Mid-90's 270 Sundancer Thread

Gengiant's post got me thinking about what all I have done to mine. So, while enjoying a beer and the mid 60's today I made a list. Probably left out a few things, but the beer was good.

Added by me: AFI air horn, Garmin 178C GPS/sounder, Kohler 4kw genset (3rd battery), Bennett tab retractor, Bennett tab indicator, bladder tank, XM radio & ant, CD changer, 200w stereo amp, TV shelf & TV, 2nd CO monitor, bow fender holders, Horizon 600FF windlass, rear cockpit handrails (for hanging ropes), stainless prop, and the BIG SWIM PLATFORM.

Items I've replaced: VHF - Horizon Intrepid, VHF Ant - Shakespeare, Norcold fridge, battery charger - ProMariner, Speakers - Pioneer, Lowrance Depthfinder (display), ingition switch, cabin door lock, spotlight switch and 1 (of 2) servos, fuel pump, engine water pump, 1 manifold (need to do the other this winter) and the usual assortment of batteries, hoses, belts, impellers, etc.

The only major shop repair I've had (other than bottom paint) was a transom seal replaced recently. Boat has about 550 hours.
 
MLauman said:
Dave M said:
What part is the front cabin sole cushion?
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I'm probably mis-naming it, but I'm referring to the trim piece (coaming?) that runs along the deck-hull joint (rubrail) inside the cabin between the microwave cabinet and the anchor locker.

Edit: Sea Ray calls it the 'Muff, V-Berth Gunwale Port'.

Edit again: I think I like my name better.
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Been out in my boat, poking around. Found the secret zippers inside the cabinets above and to the right of the stove. Prairie Home Companion was on the radio, so listened to that. My speakers on the port side are not working, but listened anyway, it was good.

I found the 'Muff, V-Berth Gunwale Port'. I can feel wires behind it that lead to the speakers, the front cabin lights, or both. But I did not find the attaching screws. :smt013 Do you remember if they go in horizontally, or are they hidden behind the muff and go in vertically?

My boat reallly needs an audio upgrade/replacement job. The only major repair I have had done was to fix the boo boo where I hit bottom. The boat has 820 hrs right now.
 
Dave M. said:
I found the 'Muff, V-Berth Gunwale Port'. I can feel wires behind it that lead to the speakers, the front cabin lights, or both. But I did not find the attaching screws. :smt013 Do you remember if they go in horizontally, or are they hidden behind the muff and go in vertically?
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There are (3-4?) pleats in the muff - the screws are hidden in the pleats (maybe not all of them). There is one screw in the center and it goes straight in horizontally.

I forgot about those hidden zippers. That was helpful in getting the snake thru.
 
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. said:
Mods to my 270DA include the extended swim platform (best $$ spent on the boat to date!), recently replaced windlass (I couldn't imagine hoisting a 24# Delta Quickset and 33' of chain by hand out of 80' of water!), multi-disk CD changer, inverter, full (new) custom camper canvas and carpet throughout cockpit and back step, crab pot pulling hoist (used to haul in dive tanks), 2 sets of fishing rod holders, GPS/depth finder, fixed-mount VHF radio, PUR water filter, 3rd battery (backup only), dual stainless fender cages up on the bow (ok, this is one of the more obscure improvements),.... I think that's it. She does have full heat and air and the macerator option.
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Sounds like a very nice boat! Really wish I had the windlass too. What do you find are the benefits of the extended swim platform? Is it mostly of use when you are in the water around the boat, or would it be useful in cold water areas too?

You also mention carpet on the back step. Mine is in serious need of new carpet, and that is one area I don't have it, but wish I did. I think it would help keep from tracking a lot of sand into the boat.

Days are getting longer![/quote]

Dave,

There are LOTS of benefits to the extended swim platform! Let's start with the extended "living space". Wether under way or at anchor, docked, whatever, being able to keep the cooler on the back built-in step and still have room to move around on the back - either getting on and off the boat or simply hanging out on the swim step at a raft-up for instance, is wonderful. Our dog just loves laying on the swim step when we are at anchor! :grin: The extended step is also very nice for any type of action on the stern, say, bringing in a salmon or dive gear, general space at the stern for assisting other boats wanting to raft up, etc. It's simply this addition of "instant space"!

Another often overlooked benefit is that the extended swim step extends fully past the outdrive. Really helps protect everyone from the sharp SS props when hanging out back there, jumping in the water, etc. And then there is the surface-mounted ladder Sea Ray equipped these boats with. :smt017 Don't tell me you never stubbed your toes on it! :smt013 We absolutely love the "hidden" ladder on the extended swim step. No more stubbed toes! :smt038

As to the carpet on the built-in back step: I have 8 snaps mounted across the back step (4 staggered pairs) that hold the carpet in place. That single piece of carpet does an unbelievable job of keeping dirt out of the boat. After most trips it is the only piece of carpet I take home and pressure-wash. Plus it has the added benefit of eliminating a quite slippery area at the back of the boat! These days I wouldn't do without it.

Well, Christmas is done with. I didn't do any work on the boat yet, so the to-do list is still long. Maybe next weekend. :wink:

'Sea' ya!
 
I tried to make these pics smaller by downloading the microsoft program but it didn't seem to work, just made them blurry.
 
Yes out. My dad and I installed it in about 4 hours. There are easy to follow directions and if you get confused the owner of the company gives you his cell number you can call with any questions. Email me if you have any questions.
 
Not sure what Island Trek's experience with his installation was, but I, for one, am VERY glad I had my local shop install the extended platform. During the installation process they discovered a couple of 'things' that were mounted to the transom in the engine room which had to be relocated due to a conflict with the bolt pattern/locations of the swim platform. :smt017 Also, several of the bolts of the platform are located very near the water line (at least they are on my 270DA). With 3-4 people sitting on the platform these locations are now submerged. I really did not want to drill these holes myself, simply not trusting in my ability to permanently re-seal the mounting hardware and hull. :smt101 In principle, however, doing the work yourself is/should be quite simple. :thumbsup:

Lastly, when I ordered the platform form Scott (the owner at swimplatforms.com) I had it shipped directly to the yard that mounted it for me. It is shipped in a rather large crate wheighing almost 350#. Since I've had back surgery before I was in no mood or shape to wrestle with such a 'package'. :smt018
 
Cool platform. I have a 260 DA. The platform looks factory on your 270's.
 
gengiant said:
Lastly, when I ordered the platform form Scott (the owner at swimplatforms.com) I had it shipped directly to the yard that mounted it for me. It is shipped in a rather large crate wheighing almost 350#. Since I've had back surgery before I was in no mood or shape to wrestle with such a 'package'. :smt018
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Do you know what the installed weight of the platform is? I am curious how much it adds at the back of the boat. My boat already seems to be stern-heavy. The six batteries I know help contribute to that. I'm also curious about how much they cost. This is starting to sound interesting. My dog, though weighing 80 lbs, is a chicken, and won't go from the dock ot the rear of the boat to get on the boat. He might go for a swim platform.
 
Dave M. said:
Do you know what the installed weight of the platform is? I am curious how much it adds at the back of the boat.
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If I remember correctly, they told me the 270 platform weighs about 150 pounds. This seemed about right as 2 of us were easily able to handle it. I've not been able to tell any difference in the ride or stability of the boat and I had the same concerns as you since I have a genset in the rear starboard corner as well as 3 batteries on the port side.

It does give you something else to think about when backing into a slip, etc!
 
MLauman is correct - it's about 150# for the swim platform. The added weight is not really bad, unless of course you keep the 100 gal cooler full of ice and drinks on the back built-in step while under way. We tend to locate it there once at anchor or at the marina, but otherwise it travels in the cockpit (albeit at the stern end of it). Otherwise, you are correct. These boats are definitely tail-heavy as it is. You may want to think about moving some of the movable weight forward. We've had to have people move forward just to get the bow down to get on a plane. Granted, we did have a full cooler and 8 people on board. Nonetheless I was a bit disapointed in the performance of my boat. My friend's 23' Striper does much better with the same load! :smt009
 
gengiant said:
MLauman is correct - it's about 150# for the swim platform. These boats are definitely tail-heavy as it is. You may want to think about moving some of the movable weight forward. We've had to have people move forward just to get the bow down to get on a plane. Granted, we did have a full cooler and 8 people on board. Nonetheless I was a bit disapointed in the performance of my boat. My friend's 23' Striper does much better with the same load! :smt009
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Mine would be hard to get on plane with 8 people without the cooler! I am definitely going to consider moving some stuff forward. I have tool bags under the rear facing cockpit seat. These could be inside under the forward berth.

MLauman said:
It does give you something else to think about when backing into a slip, etc!
Click to expand...

I almost never do that, so I had not considered that. It is hard to find a place locally where I boat to even practice that.

I keep getting the urge to start a weight and balance thread. I seem to remember someone posting the COG for some Sea Ray, but I don't remember which one.
 
As I have posted on other sites, the only thing I had to relocate in the engine compartment was the light. I simply had to turn the light a quarter turn so it was vertical rather than horizontal. No other problems as you have mentioned gengiant. What was the cost of the installation? Oh, and you were right about the packaged platform. I too had it sent to my marina. I made sure I tipped the dock hands who unloaded it with the marina tow motor.
 
They took a look at the installation instructions which stated that the install tpically takes 4 hours to do. So that's what they charged me - 4 hours of labor. With the relocation of a couple of items they actually spent almost 6 hours on the job, though I am not sure that it was 6 continuous hours working just on my boat. However, while the boat was at the shop I had them fix a couple of other things as well. But as I've said before - if you have the time to spare and are resonably mechanically inclined (2 out of 5 wrenches as they would say in car magazines), you can definitely do this installation yourself. Just don't be chinzy on the sealant!
 
Picked mine up at the truck terminal and saved about $100...

platform1x_211.jpg


Crate was loaded on trailer by a forklift and then I just sawzalled it out on the trailer. So I never had to lift the crate.
 
Windlass wiring from Bow to stern/batteries

Guys... Any ideas on how to run the windlass wires from the batteries to the bow? I tried a snake, but it seems like the area is too tight and it never makes it to the batteries....
 
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