Need Some Help With First Boat Purchase! 1985 270 Sundancer

[fhdguy3441]

I have recently been looking at purchasing my first boat and really like the look of the mid 80's Sundancer's and they fit well with my budget and needs. I plan on having a survey done before closing a deal. With that being said, I looked at an 85 270 the other day that was beautiful. New canvas, all seat covers were redone within the last 2 years. The person selling the boat is the second owner, who has had it since 87. The outside of the hull looks good (no cracks and sounds solid) and the engine compartment was very clean. The owner was very passionate about his boat and I believed him when he said everything was maintained as it should be. The one sticking point for me right now is the original Mercruiser 350 has 1500 hours on it. That works out to an average of 50 per year/season which I'm figuring is reasonable usage. I guess my question is can this engine last much longer?

Thank You

 

[Crave1957]

Hmmm I am having an engine dropped in mine right now! If you wanted to discuss all I have done for the last 2.5 years feel free to call me @ 503-781-4608. My boat has two 350s. Learned lots. Starting over I would do some things different but we do love the boat...... Check exhaust shutters....we had water reversion which killed an engine

 

[Saverio]

wow 1500 is a lot of hours on an original motor or any motor.
I'm assuming Pittsburg is all frhwater use?
the only real way your going to tell how the boat runs is testing it. Make sure it can plane. have a compression test done also.

 

[Mike Blake]

Anyway welcome to csr!!

 

[rwunar]

Good luck with your purchase/search, and welcome to the Pittsburgh boating scene.

 

[fhdguy3441]

Thanks for all of the responses. I understand that at my budget, I am not going to find the perfect boat with a low hours, great running engine and in beautiful cosmetic condition. However, i don't want to spend this winter repowering the boat either. I guess the search continues. Thanks.