Mid-90's 270 Sundancer Thread

I got my first look at a 1997 270da Sunday. Everything seems to be a good fit for our needs.

Access to the bow seems difficult. Do you and your crew walk around or pop up from the hatch to anchor or set lines? Has any one retro-fitted a through the windshield access on a 270 like the 260?

Do any of the 270’s come pre-wired for a windlass? Can you install a vertical windlass or is there only room for a horizontal style?

Thanks, MM
 
We walk down the sides to get to the bow and I personally prefer that method. It's a little more difficult when the full camper canvas is deployed, but still doable if you're careful. What I don't like about the windshield-access method is that it requires a much heavier door and seems to lead to frequent door-sliding issues.

We do occasionally pop out the forward hatch as well.

Retrofitting a walk-thru windshield would be a monumental project, IMO. If you really want that feature then you should probably be looking at the wider 270s.

I don't think you will find a narrow-beam 270 that is pre-wired for a windlass. See this thread for more windlass discussion: http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32183
 
Thanks for the response. I assume it will get more natural with practice. I worry about the walking around in rough water or opening the hatch over the bed area in bad weather.

MM
 
What props is everyone running on their 270's? I have a Bravo II with a 17.5x23 prop. However, I can only get 3900 rpms WOT. I'm considering decreasing pitch to 21 or 19 to get the rpms up in the mid 4000's range. Is 19 to much change? My current 23 pitch prop is very sluggish for low end acceleration as well.
 
I have 96' 270 B3 7.4.It has 2 - 24pitch props on it.I don't know if thats factory or not,but I think it does very well out of the hole.I know with my past boats I have ran a lower pitched prop for hole shots and quicker planing.They didn't have B3 drives though.I would like to know what factory props are.I'm pretty new to this site I'm glad I found this 270 thread.
 
We frequently get asked about the differences in the Sundancer 270 and SE. I have noticed we give varying answers at different times. I decided to research this for my own information and converted my notes into the following description. If others have edits or additional information I would be happy to add it.

1994-1997 270 Sundancer and 1998 and 1999 270 Sundancer Special Edition History

The number 270 has been used since the early 80s for various styles of boats manufactured by Sea Ray. The SRV 270 Sundancer moniker was used in 1982 for a 28 foot, 10 foot beam express cruiser. The 270 designation went through various changes in length and beam throughout the 80’s and into the early 90’s.

In 1994, a new hull design was released known as the 270 Sundancer. This design featured oval porthole windows that have become synonymous with the Sea Ray look and two glass hatches. This vessel had a 27’ 4” overall length and with the integral bow pulpit was 29’ 11”. Standard power was a Mercruiser 5.7 BII, with optional 7.4’s, diesels, and 4.3 twins. In 1996 and 1997, the 7.4 with BII became the standard power package. The BIII’s were always an option. In 1995, A/C was offered followed by generator packages in 1996. Each year the options list grew smaller, even while they added options, as most options were moved to standard features by 1997. The base weight grew from 6100lbs in 1994 to 6500lbs in 1997 as the options list grew.

In 1998, the 270 Sundancer became a 9’ 2” beam boat and the package described above became the 270 Sundancer SE. (The 270 now offered a separate dinette in the cabin and is the quickest way to tell it and the SE apart.) This SE boat did undergo some changes. The standard power went back to 5.7 BII with the optional 7.4 BIII also available; diesel and twins were no longer offered. Other changes were the complete loss of one of the glass fore deck hatches, while the VHF radio and many other previously standard features became options again.

The advertised weight remained the same for 1998 but dropped to 6200lbs in 1999, it is thought this was an oversight as the options were removed in 1998 not 1999. At this point, they were using this hull for a “price point boat” as evidenced by the advertising slogan; “Is it too much boat for the money? The competition thinks so”. The 1999 270 SE continued, as in 1998, but now had competition from the new 260 Sundancer as a large trailerable Sea Ray. 1999 was the last year for this hull design.
 
Henn said:
Mike, I am new to my 1999 270SE and you answered a lot of my questions.
Thank you.
Click to expand...

Thanks, glad it helped you. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sea Ray info on your boat:

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNWXX995.pdf

Sea Ray info on threir boats in general:

http://www.searay.com/Page.aspx/pageId/10532/Model-Archives.aspx

My favorite upgrades:

http://www.swimplatforms.com/

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37167&highlight=windlass


MM
 
Hi all!

I just found and thought I would resurrect this thread! I just bought a 1994 270DA. At best it's a project boat. It was pretty grungy and needed a good bit of cleaning, which I've been happy to do. Also, its a base model, with few options, the 5.7 and Bravo II. I had been looking at earlier 270's but really liked the up top seating arrangements of the 1994+ models! I really didn't like those old flip down seats and thought the port holes made this 17 year old boat look much newer.

The bad news, is that on our second run with the boat the raw water pump failed and I seriously overheated the engine. Turned out I cracked both heads. Bummer. I've rebuilt engines before, I I took this opportunity to bring it home (I'm sure the neighbors love seeing it in the yard!) and rebuild the top 1/2 of the engine. While it's home, I've also re-sealed the port hole windows (wow! they really leaked) installed a Micro-wave over the sink and I'm planning on putting in a new stereo system with remote. Other little projects include repaiting the faded 'woodgrain' guage console.

I'm concerned the 5.7 is underpowered, but I'll use it as is for a few years and maybe down the line repower to a 7.4 or get a BIII. I dunno. We'll see.

But I wanted to say "Hi" and i"ve been really be enjoying searching old threads for great information.
 
Hi John and welcome. Surprised your temp alarm didn't forewarn you of the impending overheat. I think you'll find that boat will be somewhat under-powered with the 5.7. A stainless B2 prop will help a LOT - probably a much better ROI than a B3 - unless the outdrive is shot and you have to replace anyway. My B2 will run with similarly sized B3 boats all day and tends to plane faster.

Good luck with your project.
 
MLauman said:
Hi John and welcome. Surprised your temp alarm didn't forewarn you of the impending overheat. I think you'll find that boat will be somewhat under-powered with the 5.7. A stainless B2 prop will help a LOT - probably a much better ROI than a B3 - unless the outdrive is shot and you have to replace anyway. My B2 will run with similarly sized B3 boats all day and tends to plane faster.

Good luck with your project.
Click to expand...

Thanks! What size and pitch is best? The B2 was recently rebuilt by the former owner.
 
You will need to see what other 5.7 owners are using to get any real value from the information. The BII is really strong, stronger than BIII. MM
 
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Mgupnorth. Could you post pics of your microwave install above the stove. I've wanted to do this but can't find the room without rebuilding the cabinet.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 
I'm not quite finished. I'm planning on covering the luan with oak veneer. I haven't decided yet if I want to stain it a cherry color like the newer sea rays or a lighter color to match the current wood. I would stain the rest of the wood to match. I've also thougt about putting in a wood floor to match. I'll also need to install the vinyl covered padded rail under the microwave.

My cabinet was toast, as water had leaked trough the port window and ruined the old luan, so I had to do major repair anyway. So far, I've been pleased with the result. I hope to get it finished this weekend.
 

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Mgupnorth said:
I've rebuilt engines before, I I took this opportunity to bring it home (I'm sure the neighbors love seeing it in the yard!) and rebuild the top 1/2 of the engine.

I'm concerned the 5.7 is underpowered, but I'll use it as is for a few years and maybe down the line repower to a 7.4 or get a BIII. I dunno. We'll see.
Click to expand...

John,
If you're willing to spend a little extra money, you can get over 300HP out of that 5.7. A camshaft upgrade, Vortec heads and matching intake manifold will do the trick. Does your engine currently have a 4bbl carburetor?

Larry
 
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Kay Lee said:
John,
If you're willing to spend a little extra money, you can get over 300HP out of that 5.7. A camshaft upgrade, Vortec heads and matching intake manifold will do the trick. Does your engine currently have a 4bbl carburetor?

Larry
Click to expand...

Larry,

Good to know! My engine did have a weber carb, but I've swapped it out for a "350 Magnum" 4bbl Rochester and new high rise intake manifold.
 
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