Looking for pros/cons on used 27-30ft Sundancer vs Amberjack please!

D

David Snell

New Member
Sep 15, 2014
17
Frisco Texas
Boat Info
1991 Baja but looking to add ar 27-30 ft Sundancer 1994-2002. Like to learn as much as possible pro
Engines
454 HO in Baja
Hello,

My name is David and I live in North texas and am looking at buying a 1994 to 2002, 270-300 Sundancer OR Amber jack. I have owned a Baja for years but time to settle down to a more traditional and useful boat!. I'd love to know major differences between the two models Amberjack vs Sundancer and opinions with pros/cons to any of the various years which to buy/not buy etc! Also opinions of single screw vs twin along with opinions on the smaller 4.3s or larger 5.0 or 5.7 l engines if in a twin. I am a pilot so I get that it may be easier to use adverse thrust with twins but would love opinions of pros/cons re twin and the various size motors Sea Ray uses! Suggested time (hours) on engines before rebuilt or new may be needed if this is a semi common known figure?? Also NO clue re generators.......obviously good to have but have seen some people using Honda suit case generators if not installed on their boats! My guess not as good as a built in generator. Trying to do my due diligence before buying! This time of year boat shopping may be good. Don't want to buy a lemon and think there are plenty of good buys out there on the size/year/make/model I am seeking. Looked at classified BUT just a couple pages in it jumps to posted boats from 2008 any idea why?? LOVE to chat with someone who knows this Brand of boat inside/out to point me in right direct before...........buying used! Over all looks like a great boat BUT love to know dos/dont's in buying and the differences between the Amberjack and the Sundancer! PS if you know of any fresh water only.........boats taht may be of an interest to me interested to hear about them or a link to where sale is posted please!

Thanks so much.

David Snell/Dallas
dsnell@grandecom.net
 
David Snell said:
Hello,

My name is David and I live in North texas and am looking at buying a 1994 to 2002, 270-300 Sundancer OR Amber jack. I have owned a Baja for years but time to settle down to a more traditional and useful boat!. I'd love to know major differences between the two models Amberjack vs Sundancer and opinions with pros/cons to any of the various years which to buy/not buy etc! Also opinions of single screw vs twin along with opinions on the smaller 4.3s or larger 5.0 or 5.7 l engines if in a twin.

David, welcome to CSR and congrats on looking at the Sea Rays. They're nice boats and stout as all get out. As to your question about single screw vs twin, I think most people on here would recommend the twins, especially when you go into a bigger boat. Twins make maneuvering so much easier that if I were looking at a 300 or larger I'd never consider a single.

One comment I might make...before I bought my 330 I was looking at a 300. I'd walked by a 330 and felt it was just too big for me to learn how to handle. I went into the 300 and couldn't stand up straight because of the low ceiling. I then walked into a 330 and was sold on the boat just because I didn't want to always be bumping my head on the ceiling. Just something to think about before you buy a boat you're not happy with.

I am a pilot so I get that it may be easier to use adverse thrust with twins but would love opinions of pros/cons re twin and the various size motors Sea Ray uses! Suggested time (hours) on engines before rebuilt or new may be needed if this is a semi common known figure?? I would think that properly maintained engines would go at least 1000 hours before needing any major work. Maintenance is the key here.

Also NO clue re generators.......obviously good to have but have seen some people using Honda suit case generators if not installed on their boats! My guess not as good as a built in generator. You are in Texas and considering a boat without a genset? C'mon man. Down there you need A/C and that calls for a genset. Don't even think about using a Honda generator on the swim platform. The carbon monoxide threat from doing that is just too great to even consider it.

Trying to do my due diligence before buying! This time of year boat shopping may be good. Don't want to buy a lemon and think there are plenty of good buys out there on the size/year/make/model I am seeking. Looked at classified BUT just a couple pages in it jumps to posted boats from 2008 any idea why?? LOVE to chat with someone who knows this Brand of boat inside/out to point me in right direct before...........buying used! Over all looks like a great boat BUT love to know dos/dont's in buying and the differences between the Amberjack and the Sundancer! PS if you know of any fresh water only.........boats taht may be of an interest to me interested to hear about them or a link to where sale is posted please!

There are a couple of pieces of advice I always give to people shopping for a boat. The first is "DON'T RUSH IN". Take your time, do your due diligence, examine how you plan to use a boat and try to make sure the boat you're looking at will fit that bill. The second piece of advice is "BUY YOUR SECOND BOAT FIRST". By that I mean don't do what a lot of people do. They find a boat that's pretty/cheap/mama likes it and they buy it. Then, after a year or two they realize it doesn't suit their needs or isn't equipped the way they want a boat to be equipped and they decide to sell it and buy the boat they should have bought in the first place. That gets VERY expensive.

Also, when you start to zero in on a specific boat, have it surveyed to make sure you know what you're buying. The few hundred bucks you'll spend on a survey might save you from spending thousands of bucks repairing things you didn't know were wrong with the boat.

Thanks so much.

David Snell/Dallas
dsnell@grandecom.net
Click to expand...

Good luck
 
Gofirstclass said:
Good luck
Click to expand...

GREAT info thanks! This would be a second boat keep the old baja its paid for with rebuilt motor so what theyd pay for it might as well keep it! Are there any know dates of this Sundancer should steer clear of no offense to anyone but like every other vehicle seems like some years are better than others at times! Looking 1994-2000 to stay in my price point......think bigger than a 260 is good but 30 plus pushing it just two of us with friends coming out on a local Dallas lake! THANKS re other info pretty well re confirmed some of my own thoughts.

One question: Different motors they installed: 4.6/5.0/5.7 obviously I understand smaller vs bigger but in order to save on supposedly cost/fuel wouldn't you run those smaller engines harder to push a 27-30 ft boat. Curious feedback from anyone who has had both or could make suggestions here based on experiance with various sized mercs running thee boats.

Thanks again

David
 
First and foremost, welcome aboard. GFC pretty much nails it. Now, down to business. You've explained what are you going to do with the boat KINDA.....but what are you going to do most of the time? If the two of you is the norm then a 27 is great. Actually, you could probably get by with a 25 or a 26. A 27 is easily pushed with a set of 4.3's or a 8.1 (if repowered) or a 7.4 HO. If the norm is two of you + 2 a 27 is still good but you would be hard pressed with anything but a set of 4.3's or bigger or an 8.1 to move you along. If the norm is two of you and more than 2 other guests then you are going to be tight at 27'. I'd go to 29 - 33.


How big is this Texas lake? If it's like some of the "lakes" (snicker) in Virginia, 27' is almost too much boat to fit in the thing without touching each end. Are you going to be doing any overnights or just day cruising?

As I said, GFC about nailed all the hard points. I just tried to hit some of the softer ones that I failed to touch on throughout my buying and selling over the years. Now is the time for real soul searching. Plus if you have or can get the proper tow vehicle, considering the boats you are looking for, distance from home should not be a factor in your decision.

Good Luck.
 
First, GFC and dpmulvey are spot on. Where your boating may very depict what you get. Too big for not enough water. If for the most part it is just the two of you think in that line but if you take people then the 270 to 330 might work.
So, the years you are talking about - 1994-2002. I think for the most part in the 270 class they are a narrow beam. 1994/1995 they were 8ft. It may have started changing in 1996 or so to 9ft or so but not much. Part of the rationale was easier and more legal to trailer a narrower boat then it's predessor like I have (1988/270SD) with a 10ft. 8in beam. I ride better and not as much side to side issues.
My 270 has 4.3L Mercs with 175HP per. I could say I wish it had the 260's but the 175's are nice and running in the 30+MPH range is really quite easy on her. Fuel usage is low compared to my 400EC. Maybe 8 to 12 gallons an hour at the most. And my admiral packs up for a day or weekend like we are going for a month or year. I hope she doesn't see this.
So again determine where you are boating, who is boating, what type of boating (cruising or overnighters) maintenance costs then look at them all before you buy.
Good Luck and Welcome to the site and hopefully to a really good Sea Ray.
 
Thanks...........Lake Lewisville in North Texas holds many 40 ft yachts so 27-30ft is easy fit! Over nights yes.....so all good points! Keeping the 1991 24 ft Baja so ill get speed fix with that just under 70 across the lake! Seems like twins is way to go...... ANY idea why in classifieds seems to go from 2014 boats to 2008 boats for sale from pg 2-3? assuming this is good time of year to shop! Should be more soon and as for saltwater buys obviously much lower sales price and no offense to salt water goers but assuming best to buy 100% fresh water boat? IF anyone learns of a "nice boat" for sale in that 1994/1996 to 2001 year range 20-37k interested to hear about it! Need another boat like a hole in the head but good time at age 44 to do it and have a little cash stashed for rainy day repairs just trying to avoid sudden down pour/poor.......with initial purchase. Surveyor cost seems like a must before any sale guess you just go shop one of those in whatever area you buy from! Thanks again david. Forums are great I have a 2008 blown C6 vette and the corvette forum has been an invaluable tool to learn/guide from the past year with recent mods done to the car! Thanks again.......more questions soon I am sure! One last......without rebuilds/new motors what hour range is getting high in any of your opinions that I may shy away from without new/rebuilts long blocks?
 
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I have a 94 300 sundancer with the 260 hp 5.7 merc with alpha one drives. I'm also luck enough to have a generator too. In my opinion the boat is a$$ end heavy. I have to run around 3600-3700 to stay on plane with 3-4 people on board and 1/2 a 1/2 a tank of fuel (100 gal). I do love the boat. Lots of room, and a huge cockpit. Sea ray was notorious for having small tabs on these boats. This winter i'm going to upgrade to large one. If you have any questions let me know.
Chris
 
That craigslist ad is for a Sundancer with alphas. Not an amberjack with bravo 3s.

I have the 290 sundancer like in the craigslist ad. That one has all the goodies you want and it's at a fantastic price as long as maintenance is appropriate. I'd take a hard look at that one.
 
Thanks trading text with him this afternoon already! So looks like configuration is biggest difference and not so much under cabin vs Sundancer any other major differences I should be aware of? re Amberjack.......I like to fish but thats not what boats main purpose would be! hang out and sleep on! Thanks re referral
 
I forgot about the Amberjack. The Amberjack will give you beam. Beam makes a boat. The Sundancer looks as if there is water damage in the carpet at the dinette but that could be it was shampooed and the angle of the photo. I don't know the interior of an amberjack, but I would assume it is more spartan as the AJ is a fishing machine.

Again, what do you want to do? Larger cockpit in the AJ. Wider beam. Fewer hours. No gennie that I can see but there is a place in Arkansas that specializes in W'beke. Installation is not that hard. Figure 3-5K used. I don't know about a trailer with the AJ. The trailer under the DA if in good condition is probably worth 3K MAYBE. I can't figure out if only the tires are bad ($125 each) or all three axles are bad then I'll stab at $750 - $1K per axle for a complete rebuild.


Tough call, but IMO, the DA is high in this market.
 
The layout of the AJ is the biggest difference. Of you're looking at the older pre '90's AJ's you won't have an aft cabin but you will have a large level cockpit and significant in floor storage in the cockpit. There is no dedicated sleeping quarters- you'll have to convert the V berth when it's time to crash. If you are looking at the '86 and newer 27ft AJ's they will have twin 6 cylinder power and are pretty reliable but won't blow away anything else. They are big heavy boats. If you are looking pre '86 the twins were rare. Look for one that has been converted to a big block with a bravo II or III drive.
I use mine as a weekend cocktail cruiser/ tie up platform. I have spent the night on it a few times but it's not ideal.
 
David,

I live in the area. Had a 340 on Lake Lewisville until about a month ago when I sold it.

I am not personally familiar with the models that you are discussing, but if there are any topics relative to the lake or the general market feel free to shoot me a message. I don't make salesperson recommendations very often - but Franklin over at Marine Max (Pier 121) is a fantastic resource. He does know Sea Rays and the market very well. Might be worth dropping by and visiting with him for a few minutes.
 
hi David, I've owned (2) 290 aj's gas, and currently own a 340 aj w/3126 cats. and can say that I've loved them all. I only wish sea ray did not stop making them, the next logical step would be a 370 ec, but they stopped making that one in 2000, so real clean ones are getting harder to find. I don't think you will go wrong with any of the aj's and certainly the brand is great. I find that when overnighting little things that you don't pay attention to when just out tire kicking will turn up, such as room in the head, hot water, a place for the dogs to lay etc. so try envision how you will use the boat and some of the places you will spend the night,,,, bigger seems to be better.
 
David welcome to CSR. We have a 270 DA and really enjoy spending time on it. Mine is single engine which saves me money on maintenance cost and makes it easier to work in the engine room. We cruise at 28 mph and can hit 35 mph at WOT on a good calm day. If you are planning on spending any nights sleeping on your boat the V-birth on a 270 is a little short and the aft birth ceiling is a little close. My wife and I are under 5' 6" so it does not effect use to much but sure wouldn't mind a extra ft or two on the bed. So when you look at these boats lay down on the bed and see if you are comfortable, Sit at the dinette, walk around in the cabin with your wife. Its not going to be as much fun if you are not comfortable.
Good luck on your search and choose wisely.

Gordon
 
Ditto what others have said about deciding what you want to DO before deciding what to buy. I didn't consider Amberjacks because I knew we'd be spending 1 - 2 nights per weekend for the better part of 5+ months of summer, plus occasional stays year round....but I did consider Weekenders. Level cockpit like the Amberjack, but creature comforts like the Sundancer. Went w/300 DA realizing it would always be First Mate and me, and the occasional guest or 3, so the mid-cabin was the selling point. I'm extremely happy with the dimensions and amenities--I was quite wary of two foot-itis and succesfully bought my second boat first.

BUT if you plan to trailer, smaller boat = narrower beam, so keep that in close consideration.

Good luck no matter which way you go!
 
Thanks............Ill call him as sourcing boats is all kinds of fun! Lots for sale but finding right one mechanically wise as well as interior etc etc. I appreciate the heads up from all comments. Pretty set on a 270/280/290 Sundancer at this point. Think the 280 Sundancer will be great. So comes the search of which twins are Ok/not........does it have a built in generator seems like a must for Texas heat/ac at night on water etc. More room is better........have friends boat to fish on so got that covered!! Spent time on a pilot friend of mines 2002 260 on Lake Washintgion weeks back thought it was great but thought 2-4 more feet would have been little better for 4-6 people etc. ANY one know why used section seemd to go from 2014 boats first 2-3 pages then jumps to post from 2008 in classified re boat sales?? I appreciate the feedback. Invaluable info here on pre purchase's d'os/dont's etc !! SO if anyone knows of a clean well maintained 1994/1995 to 2002 from about 24k range to 37k range I'm looking! Fiance excited by the bigger boat vs the Baja which only knows off and as fast as it will go she does not like! So id better move cautiously fast with green light a go before we go to amber quickly to red on this quest!
 
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For what it is worth, that 290 on Craigslist has been for sale since last spring. (might be anxious to make a deal) It appears to be pretty nice. It seems worth checking out. When I was looking, my wife really wanted to look this one but we never did, but he is a nice guy. We started looking at the 290’s, but ended up with a 330. Glad I did, but we don’t trailer out boat, nor were we equipped to do so. We keep our 330 on Texoma, Catfish Bay Marina.

Matt
​
 
David Snell said:
Thanks............Ill call him as sourcing boats is all kinds of fun! Lots for sale but finding right one mechanically wise as well as interior etc etc. I appreciate the heads up from all comments. Pretty set on a 270/280/290 Sundancer at this point. Think the 280 Sundancer will be great. So comes the search of which twins are Ok/not........does it have a built in generator seems like a must for Texas heat/ac at night on water etc. More room is better........have friends boat to fish on so got that covered!! Spent time on a pilot friend of mines 2002 260 on Lake Washintgion weeks back thought it was great but thought 2-4 more feet would have been little better for 4-6 people etc. ANY one know why used section seemd to go from 2014 boats first 2-3 pages then jumps to post from 2008 in classified re boat sales?? I appreciate the feedback. Invaluable info here on pre purchase's d'os/dont's etc !! SO if anyone knows of a clean well maintained 1994/1995 to 2002 from about 24k range to 37k range I'm looking! Fiance excited by the bigger boat vs the Baja which only knows off and as fast as it will go she does not like! So id better move cautiously fast with green light a go before we go to amber quickly to red on this quest!
Click to expand...
Just a guess, but....because people with young boats aren't as interested in selling them? In some cases, people are probably very happy with their purchases. In others, they might be dealing with depreciated value against loan principle and be hard pressed to get out of them without losing their shirts. A lot of boats are big money, but newer ones are REALLY big money!
 
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