new owner of a 88 270

M

merkur92

New Member
Apr 13, 2008
8
san diego/portland
Boat Info
1988 270
Engines
twin 5.7
Hello,just got a 88 270 project boat that doesnt run.Twin 5.7 260 h.p. motors.Boat fits in here better than anywhere else.Lots of good info here.If anybody has any info they think i should know i would like to hear it.At cruising speed with these motors what kinda fuel economy should i get,1 mile per gallon?Or better i hope.Is one of the motors spinning backwards,if so port or starburd?Looking foward to making this boat come back to life.
 
Usually the motors spun the same way and the props did too. Some had a special lower unit that turned the prop CW. You should be able to look at your current props and determine if that was the case or if they both turned counter clockwise.

If you go to Searay.com, click on the Service link and then click on Archives you can pull up the brochure for your boat. They might even have the Owners manual. They have it for my 89, but not for my 87 (at least the last time I looked!). There is a wealth of knowledge on this board and someone either has or has had that boat and can give you all kinds of information.

I know that some of the 270's were capable of speeds in the upper 40's and rumor has it even into the 50's according to my mechanic. I'd love to see one do that! As far as mpg, I'd guess slightly over 1 mpg, but that's strictly a guess. There are so many other factors, like props, state of tune, load in the boat, weather and waves that it's hard to estimate. I figure once I start worrying about the cost of gas and mpg, it's time to take up golf! YUCK!! Maybe I'll just spend more time building and fly RC planes and practicing my high alpha 3D manuvers!!

If you would, put your boat information in your signature line, then we don't have to ask if you ask a a question and by all means we need PICTURES!!! Especially the before and after shots. I love the Sea Ray's of that era and would love to see the pics of your boat!!

Good luck getting her going!
 
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Thanks Sundancer,i used to live in spokane,i worked at Sunrunner marine when i was there,building boats.I will try and get some pictures soon.
 
Sun Runners were great boats and I'll bet that was an interesting job! Where is your homeport these days?
 
I guess i need to put san diego in my sig.I really live in portland oregon,but we have been in san diego for 4 months and thinking about making the move down here.
 
I owned an 84 for many years and it was a solid heavy boat. Very seaworthy and we would take it anywhere. We spent money on replacing the fabrics in the cabin area...best investment on this boat. Anyway, 350 engines are great and moves the boat very well. Typically cruises at 25mph at 3000 rpm burning about 15-18 gph. We never pushed it to WOT as this is not a go fast boat. Once you get it running, make sure the manifolds/risers are in good shape. I assume they are raw water cooled. If they have the original heads, they should be watched also as they rot out over time too. Of course check the OD boots and change the impellers.
Good Luck with the boat....
 
merkur92 said:
Hello,just got a 88 270 project boat that doesnt run.Twin 5.7 260 h.p. motors.Boat fits in here better than anywhere else.Lots of good info here.If anybody has any info they think i should know i would like to hear it.At cruising speed with these motors what kinda fuel economy should i get,1 mile per gallon?Or better i hope.Is one of the motors spinning backwards,if so port or starburd?Looking foward to making this boat come back to life.
Click to expand...

Quite the coincidental world we have here. We just purchased what was listed as a 1988 270 sundancer here in middle eastern Florida. Sounds like the oppisite of yours. We have new Jasper Marine 350 cu in GM with mercruisers. The cosmetics are awful. It came with a dual axle trailer that is more for a 26 foot boat instead of a 30 foot boat. We are in the process of getting it all cleaned and fixed up. If you run into any extra parts especially the bigger helm seat with the jump seats on the rear or a camper canvas package, that would be nice.
We had the same boat in a 1984 model years ago with a generator and twin 350 engines. It would run 48 mph. It felt more like a big runabout than a big cruiser. It would get around 2 to 3 mpg at cruising speeds. We had a 33 foot sunrunner before with twin 305's and the Sea Ray got 2.5 times better mileage than the Sunrunner. Enjoy your boat and let me know if we can help any. Tom mishunaire@aol.com
 
I used to have an 88 270 with twin 350's. I think the best top end I ever got was 45 on the GPS. Strong running boat with a good solid ride.

I replaced all of the cockpit and cabin upholstery when I had it, and it made a big difference. A couple things to look out for-
The radar arch is bolted to the side of the boat, and it can rattle loose and cause a water leak in the aft cabin.

Also, the long windows are prone to leaking as the deck flexes. Lots of articles and good advice about that online. Good luck!
 
Merkur, Good choice on a purchase(providing she's solid) My dock partner bought an '88 270 dancer out of long Island N.Y. 3 years ago. What a runner!!! I personally have a 300WE same era. He had a 25 Bayliner and I talked him into going down and looking at the 270. Needless to say he bought it and had it shipped up to where we are in the Finger Lakes region of N.Y. His boat is very nice, so far he has done everything from one jasper engine to us replacing head gaskets and manifolds on the other engine.(she was a salty that sat around alot). Also all new canvass,Teak refinish,striping, and interior. This boat does 47mph on GPS, rides like a dream and is so much more nimble than my 300 with Inboards.(eventhough i prefer the inboards for manueverability). Both props spin clockwise with Alpha ones. U have to use the wheel and the engines when docking these unless no wind conditions. Not a bad handling boat though. Amazingly Quick for the size!!! Good luck and lets see some PICS!!Dan
 
O.K,i am feeling better about my purchase,thanks guys.I tore into the engines and decided they were both junk.I am looking for motors now,not fun on a tight budget.Looking foward to taking this thing out on the water.
 
I talked to the guy about those engines,they came out of a 87 sea ray that he bought and scrapped becouse the outdrives were bad,and the interior was thrashed.Not knowing the history of the motors and being 21 year old salt water motors i am a little hesitant to buy them.
 
Just a update on my project.Bought 2 used engines,one rebuilt with 0 hours,and the other with 140 hours.Both 350 2 barrell motors.Was a pain getting them running,but i took it on a long cruise yesterday and i think most of the fine tuning is done.Everything seems to work except for the horn,water heater,and the vacum flush toilet.So i still have work to do_One of these days i will figure out how to post pictures on here.
 
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