Official (1990-1993) 270/290 DA thread

[JerryS]

Teeter - I put a TV in our boat along with the antenna, etc. Fact is that we hardly ever use it, except to occasionally watch a DVD. But, the TV sets with built in DVD players usually end up with a DVD player that craps out. Also, you need to know that some of the TV's are not ignition spark protected and you can ruin them if they are on when you start the engine (Don't ask how I know this). At any rate, here is a picture and link to my install if you still are of that mindset: http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/34038-Mods-Updates-to-90-270da/page6

 

[Studman]

got to chime in on the Platform
we use the boat to raft up and swim and also to check out other local ports.
Wanted a bigger platform from the day I bought the boat, the 16" built-in platform just isn't enough. So I ordered one from swimplatforms.com ( one of the BEST companys you will ever deal with) and installed it with a helper in about 2 hours just before our season splash down. It was easy to install and came packed like it was gold.
I also had them install a post mount so I could grill. Let me tell you it's one of the BEST things I have done to the boat, it added so much more room, if fact it's bigger then the rear cockpit. They now offer 2 kinds of platforms, one that goes under the existing and another that goes OVER the old platform making it one big platform without a step in it which is the one I got.
As far as getting to the drive and the dink, I was able to change my prop by lying on the platform and could reach the drive with the boat at the dock without having to get in the water which is something I couldn't do before.
I had Davit's for the dink which I removed and now I can side the dink right onto the platform and tie it down , with the motor in place as there is no reason to remove it. I was worried about leaving the motor on the dink but just back from a 10 day, 175 mile trip all around LIS and the dink didn't move a bit. It is very easy on and off.
You will not be sorry for adding one of these platforms. I tried to post a picture but it said I was over my limit ???

 

[wakeup 19]

Plus one on studman above, also much safer for kids swimming and playing on back. had mine for about 8-9 years great product.

 

[JerryS]

Re: S

My slip neighbor completed the install of his swim platform and he installed an air conditioning unit. They also re-did the interior upholstery last fall. He did all of the work himself which is pretty impressive. Link to dropbox:

MOV​

Aug2013 070.MOV

 

[CV-23]

Re: S

I'd like to see the one that installs over the current platform! May be nicer without the step, Mike.

 

[JerryS]

Spotted an Eagle on the lake this morning. Couldn't get close enough to get a good shot.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Hi Jerry, I love it when I see these birds. Easily the most graceful in flight not to mention our National symbol. btw not a bad shot.

 

[CV-23]

Hi Jerry, I love it when I see these birds. Easily the most graceful in flight not to mention our National symbol. btw not a bad shot.

We have two adult Eagles and two of their young at our Boat Club......awesome! He's a little one born this year...bigger than the pole diameter, Mike.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

Hey Mike, Great photo! I bet you'll catch them fishing soon and see some great flying from the young ones, maybe even the parents. we anchored in Langford Creek off the Chester River on the Chesapeake Bay this spring for a couple days and a pair of eagles was nested about 100 yds from the boat. Had a blast just watching them doing their thing up there. Thanks for the pic.
Cliff

 

[CV-23]

Hey Mike, Great photo! I bet you'll catch them fishing soon and see some great flying from the young ones, maybe even the parents. we anchored in Langford Creek off the Chester River on the Chesapeake Bay this spring for a couple days and a pair of eagles was nested about 100 yds from the boat. Had a blast just watching them doing their thing up there. Thanks for the pic.
Cliff

I walked right up to the pole talking to him/her when I took the picture....no fear of people yet. We have watched the 4 of them all summer. The Parents fish quite a bit! We watched them feed the babies with a 20x spotting scope. They just rip them fish apart!

 

[btr22]

I am considering purchasing a 1992 290. The main issue holding me back is the cockpit seating layout. How do you owners like the bench seats for hosting friends and family on the boat? The rear bench is very low and not much of a back rest. The bench behind the helm was not installed when I looked at the boat but the seller has it. That one looks higher and more comfortable in pictures online. Compared to newer cruiser layouts the seating area is very utilitarian. The seller said he uses deck chairs mostly instead of the benches. Can deck chairs be used while underway? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[CV-23]

We just had 7 adults in ours last night for a wine tasting party.....nobody really minded the seating. The back/stern seat is low but the corner seat is nice. My wife is 5ft 0 so she likes the low seats.....her feet dangle off the back helm bench. I really like the triple helm seat because I like company when driving with my wife....not a solo bucket like my sport boats. This photo was last summer, Mike.

 

[C. C. & Company]

+1 on CV23's comments for the most part. The only issue with the helm bench is that it is not adjustable. On another note I did have the bench behind the helm removed for a while because of some other work that I was doing. I did find that you can put a couple of deck chairs in its place. The chairs there while underway were not a problem. I do prefer the bench though.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

I agree with C.C. the helm seat would be nice if it were back a bit so you could get in there and not hit the switches etc. I plan on reupholstering mine on the off season, and I think I am going to make the bench portion an 1-1/2" or so narrower, there seems to be about that much overhang over the base so the idea is to take it back until almost even. I think just that little bit will allow better egress to and from the helm. As for the rear facing bench, I like that setup, and the corner seat. We use a large cooler and keep it where the fold doen seat is and have a top pad for it, so you sit as high as the rear facing seat, you just don't mhave any backrest. Works OK for us, and the little corner set is good also even with the cooler there.

 

[bigblockcutlass]

The boat is out of the water as of last saturday. Spent a week cleaning it and just got it into the barn yesterday. I still have a lot of buffing to do on it. How do you keep anything nice in a slip? Tank an half of gas through the power washer to clean it.

 

[Bob C]

I generally find if you use a FORD everything goes a little better!!! Have FUN. <We have found lathering on Capt. Phab hull cleaner gel, let it sit for about 2 beers and power washing does a good job,>

 

[bigblockcutlass]

I haven't done much with the boat. I have some of the new pin stripping ripped off and ready for re install when the warm weather comes. Remember never to leave the clear film on the pin stripping when installing it like I did. When it sits in the sun it will crack and look like crap. It made it two year with the film on it and it worked well. When I polish on the boat it helped with preserving the pin stripping, but this third year in the sun at the marina in stead of in the barn killed it, that stripping that got the most sunlight anyways.

Here's my project this last month, bought another outboard for the dinghy or my two 12 aluminum boats I have. I did not like the looks of the cowl so I painted it and installed new decals. So I am back up to 4 outboards again, 5 merc 1999, 8 merc 1995, 15 merc 1999 and 15 evinrude 1990.

 

[1990-270-da-lover]

I like the new look, looks brand new! We just bought a new tender for our 270, 8'6" Saturn, need an outboard, and was looking at the 2.5 suzuki 4 stroke. How do you like the Merc's, any problems pop out on them? I haven't run any small outboards so don't really have much experience with them. Any advise would be welcome.

 

[bigblockcutlass]

I would not buy a 4 stroke. Heavy, handle but only a certain way.

Sorry I don't have a pic of the motor on the boat, but I run with the dingy up with the the 5hp and later the 8hp all summer. Never took the 8 off the dinghy most of the summer. Four stroke you could not do that. 4 Stroke you could not lift it. I bought a 2000 15 honda last summer for $650, I run it a few time's. Like the motor, but it was slow, and extremely heavy, over a 110 pounds. Quiet and burned no gas. Sold it in a week for $1200. Someways wish I did not sell it.


The only thing I don't like about the my 4 and 5 horse mercs were the one cylinder. They do not sound or smooth as nice as and twin. But they were quiet for a single cylinder and gave me no trouble. If you noticed the motors are mostly merc. I have gone from Sears Ted williams, chrysler, force, evinrude and now mercury for a reason. It's is the noise, vibration and ergonomics of using them. Just my opinion.

 

[USMMCaptJeff]

Greetings all. I've done some epoxy repairs to some holes left by a previous owner in the dashboard on my 1993 270 Sundancer up where the compass is mounted and around the sliding companionway hatch and need to repaint the entire area. Does anyone know what color paint that is? It's the non-slip that looks like a dark gray...maybe is was black when it was first painted on? I was planning to use the Interlux Brightside paint...the only colors the local West Marine has are black, white and green. Has anyone looked into doing this before? Is there a standard SeaRay paint color for that?

Thanks very much for the help...