be worth checking out. It's the sponsor called EZ - Extend
 
No amount of summer heat will get mine together as the bimini simply sets too high.

I sincerely believe that if my poles were adjustable, then I could get it to work as we had it all together, but there was just too much space on the sides of the bimini to get it to work.

Since it sounds like you all have the adjustable poles, I must assume that I need a new set.

Ron Mason
 
Are you sure you don't have the adjustable poles. I'm not saying you don't know but I didn't know until I was told all there is a little nipple sticking out about mid way on up on the furthest back pole then another on the 3rd pole starting in the back of the boat counting forward. I have never seen one without it. There is only 2 settings. Again I'm not saying your wrong but maybe your just looking fkr the wrong thing.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
I have the same boat and when I first started using the camper it was very very very difficult to putup. It was never used. I layed everything out on the dock in the hot sun for a couple hours. On my boat I do have the push buttons on the uprights. I zip all 3 front pieces on slide all the buttons so the bimini is leaning forward snap the front 3 pieces in and slide the poles back down to were there suppose to stay. I have 4 buttons 2 on each side making instalation a lot easier.. after sitting In the sun and with a LITTLE pulling and fighting all other pieces fit. Zipper theb snap. I left then up for a couple days I the sun and everything is much easier to Install. Takes me about 15 min on oroff. As for storing them I roll them up and keep them I the aft birth but if they sit in the ac to long there a b.... toget back on. Onceyou figure out a routine it gets easier every time. As for the sides not fitting. Does one side fit and not the other or both dnt fit. Sometimes I have to re center the rear half of the bimini it slides a little sometimes. Best of luck with your new boat enjoy
Click to expand...

Mine has adjustable poles also. I wonder if Ron's were replaced for some reason. As above mine did take some stretching initially to get attached since it had never been used.

I used to have a CJ7 jeep with the same problem. Every fall when I would put the top back on it I would swear it had shrunk and I would never get it attached but I always did ultimately.

John
 
deeman said:
I do have one major gripe and that is the lack of a step to use while boarding. I just can't fathom why nor forgive Sea Ray for this oversight. We tried putting rugs on the aft bench seat and the darn rubber backing of the rug left a faint (and removeable) stain on the white vinyl. Just a pain!! I know I can use a portable step or whatever, but common - WTH?
Click to expand...

I think I am missing something here. I have a pass through at my transom to walk into the cockpit off the swim platform. No climbing over the aft bench. Do you have the other 270 style the 8'6" beam? Or am I missing what you mean about boarding?

John
 
Loneranger said:
I think I am missing something here. I have a pass through at my transom to walk into the cockpit off the swim platform. No climbing over the aft bench. Do you have the other 270 style the 8'6" beam? Or am I missing what you mean about boarding?

John
Click to expand...

We pull into the slip nose first and our docks end about where the swim platform starts, so the end of our dock leads us to board into the cockpit right between the aft bench seat and the mid cockpit seat on the starboard side - you know, the spot where boat mfg's have placed boarding steps for years - lol! Heck, if we had to board onto the swim platform it would be be a nightmarish 4' drop from the dock.
 
Loneranger said:
I think I am missing something here. I have a pass through at my transom to walk into the cockpit off the swim platform. No climbing over the aft bench. Do you have the other 270 style the 8'6" beam? Or am I missing what you mean about boarding?

John
Click to expand...

Th 8'6' beam has the transom door as well, and did since 94 model. I set a 54 quart cooler as my step on the port side. MM
 
boatrboy said:
Wow you were busy! I am interested about these if you do post pics.
Click to expand...

Pics for the underwater lights will have to wait as I forgot to take picks while installing but I can talk a you through it and get some good pics when I put it in the lift later this fall.

The led lights on the bimini are pictured below. I had one of them get some water into the housing. It turned out to be the switch cover that was not installed tightly. I have dried out the housing and reinstalled the switch cover so we will see if it remains water tight. The other one has had no problems. I might return the leaking one if it continues to leak. They put out a lot of light. They were cheap and easy to install. Taking off the waterproof battery cover is a bit of a pain as it is held on by eight screws.

967243C5-ACEF-4AC3-85B6-539E330860C1-3124-0000019BF54A5F54_zpseae45451.jpg


66A501F1-5BE2-462F-BB65-41153DA48976-3124-0000019C048F2678_zps90cfd4a0.jpg
 
The led strip lights I installed are pictured below. I took power from the bilge light on the forward bulkhead so when turn on the bilge light switch the current bilge lights and the new strip lights all come on. The back of the strip came with a peel and stick 3m tape but it did not stick well so I am having to do the installation. I plan on placing a bead of silicone around the lip that forms the drain channel around the bilge hatch. I will then place the lights firmly into the bead. I ordered them off eBay. A shipped direct from hongkong kind of deal. There are two versions of these lights floating around one are waterproof the other is not.

6106DA26-2238-40F2-8A6D-1F788ABB0A63-3124-0000019C500AB79C_zps07809081.jpg


EDBAAF75-67EA-4924-A45C-5E7611867045-3124-0000019C3F930101_zpsc00567d1.jpg


6ADAF71E-FDE7-4BE0-81D0-2DE83E2A239D-3124-0000019C32FD3963_zps7c3dca64.jpg
 
Carpet looks very nice. Would you consider sharing your carpet guys contact info? I'm near Bristol on South Holston and Morristown is not very far. I'd like to have the same pattern. Thanks.
 
Howdy gang, I just purchased a 2000 Searay 270 Sundancer and self referred to this thread for "Noob" questions.

The trash can from under the cabin stair was missing. Does anyone know the dimensions of the factory trash can so I can go pick one up.

I believe the rear facing Starboard seat is supposed to house a cooler. This was also missing. Does anyone know the dimensions for the cooler so I can pick one of those up.

I would love to hear if anyone has a similar boat and would like to pass on some sage like advice before I hit the water here in a month or so on general maintenance/operation of this particular boat. She has the 7.4 MPI single engine and the Kohler 5kw Genset. Overall the boat was fairly clean, but I think my initial foray is going to be to clean out the interior and get some basic maintenance knocked out on the Genset, Engine and Outdrive so I can make a service baseline.


Regards
 
Hey Jakester congrats on your new 270. I have a 1999 270 sundancer that I just got last Sept. I do have the trash can under the step in the entryway. I will get the measurements in the next day or so and post it for you. I don't have the cooler under the seat, thats where the life jackets are being stored. I did get two good months of cruising in before I winterized, and the wife and I spent some nice weekends on the boat. I am sure you are going to have some really good times this coming season.
 
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